The letter of Dr. D. P. Athukorale (The Island, 13/01.2009) as a reply to my letter dated 31.12.2008 involves three paragraphs. First his adamant belief that elephant tusks are canine teeth, secondly the slaughter of cattle and finally the visit of venerable Mahinda Thero.

Dr. DPA’s argument is that tusks are canine teeth on an elephant, but these are not used for eating. His request that I refer to the English Oxford Dictionary induced me to quote the following definitions.

Tooth: Each of several hard dense structures growing in jaws of vertebrates and used for MYSTIFICATION. The tusks are not used for performing this function.

I repeat the concluding paragraph of that letter. ‘Muslims follow the instructions of their religion. They do eat beef, mutton, fowl curry or anything Islam permits. Buddhists recite pansil at every function. Why not Dr. DP induce them to practice it?

Criticism of any other religion is strictly prohibited in Islam. May I quote a few lines from verse 109 of the Holy Quran.

I worship not that, Which you worship,

Nor will you worship, That which I worship,

To you be your way, And to me mine.

P. M. A. Latiff,
Katugastota.