Police Probe Alleged Religious Blasphemy at Jakarta Music Festival
A viral video shows a music festival challenge involving Quran recitation, with an alcoholic beverage offered as a prize, sparking public backlash.
Jakarta police are probing allegations of religious blasphemy at The Sounds Project music festival in Ancol, North Jakarta, following the circulation of a video showing a festival attendee allegedly challenged to recite a passage from the Quran. The incident reportedly occurred around 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, at the festival venue.
Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Budi Hermanto confirmed the investigation, stating that Pademangan Police are collaborating with the event organizer and booth owner to facilitate the legal process. Clarification meetings with the event organizer and the master of ceremonies are scheduled for Tuesday, after which investigators will complete administrative tasks and review the case to determine subsequent legal actions.
The video, which went viral on social media platform X, showed the attendee being offered a Newport alcoholic beverage as a reward for completing a challenge to recite Surah Ad-Duha, the 93rd chapter of the Quran. The event organizer has apologized, asserting that the challenge was not sanctioned by them. Police have opened a public reporting channel for the incident and have not yet determined if it constitutes a criminal offense.
Authorities await statements from the event organizer, MC, and other parties before deciding on the case's next steps.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
