A joint call for religious leaders to condemn religion-based violence made by Pope Francis and Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar on Thursday had also made waves in Malaysia.

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur Chancellor Clarence Devadass said the joint declaration marks a significant step towards religious leaders working together to promote human dignity, inter-religious dialogue and environmental protection.

"The clear message this declaration points out is...