YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia – Muslim leaders and activists Monday (June 9th) called a speech made by Ja'far Umar Talib the day before provocative and misleading, local media reported.

Ja'far, a former commander of the now-defunct Laskar Jihad paramilitary group, said Islam was "a religion of war" and called on Muslims to wage jihad against "infidels" and pluralism, in a lecture at Masjid Gedhe in Kauman.

"Provocative preaching that stirs up violence has to be stopped. We need a secure situation to make the upcoming presidential election a success," Abdul Mu'thi, secretary of the central executive board of Muhammadiyah, said Monday, according to The Jakarta Post.

Abdul Muhaimin, the owner of Nurul Ummahat Islamic boarding school in Kotagede, Yogyakarta urged Muslim to ignore the message, saying, "It's not preaching. It's provocation."

Mosque manager Budi Setiawan expressed regret the speech didn't comply with its specified theme, Tempo reported. He received many audience complaints, Budi said, especially since the lecture took place at a mosque that belongs to the Sultanate of Yogyakarta.