Referring to the letter Are Malay-Muslim biologist deviants too? I must say I am truly shocked.

How could a person who claims to be a true believer in modernity and the freedom of faith be so intolerant of a difference in opinion? If Dr Syed Alwi believes that he has the right to embrace his interpretation of Islam, then he has to respect the right of others as well, including Mujahid Yusuf Rawa and PAS, to embrace and preach their interpretation of Islam.

Any conflict which could be the result of this difference in interpretation must then be resolved within the democratic space. It is purely wrong to demonise PAS simply because the writer cannot agree with its interpretation of Islam.

PAS is a political party. Its leaders have been in the public eye and preaching what they believe in for more than half a century. Of course, they understand there are those who would agree with them, and those who would oppose them.

That is why PAS participates in every general election (despite the gross injustices and uneven playing field) to give the people a choice. Is it wrong for PAS or its leaders to preach their beliefs within the framework of a democracy, fully abiding by the laws of the land?

If this is frightening to the writer, then he must reevaluate his commitment towards democracy and human rights.

It is also interesting to note that while the participation of traditional Islamists in the process of democratisation is on an increasing trend all over the world, the so-called traditional advocates of democracy and freedom of choice fail to appreciate this positive development, especially among the Muslim nations.

The secular segments of society have been behaving in a rather more orthodox manner as compared to their Islamist counterparts. This is happening in countries like Algeria, Egypt, Turkey and some others.

In Malaysia, this also can be seen as in, for example, DAP's total rejection of PAS's offer to cooperate. Of course, DAP and PAS are entitled for their own opinions and principles. Both have the same right to preach what they believe in politics.

But to believe that both are perfectly dichotomised in every aspect of their political struggle does not make any sense. At the end of the day, in a democratic society, every political party must concede to the will of the majority.

As long as a party is peaceful and operating within the framework of democracy, then cooperation should be sought at every opportunity. Declaring a total rejection for cooperation does not go in tandem with the dynamism of democracy.