REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Islamic leaders in the United States, Shamsi Ali, said damaging places of worship of other religions is the same as damaging our houses of worship. Therefore, all houses of worship have the same sacred values.

"Even in war, houses of worship should not allowed to be damaged. It was stated in the Alquran," Shamsi said, in a statement to Republika, Wednesday (14/10).

Therefore, Shamsi continued, damaging houses of worship was a big mistake, either in terms of religious or national law. According to him, if there is a construction of house of worship that broke the regulation, then the people should be protested through the existing legal channels.

"I wish people don't take self decision by damaging the house of worship," he added.

The act of destruction of houses of worship of other religions, would worsen the image of Islam that would be considered as disrespectful to others. Moreover, Islam would also be seen as a religion that does not have tolerance to others.

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