The leader of the Nurul Hikam Dhikr Assembly, Asep Setiawan, also\nknown as Abah Setu, has gone viral due to statements deemed insulting to\nProphet Muhammad SAW. Although Abah Setu has apologised, the legal\nprocess against him remains ongoing.<\/p>\n
Abah Setu\u2019s residence was surrounded by a crowd on Monday (7\/9)\nevening, following his controversial statements regarding Prophet\nMuhammad SAW. In a circulating video recording, Abah Setu claimed he was\n\u2018trapped by Sharia law\u2019, leading to statements that allegedly insulted\nthe Prophet. In the video, Abah Setu also instructed his followers not\nto attend the Dhikr sessions at the Nurul Hikam Assembly which he leads.\nThis video provoked a public reaction, leading a mass of people to\napproach his assembly.<\/p>\n
Head of Public Relations for the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Kombes\nBudi Hermanto, stated that personnel from the Metro Bekasi Police and\nCikarums Barat Sector Police were deployed to the location to calm the\ncrowd. Budi noted that the purpose of the residents approaching the\nNurul Hikam Dhikr Assembly in Telajung Village, Cikarang Barat, on\nMonday night, 7 September 2026, was to seek clarification from Abah Setu\nregarding his social media statements.<\/p>\n
\u2018Personnel from the Metro Bekasi Police, together with the Cikarang\nBarat Sector Police, were present when several residents approached the\nNurul Hikam Dhikr Assembly\u2026 to seek clarification regarding a video they\ndeemed to contain insults against Prophet Muhammad SAW,\u2019 Kombes Budi\nstated in a briefing to journalists on Wednesday (9\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
Abah Setu has provided clarification regarding his statements. He\napologised for his words which caused the recent unrest. This apology\nwas delivered during a mediation and clarification process attended by\nthe Bekasi Regency MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council), religious and\ncommunity leaders, and various community organisations at the Metro\nBekasi Police Headquarters on Thursday (10\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
In his statement, Abah Setu admitted his error in making remarks that\noffended the Muslim community. \u2018Regarding the circulation of a video\nthat offends Muslims and insults Prophet Muhammad SAW, I hereby\nacknowledge and declare my error\u2026 Therefore, I offer my deepest\napologies,\u2019 said Abah Setu.<\/p>\n
During the session, Abah Setu also announced that he would cease all\nactivities related to the Nurul Hikam Dhikr Assembly, including his\nsocial media content. \u2018Secondly, I will close all activities that could\noffend the followers of the assembly, social media content, and any\ncovert teachings that have the potential to insult or mislead Muslims,\u2019\nhe added.<\/p>\n
In response to the apology, the Vice Chairman of the MUI, Anwar\nAbbas, stated that while he forgives Abah Setu, the legal process must\nproceed. \u2018If someone feels guilty and asks for forgiveness, they are\nforgiven. However, the individual has also violated the laws applicable\nin the Republic of Indonesia; therefore, law enforcement must uphold the\nlaw. The procedures and methods are for them to determine,\u2019 Anwar Abbas\nsaid when contacted on Friday (11\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
Anwar Abbas assessed that Abah Setu\u2019s actions had gone too far,\nnoting that the remarks were demeaning to the Prophet. \u2018It was\nexcessive; the language demeaned Prophet Muhammad and appeared very\narrogant,\u2019 he said. He also highlighted the specific remarks regarding\nthe Prophet being from Medina, noting that such words are deeply hurtful\nto believers.<\/p>\n
Despite the apology, the case remains active. The report filed with\nthe Metro Bekasi Police is still being processed. \u2018It is still ongoing;\nthere has been no withdrawal of the report yet,\u2019 said the Chief of Metro\nBekasi Police, Kombes Andi Oddang, to journalists in Cikarang, West\nJava, on Friday (11\/9).<\/p>\n
Andi Oddang stated that the police have received reports from the\npublic regarding the alleged blasphemy committed by Abah Setu and are\npreparing the next steps to follow up on the report. \u2018The report has\nbeen made, and we will adjust our future steps accordingly,\u2019 said\nOddang, adding that while the MUI Bekasi and the local community have\nexpressed forgiveness, the legal investigation continues.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abah-setus-apology-does-not-immediately-halt-legal-process-1789170775", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }