Ministry Of Religion Suspects Video Of Recitation Is Halalizing Changing Couples For Content

Head of the Sub-Directorate of Islamic Religion Understanding and Conflict Handling of the Ministry of Religion Dedi Slamet Riyadi. (ANTARA/HO-Kemenag)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion suspects that the recitation video that justify changing partners is only for content or made to get attention on social media.

"We see the possibility of a video on Mbah Den's (Sarident) YouTube account being made to attract attention on social media," said Head of the Sub-Directorate for the Understanding of Islam and Conflict Handling of the Ministry of Religion, Dedi Slamet Riyadi, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 27.

Previously, a recent video clip went viral in the community, especially on social media. The video shows a group of people conveying teachings that deviate from religious law.

The video clip was first uploaded by a TikTok account called @gayon_105, then re-uploaded by various accounts and widely spread on various social media platforms_l, including on X (former Twitter).

The video became a conversation because there was a figure who stated that polygamy, changing partners, and marriage without guardians and witnesses were allowed.

Strong criticism was also addressed to the Ministry of Religion, because the Ministry of Religion was deemed inconsistent against the recitation group that spreads teachings that lead to free sex.

Dedi explained that the video came from a longer recording on the YouTube platform, uploaded by the Mbah Den (Sarident) account with the title Relieve, Kiyai Salamah Teachings, Halalkan Berizinan Entrance Heaven's 'which aired on February 25, 2024.

The video shows someone infiltrated a recitation or treatment group led by someone named Kiai Salamah.

Salamah is described as a character who allows free sex and marriage without following the correct Shari'a rules.

However, when it was accessed again, Tuesday, the video was missing, allegedly deleted by the account owner.

According to Dedi, everyone has the freedom to be creative, upload content on social media, and express themselves. However, according to him, the uploaded content should not trigger conflict in society.

He said the Ministry of Religion would take steps to clarify content that had caused controversy, slander and conflict.

"Anyone can be creative according to their hobbies. It is permissible to upload photos, videos, works of art, music, and other types of works. However, uploaded works do not trigger conflict in society," he said.

Dedi also appealed to the public to increase digital literacy, so as to be able to distinguish which quality content is, and content that aims to seek attention only.

"People need to filter content that is really useful from millions of content that is just created to get attention," he said.