TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Responding to the recent violence in France amid controversy over French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments on Islam, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Saturday called for interfaith unity and tolerance to build a better world.

“Terrorism has nothing to do with any religion. Indonesia calls on the world to prioritize interfaith unity and tolerance to build a better world," President Jokowi said at an online press conference after meeting with interfaith leaders at the Merdeka Palace here on Saturday.

The meeting was held to discuss the latest developments in the world, particularly interfaith unity.

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, and representatives from the Indonesian Ulema Council, Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Church Trustees Conference (KWI), the Indonesian Church Association (PGI), Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia, the Indonesian Buddhist Association, and the Indonesian Confucian High Council also attended the meeting.

Following the meeting, President Jokowi denounced French President Emmanuel Macron's statements on Islam.

“Indonesia strongly denounces the statement of the French President which has insulted Islam, which has hurt the feelings of Muslims around the world,” President Jokowi said.

Jokowi said that Macron's statements against Islam could hurt interfaith unity at a time when the world needs to unite to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freedom of expression which injures honor, sanctity, and the sacredness of religious values and symbols absolutely cannot be justified and must be stopped, he averred.

“Associating religion with acts of terrorism is a big mistake. Terrorism is terrorism. Terrorists are terrorists. Terrorism has no law with any religion,” he remarked.

Indonesia also strongly denounced the violent attacks in Paris and Nice.

"Indonesia strongly condemns the violence that has occurred in Paris and Nice, which has claimed lives," said the President.

Earlier, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry had denounced Macron's remarks on Islam and defense of the depiction and publication of cartoons on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which have sparked much ire in the Islamic World.

To register its protest, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry summoned French Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Olivier Chambard, on Tuesday (October 27, 2020) and sought an explanation for Macron's controversial statements.

Also Read: Jokowi: Indonesia Condemns Emmanuel Macron's Statement

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