Outcry Over Ad-Dhuha Memorisation Challenge for Alcohol Prize, PAN Youth Wing: Public Spaces Must Be Protected!

The Chairman of the National Mandate Party’s youth wing (BM PAN), Slamet Ariyadi, has strongly condemned a promotion for alcoholic drinks that allegedly used verses from the Quran as part of a prize challenge at a music festival.

In a video that has circulated widely, a booth for an alcoholic beverage product is said to have held a challenge for visitors to recite Surah Ad-Dhuha. Visitors who were able to recite the surah were reportedly rewarded with what is suspected to be alcoholic drinks.

Slamet assessed that the practice was not only inappropriate but had also hurt the sensitivities of religious communities.

“This has gone too far. The Quran is a holy book that must be respected, not used as a gimmick or promotional tool to sell alcoholic drinks,” Slamet asserted in a written statement on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

According to him, freedom in promotion must still observe religious norms, ethics and the values that live within Indonesian society.

Slamet also called on the responsible parties to provide clarification and take concrete steps so that similar incidents do not recur.

“Do not let religious symbols and holy verses be toyed with for commercial interests. This must be taken seriously,” he said.

He stressed that BM PAN is urging the authorities and relevant institutions to follow up on the matter in accordance with applicable regulations.

“Public space must be protected. We want Indonesia to be a country that upholds tolerance while respecting the sanctity of every religion’s teachings,” he concluded.

It is known that police have begun examining the parties behind the viral video of the challenge to recite Surah Ad-Dhuha in exchange for alcoholic drinks at The Sounds Project music festival in Ancol, North Jakarta.

The Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, said the investigation was launched after the video of the incident circulated widely and drew public attention.

The incident that has drawn police attention reportedly took place during The Sounds Project music festival in Ancol on Sunday, 9 August 2026 at around 10.00 pm Western Indonesia Time.

“The Pademangan Police, together with the North Jakarta Metropolitan Resort Police, are now investigating the alleged blasphemy that emerged during the event,” he said on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.