To the Editor:

Today, we have between 5 and 10 million Muslims in the United States. In surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center, 21 percent have a favorable view of Al Qaeda. That may be a low percentage, but 5 percent of 5 to 10 million is a lot of people.

Often, these Muslims are radicalized by foreign agents, such as the publishers of Inspire, as well, it must be said, as by the ideological left in our schools and in Hollywood, who tirelessly and tiresomely portray America as an oppressive country with a tradition of exploiting its minorities at home and Third World peoples abroad.

In any case, such a large and disaffected population presents a real problem in a free society such as ours, which is based on ideals like religious freedom and individual rights. We must hold firm to these ideas, which are the source of our greatness. But we must not be blind to the presence of those who seek to destroy us by taking advantage of our freedom.

Wake up people … tell our elected officials “no more Muslims to immigrate to the U.S.” We don’t need them.

Paul Westrum

Albert Lea