Budiman, Jakarta – The Rangkasbitung District Court in Banten has sentenced a salon owner to 1 year and 8 months in prison for desecrating the Quran by forcing another woman to step on the holy book, according to the court's case-tracking system.

The court also sentenced Meta Meita, who was involved in the same incident, to one year in prison.

Despite the prison sentences, the panel of judges ordered that neither defendant be detained. Instead, they will be placed under supervision for two years and required not to commit another offense.

The verdicts were recorded in the Rangkasbitung District Court's Case Information Tracking System (SIPP) on Monday.

The judges found Nurlela legally and convincingly guilty of inducing another person to desecrate an object used for religious worship through an act deemed misleading.

She was also found guilty of disseminating the act through information technology, making it known to the public.

The court sentenced Nurlela to 1 year and 8 months in prison, according to the verdict.

As part of their sentences, both defendants must publicly apologize at the Baiturrachim Grand Mosque in Malingping, Lebak regency.

The apology will be facilitated by the Lebak office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and must be delivered within 30 days after the verdict becomes legally binding.

The two women must also undergo Islamic religious guidance, including Quranic studies, facilitated by the local Ministry of Religious Affairs office throughout their supervision period.

The judges further ordered Nurlela to donate 50 copies of the Quran, or mushafs, to mosques and prayer halls in Malingping. Meta Meita must donate 20 copies.

The sentences were heavier than those sought by prosecutors. The Lebak District Attorney's Office had sought a 17-month prison sentence for Nurlela and eight months for Meta Meita.

The case stemmed from an incident at Nurlela's beauty salon in Malingping in April.

Nurlela accused Meta of taking her makeup equipment, a charge Meta denied.

The dispute escalated when Nurlela forced Meta to swear to her innocence by stepping on a copy of the Quran.

The incident was recorded and later circulated on social media, triggering public condemnation and leading to legal proceedings against both women.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesian-salon-owner-sentenced-to-20-months-for-desecrating-qura