I refer to the letter Find more contemporary interpretation of Islam .

I would like to point out that the advancement of modern sciences is based on fundamentals which were established by Muslims. But I agree with Dr Syed Ahmad Alwi that we Muslims do not contribute much to scientific development in this modern world. In fact, we are pathetic. The way we are at the moment, we deserve to be in this abject condition.

Yes, we are not living in the in the 10th century and I believe Abdul Rahman Abdul Talib realises this as well. What I believe he was trying to convey is that the interpretations of scholars of the centuries gone are reliable.

Now, they are not just interpretations but meticulous scholarly work that was developed through generations of scholars some of them are from our ancestors. These works are based on a stringent and disciplined methodology for deriving jurisprudence. They are definitely not obscure.

Syed Alwi's strong statement that in today's world we should not and cannot punish apostasy is baseless unless he can provide jurisprudence arguments for it. Even the terms used, 'should not' and 'cannot' are not acceptable as they do not exist within the Syari'ah.

However, I agree with Syed Alwi that we need to change. We need to learn our religion and we need to learn it properly - not the way we have been taught at school. And yes, we should not accept the teachings (I try not to use the term 'dogma') without question.

That is why we need to learn the religion from those who know. The Quran teaches us to 'ask the people of remembrance (who know), if you do not know'. Maybe then we will come to realise that the scholars of the bygone centuries have already dealt with the issues we think are new and only found in this modern world of ours.