THIS is with reference to the report (Dawn, August 27) in which an official in the US has proposed a new map of the Middle East, including Pakistan, based on the ethnic and intra-religious groups therein.

The tables can be turned on the US. There are European and non-European settlers in the US.

The ancestry claimed by the Americans is as follows: 20 per cent are of German descent, 11 per cent Irish, 8-9 per cent English, 6 per cent Italian, 4 per cent Scandinavian, Polish 3 per cent, 13 per cent descent from Africa, 10 per cent call themselves American, 1 per cent native Americans while the rest are of Hispanic origin.

Blacks are in majority in the south-east, whites in the northern and central states, with Hispanics dominating in the south-west.

As for religious groups, 77 per cent Americans claim to be Christians (55 per cent Protestants, 30 per cent Roman Catholic and the other church groups).

The rest of the population are Muslims, Jews, Hindus, atheists and others. On the basis of these facts and figures one can easily propose a new map of the US based on ethnic and religious affinity.

KHURRAM MUNIR
Lahore

http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/08/letted.htm#10