Indonesian police have arrested two women after a video showing them stepping on the Quran went viral on social media, causing discontent in the world's largest Muslim-majority country. They face up to five years in prison under blasphemy laws.
Indonesian police revealed on Sunday (12 Apr) that they arrested two women on blasphemy charges after a video showing one of them stepping on the Quran rapidly spread on social media.
Officials said both suspects were detained in Banten province, where if convicted under blasphemy laws, they could face up to five years in prison.
Indonesia's law prohibits anyone from expressing or performing acts that insult any of the six officially recognized religions or interfere with others' religious observance.
Reports say the incident took place last Wednesday in Lebak city, Banten province, about 140 kilometers from Jakarta, after a beauty salon owner accused a customer of theft.
When the woman denied the accusation, the salon owner forced her to swear innocence by stepping on the Quran while recording a video.
Banten police spokesperson Maruli Ahiles Hutapea told AFP that both the woman who stepped on the Quran and the person who forced her to do so have admitted their actions and are now formally charged.
The video quickly circulated online, sparking widespread outrage across Indonesian society.
Meanwhile, human rights groups have voiced concern about the use of blasphemy laws, noting they are often used to target religious minorities.
Previously, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, former Jakarta governor, was imprisoned nearly two years in 2017 on similar charges, and in 2024, a stand-up comedian was sentenced to six months for jokes about the name "Muhammad."
Indonesia is the country with the world's largest Muslim population, exceeding 240 million followers, making religious issues highly sensitive and often sparking widespread public debate.
Source:channelnewsasia
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