KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia strongly condemns the holding of Anti-Islamization Congress as it blatantly depicts insensitivities and a sheer act of provocation to Islam and the Muslim world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

    "Malaysia is shocked and expresses its disappointment over the intention by the Pro-Koln Group to host an Anti-Islamization Congress in Cologne, Germany, proposed to be held on Sept. 19 and 20, 2008," the Ministry said in a statement.

    Malaysia demands that the organizer of this Congress, in particular the Pro-Koln Group, to re-consider their intention and weigh the consequences of their action as nothing positive can be achieved through this event but would only incite violence and hatred and result in adverse consequences, the Ministry said.

    "Malaysia wishes to emphasize the importance that all efforts are necessary to be taken by Governments and responsible organizations to build and promote interfaith relations, dialogue and understanding between different religions and cultures," the statement said.

    "These efforts stand to be compromised if certain parties such as the organizers of this Anti Islamization Congress choose to resort to spreading lies and insults in the name of freedom of speech, which will indeed reflect their sheer ignorance," it added.