This refers to the letter on diversity of Islam in Southeast Asia. I fully agree that the world, and in particular the United States, has to back moderate Muslims and progressive Muslims. But it is sad to note that Mr Bush and the Republicans, even many of the Democrats, support a watered-down Islam which is tailored to suit West European tastes.

This is the type of Islam that while progressive and democratic, also tolerates Muslim women wearing mini-skirts, Muslim men wearing jewellery, and Muslims recognising Israel's right to exist. This is the kind of Islam which Queen Rania of Jordan practises and that is prevalent in Turkey and Bangsar Baru.

This type of Islam is Western fundamentalism. It is not Islam. It does not do justice to the real Quranic Islam which is all about moderation, be it moderation from Eastern or Western fundamentalism.

The true Islam which follows Islam's four major sources namely the Quran (the word of God), Sunnah (traditions of Prophet Muhammad), Akal (reason) and Alam (the Book of Adam, the first prophet), is all about moderation and compassion. It has strict rules that prohibit extremism, be it Western or Eastern.

True Islam, which is followed by the father and grandfather of the coming prime minister, and which was stated by Farish Noor in his future of progressive Islam articles, is modern, progressive, democratic, humane, peaceful, compassionate, but it is also sober and austere like Methodist Christianity founded by John Wesley.

True Islam does not parrot the Western powers' imperialist policies and it stands up against the Pax Americana foreign policy of the world's sole superpower. It stands up for self-determination for subdued Muslim countries such as Aceh, Moroland, Patani and even Xinjiang in China.

True Islam has grudging admiration for socialism, without adopting its godlessness. Indeed, Bertrand Russell, that British socialist mathematician and champion of peace, likened Islam to the best system of God-centred government of the world, provided it is the proper, progressive Islam of Muhammad, and not the false Islam of the fundamentalists of Saudi Arabia.

Islam's relation with the ISA should be negative. True Islam says no to ISA.