Jakarta – A charismatic Muslim cleric in Indonesia has adopted as his foster daughter a singer whose dancing has stirred controversy in the country.

Islamic authorities in several provinces have banned Inul Daratista from performing her "erotic" and "immoral" dances. But cleric Zainal Abdul Ghoni of South Kalimantan province has taken her under his wings and invited her to attend his Islamic classes.

Inul performs in the dangdut style – a popular music genre with strong Arabic and Indian influence.

She agreed to become his foster daughter and attended one of his classes at his home in Banjarmasin, where she was staying after a dangdut concert. The cleric prayed for her to be strong and patient in the face of widespread condemnation.

The Indonesian Ulemas Council, the leading authority on Islam, has advised the singer to repent and stop her dance routine.

Inul has shot to national fame and her CD sales have soared due to the publicity over her dancing style. The bans have added to her popularity.