Two women arrested in Indonesia over viral Quran desecration video

Indonesia. An incident involving religious sensitivity has sparked widespread controversy in Indonesia. Police have arrested two women on charges of blasphemy after a video of them stepping on the Quran went viral on social media.

According to police, the women, whose names and ages have not been disclosed, were taken into custody in Banten province this week. They were arrested for investigation after the video spread rapidly, causing public outrage. Under Indonesia's existing blasphemy laws, they could face up to five years in prison if convicted.

The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday in the Lebak region of Banten, about 140 kilometers from the capital, Jakarta. According to police reports, a salon owner accused her customer of theft. After the accusation was denied, the owner pressured the woman to swear her innocence by stepping on the Quran, and the act was recorded on video.

Banten Police spokesperson Maruli Ahiles Hutapea stated that both women have admitted their involvement in the incident. He noted that both the woman who stepped on the Quran and the salon owner who pressured her have been formally registered as suspects following questioning.

The release of the video has triggered intense reactions on social media. Given the connection to religious faith, many have demanded strict action. Such incidents often spark sensitive debates in Indonesia, which has a Muslim-majority population.

Human rights groups have long criticized the blasphemy law, arguing that it is frequently misused to target religious minorities or suppress controversial speech.

There are previous precedents for such actions. Former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, served nearly two years in prison on blasphemy charges in 2017. Similarly, in 2024, a stand-up comedian was sentenced to six months in prison for joking about religious figures.

In Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population with over 240 million Muslims, incidents related to religious matters often have significant social and legal repercussions.