Iran should refrain from challenging Britain and US

I write in reference to your article Iran seizes British-flagged tanker Stena Impero in new Gulf escalation (July 19). Iran is playing an increasingly dangerous game in the region, which could spark a destructive war. Iran should not pretend to be a superpower, and should refrain from challenging the British and the US navies. Peace is the best option, and both should make a sincere effort to bring it to the region.

Nazim Hasan Khan, India

Taliban role in Kabul attack cannot be ruled out

I write in reference to your article Afghanistan bomb blast kills at least eight near Kabul University (July 19). Your piece was crisp and explained well the latest developments in conflict-ridden Afghanistan. Eight people were killed and 33 injured by this attack near the university in Kabul last week. The Taliban are denying the attack, but their participation cannot be ruled out this attack can not be ruled out. There is a great deal of insurgency in Afghanistan and hardline extremists are growing in power and influence in this land. This attack was widely condemned and follows a recent ISIS attack in the country. The fact that attacks are increasing, just as Afghanistan is slowly improving and trying to heal its wounds is extremely sad.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

It is time that Muslim women were represented in books

We are Mena and Zena Nasiri, ages 15 and 16 respectively. We are two American Arab Muslim girls currently living in Michigan, US, who love to read. However, we always find ourselves struggling to find books with female Muslim characters in our local libraries. As a result, we came up with a project to start collecting books with female Muslims lead characters, catalog them, and then donate them to public and school libraries. We are delighted to reveal that we have seen significant positive results in our community. As a result we decided to expand our reach and form a nonprofit organisation named Girls of the Crescent.

We thought our efforts to increase the representation of female Muslim roles in literature might be of interest to your readers.

Mena and Zena Nasiri, Michigan, US

It is time to install strict fire prevention measures

I refer to your article Kyoto arson attack leaves 20 dead at Japan animation studio (July 19). It is time fire prevention measures were strictly installed to save lives and property. I pray for the dead and bereaved.

Name withheld by request