I read with interest the article “Striving to make world a safer place” by David Cameron and Barack Obama (Sept. 9). I appreciate their views about ensuring peace in the world. It is not just the western people who are in search for global peace. People in this part of the world are also craving for peace of mind. The question is: Who is responsible for the sorry state of global affairs? Whom should we blame for the current turmoil?

It was the very same powers that invaded Iraq on the pretext of weapons of mass destruction. May I ask, what happened to those dreadful weapons that were portrayed as a great threat to the world’s security particularly the United States?

Had the world powers acted differently at that point in time, the situation would have been different. This “war on terror” has only boosted terrorism. They talk about the safety of their countrymen. Truth be told, people of the Middle East and other Muslim countries have been at the receiving end. I strongly condemn the dastardly attack of 9/11 but after that every day somewhere in the Muslim world, we mourn a 9/11 only varying in its intensity.

Obama and Cameron should be appreciated for expressing their concern for their people. This is what a leader of a country should do but not at the expense of the safety of other nations. We Muslims also condemn the militants operating in the name of Islam. The world powers should try to take Muslims into confidence before taking any action in any Muslim country. Obama and Cameron should set an example and avoid turning into yet another Bush and Blair. — Hira Ahmed, Jeddah