Promotion of Free Alcohol for Memorizing the Quran Draws Condemnation and Boycott Calls
A promotion for an alcoholic beverage that used memorization of Surah Ad-Dhuha as a challenge to win free alcohol has drawn widespread criticism. Maman Imanul Haq, a member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, strongly condemned the act, stressing that the holy verses of the Quran must not be used as a game or promotional gimmick. The activity took place during The Sounds Project music festival in North Jakarta.
Ikhsan Abdullah, founder of Indonesia Halal Watch, viewed the promotion as an insult to the Quran because it paired sacred verses with khamr, which is forbidden in Islam. He noted three issues: the distribution of alcohol during Eid al-Fitr, the use of alcohol in a running race, and a memorization contest with a prize of alcohol containing 17.6 percent alcohol.
Both called for evaluation and accountability from the organizers. Ikhsan urged the public to be smart in choosing products and to voice their aspirations through purchasing power, with proportional boycott calls. He proposed a public apology, halting the promotion, and an ethics audit. Maman reminded that marketing creativity must remain ethical and respect religious norms.
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