The two letters, 'Public rallies: the authorities' viewpoint' and 'Respecting religious sensitivities in art', underscore an important concept of any modern society seeking survival, human liberty and free will.

When men and women in a free state share a common position and would like to express it through a public assembly - whether to build on the common energy, develop a sense of togetherness with the cause or feel strength in numbers - they have the right to do it.

Taking that away is almost like taking away the right to connect with those in your community. It is expected that the police will take precautions, as even Gandhi-inspired satyagraha marches have ended violently in India or in America.

However these precautions are for the safety those who have no interest in the matter. There has to be a balance between those two things, and unless there is creditable reason to fear an inappropriate outcome, all public group expressions should be legal. How else can a community express its interest or views to a general population or the authorities?

Secondly, when a play seeks to poke fun at the manner in which religious leadership is played out in a country like Malaysia, is this automatically a classic case of 'if you pick on the high priests, are you also desecrating the temple'?

I am a keen supporter of full and free expression, but if the discussion is about sensitivity then let us weigh it in context.

Plays like 'The Merchant of Venice' are showed as an anti-Semitic piece of entertainment, yet in large Jewish community zones like London and New York, it is put on without much compunction.

But this local play does not attack the tenets of Islam - like the Five Major Pillars - but concentrate on the behaviour of those claiming to be holier than thou. If Islamic practices and thinking of people is above the scrutiny of other Muslims, then the Al-Arqam and other deviating practices will also be above scrutiny.

The false prophets who tried to usurp power during and after Prophet Muhammad would also have been free to do whatever they wanted to do.

I believe there needs to be a debate if there something the Instant Caf Theatre says or performs attacks Islamic dogma and scripture. Parodying humans peddling religion and morality is fair game.