Indonesian Influencer Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison For Saying Islamic Phrase Before Eating Pork
A 33-year-old Muslim woman named Lina Lutfiawati will go to prison for two years because of a viral TikTok video in which she recites an Islamic phrase before eating pork, which is a forbidden food in Islam.
An Indonesian court has sentenced Lina Lutfiawati, a 33-year-old lifestyle influencer with over two million TikTok followers, to two years in prison for a viral TikTok video in which she recited an Islamic phrase, "Bismillah" (meaning "in the name of God"), before consuming pork. Lutfiawati, who identifies as Muslim and is also known as Lina Mukherjee due to her love of Bollywood, was convicted of "inciting hatred" against religious groups and individuals. In addition to her jail sentence, she faces a fine of $16,245 (£13,155), and her imprisonment may be extended by three months if she fails to pay the fine.
Indonesian Influencer Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Saying Islamic Phrase Before Eating Pork
The video, which gained millions of views, led to widespread criticism and was reported to the police. Consequently, Lutfiawati was charged in May for disseminating hateful information deemed hostile towards ethnicity, religion, and race. She was traveling in Bali, an Indonesian tourist hotspot with a predominantly Hindu population, when she posted the video and explained that she tried pork out of curiosity.
This case marks another episode in a series of controversial blasphemy cases in Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country. Conservative religious bodies in the country, including the Ulema Council, Indonesia's top Muslim clerical organization, have labeled Lutfiawati's video as blasphemous. On social media, opinions are divided: Some people lauded the judge's decision, labeling Lutfiawati's actions as blasphemous, while others criticized the severity of the punishment, noting that sentences for corruption cases in the country are often less harsh.
Rights groups and activists have been criticizing Indonesia's blasphemy laws for a long time, claiming that they are often misused to target religious minorities and suppress freedom of expression. This follows a pattern of arrests related to religious sensitivities in the country. Last year, six individuals were arrested for promoting free alcohol—prohibited in Islam—to customers named Mohammed. In 2017, Jakarta’s former governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (also known as Ahok), was jailed for almost two years over comments that were perceived to insult Islam.
Lutfiawati’s case raises concerns about the broader implications of blasphemy laws in Indonesia, and it has reignited the debate over whether such laws are appropriate or are being misused to target specific individuals or minority groups. While some argue that the laws protect religious sanctity, others contend that they stifle freedom of speech and disproportionately affect minorities. The polarized reactions to the case on social media further illustrate the country's divided views on the issue, spotlighting the tension between traditional religious values and individual liberties in modern Indonesia. Given the ongoing criticism of Indonesia's blasphemy laws, Lutfiawati's case adds fuel to the conversation about the role of such laws in a diverse and pluralistic society.
When the story broke online, many people expressed their sympathy for her and disbelief over how harsh the punishment was. Some reminded Westerners to be grateful for free speech laws that protect their chance to say these kinds of things online without repercussions. However, this was met with the question of whether we really do have free speech in countries like the US and the UK.
"Misgender someone and let's hear how that turns out for you," @abuamerican responded on X, reminding us all that free speech is in fact on the decline here in the West, where people can actually be in legal trouble for calling someone the "wrong" pronouns. For example, in Ireland, a teacher was jailed for violating a court order forbidding him from going to the school where he works; he was put on leave after he refused to use a student's new "gender-neutral" pronouns. Although we haven't seen this happen yet on American soil, many people are nervous that it will make its way to the States one day. At the very least, we can be grateful that our freedom to express our religion has remained intact (as of now, anyway).
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