REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA –- Ustaz Abdul Somad cancelled some of his lectures in Central Java, East Java, and Special Administrative Region of Yogyakarta. Through his Instagram account @ustadzabdulsomad, the prominent preacher admitted that the step was taken as a response to threat and intimidation against his lectures in some regions, namely Grobogan, Kudus, Jepara dan Semarang

Ustaz Somad said burden faced by the organizing committee was getting heavier. He cancelled the schedule to give lectures in some regions after paying attention to psychological condition of the congregation and himself.

"Therefore, I cancel promises to preach in Malang, Solo, Boyolali, Jombang, and Kediri (September); Yogyakarta (Oktober); and an agreement to give lecture along with ustad Zulfikar in East Java (December),” the Baznas' Tithe Ambassador explained when being confirmed by Republika.co.id on Monday.

Also read: Abdul Somad's lecture is soothing: Jusuf Kalla

Ustaz Somad conveyed his apology to all Muslims who felt aggrieved by the cancellation of the lecture plans. However, the former Riau branch of Nahdlatul Ulama (from 2009 to 2014) official did not specify which parties intimidated him.

Ustaz Somad deplored various incidents of rejection he experienced. "We are not at a war against Israel. It was just a lecture," the alumni of post-graduate education at the Dar al-Hadith al-Hasaniyyah Institute, Morocco, said.

On the other hand, ustaz Somad appreciated the police and some social mass organizations, such as Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and Pemuda Pancasila (PP), who have helped in securing his lecture. He lauded their commitment in guarding the rights of civilians in expressing opinion in public.

When preaching in Semarang in July, Central Java, ustaz Somad was helped by local police, FPI, and PP. They escorted him since a kilometer away from Ahmad Yani Airport. However, he felt the scenario to secure him was rather excessive.

"The policemen's energy was better to be used to catch criminals and our friends from FPI and PP could focus on other things," said the winner of Republika's Agent of Change Award in 2017.

Meanwhile, National Police appealed to ustaz Somad to file a police report if he felt intimidated. Therefore, the police could follow up the report.

"Please report because if he does not report then the police will not handle it," Chief of Public Relations of the National Police Setyo Wasisto said in Jakarta on Monday.

Setyo said there has been no report from the charismatic preacher. "May be those who threat him are people who hate him or may be they come from his own congregation who felt disappointed of his rejection to be nominated as vice presidential candidate," Setyo said.

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