MUI Warns Andrea Bocelli Concert Could Trigger Social Clashes
JAKARTA — Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) Foreign Relations and International Cooperation division, has urged the government to be alert to the risk of social clashes following plans for tenor Andrea Bocelli to perform in Indonesia. He said economic interests must not override public sensitivities over Palestine.
“Let us not allow this issue to cause clashes in society. The risk is too great,” Sudarnoto said in Matraman, South Jakarta, on Monday (26 October 2026).
Sudarnoto said groups supporting Palestine and those opposed to Zionism had shown growing support in response to the concert plans. He had also received information about a planned mass religious gathering near the concert venue at Borobudur Temple, scheduled for the same day and time as Bocelli’s performance.
He said the situation should concern the government, to ensure differing views on the concert did not develop into friction within society.
“If the aim is economic, that is interesting. But morally, we do not have to accept bringing Bocelli here in this way when he supports killing,” Sudarnoto said.
He said some people had begun trying to pit the MUI against followers of other religions over the opposition to the concert. “That is absolutely not the intention. This is not about religion or music. It is about Bocelli’s insensitivity to the issue of Palestine,” Sudarnoto said in response to the accusation.
Sudarnoto also disclosed informal discussions about possible mass action ahead of 31 October and 3 November. Proposals had been raised in those discussions to hold large demonstrations in response to the concert plans.
“This could trigger friction, if not between groups of demonstrators then perhaps between demonstrators and the security personnel, whose presence will naturally be tight,” Sudarnoto said.
There had also been proposals for the House of Representatives (DPR) to summon the relevant ministries to discuss the matter. Sudarnoto said the DPR’s Commission X had also been mentioned in discussions about possible parliamentary involvement.
He said that, given how events were developing, demonstrations were a possibility. The government therefore needed to take the social consequences of its decisions into account.
Sudarnoto stressed that Indonesia needed to protect its reputation as a country that stands up for Palestine and humanitarian values. Promoting economic activity remained important, he said, but it had to be pursued with due consideration for moral questions and public sensitivities.
“We must protect this nation from trouble. We must safeguard Indonesia’s name as a defender of Palestine and humanity,” he said.
He hoped the government would reconsider its approach to ensure economic interests did not lead to social tensions.
Sudarnoto said the MUI had communicated with various parties about the concert plans, including several ministers. He was subsequently informed that the plans had been discussed with the National Police for some time and had received authorisation.
He said the government appeared likely to proceed with the plans. Sudarnoto therefore called on it to consider public concerns and the MUI’s position when making its decision.
He also said he had sent the relevant minister a primary-source document from 2010 which, according to his explanation, concerned fundraising and Zionist groups.
Sudarnoto said the MUI had made its position clear. If the government proceeded with the concert, the decision would be its responsibility.
“If the government continues with these plans, that is the government’s business. The MUI and the community have done what they needed to do,” he said.