GÖTEBORG, SWEDEN.- The Museum of World Culture has removed an erotic painting that is full of verses from the Muslim holy book, the Koran, because Muslims said it was obscene. The painting is the work of Louzla Darabi and was part of an Aids exhibition.

Jette Sandahl, museum director, stated they received hundreds of protest letters and e-mails, that were largely "respectful and polite but some were more aggressive". "It was the combination of the image and text from the Koran which was problematic," she said.

Artist Louzla Darabi stated her work stressed "the link between love and God". She said she did not intend to offend anyone.

Ms Sandahl said the art was removed to prevent public attention shifting away from the exhibition's main message about AIDS and globalisation.