I could not agree more with M Bakri Musa's suggestion that "These religious schools must be modernised. They must produce more than just future mullahs; rather, they must prepare young Muslims for the modern economy" ([#1]Religious schools merely brain-wasting indoctrination centres[/#], March 3l).

But to castigate the missionaries from Malaysia's Islamic Institute who were in the United States recently to preach dakwah for being hardly able to speak a word of English is irrelevant. And if it was true, then there should be a translator to help the missionaries to convey their dakwah.

The writer also pooh-poohed a typical senior class discussion of God's existence that concludes with "earth, fire, water, and air" as proof of His presence. Even at village-level teachings, the guru always teaches and mentions that the proof is "sekalian alam ini" (everything in the world).

The writer may not have heard of this phrase. Or perhaps he did not know that "sekalian alam ini" is the conventional way to prove God's presence in Islamic teaching, anywhere and at any level.