WHILE one wonders why council officers insist that a Muslim girls school provides places for about 42 bikes (LET, May 26), we can only assume that there may be a very good reason for such a demand.

On the other hand, and not for the first time, it is possible that they may have got it wrong.

After all, and not for the first time, officers and councillors have previously and frequently got it wrong by allowing private schools and religious buildings to be set up in heavily residential areas, without due consideration for the safety of young children and the well-being of the wider communities.

Mr Rafique Malik, however, leads readers to believe that Islam demands special treatment and extraordinary favours.

According to him "the Muslim culture bans girls aged over 10 years from riding bikes." Being of an Islamic faith myself, I struggle to recognise Mr Malik's statement

Perhaps, in his capacity as the executive member of the Lancashire Council of Mosques and with the benefit of his extensive knowledge of Islam, Mr Malik can tell us the precise reference of the relevant chapter and verse that refers to such an edict.

Can he also explain why Muslim clerics and the ruling authorities in an Islamic country such as Pakistan, not only tolerate, but freely permit, females of all ages to ride pedal bicycles and scooters and other similar motor bikes.

Name and address received.