Tony Abbott has defended his recent comments calling for the reform of the Islamic faith.
"I think one of the responsibilities of being an ex-prime minister from time to time is to speak out sensibly on important subjects - and we do have a real problem, not just in our country but in many parts of the world where you have got these people killing in the name of God," he told 2GB Radio on Friday.
He said it's critical moderate Muslims help in the fight against extremism.
"These terrorists think they are doing the work of God, they think they are doing the work of Islam, and that's why it is absolutely critical that people like ourselves work with decent moderate Muslims.
He suggested that moderate Muslims could work together against the extreme elements of Islam so they have less influence over susceptible people.
Mr Abbott came under fire this week after calling for a "religious revolution" inside Islam, declaring all cultures are not equal and Australians should stop apologising for Western values.
Muslim leaders hit back saying Islam wasn't in need of a reformation.
The Mufti of Australia Ibrahim Abu Mohammad said Muslims can harmoniously coexist within pluralist societies based on the universal values of compassion and justice.
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