It is unfortunate that an issue of press freedom should have degenerated into allegations of religious bias.

Television talk-show host Fazeer Mohammed was very likely taken off the morning show because of the discomfort of the UNC part of the People's Partnership. The claims about cost-cutting and restructuring have persuaded few citizens. Ken Ali's explanation is especially unconvincing in light of the fact that he's interim CEO acting without the authority of a board.

It appears that the Government needed an excuse to fire Mohammed which Minister Surujrattan Rambachan, a prominent Hindu, clumsily created by invoking religion, thus laying the groundwork for the allegation now being made by Muslim groups in T&T.

We note, too, that in offering proof of religious bias, the Muslim spokesmen have argued that Catholicism and Hindus also disallow, as Mr Mohammed said, female leaders in their religion. This only proves the fact that all major religions are sexist.

The only question is whether Mr Mohammed ever let his religious beliefs affect his professional conduct. Representatives from our association have appeared several times on the First Up programme, usually to discuss matters pertinent to religion, and found Mr Mohammed to be an impartial interviewer.

Our association has always promoted the principle that people are entitled to their personal beliefs as long as these do not affect public policy or, in this case, professional standards. This must be so whether people have strong religious beliefs, or equally strong disbelief, on matters of religion.

T&T Humanist Association

www.humanist.org.tt