Netizens Criticizes The Video Of The Choir At Istiqlal Mosque, The Deputy Governor Of DKI Apologizes, Saying It Was Not On His Orders

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria (Photo: Diah Ayu / VOI)

JAKARTA - A video containing Asmaul Husna's chanting by a choir at the Istiqlal Mosque was criticized by netizens. This chant was sung by the Jakarta Youth Choir (JYC).

JYC is a choir group fostered by the DKI Jakarta Youth and Sports Agency. This video was shown on the Instagram @dkijakarta account and was re-uploaded on the account of Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria.

The video upload caused a reaction from netizens. Many have questioned why the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government allows the choir at the mosque when Istiqlal is closed for Eid prayers.

Some criticize the choir's wearing of clothing that does not wear a headscarf. Soon, the @dkijakarta and Deputy Governor Riza accounts deleted the video.

Finally, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria apologized to the public and Istiqlal Mosque management for the video of the choir.

"Allow us on behalf of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to apologize profusely to all citizens, especially Muslims who feel uncomfortable. This is a valuable lesson for us. To be more careful. Thank you for the suggestions and input to us so far", said Riza in his statement, Tuesday, May 18.

However, Riza claims that the video of the choir was not made on her orders. "Not on the orders of the governor or deputy governor as the news circulates," he said.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Education and Mental Spiritual Bureau Muhammad Zen explained that the Asmaul Husna choir at Istiqlal Mosque was the content of the JYC initiative.

Zen emphasized that when recording the image, no singing sound or musical accompaniment was performed. Because the song has been previously recorded in the studio.

"There was no other intention from the JYC brothers in making the video, other than to enliven the atmosphere of Eid and the spirit of Jakarta as a city of collaboration", said Zen.

Zen said the location for video recording at the Istiqlal Mosque was a proposal from JYC. However, in practice, there were JYC improvisations and initiatives that were not based on knowledge, as well as lack of supervision, resulting in taking pictures inside the mosque.

"JYC acknowledges that it has a lack of knowledge about this, which causes discomfort in the community, especially Muslims. Therefore, JYC apologizes profusely to all Muslims, the Istiqlal Mosque management, as well as the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. JYC not to repeat the same thing at a later date", he concluded.