Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad appears so intimidated by the general image one reads into the word 'terrorist' that he is calling to host a conference for Muslim countries to determine a definition of the word and the act that they do, i.e. terrorism!

When talking on the subject, he keeps dragging in the violence committed by the Israeli government, the Russian war in Chechnya and of course others for whom that 'image' would not apply.

While no one should condone any acts of violence, one should differentiate legitimate struggles that have a moral basis, if not right, from the others. At least these forces would declare who they are and how or, most importantly, where they may be contacted. They do not operate under the camouflage of the innocent public.

Perhaps it is the association to a religion that has become the bane of the prime minister. Maybe he can suggest how else one could refer to a person who proudly exploits the name of his or her religion in carrying out an act of terror?

At least, the Tamil Tigers do not call themselves Hindu or justify their derring-do to their religious faith and beliefs. Tamils in Jaffna are also Christians and Muslims. It is the racial descent that unifies them to the cause they fight for, rightly or wrongly!

Differences can have a political, social or economic basis. These can be negotiated and often resolved with all parties accepting and living with the resolution to the conflict.

However, it is terror that derives from philosophical or religious differences or basis, that should not be tolerated! These inevitably result more out of bigotry than rational thinking.

I would like to suggest that if the prime minister is really concerned about the image of Muslim today, he should ask all Muslims to forcefully condemn all acts of terror without reservations and conditions. Neither should such condemnations be enjoined by excuses and justifications.

The Sept 11 attacks require unreserved and unconditional condemnation. So far I have only seen Anwar Ibrahim issue such a condemnation through his article that was published in Time magazine shortly after the event. Everyone else's condemnations, including that of the prime minister, have been laced with excuses and covert justification!