Vatican City ambassador's statement has created anxiety - Jamil Khir

Vatican City Ambassador to Malaysia Archbishop Joseph Marino should not have issued the statement on the use of the word 'Allah' as it has created anxiety among the public and can threaten unity among Malaysians, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said.

He said such a statement should not be made by any quarters to respect the sensitivity of Muslims in the country.

"The religious tolerance in this country should be taken into account by all quarters when issuing statements that could be interpreted as disrupting racial harmony in Malaysia," he said in a statement Saturday.

He said the National Fatwa Council had issued a ruling that the word "Allah" was specially for use by Muslims in the country and should not be abused by any quarters.

"I advise all quarters to not make a polemic of the issue on the word Allah until a decision is made by the court," he added.

A coalition of Malay Muslims non-governmental organisations had yesterday called on the government to "chase away" the ambassador for issuing the statement.