THE poll did pique the interest of many people. The question is simple: Who is your most admired figure and what are your reasons? Arswendo Atmowiloto, then-Chief Editor of Monitor, did not expect the poll which was carried in his tabloid to send him to jail.

After selecting the incoming 33,000 postcards, Monitor in its October 15, 1990 issue, published the outcome of the poll, which angered some Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad ranked 11th, way be