I would like to congratulate GJ Tan ('Convince others by example', Oct 26) for very bravely and eloquently stating what must be the sentiments of many non-Muslim as well as moderate Muslim Malaysians. Time and time again, we have seen on TV or read in the papers about instances of Islamic extremism or fundamentalism in one form or another, whether it is the 'execution' of a mother by her own son in Pakistan, or the demolition of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban, or the numerous cases of torture, amputations, arbitrary arrests (and so on) emerging from a variety of Muslim regimes.

We have all heard assurances from well-meaning Muslim friends that the people who commit these acts either do not truly understand, or have deviated from the true teachings of Islam. These same friends will then go on to assert that true Islam preaches tolerance, peace and human rights.

Yet, the fact remains that numerous injustices of this sort are happening, and almost certainly on a daily basis. My point is that, going on and on about the peaceful teachings of Islam does not change the fact that these atrocities happened, nor will it lessen the grief or suffering of the victims.

The fact is, no matter how many assurances you give, action will always speak louder than words. I'm fairly sure that the last thought on any non-Muslim's mind when he reads about a public execution in Afghanistan, is whether this was in accordance to the "true teachings" of Islam.

If such actions are truly against Islam, as many would immediately leap up to say, then why not show it, publicly. Where are the demonstrations and human-rights parades in front of the Saudi and Pakistani embassies? Where are the proclamations of jihad against the very people who are tarnishing the name of your religion?

The slaughter and oppression of innocents has been carried out on vast scales by a variety of Muslim regimes. Often, these atrocities are conducted against their own fellow Muslims: The 'Anfal' campaign in Iraq (against the kurds) and the enslavement and sale of African women by Sudanese Muslim arabs are just two examples, yet protests by the Muslim community have been muted at best. Why is this so?

The fact is, I do not know enough about Islam to form a solid opinion of my own. But, our Muslim brethren will have to put themselves into our shoes as well. As non-Muslims, we are bombarded on a regular basis with news about this or that atrocity committed by Muslim fundamentalists. What are we supposed to think? It's certainly no good telling us that these people were "misguided", or that we only see "what the west want us to see". Anyone with an Internet connection can, with a simple web search, call up commentaries and accounts from a variety of viewpoints - one only needs the will, and desire, to learn the truth.

So, instead of constantly adopting a defensive, "us against the world" attitude, why not impress the rest with actions? Demonstrate through public statements and campaigns that you truly disapprove of acts of repression and brutality perpetrated by undemocratic Muslim regimes. Show understanding and tolerance to people's misgivings and misconceptions regarding Islam. Convince us that we really have nothing to fear from an Islamic state.