World · East Asia & Pacific · 5 hrs ago
MUI urges Muslims in Indonesia not to invite Habib Alwi as a preacher
Indonesia's MUI urged Muslims to stop inviting Habib Alwi as a preacher after a video of his sermon drew criticism.
Habib Alwi bin Abdurrahman Assegaf is an Islamic preacher whose remarks circulated on social media.
In the clip, he said his lowest sermon fee was 75 million rupiah and joked about choosing a female student as a prospective fourth wife.
He also made remarks about women over 60 that were criticized as insulting.
MUI deputy chair Cholil Nafis said the remarks fell short of proper preaching and called for people not to attend Alwi's gatherings.
The video prompted public criticism because its comments were seen as demeaning women and damaging the image of Islamic preaching.
The call is for Muslims in Indonesia to stop inviting him and attending his gatherings; the sources do not describe any further action.
Indonesia’s Ulema Council (MUI) urged Muslims not to invite or attend the religious gatherings of preacher Habib Alwi bin Abdurrahman Assegaf.
MUI Deputy Chairman KH M Cholil Nafis said the circulated sermon footage was unsuitable for a preacher and could damage the image of Islamic preaching.
The video drew criticism over remarks about female students and older women, which were described as demeaning to women.
The footage also included Alwi saying his lowest preaching fee was Rp75 million and joking that he wanted to choose a fourth wife from among female students.
An opinion article said the sermon took place at an event marking the 40th anniversary of KH Abdullah Syafi’ie’s death at Pondok Pesantren As Syafiiyah in Bekasi.
- Who
- MUI Deputy Chairman KH M Cholil Nafis called on Muslims to avoid inviting or attending Habib Alwi bin Abdurrahman Assegaf’s gatherings.
- What
- MUI urged Muslims not to invite Alwi as a preacher or attend his gatherings. The call followed a video of remarks criticized as demeaning to women.
- When
- The call was reported on October 20, 2026; Sumeks said Nafis posted his appeal on October 18.
- Where
- Indonesia. The opinion article said the sermon was delivered at Pondok Pesantren As Syafiiyah in Bekasi.
- Why
- Nafis said the remarks did not reflect the ethics expected of a preacher and could damage Islamic preaching and social morals.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sumeks said Cholil Nafis posted his appeal on his personal X account.
Reports said MUI was urging Muslims not to invite Alwi or attend his gatherings.
A clip of Alwi’s sermon circulated on social media and drew criticism.
- MUI official
- KH M Cholil Nafis, deputy chairman
- Preacher
- Habib Alwi bin Abdurrahman Assegaf
- Lowest fee mentioned in video
- Rp75 million
- Sermon venue, according to opinion article
- Pondok Pesantren As Syafiiyah, Bekasi
- Event, according to opinion article
- 40th anniversary event for KH Abdullah Syafi’ie
3 sources
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