There is no problem with both of the views - Zahid Abbas is right from the Muslim perspective and Dr Sarah Verghis is right from the historical perspective. Of course, there are many other perspectives from that of the socio-anthropologist to that of the philosophers and occultist. The origin of religions is indeed mysterious as it has its roots in time immemorial.

What is obvious is that it couldn't have come other than from God himself. It is the only link between man and his creator. It is a code of conduct, a way of live, the path which would bring man back to his divine creator.

Certainly there would be cultural and ritualistic differences as God addresses each community according to their times, cultures and capacities. Suffice for us to say that God is for us and our duty is to submit to the way he has determined for us insofar as he has decided on our physical, intellectual and spiritual capacities.

The rest he left to our efforts and ingenuity. But this again is also predetermined by him. We all submit to the will of God and therefore, once upon a time, all men embraced only one religion. Since primordial times there was only one religion and it does not matter whatever name we choose to call it for names do not matter to God at all.

What he is interested in is how we make the best use of our lives and faculties. Whether they are used for the better benefit of ourselves and our fellow man and whether our conscience and convictions are clean and noble.

Whether we have explored the universe sufficiently enough so as to be overwhelmed by his greatness and glory. Whether we have tried to learn from his greatness in our inventions and creativity.

Of course, religion is not just for the intellectual as God addresses each man according to his capacity. Whilst man judges his fellow man by his action, God judges man based on his intention. Rightfully guided, there are as many roads to God as there are the minds of man.

With the coming of the Prophet Muhammad, came a more sublime form of Islam which is more specific in content and practice whilst at the same time universal and perennial in message.

This then is the point of departure for 'Your religion is yours and my religion is mine. I have my way and you have yours'. We have since then learnt to practice religious tolerance. As fellow man and fellow Malaysians, we all have a great responsibility towards each other.

How religion started is not really that important. The more important question is how to revive it among our younger generation and how to make sure that it will never die. We need to arrest our our social decadence promptly.

May God bless this multi-racial, multi-religious nation of ours. We have every reason to be thankful to God for ours is the best in the region.