Boycott Film 'KIBLAT', MUI Affirms Prohibition of Black Campaign on Religious Teachings in Indonesian Horror Films

Kapanlagi.com - Written by Devie Vyatri Permata Cahyadi

A day after the release of the official poster and trailer, the film KIBLAT became a trending topic on various social media platforms. The controversy surrounding the film KIBLAT is deemed unsettling for the Indonesian society. This religious-based horror film is considered to spread negative impacts if it includes terrifying stories related to the worship of Muslims. KIBLAT is a work directed by Bobby Prasetyo and is scheduled to be released in mid-2024. It stars several well-known actors, including Yasmine Napper, Arbani Yazis, Ria Ricis, Hana Saraswati, and Dennis Adhiswara.

It is hoped that KIBLAT can achieve success amidst the current competition in the horror film industry this year, but instead, it has received mass criticism and is threatened with boycott by the public. It is considered to be a form of Black Campaign, and now Leo Pictures has withdrawn all promotional media for the film KIBLAT. Despite the high level of criticism from the public towards the film KIBLAT, MUI has not remained silent. Recently, MUI also provided a response to the controversy surrounding this viral horror film.

Let's directly check out the full article!

1. Controversy of Horror Film Poster 'KIBLAT'

Leo Pictures

Less than a week after the official release of the trailer and film poster, 'KIBLAT' (2024) has received harsh criticism from the public. Since the release of the first poster, many people have expressed their dissatisfaction with the displayed poster. This is because the official poster of the film 'KIBLAT' shows a woman performing prayer in a bowing position dominated by creepy elements. Not only that, the title of the film 'KIBLAT' has also been criticized because the term 'kiblat' itself means a direction for Muslims to perform prayer, and it also points towards the Ka'bah in Mecca.

The controversy surrounding the poster and trailer of the film 'KIBLAT' has led to the issue of 'Black Campaign' in the history of film. 'Black Campaign' is a campaign movement that employs negative tactics such as incitement, persuasion, spreading hatred, or distorting facts. In this case, the Indonesian society claims that this film can influence Muslims in Indonesia to feel afraid when performing their prayers.

2. Several Indonesian Horror Film Titles with Similar Themes

instagram.com/filmkiblat & instagram.com/makmummovie & Dee Company

As it is known, horror films are a genre that is very popular among Indonesian society. Various film titles and horror themes have circulated to become familiar with our taste. However, long before the film KIBLAT (2024) went viral as it is now, there were several films with similar themes that also caused concern among the public. MAKMUM (2019), MAKMUM 2 (2021), and KHANZAB (2023) are some Indonesian horror films based on religion.

They all discuss the chilling terror from a 'ghost' figure that will haunt someone during prayer, and these films have been claimed to blaspheme religion. The message and impact conveyed by these films are considered to have no good and useful essence for the public. With the existence of this film KHIBLAT, the public hopes that in the future there will be no more religious-based films that can lead many people to fear and misunderstanding.

3. Official Statement from MUI

instagram.com/cholilnafis

In response to the widespread unease felt by the public, the chairman of the MUI's dakwah commission and renowned ulama, Cholil Nafis, has spoken out. Through an official statement posted on his personal Instagram page, Cholil Nafis admitted that horror films with themes like this could be dangerous if continuously produced in Indonesia. The criticism that Kiyai Nafis has given is related to his assessment of the many Indonesian film producers who often promote films with sensitive themes that touch on religion.

Although he admits that he has not had the chance to watch the content of the KIBLAT film trailer, based on the poster and title that deviates, Kiyai Nafis said that it would be best if this film is not further circulated. "I opened the meaning of kiblat to only the Ka'bah, the direction people face when praying. If this is true, then this film is truly inappropriate to be circulated and is included in a black campaign against religious teachings. Therefore, this film must be taken down and not allowed to be shown," said Kiyai Cholil Nafis on Sunday (24/3/2024).

(kpl/dvp)