SIR - The Muslims who have resorted to violence in expressing outrage towards the present Pope are rendering a disservice to their religion, for it reinforces the view that Islam is practised by intolerant and extreme followers and the attempts by moderates to represent the religion as peaceful and tolerant have been impeded.

It is only recently that similar protests were made by Muslims against Danish cartoons and it remains to be seen whether this will become a common occurrence.

Muslims should accept that in the secular west figures of reverence may be criticised or satirised and a mature approach would require an acknowledgement of this. It cannot be expected that what is held important by Muslims would be equally esteemed by others and respect needs to be earned and not demanded.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Bradford