The letter by Edmund Chia on religious pluralism and the claim that religious superiority is to be blamed for conflict and violence in the world, needs to be challenged.

This is especially so when the most violent period in human history occurred in the 20th century, especially during the world wars, which had nothing to do with religion but with geographical and economic supremacy.

Also, the idea that Islam imposed itself on others is furthest from the truth. As Muslims, they are not permitted to mock other people's religions. This does not mean they should remain silent on what they perceive to be the truth, but attacking others based on their religion and belief is against the teachings of Islam.

"O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong." (Quran 49:11)

"Revile not those whom they call upon besides God, lest they out of respite revile God in their ignorance." (Quran, 6:108).

"Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: For thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." (Quran, 16:125)

Indeed, in the Quran, it mentions why Islam is the truth rather than imposing that Islam should be the truth. Hence, if it seems to criticise other religions, it is just to merely set out the criteria for how a religion should be considered as the truth. Be it Islam, Christianity, Buddhism or others .

But by no means does Islam sanction the validity to insult Jesus (peace be upon him), Buddha, Vishnu, etc. In fact, the Muslims themselves can not guarantee their own success but can only leave their final destiny in the hands of God. How then can a true Muslim look down upon other religious community if his or her fate has not yet been sealed?

And as for the verse, "He that chooses a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him, and in the world to come he will be one of the lost" (Sura' 3:85), it is to be understood of rejecting Islam after the true message of Islam has been relayed to them. It is the opinion of some scholars that if they had the opportunity to learn the true Islam, but rejected it then only they are accountable for their belief.

Lastly, as Chia correctly pointed out, in Islam and Catholicism there is "no compulsion" in religion. Therefore, the problem is not that inter-religious conflicts occur because of too much religion, but rather too little of it.

True law-abiding followers of the religions (which are the apparent majority), do not subscribe to the violent tendencies that have been blamed on their religion. Hence, to promote understanding of the religions would be the antidote of the conflicts that we are facing throughout the world.

And in response to the letter entitled Have fatwa banning suicide bombings, it is by and large a consensus that suicide bombings are outside the perimeters of Islam. A religious decree has already been circulating throughout the world in Britain, America, Saudi Arabia and others.

UK Muslim scholars have already issued a fatwa against suicide bombings and the Fiqh Council of North America also reaffirmed Islam's absolute condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism.

Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Al-AsShaikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, chairman of the Committee of Senior Ulama (religious scholars) as well as chairman of the Department of Scientific Research and Ifta (guidance) has further condemned suicide bombings.

Unfortunately, this fatwa has not been publicised by the media. After all, it is always easier to blame the religion than blame the situation that precipitates the mentality of these bombers.