Haris Ubaidillah's Confession: Deliberately Organizing The Prophet's Birthday To Welcome Rizieq Shihab

JAKARTA - Haris Ubaidillah, head of the committee for the Prophet's birthday in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, said that the Prophet's birthday had been planned to welcome Rizieq Shihab who returned to Indonesia.

Haris made this confession when he gave testimony to the defendant Rizieq Shihab and four other FPI officials in a case of alleged violation of the health protocol in Petamburan.

During the trial, the public prosecutor (JPU) initially questioned the origin or plans for holding the Prophet's birthday. Haris answered that everything appeared when there was information that Rizieq Shihab had obtained permission to leave Saudi Arabia.

"Before our teacher (Rizieq Shihab) came to Indonesia, we had no maulid event yet. But at the time of the action in front of the French embassy there was an announcement that our teacher got a safar fee or an exit permit (a permit to leave Saudi Arabia)," he said. Haris at trial at the East Jakarta District Court, Monday, May 3.

From this information, Haris admitted that he immediately held a meeting with several of his colleagues. As a result, a proposal emerged to hold the Prophet's birthday.

The event was said to be aimed at welcoming Rizieq Shihab. This is because Rizieq has not returned to Indonesia for about 3.5 years.

"Based on the information our teacher wants to come to Indonesia, I suggest that at the board meeting it is a weekly meeting, how do we hold a birthday celebration for our teachers to attend," said Haris.

"Of course this is a cure for our longing and we respect our prophet as well as welcome our teachers," continued Haris.

Haris in the trial admitted that the suggestion came from him. Shortly thereafter, a committee for the Prophet's birthday event was formed in Petamburan.

"Alhamdulillah with pleasure, respecting the prophet and respecting the teacher, we accept the assignment with full responsibility," he said.

In the case of the alleged crowd and violation of health protocol, there were six suspects. They include Rizieq Shihab, Haris Ubaidillah, Shabri Lubis, Ali Alwi Alatas, Idrus Al Habsyi, and Maman Suryadi.

They were charged with incitement to the appearance of a crowd at their daughter's wedding as well as commemorating the Prophet's birthday. This crowd is taking place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.