Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Insists Religion Not Be Commercialized Amid Viral Quran Memorization Challenge with Alcohol Prize
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Romo Muhammad Syafi'i has urged business owners and event organizers to be cautious when using religious attributes, symbols, scriptures, or messages for marketing purposes. The statement follows the viral video of a challenge to memorize Surah Ad-Duha in exchange for alcoholic drinks at a beverage booth during The Sounds Project event.
Wamenag emphasized that the Quran holds a sacred position for Muslims and therefore should not be turned into entertainment, a marketing gimmick, or an instrument to chase virality. "To business owners and event organizers, I firmly say do not pursue profit and virality by treating religion as a commodity," he said in Jakarta, Wednesday (8/12/2026).
Wamenag encouraged this case to become a momentum to establish clearer rules and guidelines so that religious symbols are not again used as promotional material, jokes, or marketing strategies. He also called on law enforcement to thoroughly investigate the case, including those who conceived the concept, approved it, carried it out, and were responsible.
The public is urged to remain calm and trust the legal process. Wamenag asserted that freedom of expression must go hand in hand with responsibility, and this case must be the last.
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