Whilst military action on Afghanistan is regrettable, Muslims in Malaysia and around the world should not feel obliged to support the Taliban regime or feel guilty of not supporting them.

I have nothing but admiration and respect for the innocent people of Afghanistan. The past century have seen their once beautiful country wrecked by continuous wars. With their country in ruins after the Soviet withdrawal, they were shunned and neglected by the outside world, leaving their people resorting to an extreme interpretation of Islam to restore some form of order.

Unfortunately, irresponsible interpretation of god's law by the Taliban has perpetuated the sufferings of millions of Afghans especially among women.

The Quran states that:"There shall be no compulsion in Islam..." (2:256) and advocates tolerance; "You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant" (7:1999).

There is no compulsion in Islam for men to grow a beard, for women to cover their faces or for women to be denied of education but yet these are some of the many strict rulings imposed by the Taliban, based, according to them, on the Quran and hadith (sayings of the prophet).

I understand that due to lack of resources, they are unable to build a separate school for women, but surely independent study groups organised by women should not be against the syariah (Islamic) law?

Rich Muslims like Osama bin Laden, should spend their wealth in building the infrastructure for healthcare and education rather than sponsoring Taliban military action and the expansion of his Al-Qaeda training camps.

True Islam, according to the Quran, is a peaceful and moderate religion. The religion does not change but people do and many are guilty of corrupting the true spirit of Islam for personal, political and social reasons.

The Quran also states that Muslims should hold steadfast against their oppressors: "And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors". (2:193)

The oppressors to the millions of Afghans as I see it over the past six years, have been the Taliban themselves.