drinks promotion targeted at 'Mohammads and Marias' has seen six employees of a bar charged with blasphemy. The Indonesian bar chain, Holywings, sparked massive outrage for its promotion offering free drinks to people named Mohammad and Maria, with authorities shutting its 12 outlets in the capital Jakarta after stripping it of its operating permit on Tuesday.
Its bar staff could now face up to 10 years in prison after running a promotional offer to give a free bottle of gin to men named Mohammad and women named Maria every Thursday. READ MORE: Drunk yob downed 18 cans of cider and burnt cafe owner's Volkswagen in revenge attack The social media post, that has been now deleted, prompted outrage among religious groups in the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country, which led to the investigation of the bar.Dozens of police swooped onto the 12 outlets, sealing the buildings and sticking banners outside the premises, announcing the shutdown of business activities.
According to Voice of Indonesia the banners read: “Anyone who destroys and violates this announcement will be prosecuted in accordance with the applicable law. "Thus, it must be fully observed and obeyed."The Jakarta government said in a statement on its website that the restaurant chain did not have licences to serve alcohol.Almost 88% of the population in Indonesia is Muslim, and consumption of alcohol is forbidden in Islam.Six people, including Holywings’ creative director and the head of its promotional team, were charged under the country’s stringent blasphemy law, which carries a maximum 10-year jail term, and other charges.Holywings Indonesia issued an apology for the promotion, stating that it was created without the knowledge of the management.The.
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