Uztaz Maaher's Journey, Arrested Because Of Hina Habib Lutfi, And Died In Detention

Ustaz Maaher At Thuwailibi (Photo: Twitter @ustadzmaaher_)

JAKARTA - The sad news came from Ustaz Maaher At Thuwailibi alias Soni Ernata. He died in the Police detention cell Monday, February 8 at around 19.00 WIB.

This 'eccentric' ustaz who is also familiar in cyberspace was arrested on the morning of December 3, 2020 because he was suspected of being involved in spreading hate speech that smelled of SARA against Habib Lutfi bin Yahya.

Seconds before his arrest, Ustaz Maaher gave a shocking confession about the alleged humiliation of Habib Lutfi. He has no intention of insulting because he has great respect for the figure of the Nahdlatul Ulama cleric.

But the law says otherwise. Ustaz Maaher remains transported to the Police detention cell. While in detention, wearing an orange shirt with a white cap, Ustaz Maaher apologized to Habib Lutfi.

The video clip of Maaher's crying apology then went viral and became the talk of netizens. After being detained by the National Police, the family and several of Maaher's ustaz colleagues applied for the suspension of detention.

The wife of Ustaz Maaher At-Thuwailibi, Iqlima Ayu, on December 28, submitted a deferment to her beloved husband.

Iqlima Ayu also apologized to Habib Lutfi for his husband's mistake. He hopes that Maaher can be released after his party guarantees himself as an effort to postpone detention of investigators from Bareskrim Polri.

"I, as the wife of Ustaz Maaher At-Thuwailibi, begged to open a door of apology as large as Habib Lutfi and the NU family to forgive my husband. His human name is a mistake. So I beg my husband to be released immediately," said Iqlima Ayu.

Efforts to apply for a suspension of detention were also carried out by nine kiai, namely Zaenal Arifin, Kiai Barkah, Siroj Ronggolawe, Abd Mudjib, Kiai Saifudin Aman, Marzuqi, Gus Ismail, Muhammad Rofi'i Mukhlis and Gus Mustain.

Two months after this case rolled around, the sad news came. The attorney for Ustadz Maaher, Juju Purwantoro, said that his client was treated at the National Police Hospital, Kramatjati, East Jakarta for five days.

"About two weeks ago he also just returned from the Kramatjati Police Hospital for about 5 days," Juju told VOI, Jakarta, Monday, February 8.

According to Juju, currently the body will be immediately taken to the National Police Hospital for examination. However, he did not know the burial place. This will be discussed with his family.

"The plan for the bodies to be brought to the Police Hospital will be decided with the family from the Police Hospital," he said.