To the editor:

This is in response to David Omar’s recent letter (Public Forum, Sept. 18) asking why a Coptic Christian would want to inflame the Muslim world. The reason would probably be because the Coptic Christians who live in Egypt and other predominantly Muslim lands have had their churches destroyed, their people killed and/or displaced and other horrible crimes done against them while the Muslims of that land and the world have done very little. I should mention that in other Muslim-dominated areas such as Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, Tunisia, Pakistan, Indonesia, northern Nigeria, Christians in the last 25 years have suffered similar or worse atrocities at the hands of Muslims.

Unfortunately, the governments of those areas have mostly turned a blind eye to them. Fortunately for you and all other religious people who live in the United States, we do not have to endure such problems because our forefathers came from Europe where religious groups dominated the government. So, our constitution now protects religious rights and free speech whereas the present day Muslim nations do not.

So, Mr. Omar and other Muslims, instead of justifying the inane and violent acts of your brethren, you should band together and use the freedoms you enjoy to fight for freedom of religion and speech in Muslim nations. When no one has any doubts that the Muslim world is drastically changing, perhaps we will pay closer heed to your words. Until then, you cannot and should not expect Americans or anyone else to not place blame on the violent actions of any Muslims.