MUI: Cancel Concert by Pro-Zionist Performer

JAKARTA — The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has again called on Indonesia to act consistently in its support for Palestine by cancelling concerts in several Indonesian cities by Italian artist Andrea Bocelli, whom it describes as pro-Zionist. MUI Foreign Relations Chairman Professor Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim said President Prabowo’s administration should consistently reject activities in the country by figures who support Zionism.

“I would like to remind everyone again, and stress that Andrea Bocelli’s planned concerts should be cancelled to uphold our principles of standing with humanity,” Sudarnoto told Republika on Monday (12 October 2026). He said cancelling the tenor’s concerts was important to maintaining Indonesia’s commitment to humanitarian principles.

Sudarnoto said the move would also uphold Indonesia’s consistent support for the Palestinian people’s struggle for independence. According to MUI’s research, Andrea Bocelli has a record of supporting the perpetuation of Israeli occupation in Palestine. Bocelli has taken part in fundraising for Israeli occupation forces in the United States through his concerts, Sudarnoto said.

He said the fundraising concerts had been held twice: in Los Angeles in 2010 and in Tel Aviv in 2022. “For MUI, Andrea Bocelli’s support for military forces involved in the genocide and crimes against humanity committed by Zionist Israel against people in Palestine cannot be tolerated,” Sudarnoto said. MUI is therefore asking the relevant authorities and ministries not to grant permission for Bocelli’s concerts in Indonesia.

“Indonesia must not provide a platform to anyone who helps fund the killing and destruction of people in Gaza, Palestine,” Sudarnoto said. He added that MUI would greatly appreciate the government taking a firm stance and cancelling the concerts. Bocelli is scheduled to perform at Borobudur Temple in Central Java on 31 October and in Jakarta on 3 November 2026.

Previously, MUI also urged the government to cancel a solo concert by Israel Houghton, scheduled to take place at Kota Kasablanka in South Jakarta on 24 October. The government, through the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, has said it will not grant an event permit or issue an event visa to the US artist, whom MUI says has campaigned in support of Zionist Israel’s occupation of Palestine.