I refer to the letter Muslim maids better for Muslim kids by Husin Tapa.

I am sure Husin by now is tired of reading another comment to the the issue of having a Muslim maid for Muslim children. But allow me my comment please as I feel I need to point out one very important flaw in his last letter.

Whether the Malay/Muslim is an egalitarian, Darwinist, etc, one thing remains clear - the duty to teach our children how to read the Quran, how to solat , the goodness of fasting during Ramadan and probably proper Islamic sex education does not ever fall under the job scope of a maid.

That has always been and must always be the job of the parents. When I employ a maid, I employ her as a maid whose primary role is to look after my child while I earn an honest, halal living; to keep a clean house and other general work around the house.

A maid is a care-provider for a temporary time only ie, while we are otherwise unavailable and is not in any conceivable way qualified to be a nanny. There is, I assure Husin, a world of difference between a maid and a qualified nanny.

How a person chooses to bring up his or her children must remain their right, whether they choose to follow a religious path or otherwise. Others may advice in good faith, but cannot impose or enforce.

Parents' rights in bringing up their child must however be balanced with a clear and immutable duty to teach and instill good virtues in the child and this is irrevocably the responsibility of parents.