The vicious cycle of violence in the Middle East seem unabated. Reading the newspapers is a chore today, as you will only read about bombings, mayhem and people killing one another without rhyme or reason.

The world has change for the worst after Sept 11, and any decent human being would not understand why people settle old scores by killing one another. The root of the problem is the simmering land dispute between the Jewish regime and the Palestinian people - unsettled since the end of the World War II.

As long as the Arabs are mistrustful of the United State to act as a honest broker in solving the conflict of warring factions, the road map for Middle East peace will lead to nowhere. Let us hope that common sense will prevail between both parties, as there are many Jewish and Palestinian people who are weary and tired of the conflict and would rather live in peace as good neighbors than going for each others' throat.

Closer to home we witness our next door neighbour who chooses the barrel of the gun to suppress the Free Aceh Movement, instead of diplomacy. The winds of war will affect our country as refugees start looking for safe havens to avoid the ravage of war.

As a Muslim it saddens me to see the brethren killing one another in a contest of power. As my Holy Quran tells me, it is a great sin to take away one's life without any reason. My silent prayer: In time of discord, let there be harmony, and in time of mistrust, let there be truthfulness.