Qur'an Memorisation Challenge for Alcohol: Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Says 'Cannot Stop at Apology'
The case of a challenge offering alcoholic beverages as a reward for memorising verses of the Qur’an at The Sounds Project music festival in Ancol, North Jakarta, is under investigation. Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Romo Muhammad Syafi’i, has insisted the case must be thoroughly investigated and cannot simply end with an apology.
“The current case must not stop at an apology or become fleeting news. There must be clear legal guidelines and standards regarding the use of religious symbols, names, verses, scriptures, or attributes in promotional and commercial activities,” Syafi’i said in an official statement, as quoted by MUI Digital on Thursday (13/8/2026).
Syafi’i referred to a 2022 incident involving the promotion of alcoholic beverages using the names ‘Muhammad’ and ‘Maria’, which was processed to a full legal conclusion. “We need to learn from the Holywings case in 2022. That incident led to legal proceedings and became a lesson that freedom of expression has limits when it touches upon respect for religion and public beliefs,” he added.
He further urged the public to remain calm and not be provoked, and to trust the legal process entirely to law enforcement. “To the public, let us remain calm and trust the process to the law,” he stated.
The challenge video initially went viral on social media. The footage showed a moment at an alcoholic beverage booth during a music festival where a challenge was issued to memorise a surah from the Qur’an, Ad-Dhuha, in exchange for alcohol. The video showed a visitor reciting the verses one by one, met with cheers and applause upon completion.
After the video sparked widespread condemnation, police launched an investigation. Two suspects have been arrested: a woman with the initial R and a man with the initial E. Police have not yet detailed their roles. “The blasphemy suspects have been detained at the North Jakarta Metro Police,” said Acting North Jakarta Police Chief, Commissioner Oki Waskito, on Wednesday (12/8).
Based on the police investigation, the individual who allegedly issued the challenge was a festival visitor. The visitor is suspected of taking a microphone and spontaneously creating the challenge. “Based on information from our investigation, the person concerned is suspected to be a visitor. The visitor then took a microphone and spontaneously conducted the challenge. However, we will further investigate the legal aspects through an examination of the individual,” said Director of Criminal Investigation at the Metro Jaya Police, Commissioner Iman Imanuddin.
The event organiser, The Sounds Project, has also spoken out, condemning the incident. “We, as the event organiser, are also angry, disappointed, and condemn this behaviour. We have never, and will never, condone actions that use religion as material for challenges or product promotion in any form,” The Sounds Project stated via its official Instagram account. The organiser claimed the incident was not in accordance with their direction or approval and has reprimanded the sponsor, demanding they resolve the case thoroughly.