The past decade or so has seen a dramatic surge in the interest of our leaders and powers-that-be to Islamise Malaysia. The recent debate over the screening of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ has driven me to write this letter, in which I intend to highlight the obvious and urge fellow Malaysians who do not wish to be Islamised to stand up for their rights.

MPs - Muslims and non-Muslims alike - who wish for the Tunku's vision of Malaysia as a moderate and tolerant country should begin raising questions in parliament so as to not give the Islamists any free lunches.

Recent highlights of Islamisation in Malaysia include:

Selangor Menteri Besar Khir Toyo's comment about limiting nightclubs to one per town;

the Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya's (now rescinded) by-law requiring dog owners to get the consent of their two immediate neighbours before being allowed to keep their pet;

the recent experience of a blogger about non-Muslim National Service trainees being required to raise their hands during Muslim prayers at the official closing ceremonies.

The final straw now is the banning of 'Passion' except to church groups. I'm sure there are many more examples which readers out there could hopefully point out.

I don't remember the Malaysia I know being this way. The races are more segregated than ever, and moderate Malaysia is neglecting the rights and freedoms guaranteed to non-Muslims by the constitution Islamisation does not benefit the country, only the Islamists.

'The Passion of the Christ', as proven by the 140,000 people who watched it in Lebanon, appeals to people of all religions. Amongst Muslim nations Iran, Oman and Qatar have screened it.

Surely, if these Muslim nations - with a higher percentage of Muslim population than Malaysia - can screen it, Malaysia can too. If racial sentiments are the overriding issue, then perhaps we could look at our southern neighbour, Singapore, which has also screened the show.

In fact, most European countries have very large Muslim populations as well and I don't remember reading of any religious sentiments being raised. Being a moderate country, Malaysia must tolerate the requests of its moderate citizens.

Do we not teach our youth 'tolerance' in Moral Education in school? Why aren't the decision- makers practicing it? Or does tolerance only apply to non-Muslims towards Muslims?

It's time Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his administration make a stand on this issue and appropriate orders to the relevant parties be made. The poor showing by PAS in the recent general election certainly shows that non-Muslims, and many Muslims alike, will not stand for the Islamisation of Malaysia.

Barisan Nasional has to begin to moderate Malaysia. Before it's too late.