Rochdale. Online: Letters to the Editor

Different UKIP folk seem to be flooding RO at the moment. 'Dear Editor, my press team have put this together and I'm just emailing it round to as many places as possible. Please will you publish it?'

Had to laugh at the Rochdale Observer/M.E.N  report that a train set on fire at Clegg Hall in Wardle which was then repeated on the BBC. Has Clegg Hall moved from Smithy Bridge? Nothing like local reporters is there!

I see Mohammed Salim has written and is trying to promote lowering the legal age of sex and marriage to 13 from 16!  He backs up his argument by saying that it is legal in Islam and some European countries, so why not here in the UK?!

To think that this man is a father to daughters makes my blood run cold!

15 perhaps. I can see a reasoned argument for this but must confess that any lower is pushing the boundaries. Any argument that starts by saying 'this is the law elsewhere' is no criteria when applied before a nations indigenous laws which have been set by 'that' nations cultural and domestic evolution. Perhaps he should be reminded of where he lives.

It is reasonable to debate the ages of consent for different things and to hear different views. Those who believe girls are ready for sex and marriage at age 13, should not be allowed to work within the UK in occupations that bring them into contact with children.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/129/letters-to-the-editor/83751/lower-age-of-consent-for-marriage-and-sex

Atlas wrote:. Perhaps he should be reminded of where he lives.

In Islam, M Salim's stance would apply equally to girls and boys, whereby any "physical" Sharia-documented signs or the various interpretations of puberty would signal suitability for sex and the associated marriages.  

He risks bringing ridicule on large sections of the Muslim community here, where children attending schools / education at least until the age of 16 is an expected norm.    

The too-early sexualisation of children is strongly opposed by many.

Ridicule rarely has an effect on religious beliefs. It's more about enforcing employment law and regulation for the protection of children.