Jakarta Youth Choir Issues Apology over Istiqlal Mosque Video

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Youth Choir (JYC), a youth choral group managed by the capital city’s management, through its official Instagram account posted a public apology after one of its most recent video content - which involves singing the names of God (Asmaul Husna) inside the confines of the Istiqlal Mosque - drew criticism from members of the public.

The group insists that they were merely motivated by the sole reason of celebrating the festivity of the Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr. 

“However, we admit that we lack the knowledge regarding this issue which has caused discomfort among the public, mainly the Muslim community,” the group wrote in the caption of their apology video on May 18. 

Prior to the choral group’s apology, the Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria already apologized for the activity. He maintained that the video was made with no ill-intent as it aims to showcase the city’s ability to collaborate. His public apology came before the group as the Jakarta deputy, along with the Jakarta Administration’s official Instagram account, uploaded the video too.

The Jakarta Youth Choir assured that the chorus in the video was pre recorded and that they had not sung inside the Istiqlal Mosque as they shot the scene. 

“Once again, from the bottom of our hearts, JYC greatly apologizes for this mistake," the group wrote. 

ADAM PRIREZA