MUI Urges Investigation into 'Hunting Muhammad' Book

The Secretary-General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Amirsyah Tambunan, has requested that the intellectual authors of the book titled ‘Hunting Muhammad’ be investigated. He expressed hope that the public would not be provoked by the emergence of the book, which is suspected of committing religious blasphemy.

“First, I appreciate the rapid response of the police, who are currently conducting an investigation into the emergence of the ‘Hunting Muhammad’ book, which has recently caused a stir on social media. I urge the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) to investigate the intellectual authors of this book,” Amirsyah told reporters on Sunday (27/09/2026).

Amirsyah hoped the public would not be swayed by provocations regarding the book. He noted that the incident could constitute a criminal offence against religion and belief under the new Criminal Code (KUHP).

“I ask the community not to be provoked by the provocations surrounding the emergence of this book by irresponsible parties. Secondly, this constitutes a crime under the new Criminal Code (Law No. 1 of 2023),” said Amirsyah.

“The new Criminal Code contains offences related to religion in the Chapter on Offences Against Religion, Belief, and Religious Life, which includes Article 300, prohibiting hate speech or the incitement of hostility, violence, and discrimination based on religion or belief. Articles 301/302 regulate the dissemination of teachings or the incitement of hostility against religion,” he added.

Previously, social media was shaken by the appearance of two books suspected of blasphemy. The two books in question are titled ‘Not the Virgin Mary’ and ‘Hunting Muhammad’.

In posts circulating on social media, the controversial books were narrated to have been written by someone identified as pro-LGBT. The posts also displayed several excerpts from the books that were deemed to insult certain religions.

Head of Public Relations for the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Kombes Budi Hermanto, stated that the authorities had only recently received information regarding the matter. He emphasised that the emergence of the books would be thoroughly investigated by the police.

“This will certainly be investigated, both by the Cyber Directorate if it exists in the digital realm, and by the General Criminal Investigation Directorate,” Kombes Budi Hermanto told reporters at Bundaran HI, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (24/09).