MUI Calls for Cessation of Middle East Conflict During Ramadan
Amid the atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan, the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) has expressed deep sorrow over casualties in the escalating Middle East conflict. MUI believes that the Ramadan period should serve as an opportunity to strengthen values of peace and humanity, not the reverse.
Muhammad Cholil Nafis, Head of MUI’s Preaching and Brotherhood Division, emphasised that military actions resulting in loss of life contradict humanitarian values and international law.
“We express our condolences over the loss of life. Military actions that violate humanitarian values and international law cannot be justified under any circumstances,” Cholil Nafis stated in his statement on Sunday (1 March).
He stressed that world order must be maintained based on principles of justice and peace as mandated in the 1945 Constitution and the United Nations Charter.
According to him, Indonesia has a constitutional commitment to help maintain world peace and reject all forms of colonisation and aggression.
MUI views the current series of attacks and retaliatory actions as potentially triggering a broader regional conflict and deepening regional instability.
Cholil considered the situation inseparable from a larger geopolitical configuration, including its connection to the Israel-Palestine conflict, which remains unresolved.
“These series of attacks and counter-attacks risk expanding the conflict and increasing civilian suffering. This is not merely a momentary incident, but part of a complex and interconnected geopolitical issue,” he asserted.
Therefore, MUI urged the immediate cessation of military action, respect for state sovereignty, and maximum protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Cholil stressed that civilians, including women and children, must not become victims of political and military rivalries between nations.
Furthermore, MUI called on Muslims to increase prayers and strengthen humanitarian solidarity during Ramadan. He referred to the holy month as a moment of spiritual reflection and reinforcement of commitment to the values of rahmatan lil ’alamin (mercy for all mankind).
“In this holy month, let us increase our prayers and strengthen humanitarian solidarity. Peace must be a shared aspiration of humanity,” he said.
MUI also called on the Indonesian government, the United Nations, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to take concrete steps in reducing tensions and preventing the expansion of war. Active diplomacy and multilateral approaches were deemed as key to halting the spiral of violence.
According to Cholil, warfare only brings widespread destruction and harm, from humanitarian, economic, and social perspectives. Therefore, he emphasised the importance of making lasting peace and global justice a shared goal.
“Peace and global justice are both a moral and constitutional mandate. War is never a long-term solution; it only brings suffering and destruction,” he concluded.