SIR - Mubarik Iqbal (T&A Letters, June 25) is rightly angered by suggestions that she return from whence she came.

But this harsh reaction from some correspondents can be partly explained by Mubarik's contributions to these columns over a period of time, which have consisted of a relentless barrage of criticism of the West, Westerners, and all things Western.

She does not just walk about with a chip on her shoulder, but with whole bag-fulls of the things, liberally sprinkled with bitter salt and sour vinegar!

She must acknowledge that contemporary Britons cannot be held responsible for past imperialist crimes, any more than Bradford Muslims are responsible for the crimes of September last.

I find it infinitely sad that she harbours such deep resentments against her adopted country. I can only remind her that there are few places apart from Britain where she could voice that resentment freely and openly.

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley.

SIR - Re the most recent letter from Mubarik Iqbal. Firstly it is true that Pakistanis were invited to come here to help with the labour problems but there is no compulsion to stay if you don't like it. Lots of people left Britain for Australia after the war on £10 passages but found they could not settle or did not like what they found and they returned home without causing any fuss.

Secondly, Great Britain has a great colonial record really. True, some people died but then, the areas we colonised often were full of people killing each other.

Thirdly, how does she work out that GB/USA have made life in Muslim countries hell? The power of the clerics has done that. We didn't need to. Look at Iran , Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia etc and see how "peaceful Islam" looks after its own.

Give me the warring west - it is far more peaceful !

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke

SIR - Mubarik Iqbal's letters get dafter by the day. She is becoming a cartoon character.

Presumably she came here of her own accord because she did not want to live in Pakistan. Nobody is forcibly held here. She is free to go back to Pakistan. It will only take 12 hours. There is no queue to go into Pakistan, but there is a massive one to get out.

Also, she surely does not work 12-14 hours a day to benefit the economy of this country, but to benefit herself. She should not insult our intelligence.

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Long Lane, Harden, Bingley

SIR - I have attended every Bradford Festival and greatly enjoyed them all. I was, therefore, looking forward to this year's format under "New Management". What a disappointment!

What happened to the Mela, for a start? The numbers in attendance were sparse compared to previous years. There were few events for children, far too many security guards and a tent unused all weekend but guarded by three officers.

What kind of organisation was that?

I had waited in vain for Cragg Vale Gamelan "bringing the sounds of Indonesia to Bradford International Festival" (so the brochure stated). They did not materialise and no explanation was given for their absence. That was the height of bad manners, surely?

In the past, local events like the Topic Folk Club at the Melborn Hotel were featured in the programme. The Topic Folk Club is the oldest folk club in the world and was founded here in Bradford in 1956 - something to be proud of. We are talking about Bradford's standing in its bid for European Capital of Culture in 2008, and why should not a folk club that promotes live music every week be part of that?

Philomena Hingston, Leaventhorpe Avenue, Fairweather Green, Bradford.

SIR - I too enjoyed the Mela in Peel Park (Yazmin Patel, T&A Letters, June 21). However it wasn't half as good as in previous years. Where was the street theatre and the children's area? What has happened to all the community groups' stalls? What about the environmental village, the sculptures, the impromptu entertainment?

The stage performers were as good as ever, but the event used to be much more of a vibrant social and cultural occasion. This is true of the whole of this year's festival. It lacked the quality and quantity of the previous years.

Ian Tothill, Harrogate Street, Bradford 3

SIR - Mr Midgley (T&A Letters, June 24) suggests Bradford Council tries to get the Leeds Festival here. I hope they don't, because I have only just got the ringing out of my ears from the Mela in Peel Park.

The noise during that weekend was unbearable and I think it's about time the Mela went back to Lister Park now that they have refurbished it.

Mrs Irene Rhodes, Oxford Road, Undercliffe.

SIR - I am delighted by Ian Vine's letter of June 19 in which he applauded the attempts made by individual and collective members of our different communities to celebrate anything that unifies us all, eg the overwhelming majority support for the England football team.

I would add to his voice by saying that if we constantly kept in mind our common humanity and loudly commended any language and action that bring us all together, instead of continually carping at imagined or perceived differences which can be wrongly interpreted, we could all succeed in pulling our city of Bradford out of the current doldrums.

P Fernandez, Upper Rushton Road, Bradford 3.

SIR - As the winner of the "Trolley Dash" competition in the T&A I would like to send my sincere thanks to the stall holders of the Oastler Shopping Centre (formerly John Street Market) for their amazing generosity.

The variety of stalls and choice of goods, and fresh quality foods at reasonable prices is very welcome as is the light, airy building with wide aisles.

With ample parking and lots of promotions in the future to look forward to, this should give the "top" end of Bradford the lift it deserves.

Mrs Eleanor Higgins, Chatham Street, Undercliffe.

SIR - I agree with Terry Rooney that Thorpe Primary should not have reopened (T&A, June 26). Parkland Primary School is a much better-situated school for all children. There are plenty of grounds for the children to run around in, not like Thorpe Primary, which is situated on the main road where the children are at risk from noise pollution, exhaust fumes and road accidents.

My grandchildren attend Parkland Primary (as did their parents and grandad) and I would hate to think of them being uprooted to travel to Thorpe Primary.

What has Thorpe school to offer that Parkland hasn't? I find Parkland to be a good school so please leave it alone.

Sue Burrows, Old Park Road, Greengates

SIR - Could the many companies in Bradford form a management company to oversee the raising of cash to rebuild Odsal? They could promote a "buy a brick" scheme.

I am sure members of the sporting public would donate, say, £5 per brick. Anyone donating cash to the scheme could deduct the amount given from the Council Tax levied on their own property, thus helping to repay the Council for their part in the Odsal fiasco.

Also, if Morrisons seek to build new stores or extend existing ones in Bradford, it should be put to a public inquiry.

G A Woods, Longfield Drive, Dudley Hill, Bradford