Mr. Hummel is correct when he said in his letter ("Society not represented by extreme individuals," Sept. 16) that extremists should not be seen as representing the majority, and certainly Islam has a long and rich intellectual, cultural and religious history. Many deplore the use of violence by the United States and Israel against Muslim groups.

Did you, who object to violence committed by the United States and Israel, object to the Muslim Taliban murdering thousands of other Muslim Afghans? Did you object to the Muslim leader Sadaam Hussein murdering thousands of other Muslims in Iraq and Kuwait? Did you object to the wars begun by the Arab states to drive Israel into the sea? Is there a difference when Muslims kill other Muslims than when the United States and Israel kill Muslims? Is
it acceptable and not worthy of
condemnation when Muslims kill
other Muslims? Is the Taliban to be tolerated while George Bush and Ariel Sharon are to be hated?

As long as certain Muslim groups in the Middle East continue to rely on violence, they will be met with violence. Israel, the United States and other nations have the right to defend themselves. Peace-loving Muslims, do not let your worthy religion be defined by those who hate and murder!