The Council of Churches (CCM) is disappointed that the government has been consistently lethargic in countering interfaith discourses that fringe on extremism and bigotry.

CCM general secretary Hermen Shastri (right) also said he is not surprised that interfaith ties have reached an all-time low, given the weekly occurrence of some bigoted view of religion being given prominence.

Shastri was commenting on the controversial seminar held at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

"The speakers at the forum apparently wanted to promote bigoted religious views and cast suspicion on other religions

"The UiTM authorities allowed such a seminar at their premises, indicating that academic authorities are willing to tolerate, and perhaps even promote, a certain brand of religious teaching to promote a certain agenda," he said in a press statement.

Compounding the problem, Shastri also noted,were that certain quarters of the press also choose give prominence to views of some controversial scholars who do not enjoy mainstream support.

In order for inter-religious understanding and peaceful co-existence to prosper in this country, he said, universal values shared by all religions should be taught and inculcated among students.