I think there's a lack of understanding in this thread and in the Muslim world as to what secularism is.
Secularism is not a political ideology, its a principle that that involves two basic propositions, the first being the strict separation of state and religious institutions (separation of church and state). The second proposition is that people of different religions (or without religion) are equal before the law.
This doesn't mean that Islamism or Islamists doesn't or won't have a place in society or government. Secularism seeks to defend the absolute freedom of religious and other belief, and protect the right to manifest religious belief insofar as it does not impinge disproportionately on the rights and freedoms of others. Secularism ensures that the right of individuals to freedom of religion is always balanced by the right to be free from religion (in case its used to oppress as so many Islamists/Evangelical Christians seek to do if they gain power).
Finally, secularism is not Atheism. Atheism is a lack of belief in gods. Secularism simply provides a framework for a democratic society. Atheists have an obvious interest in supporting secularism, but secularism itself does not seek to challenge the tenets of any particular religion or belief, neither does it seek to impose atheism on anyone.
