A farmer sparked outrage after he held a wedding - appearing to show him getting married to a female goat in Indonesia.

Groom Syaiful Arif, 44, took the farm animal's hoof in marriage in a ceremony in Jogodalu Village in the Gresik Regency on June 5.

He was seen dressed sharply for the occasion - wearing Javanese attire while his quadruped bride was garbed in flowers and special clothing. The female animal named Sri Rahayu was draped in a red robe.

Traditional Indonesian music livened up the festivities as the man declared his love for Sri Rahayu.

The bizarre celebration was attended by a number of guests, including two local council workers.

Syaiful reportedly claimed he received divine instructions urging him to wed the goat in order to 'unite the archipelago and the motherland, Indonesia'.

He added that he married the goat for a dowry of 22,000 IDR, saying he hoped the union would last.

However, Islamic religious leaders in Gresik have slammed Syaiful's actions, which they said was a desecration of the sacred rite of marriage.

Upon having a dialogue with the critics, the newlywed husband allegedly admitted his error.

He said on June 9: 'I apologise for making a raucous. I held the marriage ceremony with the goat only for fun. I was not serious.'

But Syaiful's mistakes have not been absolved so easily as influential figures still seek to have him punished.

Mansoer Shodiq, chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council of the Gresik Regency, said: 'This use of Islamic marriage procedures is a form of blasphemy against religion, humanity, culture, and is a defamation of the Gresik Regency, which is a Santri City.'

'Santri' is an Indonesian term referring to those who practice Islam and its customs.

Jogodalu villagers have also protested, demanding that the venue - a Gresik parliamentarian's vacation home - where the 'blasphemous' wedding was held be closed.

Community leader Agus Junaidi said: 'We ask the police to act. They have toyed with sacred things related to religion and culture. The police must take firm action.'