MUI Urges Indonesian Government to Reconsider Andrea Bocelli Concert Permit

Jakarta, MINA – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has expressed regret over the government’s decision to allow Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli to perform at Borobudur Temple and in Jakarta, urging authorities to reconsider the permits.

Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, MUI chairman for foreign relations and international cooperation and president of the Asia Pacific Coalition for al-Quds and Palestine, said the decision did not reflect MUI’s official position or public concerns previously conveyed to the government.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sudarnoto said the concert permit had been issued by the National Police Chief well before the current controversy. He questioned why the government continued to allow the performances despite objections concerning Bocelli’s participation in a 2010 fundraising event for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF).

Sudarnoto stressed that MUI’s objection was not directed at Bocelli’s musical work but at his participation in the fundraising event, which he said supported the Israeli military.

“Bocelli is not a Zionist, his song lyrics are good, but his action of singing at the Friends of IDF fundraising event in 2010 proves his support for the Zionist killing machine,” Sudarnoto said.

He argued that the event raised serious concerns because the funds were intended to support the Israeli military rather than Israeli civilians. He also cited Israel’s military operations in Gaza and the suffering experienced by Palestinians as reasons for questioning the decision to provide Bocelli with a platform in Indonesia.

Sudarnoto referred to the Preamble of Indonesia’s 1945 Constitution, which states that independence is the right of all nations and that colonialism must be abolished because it is incompatible with humanity and justice.

He said these principles should guide government decisions, including those involving public events that raise humanitarian and political concerns.

“The government should show its serious commitment to abolishing colonialism, not accept someone who clearly supports the IDF, the colonial army,” he said.

Sudarnoto also called on Bocelli or his management team to consider issuing a statement expressing regret over the singer’s participation in the 2010 fundraising event. He said such a statement could help clarify Bocelli’s position on humanitarian issues and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Regarding plans to donate 100,000 pairs of shoes in connection with the concert, Sudarnoto said the proposed contribution did not address MUI’s central objection.

“One hundred thousand pairs of shoes are not at all comparable to the brutality of the IDF killing Gaza residents,” he said.

He added that MUI did not oppose humanitarian assistance if it was provided sincerely. However, he maintained that the principal question was why the government had approved the concerts despite the objections raised by the council.

Sudarnoto reiterated his hope that the government would review the decision, even though the performances were approaching. He said reconsideration would serve the public interest and demonstrate consistency in Indonesia’s stated support for Palestinian independence.

The controversy reflects broader debate in Indonesia over Bocelli’s past appearances at events associated with Israel and the Israeli military. MUI has referred to its Fatwa No. 83 of 2023, which addresses the law concerning support for the Palestinian struggle and prohibits support for Israeli aggression.

The dispute has also raised questions about the respective roles of religious authorities, government licensing bodies and event organizers when cultural performances become the subject of humanitarian and political objections.

Sudarnoto urged Bocelli and his management to respond to MUI’s concerns, saying the issue should be addressed with consideration for humanitarian values, justice and Indonesia’s longstanding support for Palestinian independence.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)