i actually consider islam to be firmly within the bounds of western culture, and think that you're just wrong if you're arguing otherwise.

"the west" is greece, basically.

so, "the west" includes all of the areas that have been defined by greek culture: europe, russia, the middle east, north africa and iran.

"the east" is buddhism, basically.

so, "the east" includes all of the areas that have been defined by buddhism: india, central asia, china, southeast asia.

a good dividing line between east and west is the indus river. that's where alexander stopped.