I could not agree more with M Bakri Musa's suggestion that "These religious schools must be modernised. They must produce more than just future mullahs; rather, they must prepare young Muslims for the modern economy" ([#1] Religious schools merely brain-wasting indoctrination centres [/#], March 3l).

But to castigate the missionaries from Malaysia's Islamic Institute who were in the United States recently to preach dakwah for being hardly able to speak a word of English is irrelevant. And if it was true, then there should be a translator to help the missionaries to convey their dakwah .

The writer also pooh-poohed a typical senior class discussion of God's existence that concludes with "earth, fire, water, and air" as proof of His presence. Even at village-level teachings, the guru always teaches and mentions that the proof is " sekalian alam ini " (everything in the world).

The writer may not have heard of this phrase. Or perhaps he did not know that " sekalian alam ini " is the conventional way to prove God's presence in Islamic teaching, anywhere and at any level.