{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1213188,
        "msgid": "harmoko-apologizes-to-moslem-community-1447893297",
        "date": "1995-08-31 00:00:00",
        "title": "Harmoko apologizes to Moslem community",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Harmoko apologizes to Moslem community JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko publicly apologized to Moslems yesterday for mispronouncing a verse from the Koran, Islam's holy book, during a speech last July. \"As an individual and an assistant of the President, I sincerely beg for forgiveness from the Islamic community,\" Harmoko told reporters after meeting with President Soeharto at Merdeka Palace.",
        "content": "<p>Harmoko apologizes to Moslem community<\/p>\n<p>JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko publicly<br>\napologized to Moslems yesterday for mispronouncing a verse from<br>\nthe Koran, Islam's holy book, during a speech last July.<\/p>\n<p>\"As an individual and an assistant of the President, I<br>\nsincerely beg for forgiveness from the Islamic community,\"<br>\nHarmoko told reporters after meeting with President Soeharto at<br>\nMerdeka Palace.<\/p>\n<p>He confessed to having mispronounced the Al Fatihah when he<br>\nopened a wayang (leather puppet) festival in Surakarta in Central<br>\nJava on July 15, Antara reported.<\/p>\n<p>He stressed however that it was \"unintentional\" and that there<br>\nwas no motive behind the slip up. \"It was not my intention to<br>\nmake a pun.\"<\/p>\n<p>News of Harmoko's \"slip of the tongue\" surfaced only last<br>\nweek. There have already been a number of protests in Jakarta<br>\ncondemning the minister.<\/p>\n<p>Harmoko said he realized he had made a mistake. \"I have<br>\nalready asked for forgiveness from Allah the Almighty.\"<\/p>\n<p>He added that he hoped the public will accept his apology and<br>\nput the matter at rest.<\/p>\n<p>Harmoko said he explained the situation to President Soeharto<br>\nduring their meeting yesterday.<\/p>\n<p>Asked about Soeharto's reaction, he said: \"As a Moslem, he<br>\nforgave what I had done. The President also appreciated the steps<br>\nI had taken, including asking for forgiveness from God, the<br>\nMoslem people and the Ulema Council.\"<\/p>\n<p>Harmoko added that he had already met with the council's<br>\nchairman, Hassan Basri, to explain the situation. \"He understood<br>\nand gave his forgiveness.\"<\/p>\n<p>The minister said he realized he had made a mistake before<br>\nanyone pointed it out to him.<\/p>\n<p>\"All of a sudden, I realized (the mistake). As a human I am<br>\nnot free from mistakes, errors and forgetfulness,\" he confessed.<br>\n(emb)<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/harmoko-apologizes-to-moslem-community-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}