# Quran recitation challenge investigation and protests in An > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/quran-recitation-challenge-investigation-in-jakarta > Updated: 2026-08-14T11:26:59.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 3. Authorities in Jakarta are investigating a potential religious blasphemy case following an incident at The Sounds Project music festival in Ancol. A viral video showed participants being challenged to recite verses from the Quran, specifically Surah Ad-Dhuha and Surah Al-Ikhlas, in exchange for alcohol. Initially, the alcohol brand Newport issued a formal apology, claiming the act was a spontaneous visitor action and admitting to negligence in supervision. Religious organizations, including the Indonesian Ulema Council, condemned the incident as an insult to Islamic symbols. Event organizers, The Sounds Project, also condemned the actions, stating the incident occurred at a sponsor booth and was beyond their control. By August 13, Jakarta police identified four suspects—RES, AK, I, and M—facing blasphemy charges. Investigators determined that RES acted as a booth host or master of ceremonies, while I and AK issued the challenge to visitors. Suspect M reportedly used a loudspeaker to recite the verses. Two suspects, RES and AK, have been detained by the Polda Metro Jaya. Following the viral footage, social media users identified Nadhea Devi, a Brand Manager at Orang Tua Group, as an individual in the video. However, Devi released a video clarification denying any involvement, stating, “the person in this photo is clearly not me. And I have absolutely no connection to this matter.” On August 14, mass organizations, including the Front Persaudaraan Islam (FPI), staged a protest at the OT Group headquarters in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. Syahrul Ahadi, Chairman of Tarbiyah FPI West Jakarta, demanded a direct public apology from OT Group management. In response, Newport Director Handoko Sasongko issued an apology to the Muslim community, noting the matter is undergoing a legal process. Police are currently processing five separate reports filed regarding the case. ## Claims - Four individuals, identified as RES, AK, I, and M, have been named suspects in the case. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Suspects RES and AK have been arrested and detained at the North Jakarta Metro Police Station. (corroborated by 3 sources) - RES acted as the host during the interaction at the alcohol brand booth. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Suspects I and AK allegedly challenged visitors to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas and Surah Ad-Dhuha in exchange for alcohol. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Suspect M recited Surah Ad-Dhuha using a loudspeaker. (corroborated by 2 sources) - AK claimed the challenge was intended to be ‘balanced’. (single source) - The use of Quranic verses to promote alcohol is viewed as a deliberate act rather than negligence. (single source) - Police received five separate reports regarding the incident. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-14: OT Group headquarters protested over Al Quran blasphemy allegations Protesters demonstrated at the OT Group headquarters in Jakarta, demanding an apology over allegations that an Al Quran recitation challenge at a music festival offered alcohol as a prize. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ot-group-headquarters-protested-over-al-quran-blasphemy-allegations ### 2026-08-13: Jakarta Police name four suspects in Quran recitation alcohol challenge case Jakarta police have named four suspects in a religious blasphemy case involving a challenge to recite Quranic verses for alcohol at The Sounds Project music festival. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jakarta-police-name-four-suspects-in-al-quran-recitation-challenge-case ### 2026-08-11: Newport apologizes for Quran recitation challenge at music festival Police are investigating a potential blasphemy case in Jakarta after a viral video showed a Quran recitation challenge for alcohol prizes at The Sounds Project festival. Newport brand apologized, citing visitor 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/religious-groups-condemn-alcohol-promotion-using-quranic-recitation --- Cite as: Quran recitation challenge investigation and protests in An. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/quran-recitation-challenge-investigation-in-jakarta