Social Activist Links Airport Protest to Preacher's Past Sermons
The arrival of popular preacher Ustaz Abdul Somad at Melalan Airport in Sendawar, Kutai Barat, turned tense when a group of local residents attempted to block his convoy. Viral footage shared on social media showed protesters rushing toward a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport carrying the preacher and his team. Despite the brief friction at the airport, local police and the Ministry of Religious Affairs ensured that the grand Islamic propagation event proceeded safely.
Social media activist Permadi Arya, widely known as Abu Janda, publicly commented on the incident through his official Instagram account. Instead of criticizing the local protesters, the anti-intolerance activist urged UAS to use the incident for deep self-reflection regarding his track record. He emphasized that the public reaction cannot be viewed in isolation from the preacher's historical rhetoric.
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Abu Janda brought up past controversies that have trailed the preacher, including a previous lecture that offended Christian communities regarding religious symbols. He claimed that while several reports were made to the authorities, the legal process stalled, contrasting this with how blasphemy laws are heavily enforced when involving the majority faith. He noted that the public backlash is a natural consequence of these unresolved grievances.
The activist also compared the local reception in East Kalimantan to the international travel bans previously imposed on the preacher by Singaporean immigration authorities at Changi Airport. He pointed out that past digital records concerning sermons on controversial topics continue to influence how various communities receive him. The security forces ultimately maintained order, allowing the scheduled events in the regency to conclude without further disruption.