Anti-Islamic letter was hateful

In response to Larry Brown's comments ("Deplores Islamic 'barbarism'"), Islam can be a re- ligion of peace and tolerance like any other religion. Like Christian- ity, there has been transformation in time of certain periods of his- tory. What is important is to sepa- rate Islam and Islamism.

Islam can be about peace, tol- erance, beauty, as it is about vio- lence and wars. Christianity can be about peace, tolerance, beauty as it is also about violence and wars. Judaism can be about peace, tolerance, beauty, but it, too, is about violence and wars.

It all depends on the one who interprets it. This world is going through a transformation. Vio- lence is not restricted to Islam and there are many forms as we just saw in the last war in Lebanon, treatment of human beings in Pal- estine, etc.

The pope, the head of the Catholic Church, a theologian, should not have used this (recent) quote at a time of high sensitivity in the Muslim world. I am sure he could have selected other quotes which praise unity and tol- erance. It was a poor choice on his part.

It is important at our time to open a dialog which will allow us to interpret, critique and under- stand each other, to realize that there is not a group/religion/coun- try better than the other and we can make this world a better place if we are willing to open our minds and hearts. Patricia Ahmad Agoura Hills