Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently summoned the Swedish Ambassador to express its strong condemnation regarding the repeated desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden. This diplomatic move underscores Indonesia’s deep concern over acts of religious intolerance and its firm stance against any actions that incite hatred. The summoning reflects Indonesia’s commitment to upholding religious harmony both domestically and on the global stage.
The Swedish Ambassador was presented with Indonesia’s unequivocal message that such provocative acts, while potentially falling under freedom of expression in some jurisdictions, are deeply offensive to Muslims worldwide. Indonesia emphasized that genuine freedom of speech should not be misused to malign or insult religious symbols, urging Sweden to prevent similar incidents from recurring and to address the rise of Islamophobia.
Indonesia’s decision to call the Swedish Ambassador aligns with its long-standing foreign policy of promoting interfaith dialogue and mutual respect. As a nation with the world’s largest Muslim population and a strong tradition of religious pluralism, Indonesia views the desecration of any holy book as an attack on universal values of decency and coexistence, not just an issue for one faith.
The diplomatic dΓ©marche sought to convey the profound distress and anger felt by Indonesian Muslims over the incidents. By directly engaging with the Swedish Ambassador, Indonesia aimed to ensure that its concerns were clearly understood at the highest diplomatic level, urging Swedish authorities to take concrete measures to address the root causes of such acts and ensure accountability.
This action by Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry is part of a broader coordinated response from Muslim-majority countries and organizations globally. Many nations have voiced similar condemnations, demonstrating a unified front against religious hatred and a shared demand for greater protection of religious sites and symbols from acts of desecration and blasphemy.
The Swedish Ambassador was also likely informed of the significant public outcry in Indonesia, where numerous peaceful protests were held by various religious and civil society groups. This strong domestic reaction reinforces the government’s diplomatic actions, highlighting the deep sensitivity of the issue for the Indonesian people and their unwavering commitment to defending their faith.