Husin Tapa's concerns for Muslim children being in the care of non-Muslim maids is understandable. Following what is being taught by Islam, he is only helping fellow Muslims, both the child and the guardian.

However, his reasoning is flawed. Being a non-Muslim, I also find that his reasoning very dangerous as it shows nothing but utter intolerance for the non-Muslims who live side-by-side with him. The first thing about being in Malaysia is that irrespective of our ethnicity and religion, we have tolerance and understanding for each other.

With that being said, non-Muslims are very sensitive about not offending Muslims. What more in a country where Islam is the official religion, how can we afford to do such a thing? Besides, I don't think pork is a priority nutrition for non-Muslims to warrant Husin to feel inferior towards non-Muslim maids.

I should probably arrogate myself to turn the tables - Husin never mentioned the cases where non- Muslim children have had 'dangerous' encounters with Muslim guardians. My neighbour sent his maid back for 'proselytising' to his children.

Not that its not wrong to teach religion and religious values, but it is a crime to do so without parental consent, what more without the consent of the child. This may be alright between the Muslim child-minder and the Muslim child, but not with the non-Muslim child.

Despite all that is said, we never have had any antagonism towards Muslim maids. Many non- Muslims have hired Muslim maids and will continue to do so. We know our limits in assigning them to domestic tasks.