Have an open mind

Have an open mind
The controversy with regards to the use of word “Allah” in Malaysia is mainly due to lack of knowledge about the true meaning of the word (‘Malaysia police arrest seven in church attacks’, DNA, January 22). The concerned parties should view the word in the light of Surah Ikhlas and the commonality in other religious scriptures. The clearing of misunderstanding will bring about re-conciliation and peace. The vandalising of places of worship is not a solution for such tricky issues. Recently we have seen many controversial issues in the civilised world like burkha ban, use of cartoons and freedom of expression for abuse, racial killings and abuses. These can all be solved if there is communication and understanding between communities. The basic requirement is an open mind free from prejudice.
—Mohammed Sadullah Khan, Riyadh

Winning the race
With reference to ‘Highland Crown wins’ (DNA, January 22), about the Byculla Club Trophy run on January 21, 2010 at the Mahalakshmi Racecourse, Mumbai, after the running of this race, on an objection, the stewards had relegated Highland Crown to the second place and the race was awarded to Maseeha.
—Deputy Secretary, Royal Western India Turf Club, Ltd, Mumbai

Admit the mistake
It is astonishing that RK Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change, lightly dismisses the goof-up over the melting of  Himalayan glaciers by the year 2035 contained in a 2007 Panel report as a mere ‘human error’(‘Himalayan blunder Pachauri admits it, but wont quit’, DNA, January 24). It is equally astonishing that he refuses to admit that the error has seriously undermined the credibility of the Panel. He should remember that powerful industrial lobbies are working against organisations and the scientists who are determined to highlight the problem of global warming in every world forum. Already, murmurs are heard that the ‘environment’ has become a big business in itself. People like Pachauri have to be doubly careful in making dire predictions of environmental dooms day.
—Subramanian Venkataraman, Mumbai