Pilgrim Arrested for Filming a Woman: Religious Leader Urges Pilgrims to Use Social Media Wisely
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MADINAH - An Indonesian pilgrim was reportedly briefly detained by Saudi Arabian security forces after being caught filming a woman in a public area without permission.
In response to the incident, Musyrif Diny Prof KH Asrorun Niam Sholeh urged all pilgrims to learn from the incident to prevent it from happening again.
The Chairman of the MUI’s Fatwa Division emphasized to pilgrims the importance of being wise in interacting through digital media.
Prof Niam, as he is affectionately known, stressed that this incident should be a valuable lesson for all pilgrims.
“The enthusiasm to document the Hajj pilgrimage should not violate ethics, let alone the legal regulations in Saudi Arabia. Respecting the privacy of others, especially not filming women without permission, is part of our maturity in interacting in the digital age,” said Prof Niam, quoted from the official MUI website, Saturday (16/5/2026).
The Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence at UIN Jakarta reminded that the pilgrims’ intention to worship should not be disrupted by carelessness, which could even have legal consequences and tarnish Indonesia’s reputation.
“Filming others without their consent, in addition to violating the law in Saudi Arabia, also violates the dignity of others. I urge all pilgrims to restrain themselves, focus on the essence of worship, and always remember that every action we take also reflects on the good name of the Indonesian nation,” he said.
According to him, this incident also contradicts the MUI Fatwa Number 24 of 2017 concerning the Law and Guidelines for Interacting through Social Media.
Because, in the fatwa, it is stated that all digital activities that harm, demean, or take the right to privacy of others without their consent are strictly prohibited.
“The Hajj pilgrimage is a sacred moment to increase piety, which must be manifested in noble morals (akhlak al-karimah), both in the real world and in the digital world,” he said.
Furthermore, Prof Niam also urged Indonesian pilgrims regarding daily activities that are often considered trivial but have fatal consequences, one of which is the habit of smoking in random places.
This is because Prof Niam saw directly that one of the Indonesian pilgrims was interrogated by Saudi Arabian security officers because he was caught smoking in front of the accommodation area (hotel) in Medina.
He said that the Hajj pilgrimage is a sacred moment to carry out total self-improvement (islahun-nafs). This is a time when we learn to control ourselves, not to indulge in desires or personal ego, including in the habit of smoking.
“We must understand that the rules in Saudi Arabia are very strict. Let’s not let the desire to smoke in the wrong place bring harm, both to the safety of ourselves and the health of other pilgrims,” he said.
See this post on Instagram