The issues of proselytisation and apostasy are oftentimes heatedly discussed. The latest letter by Jamaluddin Hassan ([#1]Is this the real face of PAS?[/#], Dec 22) reflects this scenario. To him, the editorial written by PKK ([#2]Apostasy and Umno's aqidah antics[/#]), which was published in both Harakah (PAS' newsletter) and Harakahdaily (website), was another proof of PAS' fanatical intolerance.

Among the followers of religions other than Islam there is dissatisfaction regarding the issue of proselytisation. Buddhists and Hindus are certainly not the offenders here because they have no active programme or missionary to seek converts, being happy simply to convert Buddhists or Hindus to become better Buddhists or Hindus. It is because faith to a Buddhist or Hindu is merely a "raft" to the final goal in spirituality.

I recently wrote an article in Fa Lu Yuen, a popular Buddhist magazine in Chinese, to prod the fellow Buddhists to ponder this non-exclusive teachings of the Buddha (which is well-received by the Hindus as part of their religious teachings) and prevent isolating themselves from the Other.

But I find it difficult to persuade my Muslim and Christian friends who profess Abrahamic religions, namely Islam and Christianity, to share a similar worldview. It is because faith is something fundamental to them. To deny it would mean to deny the belief of the religion. Faith determines whether one will enter heaven or not.

If we keep squabbling on this point, I think we will never achieve a peaceful world for the community. We must go beyond sheer tolerance, and instead get a deeper understanding of the Other.

Hence, seven years ago, I made an attempt to delve into the teachings of Islam and Christianity to find more common reasons to forge a common tie that binds us all. Hudud laws (including apostasy) are part of my studies apart from the Quran and Bible. Now I realise the beauty of Islam and Christianity that I would never have discovered if I hadn't banished my prejudices and get down to the real study of the Other, especially the great philosophy behind Hudud laws. It also improves my understanding of the teachings of the Buddha even more.

Therefore I would like to see both Muslims and non-Muslims really giving serious thought on what PKK had succinctly pointed out - that the apostasy law is to protect the present harmony and goodwill between the different religious groups in this country. Whether we agree with him or not is beside the point. What is paramount is to study the philosophy behind it, which many Muslim scholars claim as justifiable, as how we urge the Malays to cool down and get into the actual study of the [#3]appeals of Suqiu[/#] and the reasons for Dong Jiao Zong's objection to Vision Schools.

Towards this goal, I am always ardently looking forward to a harmonious interfaith relationship emerging in our society. I am a regular participant of the monthly interfaith dialogue organised by Insaf (Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship), led by Dr Amir Farid Isahak, who is presently writing medical advice for Muslimah (a monthly Islamic women's magazine). He is also actively leading a study group of Chinese Qi Kong.

I hope more Malaysians will join Insaf's activities and that PAS will create a similar interfaith fellowship within the party itself.