Indonesian Minister Criticizes Alcohol Promotion Using Quranic Verses

Indonesia's Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Romo Muhammad Syafi'i has strongly condemned the practice of using religious verses to promote alcoholic beverages, warning businesses against turning religion into a commodity for profit and viral fame. His remarks came in response to an incident at The Sounds Project event where an alcohol booth challenged visitors who could recite a Quranic verse to receive a drink.

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To business actors and event organizers, I emphasize: do not chase profits and virality by making religion a commodity.

"To business actors and event organizers, I emphasize: do not chase profits and virality by making religion a commodity," Syafi'i stated. He expressed regret over the incident, urging all parties to exercise greater caution when using religious symbols, texts, and messages in product promotions. He stressed that the Quran is sacred to Muslims and should not be used for entertainment, marketing gimmicks, or to gain popularity.

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The Quran is not entertainment material, not a marketing gimmick, and not an instrument for chasing virality. Holy verses have a sacred position for Muslims and must be respected.

Syafi'i called for the incident to serve as a catalyst for establishing clear rules and guidelines. This, he believes, will prevent the recurrence of using religion as a promotional tool, a subject of jokes, or a strategy for financial gain. The deputy minister emphasized that holy verses hold a sacred position for Muslims and deserve utmost respect.

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I also encourage this case to be a momentum to build clear rules and guidelines, so that the use of religion as promotional material, jokes, or strategies to gain profit does not happen again.