COMMENT By all accounts - as well as according to popular understanding - Malaysia is a multi-religious country with relative tolerance existing among the various religions. However, beneath the surface of superficial good relations and harmony is to be found a more turbulent state of affairs, and much less goodwill and understanding than is visible or demonstrated at the public level.

We, of course, are not an exception among nations.

The clash of religions has been the case throughout the world for most of recorded time. All the major religious groupings, past and present - in particular the monotheistic ones - have a history of intolerance and gore more than of charity and love contrary to the claim of being messengers of peace, tolerance and respect for others.