The letter writer 'No-To-Islamic-State' ("Let's not adopt a 'Talibanistic' lifestyle", Nov 29) has been justly criticised and condemned by many Muslims and non-Muslims alike for his or her misrepresentation of non-Muslims' cultural rights and cultural aspirations. Let me add to this.

The term 'non-Muslim' refers neither to a religious nor a cultural group. Rather, it is used in the political context to differentiate Islamists with a political agenda. It is a political, not religious or cultural division.

The divisive and misleading concept could be used to deter Malaysians from searching for common ground, as in the case of PAS MP Mahfuz Omar's expose of EPF investment in gambling, alcohol and tobacco companies.

Buddhism and Christianity also prohibit alcohol and gambling because of their harmful effects.

While Islam prohibits consumption of pork and the meat of other 'unclean' animals, Buddhism is even stricter by discouraging its followers from eating meat, and compelling its clergies to be vegetarians. Yet no one ever accuses Buddhists of being 'extreme'.

I am sure we can find many other similarities most religions, as well as cultural traditions of both East and West. The problem is, there is a vocal minority that has been 'de-cultured', or has deviated from the mainstream religions.

They hide behind the banners of 'secularism' and 'non-Muslims'. Their battle-cries are to preserve unhealthy lifestyles and sub-cultures encouraged by tobacco, gaming and alcohol l companies as modernity, democracy and secularism.

These minorities, however vocal, surely cannot speak on behalf of all Chinese, Indians, Christians, Buddhists, Hindu, Sikhs and others. Our religions and cultures may differ slightly from Muslims, but all Malaysians with religions and cultures differ fundamentally from these vocal minorities whose only 'culture' and 'belief' are smoking, drinking, gambling, and free sex. The de-cultured minority also often think of themselves as the spokesperson of the 'progressive Western civilization. The reality is that they are not.

In the West, there are both religious and secular people who campaign for levying higher taxes on alcohol, tobacco and gambling activities.

Let us not be misled by concepts and preaching of charlatans. There are certainly many similarities and common grounds than the simplistic 'Muslims vs. non-Muslims' suggestion. Let us search for more ways to re-moralized this violent, hedonistic and licentious society so that our children, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, may grow up in a healthier environment.