Readers corner

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Two extremes

Sir-- Extremists of all religions, Islam and Christianity alike, allow religion to control each and every individual action that takes place in their day. You can argue that Muslims are supposed to be peaceful and tolerant, and the truth is that the majority of them are. It's only the extremist groups that take the word of Islamic religion too far, much like many Christian fundamentalists do. If you think that Muslims are far less peaceful than Christians, just look at the holy wars; that will show you some interesting facts. More people have died in the name of God than for any other cause, and things aren't going to change any time soon.

Charles Koppelman
Michigan
USA

Best of the lot

Sir-- The Brotherhood may not be such a bad path for Egypt to take. Though they do not have the best reputation and make most Americans rather sceptical, they seem to be the most stable of all the potential ruling options. If the Brotherhood is straight and honest and concentrates on the economy all will be well. The situation in Egypt is critical, though, for the rest of the Middle Eastern region. We serve as an example for the rest of the countries and our success is crucial for development in the region.

Ahmed Fahmi
Cairo
Egypt

Not surprising

Sir-- The Muslim religion is the single most influential component in the lives of Egyptians, and many people throughout the Middle East turn to their faith for guidance. Therefore it seems as though the popularity by the people for the Islamic political parties should not be surprising. So even though the mere use of the word "Islamist" gives a negative undertone reflecting the typical phobic and aggressive attitude of the Western media, isn't it a fact that our societies are predominantly Muslim?

Mona Abdel-Ghani
Cairo
Egypt

Ironically secular

Sir-- In the long term it's not about ideology but public service. Given enough education and wealth people tend to lose their religion. It follows, therefore, that even the Muslim Brotherhood, provided it lifts people out of poverty, provides adequate healthcare and real education services to its people, and provides the infrastructure for business to thrive, will end up serving the cause of secularism.

Paula Stiles
Washington
USA

Better than before

Sir-- I believe that it doesn't really matter. Whoever wins, there will be a better outcome than the man who was originally in power. Obviously, it is for the good of everyone if Mubarak is replaced with someone wanted by the people. I also believe Egypt's leaders should concentrate on the economy instead of unimportant things.

Archie Weathers
California
USA

Little resemblance

Sir-- The modern-day Egyptians have as much common with the ancient Egyptians as the modern-day Greeks have in common with the Greeks of Socrates and Plato. The Greeks invented "democracy" and look where they are now.

Donna Penn
Florida
USA

Experimental Pakistan

Sir-- Re 'When will Pakistan's spring arrive?' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 1-7 December), how horrendous. I do not know much about Pakistan. But I think that this area (extracted from India like a slice of pizza) has been an experimental field, a macabre toy for very powerful interests.

Carmen Alvarez
Mexico City
Mexico

Much longer

Sir-- Never learn, do we? The British achieved democracy only after two bloody civil wars, and the Americans, too, fought a dreadful war. As a result, both countries have lived under democratic systems for hundreds of years -- the Middle Eastern countries have not.

Paul Madden
London
UK

Where are they now?

Sir-- The people who posted comments about the "happy-clappy" democracy developing out of the Arab Spring are nowhere to be found now.

Heinrich Kauer
Hamburg
Germany

Some are violent

Sir-- Allah is merciful but some of his adherents certainly are not.

Thomas Worth
Dubai
UAE