The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) in its Merdeka Day message today urged all Malaysians to reject racism and religious chauvinism.

"We urge all peaceful and peace-loving Malaysians to reject those who are racists and religious chauvinists in both their speeches and actions," CFM said in a statement.

The statement signed by four leaders of CFM said it wants to see Malaysia foster "a nation uniting all peoples together; an inclusive nation, rather than a divisive one".

As the country celebrates its 56th Merdeka Day, CFM also urged all Malaysians to actively resist all who stir up racial or religious hatred.

"We need to actively resist all who use race and religion to drum up fear and hatred against others for political mileage and advantage," CFM said.

It added that it hopes to see Malaysia fashion a legal system that will provide equality and equal protection under the law for all Malaysians.

CFM's goodwill message comes amidst an on-going legal row over the use of the word ‘Allah', which is being used by Christians for God in the Malay language version of the Bible.

Last month, the Catholic Church failed in its bid to strike out a government appeal to ban the use of the word 'Allah' in Christian publications, a ban first rejected in 2009 as being "unconstitutional."

CFM subsequently followed up with a fact sheet last week to expound on the Christian position on the use of the word 'Allah' as the government's appeal goes to trial before the Court of Appeal.