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Two detained over Quran challenge offering alcohol prizes in Jakarta
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Two detained over Quran challenge offering alcohol prizes in Jakarta

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Police in Jakarta have detained two individuals in connection with a Quran memorization challenge involving alcoholic beverages.
  • The challenge, held at a music festival, offered liquor as a prize for reciting a Quranic verse.
  • Authorities are investigating four suspects, with two already in custody for alleged offenses against religion.

Jakarta police have detained two suspects in an ongoing investigation into a Quran memorization challenge that offered alcoholic beverages as prizes. The incident occurred at a booth during The Sounds Project music festival in North Jakarta over the weekend.

REK and AK were arrested on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, after the case handling was transferred from the North Jakarta Metro Police. Both have been detained for 20 days in the Rutan Polda Metro Jaya starting today.

— Kombes Iman ImanuddinDirector of General Criminal Investigation of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, detailing the detention of two suspects.

The two individuals taken into custody are the event's Master of Ceremonies (MC) and the creator of the challenge. They were arrested on August 12 and have been detained for 20 days. Police stated that legal proceedings against the other two suspects are continuing, but no detention decisions have been made for them yet.

We as event organizers are also angry, disappointed, and condemn such behavior. We have never, and will never, condone behavior that makes religion a challenge or product promotion in any form.

— The Sounds ProjectOfficial statement from the music festival organizers condemning the incident.

The challenge involved participants reciting the Surah Ad-Dhuha from the Quran, with a bottle of liquor offered as a reward. The incident went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism. The organizers of The Sounds Project issued a statement condemning the act, emphasizing that they do not condone using religion for challenges or product promotions and that the incident was outside their control.

We emphasize that this incident was entirely outside our direction, approval, and control as event organizers.

— The Sounds ProjectClarifying the organizers' lack of involvement in the controversial challenge.

The company associated with the booth, Newport, also issued an apology for the controversy, expressing regret to the Muslim community and the public for the offense caused. The suspects are being charged under Indonesian law related to offenses against religion and belief.

In relation to the circulation of videos at the Newport booth during The Sounds Project music festival, Sunday (09/08), Newport conveys its apologies to all Muslims, religious leaders, and all Indonesian people for the incident that caused discomfort, hurt, and commotion.

— Newport ManagementApology from the company associated with the booth where the incident occurred.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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