ALMI Reports 'Quran Challenge' at The Sound Project to Bareskrim

The Association of Muslim Lawyers Indonesia (ALMI) has reported an alleged act of religious blasphemy to the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) on Tuesday (11/8). The report concerns a challenge at The Sound Project music festival where attendees were offered alcoholic drinks for reciting a Quranic verse. ALMI Chairman Zainul Arifin stated that the act could not be dismissed as mere entertainment and clearly constitutes religious defamation. ‘In our view, this is clearly an act of blasphemy. This is not a trivial matter, as the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and interfaith communities have also spoken out, condemning such actions,’ he told reporters. He expressed hope that the police would thoroughly investigate the alleged blasphemy case and enforce the law to prevent similar incidents in the future. ‘We know there are powerful figures behind this event. We know that those involved in the alcohol business are not small players. Therefore, we are here to oversee the law enforcement process,’ he said. Fellow ALMI member Abdul Hakim urged police to examine all parties involved, including the event organiser, the master of ceremonies, and the alcohol brand owner. ‘We want everyone involved in this context, including the MC, the event organiser, and the owner of the alcohol brand, to be summoned by investigators,’ he explained. The controversy erupted after a video circulated on social media showing a challenge at a brand booth during The Sound Project concert on 9 August 2026, where a woman successfully recited Surah Ad-Dhuha to win an alcoholic drink. The event organiser, The Sounds Project, issued an official statement via social media condemning the incident at the Newport sponsor booth, stating they were ‘angry, disappointed, and condemn the behaviour’ and that the incident was ‘completely outside our direction, approval, and control as the event organiser.’