Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia condemns the recent violence that occurred in Paris and Nice, France, as well as slams the statement by French President Emmanuel Macron which insulted Islam and offended Muslims around the world.

It was conveyed by President Joko Widodo in a press statement after meeting with a number of leaders of Indonesian religious organizations to discuss global dynamics, particularly those related to inter-religious brotherhood at the State Palace here on Saturday.

“Indonesia strongly condemns the violence that occurred in Paris and Nice which has claimed lives. Indonesia also strongly condemns the remarks of the French President which insults Islam and hurts the feeling of Muslims around the world,” the head of state said.

Such statement could disunite the world's religious believers, at a time when the world needs unity to face the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.

The president underscored that freedom of expression which injures honour, sanctity, and the sacredness of religious values ​​and symbols absolutely cannot be justified and must be stopped.

“Associating religion with acts of terrorism is a big mistake. Terrorism is terrorism, terrorists are terrorists. Terrorism has nothing to do with any religion,” he said.

Indonesia invites the world to prioritize religious unity and tolerance in order to build a better world, the president added.

Reporting by Indonesia Window