(AFP) The government today cited its capture of rebel Philippine Muslim leader Nur Misuari as an example to other Islamic countries of how to fight the perceived link between terrorism and Islam.

"When Misuari acted as a terrorist, we acted fast, arrested him and will be sending him back," Defense Minister Najib Razak said at a conference on the role of the media in promoting a more positive understanding of Islam.

Misuari once enjoyed Malaysian support, but has found himself almost friendless here after staging a bloody revolt when it appeared likely he would lose the governorship of a Muslim self-rule area in the mainly-Catholic Philippines.

Najib said the September 11 terror attacks in the United States did an injustice to Islam, and the time had now come to correct the false image of a violent religion that was portrayed by a small minority of Muslims.

"We must clearly condemn any actions and violence commited by any party that uses the name of Islam, so that we can project a model of Islam that emphasises (its) harmonious co-existence with non-Muslims," he said.

"This stand must be very clear from the start so that there is no doubt, which would increase the negative perception."

Role of media

Najib also urged the media in Muslim countries to help dispel negative perceptions of Islam as its association with terrorism rises in the West after the attacks on the United States.

He said a collective effort should be made to "send the true message of Islam to all, especially western countries".

"Too often, Islam is falsely projected as a religion of the sword, when rightly it is the religion of peace," he said.

Najib said media organisations in Muslim countries could do their part in dispelling this negative image, as portrayed by the Western media.

"We could of course have our own media organisations that could get the message across. While we may not be able to rival CNN or CNBC , we could well try," he said

"We must put a lot more resources, collectively if possible, and make concerted efforts to promote the goodness of Islam."