We are creatures of diverse beliefs. We view the world and events that take place around us through our different grids of reference. Naturally there will be different interpretations of the tsunami tragedy so we should try to be understanding of each other's viewpoint and not be judgmental or dogmatic.

Tai Lo Chin sees it his way. He wrote: 'Today, the relief and donations for the tsunami victims come from the compassion of the human heart than the largesse from the heavens above'.

But someone who believes in God may remind Tai that God works in human hearts. God prompts people to do things. While those who respond may be motivated by humanitarian values, many also are inspired by religion and their faith in God, as the contributions of the many religious charities show.

Rationalisation can work both ways. It is easy to see only one side of the picture and draw false conclusions. Both religious people and non-religious people can make the same mistake, so we should be careful not to draw a universal principle out of an anecdotal bad, personal experiences.

We don't expect God to have manna rain down from heaven or to send angels to bind the wounds of the injured. But God, who is invisible, works through normal means. Right now the Thais have a young female Australian medical student who has decided to help in the grim task of identifying dead bodies. They call her the 'angel of Patong' .

Who is to know that God is not now at work at the disaster areas, moving people to do things and achieve his purposes?

The recent tsunami tragedy is not the first time - nor will it be the last - when huge numbers of people die needlessly. True faith in God is more than just praying and seeking his favour. It is in accepting what comes from his hand, however painful.

In this regard, it was admirable for the man who lost five of his seven children to accept it as God's will. It may be the result of conditioning but this is the crux of faith - the willingness to accept our mortality and acknowledge God's sovereignty for after all He is the Creator of all life.

Who are we to demand that God conforms to our expectations of how he should act?

It is not rationalisation but submission to God that works, believe me. It is no coincidence therefore that those who have faith in God cope best with personal tragedies as studies have found. And in the aftermath of the tsunami tragedy is it any wonder that people turn to God for comfort?

The tsunami was part of nature's process, but man's actions before it struck had, in a sense, already determined the tragic outcome.

The fact is that the death toll of more than 150,000 lives could have been minimised, perhaps even avoided, had we all been vigilant and had the benefit of an early warning system.

According to a BBC report , Dr Peter Marshall of the Test Ban Network, an organisation formed to detect nuclear explosions, said the technology to monitor tsunamis worldwide already exists, although accessible to member countries only.

But according to him, because the monitoring system was not manned on public holidays, the earthquake near Sumatra on Boxing Day, a Sunday, went undetected, and therefore, unreported.

The Malaysian government should hold its own inquiry as to why there was no warning after news of a major earthquake of a magnitude of 9.0 on the Richter scale was reported. Why did no one think of the possibility of a tsunami hitting our north-western coastline, including Penang and Langkawi, when a cursory glance at an atlas would show their vulnerability?

I also urge the government to look into reports of mismanagement of aid relief and the hampering of those who are trying to get the vital aid to survivors. It is unconscionable that anyone should make political mileage out of a tragedy or act dishonestly by taking drinks and food meant for distribution to the survivors, as malaysiakini reported .

There is not one but many lessons to be learned from this recent tragedy which is still unfolding. We all have a part to play. We are indeed our brothers' keepers. The contributions of Western nations, including Australia, should put to rest the myth that Westerners suffer from a strange ailment called 'Islamophobia'.

In a time as this, faith in God is empty without works of charity, and I hope more Malaysians and others will goad their governments, businesses and the public to do more than they have done.

The human vultures have begun to gather with criminal gangs kidnapping women and children, stealing aid meant for the victims, etc. It is up to all of us to stem their rise and report all illegal activities to the police and media.

What is also important also is for people not to succumb to superstitions and fear. The government needs to do more to provide adequate and proper counselling to those who need psychological help.

In Sri Lanka, some Indian fishermen are afraid to go out to sea fearing another tsunami may strike. Yet going out to sea may be the safest thing to do if they understand that away from the shores, a seismic sea wave is hardly noticeable because its destructive force is below in the sea unseen, moving at speeds of 500 kph and stretching for kilometers.

It was Japanese fishermen who upon returning to their harbours noticed the destruction which they had not noticed while out at sea fishing. Hence, the Japanese term 'tsunami' from 'tsu' - harbour and 'nami' - wave. They have learned to live with the phenomenon.

The way to dispel inordinate fear, even paranoia as reported in Penang, is to disseminate the truth. Facts about tsunamis will help people cope better with nature and not fear her.