Police Open Opportunities For Criminalization Of Azan Actors Who Invited Jihad In Majalengka

West Java Regional Police Head of Public Relations Kombes Erdi A Chaniago Erdi (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The viral video of the call to prayer with an invitation to jihad was allegedly made in Majalengka, West Java. The police have intervened to investigate the incident.

"While we are still in the matter of clarification first," said Head of Public Relations of the West Java Police, Kombes Erdi A. Chaniago Erdi, at the West Java Regional Police Headquarters, Bandung City, reported by Antara, Wednesday, December 2.

According to Erdi, it is possible that the call to call to prayer that is not in accordance with Islamic law may be a criminal element.

"We can see this (criminal element, ed) in the future," said Erdi.

The call to prayer was circulated in a 43-second video recording on social media. In the video, there are seven people calling the call to prayer with the words 'hayya alal jihad' inserted.

When calling the call to prayer, they also wielded sharp weapons of various types.

So far, said Erdi, investigators from the Majalengka Police were investigating the motives of the seven people calling for the call to prayer with the call for jihad.

"But the point is the forkopimda (communication forum for regional leaders) clarifies the condition that has gone viral, then from the local MUI and the local Ministry of Religion, stating that it is not Islamic law," he also said.

With this phenomenon, Erdi asked the public to remain calm and not be affected in order to create a situation that remains conducive.

"We will finish it as soon as possible so that life can be calm and conducive," he said.

Chairman of the West Java Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Rahmat Syafei also appealed to the public not to be provoked by the call to prayer calling for jihad.

He also asked the police to investigate thoroughly and look for the spreader of the video. The reason is, he considered that the call to prayer could insult Islam.

"We ask the police to thoroughly investigate the person who distributed the viral video about the altered call to prayer, although it has other intentions, but it deviates from Islamic law," said Rahmat.