Regarding "Putting a face on the Arab world" (Page A-1, Nov. 24):

Bergen Record, 11.29.05

I have no problem with the creation of an Arab heritage commission if its mandate is to generally inform the public about Arab and Islamic life, and so long as other ethnic groups in New Jersey can have their own heritage commissions if they wish.

However, I am concerned about giving an Arab heritage commission undue influence over what New Jersey children will be learning in school. If the objective is to provide "balanced education" about the Middle East, why not create a balanced Middle East commission, rather than one which is aligned with just one viewpoint?

Comparisons to the Holocaust commission and Italian heritage commissions are not valid. The Holocaust commission deals with just one specific issue, while the Italian heritage commission does not specifically focus on children's education.

Joseph Chomski

Passaic, Nov. 24