About that big-hearted Egyptian humanitarian Hosni Mubarak: What would former Pope John Paul II think? I agree with Dr. Thompson Debord, who wrote a letter (September 7) chastising the Rev. O'Neal Dozier's letter indicating that "Islam is a very dangerous, evil religious cult" and emphasizing Dozier's inability to see similarities between Christian and Islamic faiths.
I would like to cite former Pope John Paul II's very successful millennium tour in 2000, which started in Egypt and ended in Jerusalem. Its success resulted because, as Egyptian President Mubarak said to then-Pope John Paul II in Cairo: "Our people look upon you with great respect and high esteem as a man of courage, wisdom, and knowledge... You are firmly committed to the promotion of fraternity, peace, and coexistence among all nations. You work tirelessly for the creation of a world free of injustice, oppression, and bigotry."
When the pope started his millennium tour in Egypt, he became the first Catholic pope to enter the country. Interreligious dialogue featured high on the agenda of the former Catholic pope. He had several audiences with Egyptian Muslim and Christian clerics. When he later visited Jordan and Israel, Pope John Paul II continued his interreligious dialogues with Jordanian Muslim and Christian clerics and Jewish rabbis in Israel.
In summation, the former pope's millennium trip in 2000 called the world to love God. As Mubarak said, "In today's world where God is tragically forgotten, Christians and Muslims are called in one spirit of love to defend and promote human dignity, moral values, and freedom." In a world of growing spiritual and political balkanization, the former pope's life and example should be remembered.
Lois Lindstrom
Pompano Beach
No raiding merchant caravans in my backyard, please: I will get right to the point: People are forgetting one really big factor here. If a Muslim does not believe in killing non-Muslims, then he/she is not following the Qur'an properly. That is what they are taught. That is what they believe is right. The local Muslim leaders may say they do not want to be terrorists, but they certainly don't say too much against them. I believe that we are all equal and that everyone deserves to practice what he or she wants. However, when a religion is based on killing those of us who don't subscribe, then it must not be allowed in our community. I have done the research. Have you? Pick up a copy of the Qur'an, and compare it to the Bible. The Qur'an preaches evil, while the Bible preaches love. There is nothing intelligent in the Qur'an, let alone miraculous.
What about Muhammad, the so-called prophet? He was also a terrorist. A messenger of God should be saintly. He brutally massacred thousands of innocent people and pillaged their wealth. He raided merchant caravans, looted innocent people, massacred entire male populations, and enslaved the women and children. He raped the women captured in war after killing their husbands and told his followers that it is OK to have sex with their captives and their "right hand possessions" (Qur'an 33:50).
Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise, and the hatred is brewing in the minds of millions of Muslims. The truth about this religion is what will start the downfall of the Islamic fundamentalists, and, yes, many are right here in the community.
John Warchol
Pompano Beach
In Nighttime Stitches
Marya never sleeps: Although I enjoy all of Marya Summers' columns, I found "Hard to Swallow" (September 7) to be especially entertaining and informative. Keep up the good work!
Kris Cook
Via the Internet
... And she gets the story right: I am the owner of the nakamal described in Night Rider. Thanks for the great article. I love it. Great journalism.
Jeffrey Bowman
Boca Raton
Gypsy Lies
Keep my tribe out of your stereotypes: In "Psych Job" (Bob Norman, July 13), the writer says, "Marks belongs to the Uwanawich tribe of the Gypsies, which is led in South Florida by John Uwanawich, a convicted felon..." I am extremely upset by this assumption as both an American-Gypsy and an Uwanawich. Uwanawich is a last name, not a tribe: They belong to the tribe Machuwaiya. There is no such thing as a Gypsy leader, and we certainly don't want to be associated with convicted felons.
It would prove more effective to actually conduct research rather than make inaccurate assumptions about an entire race. Libel is against the law and shouldn't be printed so carelessly. The inaccurate and ignorant assumptions and the derogatory associations made among my people, the Uwanawich name, and criminals are unacceptable and offensive.
I will not tolerate such behavior nor discrimination against a culture I am very proud to be part of. Our rights as citizens of this nation have been violated with astounding frequency, especially in Broward County, which is notorious for its corrupt officers both discriminating against and abusing my people and their children (as with the Gypsy Task Force). I resent the Miami Herald for its ineffably ignorant articles on my people, as well as New Times. I don't feel it's appropriate to associate my people, or my "tribe," with felons or illegal behaviors and stereotypes. I don't think anyone should feel the need to lie when asked about his ethnicity; people such as Bob Norman cause me to shudder about revealing who I am as a Gypsy.
Name withheld
by request
