Mohammed Asif, councillor for Dundee Coldside Ward, in his official capacity as a member of the Tayside Joint Police Board, takes the force to task over the photographic use of a German Shepherd puppy, to highlight a new non-emergency number, which was posted to citizens and businesses throughout Tayside (your report, 2 July).
Mr Asif warned that the puppy postcards were potentially offensive to sections of the Muslim community, and highlighted, in particular, rejection by Muslim shopkeepers.
Timing, especially in politics, is everything, and to raise this as an issue
around the first anniversary of the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport beggars belief. Communities in Scotland are working hard "to come together", have tolerance, find understanding, which ideally would be a pre-requisite of a multi-culture society. It may be, there should be a moratorium of Asian shopkeepers on the selling of alcohol, the selling of dog food where a picture of a dog is used, the selling of newspapers who promote pictures of semi-clad women, the list is endless.
As a Dundonian, who embraces all cultures within my beloved city, may I ask for an outbreak of common sense.
DEREK MARKS
Brook Street
DundeeBritish culture has always been dog-friendly. We love our pets. People who come to stay in the United Kingdom should understand our ways and adapt to them. They should not expect us to spend our time tiptoeing around their "cultural sensitivities".
Can I be the only one getting exasperated at being lectured by Muslims on how we should run our country?
ALISON HALLEY
Newbattle Abbey Crescent
Dalkeith, MidlothianThe full article contains 270 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
