Man claiming himself 'Jesus Christ' repents

A religious teacher in Indonesia, who claimed himself to be Jesus Christ and often received revelations from God has repented and confessed his actions have deviated from the true teachings of Islam.

The atonement ceremony for Gus Jari bin Supardi, 44, a religious teacher at Pondok Pesantren Kahuripan Ash-Shirot in Dusun Gempol, Desa Karangpakis, Jombang district of East Java was held in front of Jombang Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) head Kholil Dahlan.

Gus Jari, who has been calling himself Jesus since 2004 and claimed to have received a divine revelation, has more than 100 followers who practised Shirik (to associate anyone or anything with Allah) such as by building the tomb of Prophet Muhammad in a mosque.

Gus Jari also claimed that he often heard whispers on the Lord's command, which he assumed to be as a whisper from angels of revelation that ruled him to bring Muslims to the right path.

Local media on Wednesday quoted Kholil as saying, Gus Jari and his followers had expressed their deep remorse over their straying, had repented and returned to the true teachings of Islam.

He said MUI had also demolished a monument made of black stone in the Pondok Pesantrian Kahuripan Ash-Shirot Mosque, which became a place for Gus Jari's followers to carry out shirik ceremonies.

"Alhamdulillah (All praise be to Allah), Gus Jari and his followers have repented and he himself led his eldest son who was recognised as the Imam Mahdi to repent," he said.

MUI later issued a ban on Gus Jari to teach and organise any religious ceremonies.

Gus Jari's teaching had become the talk of the town since 10 years ago with his followers, who believed the man was a prophet, reported to increase from year to year.

Gus Jari had a debate with religious officials from MUI in 2004 but still claimed himself as Jesus, and that he had received a revelation while prostrating.