I refer to letter Let's not become a basket case OIC country . The writer is of the opinion that secularism is necessary and even responsible for the concepts of 'justice, equality, freedom, peace, non-violence and dignity'. I, on the other hand, believe that it is religion that has contributed to the well-being and purpose of mankind.

Secularism can be easily perverted because it emphasises on democracy and the will of the majority. It was democracy that propelled Adolf Hitler to power. Hitler believed in the supremacy of the Aryan race and planned the extermination of other ethnic groups such as Jews and the Gypsies, in what is now known as the Holocaust. Hitler was motivated not by religious fundamentalism but rather by racism and German nationalism which were the by-products of secularism.

So was the ethnic cleansing in Yugoslavia which was fueled by Serb nationalism and not religion. It resulted in the forced expulsion of Bosnians and Croats. Thus to say that religion fuels violence and threatens peace is untrue.

The writer also claims that there is little freedom and human rights in Muslim countries. This is true but it is the 'secular' Muslim countries which are the worst abusers of human rights. Iraq was a secular country under Saddam Hussein and was responsible for using mustard gas against its own people.

Turkey is the most secular Muslim country in the world where Muslims wear Western clothing and drink alcohol. Yet despite being 'secular', Turkey is responsible for gross violation of human rights against its Kurdish minority including torture. Turkey continues to occupy the sovereign country of Cyprus in violation of the will of the international community.

Even Malaysia has adopted many 'secular' laws such as the Internal Security Act which allows for detention without trial and uses draconian un-Islamic laws such as the Sedition Act, the Printing Presses and Publications Act, etc, to stifle freedom of speech.

The writer also claims that there is a lack of good governance and material prosperity in the Muslim world. I believe this is due to foreign meddling in the affairs of Muslim nations. A case in point would be the Palestinian government.

Although the Palestinian government is democratically elected, it is not recognised by the Western powers which has led to sanctions against it and the isolation of the Palestinian people causing a shortage of food and medicine. Not to forget Lebanon which was attacked by Israel and had 20 years of infrastructure destroyed.