MUI Highlights Potential Betrayal of US-Iran Ceasefire

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has welcomed the initiative for a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan. MUI has also highlighted the potential for covert betrayal of the agreement and the risk of pitting Muslim countries against each other during the Hajj season.

“MUI views that the potential for betrayal of the agreement remains,” said MUI Chairman for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation, Prof Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, to Republika on Thursday.

Sudarnoto explained that the history of international relations shows that violations of agreements can occur in various forms, such as unilateral interpretations of the agreement’s content, delays or avoidance of implementing commitments, and covert actions contrary to the spirit of peace.

Therefore, according to him, strong international oversight mechanisms are needed, as well as sincere moral and political commitments from both parties, so that this agreement is not merely symbolic but truly effective.

Sudarnoto emphasised that this oversight mechanism is crucial to prevent efforts by the United States and Israel to divide the Muslim ummah. In this context, he explained that this year’s Hajj implementation must be guaranteed security and order, free from agitation by any party.

“The United States and Israel could exploit this moment (Hajj season) to divide and pit against each other as part of the betrayal of the agreement,” he stated.

MUI also emphasised that this ceasefire must become a momentum to push for the cessation of all forms of aggression and violence in other regions, particularly those carried out by Israel in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. It is unacceptable that peace efforts proceed on one side while oppression and violence continue on the other.