With regards to the report Muslim groups urged to dialogue, not debate, I sincerely ask Sisters in Islam and PAS to ignore Dr Musa Nordin's baiting.

Kudos to both SIS and PAS for being mature enough to recognise that in a Malaysia that is growing intellectually, discussions and debates are necessary and important so that the public gets to see both sides of the issue.

Debates or discussions or fora (call it whatever you want) on religion keep the world's religions alive, dynamic and relevant. They are held in many other parts of the world and have been for centuries. Why should Malaysia be any different?

e are not the children Musa seems to think we are. I feel the debate is a healthy exercise and that there should be more of it. If it is not one's cup of tea, then don't come. Plan a dialogue and that would be good too.

I, for one, appreciate the diversity in thought and opinion and rarely feel the need to blare my horn from the floor to attack or ridicule speakers for what they are saying. In fact, my respect for any religion actually goes up the more secure its followers are in discussing aspects of it.

Many Muslim groups organise forums or talks where speakers are invited from overseas or local institutions and they do this to add to the wealth of information and to be informed. Would those speakers be considered 'entertainers' and 'performers' too? How is this any different?

It's such a pity that Musa seems to be transferring his own anxieties and discomfort onto what is otherwise a 'win-win' effort. In so doing, he insults the intelligence of Muslims. Just because one's own sabre may be drawn, it does not mean others have done so as well.