VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the burning of the Quran in Stockholm which occurred on Eid al-Adha.

"Indonesia strongly condemns the provocative act of burning the Quran by a Swedish citizen in front of the Södermalm Mosque, Stockholm during Eid al-Adha," the official twitter account of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote, as quoted by Indonesia Window here on Thursday (29/6).

Indonesia considers the action to have hurt the feelings of Muslims and cannot be justified.

"Freedom of expression must also respect the values and beliefs of other religions," the ministry wrote.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that Indonesia together with member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Sweden had protested against this incident.

Previously, there was a demonstration in front of the Södermalm Grand Mosque. During his action, a demonstrator named Salwan Momika - as witnessed by hundreds of people at the location - burned sheets of the Qur'an as a form of opposition to Islam. Salwan Momika is suspected to be a Swedish citizen.

Before burning the Quran, Momika first threw the Muslim holy book to the ground and shouted insulting words about Islam.

Stockholm police were called outside the mosque to prevent any incident that could be triggered by the provocation. (VOI/Andy)