Horas Bangso Batak to Lift Suit against Abdul Somad on Conditions
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29 August 2019 18:27 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Horas Bangso Batak, a community that reported Muslim preacher Abdul Somad for alleged blasphemy, has again demanded Somad to issue a public apology. The legal team member Erwin Situmorang said that his side will consider revoking the report should the latter publicly express his regret.
“If he is willing to apologize in public, perhaps, we will lift the suit,” said Erwin before reporters in Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters, August 29.
Erwin explained the apology must be delivered publicly to all Christian community because the preacher’s remarks on Christian cross had offended them.
“The cross in our teachings is the highest symbol because it emphasizes Jesus’ sacrifice to redeem us, mankind,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) office, Menteng, Jakarta, Wednesday, August 21, Somad said he would not make an apology and asserted his sermon is based on Islamic values. “Should I apologize?” he said.
The MUI determined to solve the case outside the legal ways. They planned to meet several figures of other religions to revoke the police report.
M YUSUF MANURUNG
