The killing of others due to religious differences is a dastardly act by uncivilised individuals, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.

He said everybody should respect the religious, racial and cultural diversity to ensure society's harmonious existence.

"Islam teaches us to respect all human beings and even animals, the environment and so on although we are of different faiths, races and cultures and speak different languages.

"Killing of people because of religious differences shows utter backwardness and condemned by the world's civilised societies.

"We should instead demonstrate that we are highly cultured and wise by respecting others and do good deeds," he said after attending the Jelebu district-level Maal Hijrah celebration 2016/1438H, here, Wednesday.

Also present was Pertang assemblyman, Datuk Jalaluddin Alias.

Jamil Khir's statement referred to the killing of four Myanmar nationals in Bachok, Kelantan recently due to religious conflict between ethnic Myanmar groups.

"We see such killings as most regrettable and touch societies the world over over," he said. -- Bernama