Sir: With reference to your paper of 15 April, I am most touched by the warmth and the kindness of the great scholar Akbar S Ahmed for his wholehearted acknowledgement of my work, which I have been doing in protecting and defending the good name of Pakistan and its people. I have been inspired by the wisdom of Professor Akbar for the commitment and dedication he has consistently shown over the years to break the barriers and hindrances which are created by the wider society. I have observed in working very closely with him over three decades that he is one of the greatest scholars, not only in a literary sense but spiritually, whose entire efforts and dedication are given to improve understanding among the Lord’s people. Akbar is a Sufi saintly figure who has no power except the words and wisdom which have been given by God to him to vigorously pursue the mission of God’s peace on earth and bring some equality, fairness, and tolerance to a society which is daily being challenged and tested vigorously by negative forces. May God grant him health and protection! DR JAMES SHERA UK