Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi advised Muslims not to allow themselves to be distracted by petty diversions or driven by conflicts as Islam does not permit such actions.

There were those in the world who would like to believe in a clash of civilisation - in a confrontation between Islam and the West, he said at the opening of the 12th meeting of the Regional Islamic Da'wah Council of Southeast Asia and the Pacific (Riseap) in Kuching today.

"They claim that the terrorist acts perpetrated by some Muslims are representative of the values of the entire religion. They claim that Islam is intolerant and promotes violence," he said.

Abdullah pointed out that this was untrue because Islam is, by definition, a religion of peace and abhors violence and unnecessary taking of human lives.

He lamented that Muslims have all the natural resources at their disposal but are doing little to develop human resource.

"Thus, they failed to translate the advantages into respect and influence," he added.

The prime minister said much of the Muslim world are left behind "because of their failure to appreciate the importance of modern knowledge, believing that it's okay to suffer now while waiting for greater achievement in the 'after life'."

Abdullah who is also OIC chairperson invited the delegates from the Asia Pacific region to see how Malaysians live in peace and harmony although professing different religions.

"This is evident of the importance of moderation in multi racial and multi religious society," he added.

More Muslims died

Meanwhile, Riseap president Abdul Taib Mahmud stressed that more Muslims died because of terrorism than non-Muslims, particularly in Palestine.

He said Muslim minorities worldwide have been unfairly categorised as terrorists and viewed with suspicion in their home state although Islam never condones terrorism.

"We have to make it clear that 9/11 act is not that of Islam," Taib who is also Sarawak chief minister stressed.

He was glad that American Muslims have taken the initiative to go on the air waves to explain the true teachings of Islam in an effort to minimise prejudice and unjust generalisation towards Muslims.

Taib also revealed that Riseap will be organising a dialogue in Sydney, Australia next year which will be attended by Muslim minorities from America, Asean and the Pacific region to discuss common issues and promote greater understanding of Islam.

The Kuching meeting is attended by 70 delegates, including those from Australia, New Zealand, Maldives, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Hong Kong, Burma, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

Riseap was set up in November 1980 to assist Muslim minorities in Asia and the Pacific region. Its first president was 'Bapa Malaysia' Tunku Abdul Rahman.

JIMMY TEOH is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.