While reading Martin Scicluna’s article (May 18) regarding Muslims in Europe, I was struck by the thought that one question is rarely articulated in this discussion and it is this: is Islam an alien presence in the West?

Sadly, I believe it is. Islam is a religion which has its roots in a specific time and place, seventh century AD in Arabia. The problem for the West is that very little has changed in the outlook of its adherents. This, ironically, is seen by many Muslims as a strength. Islam, it seems, has never felt the need to adapt to changing circumstances, as has Christianity, so that when Muslims come to the West they bring with them a medieval mindset and do not change.

The expressions ‘moderate Islam’ and ‘moderate Muslim’ suggest to many western liberals a sharing of values – secular values. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most Muslims in the UK and elsewhere do not share European values. Muslims might add ‘why should we?’

Value systems are specific to the environment in which they develop and are perhaps non-transferable. Western values are not universal. Why have so many thousands of young Muslims joined extremist organisations such as IS? The liberal reply is alienation with their western birthplace or with majority Muslim countries seen as corrupt or serving the interests of the West. Brainwashing? Indoctrination? I think not.

Perhaps in Islam and other beliefs there is a ‘dog-whistle’ affect, an unspoken response in a certain way at a certain time. Does the word Jihad act as a trigger? Does Islam need to change?

Reform is vital not only for non-Muslims but overwhelmingly for Muslims also.

But in Islam there is no forum for debate; any change will be glacial,if any.