Faith, fun – and friction – after racy show at Islamic event in Indonesia

Dangdut show sparks debate over testing of boundaries in Muslim-majority nation

- Arlina Arshad Indonesia Bureau Chief

A dangdut singer gyrating on stage in Banyuwangi, East Java, on Jan 16, following sermons and prayer to celebrate Isra' Mi'raj, one of Islam's most sacred nights. Someone filmed the performance, and within hours, the clip spread across social media, unsettling many.

(PHOTO: KETUKINFOCHANNEL/YOUTUBE)

One song, one stage and one banner were all it took to ignite a national debate in Indonesia over the boundaries of faith and fun.

In Banyuwangi, a regency in East Java, a stage was set to celebrate Isra’ Mi’raj, one of Islam’s most sacred nights commemorating Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven. The setting was intended for sermons and prayer.

But, on Jan 16, what followed the sermons and prayer was something else entirely: A dangdut singer in a skintight tube dress took the stage, her hips swaying to the lively dance beat of dangdut in the Osing dialect, while a man climbed onto the stage to dance and tip her.

Someone filmed it. Within hours, the clip spread across social media, unsettling many.

Isra’ Mi’raj is solemn, while dangdut performances thrive on physical closeness and crowd interaction. For critics, the two worlds had collided.

Organisers insisted there had been no disrespect.

Mr Muhammad Hadiyanto, head of the local committee, said the religious programme had ended, and the clerics had left before the music began. The performance, he said, was intended only to entertain committee members during the cleanup.

“I apologise sincerely for the misunderstanding that occurred,” he said on Jan 16.

The apology did little to quell outrage. Religious leaders called ita moral failure.