Malaysia's 11th hour cancellation of an international interfaith conference between Islam and Christianity is a major blow to the country's image as a tolerant multi-ethnic nation, opposition political leaders and civil society critics said.

Even government officials expressed shock at the sudden cancellation of the 'Building Bridges' seminar which was set up in the wake of the Sept 11, 2001 aerial attacks on US cities.

Founded, supported and organised by the Anglican Church, the seminar, sixth in an annual series under the theme, 'Humanity in Context: Christian and Muslim Perspectives', brings together the finest minds in the Christian and Islamic worlds.