I WRITE regarding the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. The vast majority of Muslims are peace-loving people who practise their religion in harmony and tolerance with other great beliefs. But there is a growing percentage of mainly Shi'ite Muslims who unfortunately do not. The Islamic faith has lost a lot of respect and credibility since the fatwa or death sentence was passed upon Salmon Rushdie, indicating a weakness of character and intolerance. In Islamic states such as Iran, which I have visited, a system of governing a country, based completely on religion is both dangerous and backward. There are many holy wars (jihads) being waged in many parts of the world by religious fanatics. The world should heed these incidents as the potential for disaster would be terrible, if one of these lunatics obtained a nuclear capability and decided to send all the ''infidels'' to meet their maker. I am a humanist and have no religious beliefs, except that one day mankind will shed the chains of religion and maybe reach our full potential, rid the world of the evils of poverty, war and greed and make this tiny little speck of life in the universe agreat place to live in for ourselves and future generations. JOHN LEE Mid-Levels