A POPULAR bar chain is being investigated for blasphemy over a free alcohol promotion for patrons named Muhammad in Indonesia, said police today, after it sparked uproar in the largest Muslim-majority country in the world.

Alcohol is considered forbidden under Islamic law, and while drinking is not prohibited for any religion in bars of the secular country, the act itself is frowned upon by conservative Muslims.

The Holywings bar, in a now-deleted post, offered a free bottle of gin for men named Muhammad and women named Maria – a popular figure in the Bible – every Thursday if they presented their ID cards.

Two youth organisations have reported the chain for blasphemy, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison under Indonesian law, said Jakarta police.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the promotion and warned the public to not raid any of the chain’s premises, said police spokesman Endra Zulpan at a press conference today.

The bar is forced to issue an apology and claimed management is unaware of the promotion.

“We have no intention to associate religion with our promotion and therefore deeply apologise to the public,” it said in a statement posted on social media yesterday.

As well as a police probe, the post triggered a backlash online and from conservative Islamic groups, with Indonesians accusing the management of disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad.

Islamic group Muhammadiyah senior official Dadang Kahmad slammed the “unethical” promotion.

“It is regrettable when religious symbols are being toyed with, not only Islamic religious symbols but other religions as well.

“Why use Muhammad? Why not use other names that are not linked with any religion?”

Others called for the owners of the bars to be punished, even if they are unaware of the drinks deal.

“Just an apology is not enough, there should be logical consequence. (They) must be investigated and given a strict sanction,” tweeted conservative lawmaker Fahira Idris to her 650,000 followers. – AFP, June 24, 2022.