Indonesia’s most influential Islamic scholars’ body has called for the cancellation of two upcoming concerts by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, arguing that his past support for Israel conflicts with the values and political views widely held in the Muslim-majority country.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) met with government officials on Wednesday, October 14, to discuss Bocelli’s scheduled performances in Central Java and Jakarta. The concerts are part of the singer’s Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour, but growing opposition from religious groups and local authorities has raised questions about whether the events will proceed as planned.

MUI Calls for Both Concerts to Be Cancelled

The MUI initially announced its opposition to the concerts on October 10 and reiterated its position during a meeting with Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism.

The performances are scheduled for October 31 at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, and November 3 in Jakarta. Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among Indonesia’s most prominent historical and cultural landmarks.

The council said its objections stem from Bocelli’s previous activities in support of Israel, including his participation in a 2010 fundraising event in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces and a concert in Tel Aviv in 2022.

In a statement, the MUI argued that providing a platform for someone it associates with support for military actions linked to humanitarian abuses in Gaza would conflict with Indonesia’s national values and the council’s religious guidance.

The position reflects widespread public sympathy for Palestinians in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. The Indonesian government has also consistently supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Government Seeks Consensus With Religious Leaders

Following the meeting, Tourism Ministry Secretary Bayu Aji said the discussions were intended to help the government and the MUI reach a common position.

“The government’s stance is clear: we support Palestine, and there are directives from the MUI leaders that we will try to communicate further,” Aji said.

He added that the government would seek to align its approach with the council’s position, saying officials would take the MUI’s statement into account.

The discussions come as opposition to the concerts grows beyond the national religious body. Several Islamic groups have also voiced objections, increasing pressure on the organisers to reconsider the events.

At the local level, police in Magelang withdrew a recommendation to issue a permit for the concert at the Borobudur complex on Wednesday. The development raises further uncertainty over the planned performance at the historic site.

However, the available information does not establish that both concerts have been formally cancelled. The events remain subject to developments involving organisers, authorities and the wider dispute.

Andrea Bocelli and Organisers Have Yet to Respond

Neither Bocelli nor the concert organisers had issued an immediate public response to the MUI’s objections at the time of the Associated Press report.

The dispute places the singer’s Indonesian tour at the centre of a broader debate involving cultural events, religious guidance and public sentiment over the conflict in Gaza.

While the MUI is pressing for cancellation, the concerts were originally planned as part of a major anniversary tour celebrating one of Bocelli’s best-known albums.

Tour Celebrates the Album That Made Bocelli an International Star

Bocelli’s Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour commemorates Romanza, the album that helped establish the Italian tenor as an international music star.

The release includes “Con Te Partirò,” one of his signature songs, which became closely associated with his career and international performances.

The planned Indonesian dates were intended to bring the anniversary tour to two prominent locations, including the historic Borobudur Temple complex.

Whether those performances will go ahead remains uncertain as the MUI continues to oppose the events and local authorities reconsider the arrangements.

The coming days are likely to be crucial in determining the fate of the concerts, with organisers yet to publicly address the controversy and officials continuing discussions over how to respond to the religious council’s demands.

Source: Compiled from various sources