(AFP) With Muslim countries under the spotlight after the terror attacks on the United States, the government is inviting baffled Westerners to examine what it calls a "model Islamic state".

That is how Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad describes his country, and many in the multi-cultural and multi-religious society agree enough to have voted him back into power for the past 20 years.

"The government should clear confusion over Islam in the West," the Malaysian Youth Council said in a statement published by the New Straits Times today.

"We are a model of a modern Islamic state that the world needs to see."

If the world could take a break from saturation Western television coverage linking the words "Muslim" and "terrorist" and take a seat at a sidewalk cafe in downtown Kuala Lumpur, it might indeed be surprised.

The stereotypical view of Islam as a dour and repressive religion which breeds hatred for infidels, or unbelievers, would not survive the length of time it takes to drink a cup of coffee.

Chic miniskirted women stride towards their offices alongside others in headscarves and Arab tourists in full black chador. Beer is on tap, and the cafes compete for custom by playing everything from jazz to disco to eastern music.

"Islam is not a violent religion," said the youth council in its plaintive statement. "Muslims here are against violence and cruelty."

Defending ISA

Government ministers and newspaper commentators have been quick to point to what they see as another irony in the West's view of this country - criticism of tough tactics against suspected Muslim extremists.

Apparently taking satisfaction in predictions that civil liberties in the West could be hurt in the coming war against terrorism, they defend the use of detention without trial.

"The United States was sceptical about the rise of militancy here and condemned the arrests under the Internal Security Act, but perhaps now it is having second thoughts following what happened in New York and Washington," influential commentator Abdullah Ahmad wrote in New Straits Times .

The arrests he referred to were of 10 alleged members of the "Malaysian Mujahideen Group", which is accused of planning a "holy war" against the government.

Mahathir is an outspoken critic of Western ways, particularly US policy towards the Palestinians and Iraq, but last month he too complained of Islamic extremism.

He said militants were using religion to ignite hatred of his government and planning to seize power violently.

Role model

While the Muslim world not only rate this country as an Islamic nation but as a model for others, "because of their political ends, these people persistently deny our Islamic characteristics," he said.

The rest of the world, having taken its seat on the rattan chair in the Kuala Lumpur sidewalk cafe, would perhaps reflect on the similarities between fundamentalists on both sides of the divide between Islam and Christianity.

In the United States, some Christian television evangelists have suggested the horrific attacks on New York and Washington were a punishment for libertarian ways, which have seen gay and lesbian cultures flourish and abortion allowed.