THIS is with reference to the article `The mutawwa are coming` (Dec 4). I agree that there is no better way to kill creativity and innovation than to impose uniformity.

Many in the Middle East are becoming aware of this simple fact.

Go to any busy mall in the region and the whole nation can be seen in terms of black and white, just as their view of the world used to be. A hint of red on men`s headgear indicated their freedom to tinl(er with some colours, while for the other half, even that much was too much.

Progress cannot happen with uniformity; continuity in uniformity of even best practicesfails toyieldresults continuously, like the best medicines.

The transition is occurring right before our eyes.

The regimes imposed uniformity of curriculum, thought, rituals and even the dress, but have now started importing and luring creative minds and innovative brains with hefty bargains to keep pace with the world.

Being a Holy Quran teacher myself, I can safely say that teaching the whole Quran to young children in schools is not something that would meet the demands of focus, dedication, decorum and the other physical requirements that go with the act of reciting the holy book.

The solution is to create a subject where you glean the Quranic ethics, and to show the students through dialogues and stories how they blend with universal ethics.

Besides, cross-guestioning in the classrooms should be encouraged and the students must be taught as per the age-appropriate level.

A human needs certain exposure to life and experience to handle, absorb and grasp the meaning and message of any book. People have spent lives understanding the meaning behind things in the Holy Quran. How can one expect young children with no background to understand the intricacies of the text? Tajweed and nazara should better be left for the parents to handle at home. Just introduce a class of Islamic ethics. For now, we need nothing more than that in schools.

Amina Zahir Ontario, Canada