Malaysiakini columnists Dina Zaman ([#1]Infidels in the guise of Muslims[/#], April 5), Dr M Bakri Musa ([#2]Religious schools merely brain-wasting indoctrination centres[/#], March 31) and others have struck a raw chord through their writings. Several of your readers have come back in defence of Islam. But there is a need to differentiate between the ideal and the practice.

All major world religions (and even atheists) share many of the same ideals. However, there is often a gap between the ideals expressed in religion or philosophy and what is actually practised. Also, not all people (even experts) necessarily agree on how these ideals are best put in practice.

It is only through exchange of ideas and experiences that we can improve and make sure that our actions, individually and as society approach the ideals shared among most peoples of the planet.