Chronology: Admitting Guyon, Gus Miftah Has No Intention Of Insulting Ice Makers

The Leader Of The Ora Aji Islamic Boarding School, Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman Or Gus Miftah

JAKARTA The preacher Gus Miftah Maulana emphasized that he did not intend to insult the seller of ice tea around the recitation in Magelang, Central Java, whose footage went viral on social media. He said his words were just a joke.

However, Gus Miftah, who also serves as the Presidential Special Envoy for Religious Harmony and the Guidance of Religious Facilities, still apologizes for the noise that occurred.

The incident occurred at a recitation event entitled Magelang Salawat at Soepardi Square, Mungkid, Magelang, on Wednesday, November 20. The event, which was attended by thousands of worshipers, presented Gus Miftah as the main lecturer, along with other figures such as Habib Zaidan bin Yahya and Gus Yusuf Chudlori.

In the middle of his lecture, a tea ice seller seemed to walk among the congregation. Seeing that, Gus Miftah joked.

"Es temu jik okeh ra? Still? Yo kono didol, g*bl*k (Es tea you still have a lot or not? Still? Yes, it was sold there, g*bl*k)," said Gus Miftah with a laugh, greeted by laughter from the congregation and other figures on stage.

He then continued, 'Dol'en insik, ngko lang yu, wis, fate (You sell first, later if you haven't sold it, that's it, fate).'

The joke occurred when Gus Miftah discussed tasawuf's knowledge in Javanese, telling the story of ice and meatball sellers who pray according to their respective expectations. Although his prayer was not immediately answered, Gus Miftah explained that Allah still gave blessings in other forms, such as health or family happiness.

However, the video clip went viral on social media and sparked criticism from netizens who considered the joke excessive and demeaned small traders.

Sorry And Clarification Responding to the criticism, Gus Miftah immediately apologized via video on social media.

"With humility, I apologize for my mistake. I often joke with anyone, but this time I realized my jokes were excessive," he said.

He also promised to be more careful in speaking in public. "I have been reprimanded by the Cabinet Secretary to be more careful in conveying speech or opinions in public," said Gus Miftah.

To show good faith, Gus Miftah went directly to the tea ice seller's house in Magelang. In a meeting recorded on social media, Gus Miftah apologized directly and embraced the ice seller.

"I deliberately came to apologize," said Gus Miftah in Javanese.

The tea ice seller was moved and stated that he did not expect Gus Miftah to come to his house. He occasionally wipes his tears while talking to the preacher.

Through this incident, Gus Miftah admitted that he learned important lessons to be wiser in delivering lecture material. "Hopefully this will be an introspection for me to be more careful in the future," he concluded.