Fear of friends at Red Sea resort (From Stroud News and Journal)

Fear of friends at Red Sea resort

A STROUD woman who has converted to Islam is anxiously waiting for news of friends caught up in the carnage in the Eygpitian resort Sharm El-Sheikh.

Helen Williams - who became a Muslim two years ago - is a regular visitor to the popular Red Sea destination rocked by a series of bomb blasts at the weekend.

In fact, one of her favourite shops was levelled during the explosions. Helen, of Cainscross Road, who spent 20 years studying Islam, condemned the bombers, saying there is nothing in the Koran to justify such terror.

She is still waiting for replies to text messages sent to three friends in Egypt who may have been caught up in the three blasts, which have so far killed 88, including two Britons.

"I am absolutely horrified at what happened," she said.

"I was speaking to a friend in Egypt and he said the shop where we met had been completely destroyed. I couldn't believe it."

Sharm El-Sheikh is a popular destination for British holidaymakers, including Prime Minister Tony Blair. Around 9,000 Britons were there when the bombers struck on Saturday.

"It just seems there is nowhere safe now at all," said Helen, a personal tutor.

"I put off a trip to London next week because I am just afraid to go into Paddington.

"It has made me very afraid for my family."

Commenting on her conversion to Islam, she said: "The whole way of life appealed to me.

"The modesty for women, the very close family life and the honouring of the older generation."

She spoke of her disgust at terrorists who kill in the name of her adopted religion.

"Like the IRA bombs in the '70s and '80s, these people are complete fanatics," she said.

"I do not really understand what they have taken from Islam to give any excuse for violence. I am on my fourth reading of the Koran and I have found nothing whatsoever to justify it."