Cleric adopts Inul as 'foster daughter'

Cleric adopts Inul as 'foster daughter'

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Head of the South Kalimantan religious affairs office Artani Hasbi has supported the ban by the province's Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) on dangdut singer Inul Daratista for her "erotic" dance style.

But in an apparent move to counter the ban and condemnation from other religious leaders in several cities across the country, a charismatic Muslim cleric, Zaini Abdul Ghoni, in Banjarmasin has offered to become Inul's foster father.

Inul accepted the offer and attended Zaini's Islamic class on Saturday at his house in Banjarmasin, where she was staying after a dangdut concert in the town. Dangdut is a popular local music with strong Arab/Indian influences.

Before other Muslim women at the gathering, the cleric prayed for Inul to have the strength to remain strong and patient in facing condemnation.

The ban by the local MUI branch will hamper her plans to perform in four other towns in South Kalimantan in the near future.

A similar ban was also imposed on Inul by the Yogyakarta administration, a move that has sparked criticism from many Muslim leaders.

The ban has otherwise brought her further attention and has seen her popularity skyrocket, thus making her a new national celebrity with hundreds of million of rupiah in monthly income. --Antara