Vast majority of Muslims are not radical Islamists

Vast majority of Muslims
are not radical Islamists

EDITOR:

I would like to respond to the Aug. 9 letter, “War in Iraq teaches Muslims a lesson about themselves.” The writer seems to imply that Islam is currently not a peaceful religion and is not conductive to a civilized world. He is taking a radical interpretation of Islam — including the concept of Jihad — and generalizing about the entire religion.

The concept of Jihad is only accepted by a minority of Muslim authorities. Only 20 percent of the world’s one billion Muslims live in the Arab world where these radical terrorists are being brainwashed and trained. The rest of the Muslims live in countries around the world, and Islam for them means tolerance, compassion and kindness toward others.

I have lived and worked in Turkey for 10 years. I have met thousands of Muslims, and they have all been accepting of me and my beliefs and extremely hospitable to strangers. I have also met Muslims from India, Egypt, Africa and Pakistan. Without exception, the values they adhered to included reverence for the elderly, love for children, compassion for the poor and needy, and hospitality toward strangers. These are all values that are taught to them under the guidelines of Islam.

It is important — and only fair — that we all keep in mind during these troubled times that the radical Islam being practiced by terrorists does not represent the entire religion of Islam any more than the actions of the Ku Klux Klan might represent the entire religion of Christianity.

Religion can and will be altered for political purposes, but this should not reflect poorly on the religion as a whole or on the millions of the world’s Muslims who practice their religion peacefully and in a civilized way.

MELISSA ALTINTAS

Poland

Another source of support

EDITOR:

I read last Monday’s Vindicator story about the newly formed Down Syndrome Association of the Valley. I, too, am a parent of an l8 year old Down Syndrome son.

I would like to inform the members of this group that Mahoning County Council for Retarded Citizens at 3024 Center Road in Poland offers Parent Support Meetings the last Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m. We bring in many informative speakers from our local Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) and various state entities.

Our Parent Support Group consists not only of sons and daughters with Down Syndrome, but a multitude of disabilities. Many of our families have grown children and are so welcoming and eager to share their life experiences. We must never forget that our children do grow up and there is always a next “step” for them during the course of their lifetime. Adulthood brings on an entire new set of issues.

Our agency offers three activities per month for our adult individuals and a wonderful six-week summer camp. We also have a facility with a meeting room. Should they wish to join, they are certainly welcome to make use of our meeting room at no charge.

We welcome their participation in our agency so they can share their experiences along with the experiences of our other families.

LEONA CROGAN, Director

Mahoning County Council
for Retarded Citizens

Poland

Stop retreat mining

EDITOR:

Companies such as the Crandall Canyon Mine in Huntington, Utah, are using retreat mining to increase profits.

Even the scavenger in the jungle leaves a piece of meat on the bone. Retreat mining — pulling pillars and letting the roof cave in — to get the last lump of coal is scavenging of the worst kind.

Retreat mining is inhuman lunacy and it should be banned.

STEVE KOPA

Weirton, W.Va.