MC Booth Newport Apologises for Quran Memorisation Challenge with Alcohol Prize

The master of ceremonies (MC) for the Newport alcoholic beverage booth has apologised following an incident involving a challenge to recite a surah from the Quran in exchange for a bottle of liquor at a music event in Jakarta. In a post on Threads, the MC, who identified himself as Ega via the account @aqueer_, admitted he was negligent in controlling the spontaneous actions of an audience member wearing white who took the microphone. Ega stated that the individual initiated the challenge to recite Surah Ad-Duha for a reward, and he failed to immediately take back the mic. He acknowledged that an MC’s fundamental duty is to ensure the event proceeds according to the brand’s concept. The incident, which occurred at The Sound Project festival, went viral after a visitor recounted seeing the challenge, sparking widespread criticism that using a holy Quranic verse as a promotional tool for alcohol was deeply unethical.