I refer to Ummu Ainuls letter No bikini please, were Muslims

calling for a bikini ban.

Her view unfortunately serves to reinforce the perception by non-Muslims that Muslims are less tolerant of others due to their parochial outlook.

The writer must know that although Muslims form the majority (55 percent) in this country, nevertheless the combination of other ethnic groups does make up a significant percentage of the total population.

Unlike Japan and Korea with their homogeneous population, the multi-racial societies in Southeast Asian countries are rich in culture, religion and ethnicity. Depending on how such a society is managed, the wide diversity can be either a curse or blessing to a country. It is a blessing if the people can accept and tolerate each others existence and differences for such a society provides a more kaleidoscopic lifestyle and environment than a homogeneous society.

On the contrary, should one group decide to exert its views and influences on the others, dictating what others should or should not do, conflicts will definitely arise.

As the world is converging due to globalisation of trade and technological innovations, people of today's world will have a greater chance to live side by side with one another thus creating one big melting pot. Therefore we must learn to reconcile our differences and live peacefully with each other for the sake of our future generations.

One day, should the writer or his/her children experience difficulty in the pool, will the writer accept the help of a woman swimmer in bikini?