I can understand the reasons why Disappointed and Ming Hoe were bewildered by the actions and statements of PAS leaders, since they are, I presume, non-Muslims.

However, as a Muslim, I would am not surprised by PAS' comments because their statements and actions are in line with the interpretation of the majority of Islamic scholars. And I believe the target of their comments are the Muslims.

If the critics want to argue their viewpoint on how Muslim women should dress and how Islamic laws should be implemented, they can do that. However, they should be aware that these issues form part of a religious belief and should be discussed in a respectable manner.

Similar issues have been discussed at great length by Islamic scholars and their critics and I don't think malaysiakini is the best forum to discuss them. I am not proposing that malaysiakini stop publishing these kind of letters, but I would just to remind readers on how it is possible to smear Islam under the guise of political comments.