PBNU Asks Public Not to View War as Watching Football: This is a Humanitarian Threat

Nahdlatul Ulama’s General Chairman, Yahya Cholil Staquf or Gus Yahya, stated that war has consequences for the global community. He asked the public not to watch war with cheers like watching football. “Yes, I want to invite everyone, the public, let us stop viewing this war like watching football. When watching football, if one side scores a goal, we cheer. If the team we support concedes a goal, we curse and so on. This war is not like watching football,” said Gus Yahya at the PBNU building in Central Jakarta on Friday (10/4/2026). Gus Yahya emphasised that society must reject all forms of war. He said war would impact humanity. “This war affects our own fate as well. So let us view this war as it is, that it is a threat to all humanity,” he stated. He also appreciated the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. He hoped the conflict would not just be paused briefly, but would realise permanent peace. “We all hope that this will become permanent and this ceasefire will be followed by agreements to stop violence altogether,” he said. Gus Yahya asked the public not to spread provocations. He hoped society would unite. “I also oppose any party, any party that seeks to exploit the situation amid these heavy challenges to ignite political dynamics that endanger the nation and state,” he stated.