I write to condemn the murder of the British Aid worker Gayle Williams in Afghanistan. According to reports she was killed on the false pretext that she had been ‘spreading Christianity’.

No murder can ever be justified but this murder of a lady who went to Afghanistan in an effort to develop local education and support those with disabilities is particularly callous.

It is a grave tragedy that so called Muslims continue to tarnish the name of Islam by falsely justifying their heinous acts in its name.

Those who perpetrate such crimes claim they are ‘defending Islam’, yet their acts are completely alien to the peaceful teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

May God grant patience and steadfastness to Gayle’s loved ones.

Farooq Aftab,  CKFT Solicitors, 25-26 Hampstead High Street, London