Mohd Na'im Mokhtar says it will function as a medium of discussion between religious leaders to resolve issues related to religion and race.

What happened on Friday at a mosque, where the prime minister led the process of an individual converting to Islam, is not proper.

Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan and though no one has ever been executed for it, numerous accused people have been lynched by outraged crowds.

The prime minister says the proposal is to defend the interests of all Malaysians, not just the Malays.

Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar was one of the first to congratulate Anwar Ibrahim last year, and was bestowed the top Islamic award from the Malaysian government eight months later.

Panji Gumilang, head of the Al-Zaytun school in conservative West Java province, faces a maximum 10 years in prison if found guilt of blasphemy and hate speech.

Another 60 people, including 10 police personnel, were injured in the clashes.

Sweden's laws, current politics and social traditions mean such incidents are unlikely to be halted any time soon.

The controversial protest comes weeks after a man set fire to pages of the Quran outside Stockholm's main mosque.

Currently, India's Hindus, Muslims, Christians and large tribal populations follow their own personal laws and customs, alongside an optional secular code, for marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance.

The State Department raised concerns over treatment of Muslims, Hindu Dalits, Christians and other religious minorities in India while also listing a crackdown on journalists.

The king expresses concern that the situation will affect national unity and the well-being of the country if not immediately resolved.