Sir — This refers to the article, “Moderates’ moment to reclaim Islam” (August 5) by Balbir Punj. This is a thought provoking article and the writer has buttressed his argument well by citing examples of the political upheaval in some of the Islamic nations in our western neighbourhood including Egypt, as a battle between the forces of moderation and those of extremism.
Recent events in Egypt have shown the liberal-minded Egyptians in an adverse light. The democratic movement there has now been reduced to a bloody confrontation between the power-wielding, liberals, backed by the Army and the forces of Islamic extremism representing the deposed Muslim Brotherhood Government.
No amount of soft-pedalling in the name of moderation can obviate the fact that a democratically-elected Government of Muslim Brotherhood party has been forcibly removed from power.
The only way the liberal-minded Egyptians can redeem their cause is to spread the gospel of moderation so that they can outnumber the fanatic followers of Muslim Brotherhood.