Madam, - The reaction of Muslims around the world who were offended by the Pope's comments during a speech in Germany should give all those who value freedom of speech cause for concern.
While I have no doubt that Muslims were genuinely offended, I wonder why, as far as I could tell, not a single Islamic leader, could be found who did not condemn the Pope and demand an apology.
Is it because every single Islamic leader was genuinely offended? Or is it because other, more radical voices are now setting the agenda and the Islamic leadership does not want to be out of step? Either way, it bodes ill for those who value freedom of expression.
The burning effigies of the Pope and the murder of a nun in Somalia are clear signals that there is a vast cultural gulf between secular Europe and a strong, invigorated Islamic population. And the fact that the Pope could be forced to make an apology over a quotation taken out of context speaks volumes about the increasing power of Muslims in today's world.
Will other world leaders be forced to make apologies in the future? Will leaders and academics begin to censor their own words for fear of reprisals? If so, our freedom of expression will decrease in inverse proportion to the power of the Islamic world. Decisions taken today by Europe's political and cultural leaders will have a profound effect on our future; and rights once lost will be very hard to retrieve. - Yours, etc,
TREVOR TROY, Connaught Place, Athboy, Co. Meath.