Regarding the letter It's time for Muslims to speak out , it's important for to understand why more Muslims don't feel personally responsible for the actions of others. The Koran is basically a manual for individual peace with God. It describes over and over how individuals should align themselves with God's will.

While Muslims are expected to live as a community, the Koran recognises free will and human fallibility. Therefore, it states that individuals are responsible for their own actions, not the actions of others. E.g.:

[35.18] ' And a burdened soul cannot bear the burden of another and if one weighed down by burden should cry for (another to carry) its burden, not aught of it shall be carried, even though he be near of kin. You warn only those who fear their Lord in secret and keep up prayer; and whoever purifies himself, he purifies himself only for (the good of) his own soul; and to Allah is the eventual coming .'

So in such a religion, it is ridiculous for some believers, no matter how pious, to constantly condemn the actions of others. Why should they? They aren't personally responsible and they can't help the persons involved or take away their sins.

It is also important to note that there is no clergy or Pope in Islam, no one to take responsibility for the actions of their 'flock' as in Christianity.

Imams are learned Muslims who can interpret the Quran and Sunnah, but there is no connotation that ordinary Muslims have to 'pass through' them or obtain their help in order to reach Heaven. Every Muslim has a direct connection to God and no one can interfere with that for good or for ill.

Are Muslims responsible for more crimes in the world per capita than non-Muslims and so they should feel some need to apologise? Is this really true or a mirage created by media focus on 'Muslim' crimes?

Look at the crimes committed throughout history. How many were committed by Muslims and how many by non-Muslims? WWI, II, Cold War, Pol Pot, Stalin's gulags, Hitler's camps, the Cultural Revolution, Hiroshima etc. Were these crimes caused by Muslims?

When you actually read the Quran and talk with Muslims, you will be amazed at what you see. It happened to me.