Way back in the 50s and 60s, it was common for school children to make fun of each other's race and religion but after the usual fist fights and flare-ups, students got back to studying together.

Of course, it was not all hunky-dory but people in those days learned how to tolerate each other's differences.

Minorities like Sikhs and Eurasians probably endured the most as turbans were a constant object of teasing while Eurasians often had to explain their heritage.

Racist teachers were also present and some of them probably contributed to the ear-squat routine.

As minister Nazri Abdul Aziz admitted , Islam has been misused by the government to try and counter the moves of PAS and it appears it has not benefitted the country much. People nowadays have become more extreme and oversensitive.

Looking at the killings being committed by even followers of the same religion in Iraq to try and control their government, all Malaysians should seriously ponder if we should continue on the path of religious fervour or try and get back to the secular nation that was the basis of the formation of Malaysia.

It seems the proclamation of Malaysia being an Islamic country by the previous prime minister was a grievous error in order to score points with the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference). But not a single MP dared to challenge the PM except for the opposition.

Now we have the cartoons controversy that has generated so much anger and even caused the deaths of some demonstrators. The original cartoon was in poor taste but the reactions it produced show that unscrupulous leaders can instigate many people to violence.

Most of Malaysia s Muslims are moderate but also too complacent and compliant. The minister mentioned above is appealing for your help to make sure that religion is not abused to gain power or we may end up like Iran where the tyranny of the minority ensures that the majority lose their mandate.

I think the prime minister did the right thing in not penalising the New Straits Times for publishing the second cartoon. Other religions too have been ridiculed in the past. Just take the book, 'The Da Vinci Code' or the movie, 'The Last Temptation of Christ' and millions of Christians, too, can take to the streets.

So what can happen next? Will World War III happen not because of terrorist regimes and nuclear bombs but because someone drew a cartoon?