I read with sadness, the letter written by Syukri Yusof, 'When love is blind' (Nov 11). There really was no need to comment on Dr M Bakri Musa's well-meant article ('Emulate, not hate the West', Nov 9) in such a cynical manner. True, Bakri, living and practising in the US, naturally, must have come to love the place. The writer's letter, however, has only served to prove the point that we are indeed intolerant of another's views.

There's a lot of truth in Bakri's articles (past and present), but some of us might find them a tad unpalatable. Sure it's easy for him to pass comments, living so far away, in the land of plenty, "heaven on earth", as the writer put it - do I detect a tinge of envy?

And, who was Shukri referring to as "poor and unsuspecting malaysiakini readers"? I am of the assumption that only the intelligent and open-minded amongst us would bother opening and reading this exclusive website. Common people may find even reading the ordinary newspapers mentally too "challenging"!

Having "blemishes" means simply being "imperfect", and to "emulate" in this context, simply means, "trying to equal or surpass", nothing more.

Furthermore, the article merely reflected the Bakri's personal views. Now, isn't everybody entitled to one?

Just take the good, omit the bad. Better still, study the bad, turn them into good for the benefit of all.

However, taking the meaning of the word "emulate" in this context, there's no way we could ever hope to emulate the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as the writer had suggested! Incidentally, was he expressing his opinions as a Muslim, or as a Malay? The two are by no means synonymous.

A dose, or even an overdose, of 'love' can be therapeutic in times like this when so much hatred and violence are contaminating the very air we breathe. Muslims must never ever, portray the images of these loathsome qualities. Mind you, hatred, too, can be blind, not just sometimes, but most of the time.

Let us all be more charitable and kind in spirit, with the coming of the holy month of Ramadan.