With reference to the letter written by Respect N Tolerance entitled Halal rule: Tolerance needed , I do agree the word 'tolerance' is always being misused or misinterpreted by many individuals. The root of this is mainly due to one's perception against the other.

When I related the story on fork and spoon at the wedding, it came from my own experience. My office colleagues came over during my wedding reception which was held at my parent's home, something which is quite rare nowadays.

Among them were my fellow non-Malays colleagues as well as a Dutch couple. The foreign couple were short-term interns at my office. During lunch, my non-Malays colleagues asked for forks and spoons which my family had to really search for deep in our disorderly kitchen (if you had had a wedding reception at home, you can imagine the condition of the kitchen).

But this was done, should I say, tolerantly and without a fuss. And surprisingly the Dutch couple were having a great time eating with their own hands (out of their own free will).

Respect N Yolerance says: 'The highest level of tolerance is when you don't impose your rights on others when you have other options,' and he/she further commented '... that by imposing on non-Muslims only halal food, isn't that imposing your rights on others?'

I'm not advocating imposing on non-Muslims only halal food. I'm pointing out that by having food utensils which will not be tainted by non-halal items and which can be used by Muslims, this is regarded as tolerance.

Not only can't Muslims consume non-halal food as it is considered by them to be unclean of the highest order, they can't even touch it or any utensils that have come into contact with it. So what other options do they have other than to ask for tolerance? Clearly there is no contradiction in my statement.

The difference between Muslims and vegetarians is that vegetarians do not eat meat out of utmost respect for life. Whereas Muslims do not eat or touch certain food or utensils tainted by it because it is considered as unclean of the highest order.

I agree with Respect N Tolerance that being 'tolerant' means showing respect for the rights, opinions or practices of others. This mean that Muslims should respect the rights of non- Muslims to have non-halal food and not imposing on them halal food and, of course, vice-versa.

There is definitely a common ground where we may meet as regards to our dietary habits. The only point I'm making is that food utensils should not be tainted by non-halal items lest they may be used unknowingly later by Muslims.