The Malaysian Prime Minister says Western countries must be prepared to discard their prejudices against Islam and be willing to engage in genuine dialogue with Muslim countries. Abdullah Badawi made the comments in Sydney tonight to a gathering of the Asia Society of Australia. Mr Abdullah says a number of Muslim countries are taking steps to overcome what he has called shortcomings and failures in the Muslim world. He says other predominantly Muslim countries can learn from the Malaysian approach and renounce extremism and end sectarian violence. But he says reforms in the Muslim world must be accompanied by changes to the foreign policies of Western countries. He says the international community must take a stand to help stop injustice, oppression or aggression against Muslim countries. Mr Abdullah leaves Australia tomorrow.