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Jambi hotel temporarily shut down after word 'Allah' found on Christmas tree
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The four-star Novita Hotel in Jambi. (www.novitahotel.com/File)
T
he Jambi municipal administration in Jambi province has decided to temporarily suspend the operation of a four-star hotel following allegations that the hotel’s management erected a Christmas tree with the word Allah [God] in Arabic script as one of its ornaments.
Jambi Mayor Syarif Fasha said the decision to close down Novita Hotel had been taken to cool down religious tensions related to the matter. The police have also started to investigate the allegations.
“The decision to temporarily close the hotel was taken after conducting a meeting with members of the Forkopimda [Regional Leader Communication Forum],” he said on Friday.
(Read also: Surakarta halts restaurant's operations after vigilante raid)
Ahmad Sukri, the leader of the Jambi chapter of the Islam Defenders Front’s (FPI), said the management could be sued for blasphemy due to the case.
Novita Hotel general manager Husairi, meanwhile, said the ornament had been created by one of his staff members earlier this month.
“Our staff prepared the ornaments. We will investigate the matter,” he said. (fac/hwa)
