Abah Setu's Apology Does Not Immediately Halt Legal Process
The leader of the Nurul Hikam Dhikr Assembly, Asep Setiawan, also known as Abah Setu, has gone viral due to statements deemed insulting to Prophet Muhammad SAW. Although Abah Setu has apologised, the legal process against him remains ongoing.
Abah Setu’s residence was surrounded by a crowd on Monday (7/9) evening, following his controversial statements regarding Prophet Muhammad SAW. In a circulating video recording, Abah Setu claimed he was ‘trapped by Sharia law’, leading to statements that allegedly insulted the Prophet. In the video, Abah Setu also instructed his followers not to attend the Dhikr sessions at the Nurul Hikam Assembly which he leads. This video provoked a public reaction, leading a mass of people to approach his assembly.
Head of Public Relations for the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Kombes Budi Hermanto, stated that personnel from the Metro Bekasi Police and Cikarums Barat Sector Police were deployed to the location to calm the crowd. Budi noted that the purpose of the residents approaching the Nurul Hikam Dhikr Assembly in Telajung Village, Cikarang Barat, on Monday night, 7 September 2026, was to seek clarification from Abah Setu regarding his social media statements.
‘Personnel from the Metro Bekasi Police, together with the Cikarang Barat Sector Police, were present when several residents approached the Nurul Hikam Dhikr Assembly… to seek clarification regarding a video they deemed to contain insults against Prophet Muhammad SAW,’ Kombes Budi stated in a briefing to journalists on Wednesday (9/9/2026).
Abah Setu has provided clarification regarding his statements. He apologised for his words which caused the recent unrest. This apology was delivered during a mediation and clarification process attended by the Bekasi Regency MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council), religious and community leaders, and various community organisations at the Metro Bekasi Police Headquarters on Thursday (10/9/2026).
In his statement, Abah Setu admitted his error in making remarks that offended the Muslim community. ‘Regarding the circulation of a video that offends Muslims and insults Prophet Muhammad SAW, I hereby acknowledge and declare my error… Therefore, I offer my deepest apologies,’ said Abah Setu.
During the session, Abah Setu also announced that he would cease all activities related to the Nurul Hikam Dhikr Assembly, including his social media content. ‘Secondly, I will close all activities that could offend the followers of the assembly, social media content, and any covert teachings that have the potential to insult or mislead Muslims,’ he added.
In response to the apology, the Vice Chairman of the MUI, Anwar Abbas, stated that while he forgives Abah Setu, the legal process must proceed. ‘If someone feels guilty and asks for forgiveness, they are forgiven. However, the individual has also violated the laws applicable in the Republic of Indonesia; therefore, law enforcement must uphold the law. The procedures and methods are for them to determine,’ Anwar Abbas said when contacted on Friday (11/9/2026).
Anwar Abbas assessed that Abah Setu’s actions had gone too far, noting that the remarks were demeaning to the Prophet. ‘It was excessive; the language demeaned Prophet Muhammad and appeared very arrogant,’ he said. He also highlighted the specific remarks regarding the Prophet being from Medina, noting that such words are deeply hurtful to believers.
Despite the apology, the case remains active. The report filed with the Metro Bekasi Police is still being processed. ‘It is still ongoing; there has been no withdrawal of the report yet,’ said the Chief of Metro Bekasi Police, Kombes Andi Oddang, to journalists in Cikarang, West Java, on Friday (11/9).
Andi Oddang stated that the police have received reports from the public regarding the alleged blasphemy committed by Abah Setu and are preparing the next steps to follow up on the report. ‘The report has been made, and we will adjust our future steps accordingly,’ said Oddang, adding that while the MUI Bekasi and the local community have expressed forgiveness, the legal investigation continues.