Lim Ka Ea's letter, Inter-religious marriages - enough is enough , is very reasonable and to a large extent I can understand the writer's views.

However, I think you may not be fully aware of the teachings of the Holy Quran, which Muslims hold as nothing less than commandments from God.

It may seem to be 'selfish' to non-Muslims to insist their non-Muslim partners convert to Islam but if they were to not follow the Quran on this issue, they are clearly going against one of God's instructions.

Marriage is greatly encouraged in Islam. Apart from helping to eradicate extramarital sex, it is a religious obligation in that it will produce a religious household in which to bring up children holding strong Islamic values. Marriage is therefore not primarily for the sake of satisfying the physical or emotional needs of individuals.

Therefore, to marry someone who is from a different faith goes against this doctrine. What more when the partners plan to allow the children to worship as they please. That is definitely not marriage in the Islamic sense.

It's definitely tough to decide between one's love to another human being and one's love and conviction to one's religion, and I am glad I never had to make that choice.

What people often overlook in all of this is that Islam is very tolerant of other people to practice their beliefs. However, it is a different matter when dealing with apostates because this issue is also dealt with in the Quran, and the penalty for serious sins such as apostasising is very clearly

spelt out.

This being the case, I don't think non-Muslims should involve themselves in this particular topic just as much as Muslims should not comment on particular teachings of the Lord Buddha or the Bible.

I fully agree with Lim about not forcing people to convert against their will. Well, did anybody force anyone to fall in love with a Muslim?

If the person knows what's in store for him/her, then why on earth did he or she continue with the relationship knowing full well that the Muslim's religion requires a conversion?

There have been many cases of people who went almost to the brink of marriage but broke off because they couldn't go through with it. Such people deserve all our respect and admiration. They overcame their short-term pain to move on, strong and resolute and a pride to their family, co-religionists and the community at large.

At least there are now two strong individuals, true to their convictions, in our midst rather than two persons going round with mixed convictions and possibly reeking of hypocrisy and an embarrassment to most who come near them.

In short, two individuals have got themselves into the predicament and it's up to them to sort it out. The issue is not really one of being forced to convert but of choice of partners.

Fall in love with a Muslim? Are you prepared to forsake your religion and adopt his or hers? If the answer is a strong 'no', well break off.

The choice is yours. Who said you were 'forced' to convert?