WITH reference to Mr Pratt's letter (LET, January 15) regarding the Arabs and their culture. Yes they did have a great deal of culture long before we (in Britain) had anything similar.

As for Astrology, Stonehenge has been around a lot longer than the Arabs. And we learnt how to build and maintain sewerage systems -- they still don't have them in any numbers, nor has their medical profession advanced beyond the basics unless they gained it from the west.

Culture is not everything, just an excuse to pretend that there is an advancement in society.

Don't hide behind the veil, Kilroy-Silk was referring to today, not yesterday, and he has the same right that you and I have to "Freedom of Speech.' Try opening a Catholic Church in Saudi Arabia!

D ALLEN, Leipzig, Germany (via email).