Quran Memorisation for Alcohol Case: The Sound Project Reprimands Sponsor

The event organiser (EO) of The Sounds Project music festival has spoken out regarding a promotional activity for the alcoholic beverage Newport involving a Qur’an memorisation challenge in Ancol, North Jakarta.

Citing a post from the official account @thesoundsproject, they claimed that the action was beyond the control of the EO.

“We have never, and will never, tolerate any form of religious blasphemy or actions that offend SARA by any party operating within our event area, including sponsors and cooperation partners,” it wrote on Tuesday (11/8).

Furthermore, The Sounds Project also admitted to having reprimanded the relevant sponsor and demanded a thorough resolution of the case. The sponsor was also asked to immediately identify all parties involved.

An internal evaluation has also been carried out by The Sounds Project to ensure similar incidents do not occur at future events.

Previously, the act of challenging the recitation of holy Qur’an verses in exchange for alcohol by one of the tenants at The Sounds Project music concert was reported to the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Indonesian National Police. The public complaint was filed by a number of advocates who are members of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Lawyers (ALMI).

ALMI Chairman Zainul Arifin said the act could not be considered mere entertainment. According to him, the challenge has entered the realm of religious blasphemy.

“In our opinion, it clearly constitutes religious blasphemy. This is not a trivial matter, because the MUI has also spoken out, interfaith colleagues have also spoken out, who notably condemn actions like this,” he told reporters.

In a viral video clip, a woman is seen taking part in the challenge at the alcohol brand’s booth. The woman then recited Surah Ad-Dhuha from beginning to end without appearing to falter.

After the woman successfully completed her recitation, a number of sales promoters and men at the booth immediately cheered and enlivened the atmosphere. One of the hosts at the booth then asked for the woman’s identity.

“Where is her friend, the friend who recited the surah earlier (Surah Ad-Dhuha)? What does her friend want? Order,” the woman said.

So far, police have admitted to summoning the EO and the MC of the event suspected of committing the religious blasphemy. The MUI, the House of Representatives and a number of Islamic mass organisations have loudly condemned the act of blasphemy against the Qur’an at a music festival event sponsored by an alcohol brand.