MUI Condemns Ad-Duha Memorization Challenge With Liquor Prize in Jakarta
The Sounds Project organizers also apologized after a sponsor booth video at Ancol sparked widespread criticism on social media.
The Indonesian Ulema Council condemned the promotion of liquor packaged as a memorization challenge for Surah Ad-Duha at a sponsor booth for the The Sounds Project festival in North Jakarta’s Ancol. A video of the activity went viral after being posted by the Threads account @jarrkojarr and drew criticism for turning Quranic verses into a marketing gimmick for alcohol products. MUI Fatwa Division head Asrorun Niam Sholeh said the act cannot be justified religiously, ethically or legally, and those involved must be held accountable. He said the Quran is Kalamullah and must be respected, while liquor is forbidden, so linking Quran recitation to an alcohol prize demeans its sanctity. In an official Instagram post on Tuesday, The Sounds Project organizers also apologized and said they do not tolerate violations of religious respect values.