The article by Javier Solana “Integrating Europe’s Muslims” (Jan. 28) was very balanced and interesting. To a great extent I agree with the views of the writer regarding the causes that lead Muslim youths to walk the path of violence.

This problem is not unique to Europe. If one studies the socioeconomic backgrounds of most of the recruits of various terror outfits, it will be revealed in that they usually hail from poverty-stricken families. There may be exceptions but the majority of them are neither properly educated nor are economically stable people. This raises a serious issue that economic inequality is basically responsible for growing extremism.

We, therefore, have to do something to address the frustration among the Muslim youth. I am sure that European countries will address the issue effectively by taking measures to uplift the economic status of their Muslim population. However, it is a huge task for Muslim countries where corruption is rampant.

Fahad Qureishi

Dammam