MUI Urges Cancellation of Andrea Bocelli Concert
MUI is pushing to cancel the Bocelli concert. The Indonesian Ulema Council has urged the government to immediately cancel Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli's planned concerts in Indonesia. The call was delivered by MUI foreign relations chief Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim to MUI Digital on Saturday (10/10/2026).
The concerts are scheduled at Borobudur Temple in Magelang on 31 October 2026, followed by a show at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) in Kemayoran on 3 November 2026. Both performances are part of the Romanza 30th Anniversary world tour marking 30 years of the Romanza album.
"I want to reiterate that the planned Andrea Bocelli concert must be cancelled to uphold our principle of siding with humanity," Sudarnoto said.
Bocelli's Israel-Linked Track Record Under Scrutiny
MUI's rejection is not without reason. Sudarnoto highlighted Bocelli's track record of involvement in a Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) fundraising event for the Israeli military (IDF) in Los Angeles in 2010. The event reportedly raised around US$8.75 million.
In addition, Bocelli performed in Tel Aviv in 2022. For MUI, funding or supporting a military force accused of humanitarian violations in Gaza cannot be tolerated.
Sudarnoto also recalled MUI's fatwa prohibiting support for Israel and for parties backing Israel's occupation of Palestine.
Demanding Consistency After Israel Houghton Cancellation
The cancellation demand comes after the government previously scrapped US musician Israel Houghton's planned concert in Indonesia with the group Israel & New Breed. MUI demands the government act consistently in rejecting any activity involving figures deemed supporters of Zionism.
MUI also regretted the alleged support from relevant ministries, such as the Tourism Ministry and the Culture and Creative Economy Ministry, for the singer's planned visit. According to Sudarnoto, economic interests should not override Indonesia's stance on the Palestinian people's struggle.
"Do not give a stage to anyone who helped fund the killers of the people of Gaza and Palestine," Sudarnoto stressed. MUI hopes the government will soon take a firm decision on the concert plans.
