MUI Urges Caution Against Sunni-Shia Sectarian Narratives Over Iran Attack

Jakarta – Illegal attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran have been accompanied by a surge in social media posts about the dispute between Sunni and Shia Islam within Indonesia. Professor Sudarnoto Abdul Halim, head of the MUI’s foreign affairs division, has urged citizens not to be provoked by posts designed to divide the community.

This narrative emerged shortly after Iran launched retaliatory strikes against US assets in Gulf nations including Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The circulating narrative suggested Iran should not be supported or defended because it follows Shia Islam.

“I have long stated that the Sunni-Shia issue is completely irrelevant to Indonesia. This is an old story, a classical dispute from the 7th or 8th century,” Sudarnoto told Republika on Thursday, 13 March 2026.

He said the divisive narratives being spread must receive serious attention from civil society, Islamic organisations, and the government. Such narratives risk becoming counterproductive in Indonesia.

“Secondly, this issue (US-Israel attack on Iran) is not a religious matter. It is a sovereignty issue being violated by a major power called America. Violations that also extend to violations of legal sovereignty, the right to live, ensuring people have dignified livelihoods and so on—that is why we are concerned,” he explained.

He reminded Muslims that their common enemy is the destruction of sovereignty, not Shia Islam. “Therefore, I urge everyone to remain calm, to exercise patience, and not to be provoked by such matters. That is what external powers will exploit.”

“That is why I made a statement at the MUI, reminding everyone not to allow ourselves to be turned against each other. This is important because the current emotional situation creates space for anyone wishing to exploit and manipulate these emotions for destructive purposes.”