Indonesia Halal Watch Condemns Promotion of Alcoholic Beverages Using Quranic Verses

Founder of Indonesia Halal Watch (IHW), KH Ikhsan Abdullah, has expressed deep concern over a circulating video showing a promotional activity for an alcoholic beverage product that used the recitation of Surah Ad-Dhuha as part of a challenge, with alcoholic drinks offered as prizes.

“In my view, such an action is highly inappropriate and has offended the religious sensitivities of the community, particularly Muslims,” Kiai Ikhsan told Republika on Tuesday (11/8/2026).

He explained that for Muslims, the Quran is a holy book, a source of true guidance (hudal lil muttaqin), and holds a very noble position in the lives of Muslims. Therefore, making the memorisation of Quranic verses part of a gimmick or game to obtain alcoholic beverages is something that is improper and demeaning.

Moreover, it was carried out as part of a promotional activity for an alcoholic beverage brand and performed as entertainment in a public space. Given that consuming alcoholic beverages is haram for Muslims, promoting alcoholic drinks in public spaces is also highly inappropriate and violates the law, especially when the promotion uses Quranic verses.

“We respect the freedom of enterprise and the creativity of the business world, but that freedom must be accompanied by social responsibility, propriety, and respect for the religious and cultural values of Indonesian society, which is religious,” said Kiai Ikhsan, who is also Katib Syuriyah of PBNU.

Nevertheless, IHW does not wish to draw hasty conclusions based solely on video clips and information circulating on social media. The principle of tabayyun is an important part of community life, as stipulated in Surah Al-Hujurat, Verse 6 of the Quran. Therefore, IHW intends to seek clarification directly from the event organiser and the producer or owner of the brand concerned, in order to obtain a complete picture.