The article entitled ?The secret behind number 11 - coincidence or... pretty chilling? by Dr Chumun and published in yesterday?s edition of l?express gave rise to a great number of responses. We are publishing some of them below. "Totally erroneous? "We refer to the article titled "The secret behind number 11 - coincidence or... pretty chilling" which appeared in your edition of 14 November 2007 and would be grateful if the following 'mise-au-point' could be published in your next print: While the article, as published, gives the impression of being one produced by the author (who claims to be a number cruncher by the way); a quick search of the article's title on Google Search shows that it is a sheer 'cut & paste' reproduction of what is already widely available on web since long. A number of the supposedly astonishing facts contained in this article are totally erroneous and have been denounced in several forums. However, we do not intend to get into a factual or arithmetic debate on what is already widely considered as a mere hoax. Most importantly though, the article contains a blatant lie about Muslim's Holy Book Al Qur'an, which we believe the 'author' should at least have taken the pain to verify. The passage which is imputed as being Chapter 9 Verse 11 of the Qur'an is, in fact, non-existent in the whole of the Holy Book. For your information, Yusuf Ali's translation of this verse is as follows: "But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand." Certainly not a coincidence but pretty chilling isn't it? A Group of Muslims

Number cruncher? I refer to an article by Dr Seeookumar CHUMUN, claiming to be a Number Cruncher by giving facts about the number 11, in your edition of yesterday. I wish to put on record that these facts have long been circulated on the web and via emails. He cannot come to claim that he deciphered all these by himself! Moreover, and worryingly, the claim that the Verse 9:11 of the Holy Quran concerning the rise of the Eagle is totally false. At least, he should have double checked before making such statements! For reference, here is the Verse 9:11 of the Quran: But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then are they your brethren in religion. We detail Our revelations for a people who have knowledge. The Quran (9:11) Iqbal KURRIMBOCCUS

?A hoax? I refer to the article of Dr Seeookumar CHUMUN (Number Cruncher) published under Letter to the Editor in l?express newspaper of Wednesday, 14 November 2007? I have two points to make: 1/ The article in question refers to the ?Secret behind number 11 ?? All of these so called "secrets" have already made the rounds, many times, on the Internet, in many forms including via spam e-mail. 2/ The quote of Dr Chumun of a verse from the Holy Quran (verse 9:11) is totally false. The chapter and verse citation by Dr Chumun is not a legitimate quotation from the Holy Quran ? no such passage appears in the Holy Quran, at Chapter 9, Verse 11 or anywhere else forthat matter! Chapter 9 verse 11 actually says ?But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.? (Translation Yusufali, Quoted from website: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/009.qmt.html). In my humble opinion one must be careful not to take material from the Internet which is a hoax, not genuine and misleading, specially when it comes to quoting verses from the holy books of any religion. I would be thankful if the newspaper can publish these clarifications for the general public. Junaid RABBANI [[email protected]]

?A mere coincidence? Referring to the article 'The secret behind number 11 ? coincidence or... pretty chilling' by Dr Chumun, that you published in yesterday?s edition of your newspaper, Wednesday 14th of October 2007, I would like to tell you that this particular article has been forwarded over e-mails for quite some time now. Concerning the number eleven, or the Q33 NY that you need to change the font etc over M. Word to get some pictures, I should say that it is a coincidence. But something which is a terrible lie and which is serious as it tends to state a terrorist connotation in the Quran is totally false as IT DOES NOT EXIST!!! The below article is what was included in your newspaper: The following verse is taken from the Koran, the Islamic Holy Book: ?For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced: for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah and there was peace.? That verse is number 9.11 of the Koran. I repeat myself, this verse does not exist! The author copies/pastes that article which was circulating over the net for more than a year now and needless to say that a lot of lies are circulated over the net targeting the islamic community. Sir, I am asking you to rectify this small piece of information to your readers as soon as possible as the ones who do not know the Quran will believe that this verse does exist. But it is absolutely not the case. C. K.