Obviously, Abdullah Yeoh is very articulate and most eloquent with the philosophies of Aristotle. He corrected my apparently misleading explanation and misapplied use of the term law of excluded middle.

I should have used some other synonymous but more appropriate terms like 'logical fallacy', 'false dilemma', 'false dichotomy', 'either/or dilemma', and even 'bifurcation', to more accurately express what I had in mind.

He also highlighted the mistyped word 'hyperbolas' which should indeed be 'hyperbole'. I am grateful of course to his observation and correction. One makes mistakes and learns everyday.

Inasmuch as I appreciate Abdullah Yeoh's observations, I still draw focus to the observation that the Malay-Muslim thinking norm, as demonstrated by Zahid Abbas , is (i) based on indefinite knowledge, then falls into (ii) the limiting ambit or influence of excluded middle, or false dichotomy, or either/or dilemma (call it by any which term).

'Islam existed since Adam albeit in the form of Proto-Islam (a solid illustration of indefinite knowledge)' is Zahid's contention under this ambit. To him this indefinite statement is right, and any other views contradicting or correcting it are immediately and soundly condemned as wrong (an equally solid illustration of the law of excluded middle, logical fallacy or false dichotomy).

The link is then (iii) concluded with the dogmatic claim that Islam has existed since time immemorial and to the last of time.

I had suggested that anyone who wished to understand Malay-Muslim thinking, especially on subjects related to religion would be well advised to be aware of this linkage. Why am I so concerned with this thinking template of the Malay-Muslim?

Because I believe their combined force has shaped his thinking norm to a very large extent. What then are the features of the Malay thinking norm? It is one of conservatism and conformity, of preserving the status quo, and of strong resistant to change.

Or even of arrogance. Just witness the letter written by Abu Mubarak with the title Islam is the official religion don't forget it . Anyone who ponders just a while can see the three elements I mentioned above that of indefinite knowledge, of the law of excluded middle and of the arrogance of dogma.

It is also the harbinger of fundamentalism and extremism, for this mentality will strive to protect the sanctity and purity of past ideals (e.g. Abu Mubarak's statement: '... show disrespect towards institutions highly regarded by Muslims for generations').

I am concerned too, when Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad came with his view that fundamentalism has no long-term future in this country in his letter Islamic fundamentalism doomed but

It is doomed to failure. But he said while it is still around it has the potency to drag the whole country down the abyss of failure. I do shudder at this very real possibility.