True Islam does not promote hate
Unfortunately, America faces another mass shooting leading to huge loss of lives. As an Ahmadi Muslim, I condemn the San Bernardino attack and all attacks that shed blood. Mass shootings have become a common act. Gun control has become a huge issue. Violence has increased more than ever. These vicious attacks serve no purpose other than to harm people and defame religion. When the names of the attackers were announced, Islam was yet again on trial. Not surprisingly, American Muslims are accustomed to being targeted whenever violent extremists, who claim to be Muslim commit attacks. It is depressing and unfortunate. The true religion of Islam does not approve of terror. In fact, Islam protects and emphasizes the sanctity of life. Promoting hatred is not the mission of Islam or any religion. I offer my deepest condolences to the victims of this attack and I stand forth to restoring peace in my country.
MEHWISH PALL, LAWRENCEVILLE
Cell phones will chase patrons away
It’s awkward to complain in the Christmas season, but I’m almost ready to stay away from performances because of cell phones. At the symphony, a young woman kept checking her messages, flashing the eerie light. At a popular church service, a woman in front of me started taking pictures, and a student beside me was flashing his cell phone. I asked them to stop, pointing to the word “sacred” on the program. They stopped, but the woman confronted me at the end, saying that the program didn’t forbid cell phone usage. Was my request unreasonable? A student next to me at a movie used a laptop during the whole movie. I wrote the organizer of the series, and from that point forward he announced that no electronic devices should be used. We can stop cell-phone usage in performances, but we need to agree that cell phones ruin the experience for many of us.
PRISCILLA PADRON, ATLANTA
Columnist highlights needed pet rescue
Thank you Gracie Bonds Staples for bringing attention toDr. Michael Good (Living, Nov. 28). Having been involved in rescue, I am quite familiar with his “doggie Auschwitz” analogy as to the extermination of millions of unwanted pets annually in the U.S. I can only imagine the exasperation he and others have felt in performing euthanasia on healthy pets because there was nowhere for them to go. Overpopulation is the culprit as there are simply not enough homes for all the animals. Let’s please honor Dr. Good’s dedication to animals by spotlighting this horrible situation whenever possible. Also by helping him to reduce the suffering through our volunteering and adopting, rather than buying, pets and promotion of spay and neuter for all companion animals.
DAVID BUTLER, MILTON
