Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday called on all religious communities in the world to unite in preventing American pastor Terry Jones from carrying out his plan to burn the Al Quran in Florida.

Speaking at a press conference in the inner yard of the presidential palace here Friday, Yudhoyono said the plan of Pastor Jones and his 50 followers would endanger world security and peace.

"From this podium, I am calling on the world and all religious communities to be one in foiling this totally immoral plan," said the president in the presence also of Indonesian inter-faith leaders.

He said burning the holy scriptures , ruining houses of worship of, and using violence against any religion was an immoral solution.

"Now it is the Al Quran that is the target of violence. Therefore, in accordance with our better principles and understanding, let us together prevent this from happening," he said.

The President urged the US government and people to do what was necessary to foil Pastor Jones`s outrageous plan.

He said he had sent a letter on the matter to US President Barack Obama and received a positive response.

"I have written a letter to President Barack Obama, a sharp, focused and serious letter to have the plan of Pastor Terry Jones and his followers foiled. If is not foiled, it will bring disaster to humanity," he added.

Although he had received a positive response from President Barack Obama, Yudohoyono said, he was now repeating his call for action to prevent the planned Al Quran burning action.

He had also communicated with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to demand UN measures to stop the US pastor`s intention and, if necessary, make the UN Security Council step in.

Even the UN Human Rights Declaration, he said, recognized the need for limits to freedom of expression if the expression violates freedom itself and general morality values.

Yudhoyono hoped the UN could take the needed steps in case Pastor Jones pushed through his plan to burn the Al Quran.

The UN must make the world secure from horizontal conflicts triggered by the irresponsible actions of a few people, the president said.

To Indonesian people who would stage actions to protest the US pastor`s plan, the President made the request to keep their rallies peaceful and not to resort to violence or anarchy, especially acts that could trigger inter-religios conflict.

"We all care, we all are disturbed and do not want to see Pastor Terry Jones carry out his plan," the president said.
(ANT/A024)

Editor: AA Ariwibowo
COPYRIGHT © 2012

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