Indonesia’s Islamic Council Seeks Bocelli Concert Ban After Gospel Singer Barred (Worthy News Investigation)

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

JAKARTA/KUTA (Worthy News) – Indonesia’s influential Islamic religious council has urged the government to ban concerts by world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli over his alleged support for Israel, days after authorities refused permission for an American Gospel singer to perform in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) demanded the cancellation of Bocelli’s scheduled performances at the Buddhist Borobudur Temple in Central Java on October 31 and in the capital, Jakarta, on November 3, according to the MUI news service monitored by Worthy News on Monday.

The appeal followed the government’s decision to block an October 24 concert in Jakarta by Grammy Award-winning American Christian musician Israel Houghton and his Gospel group Israel & New Breed. Explaining its decision, Jakarta cited concerns about the singer’s public support for Israel, Worthy News reported earlier.

Professor Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, who heads the council’s foreign relations division, said Indonesia must remain consistent in opposing activities involving people he described as supporters of Zionism.

“Once again, I want to emphasize that the planned Andrea Bocelli concerts must be canceled to uphold our principles of solidarity with humanity,” Sudarnoto said in remarks published by MUI Digital, the council’s official news service.

ISRAEL SUPPORT ALLEGATIONS

Sudarnoto accused Bocelli of participating in a fundraising event for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Los Angeles in 2010 and pointed to the singer’s performance in Tel Aviv in 2022.

“Do not give a platform to anyone who helps finance the killing of people in Gaza and Palestine,” he said, urging Indonesian ministries not to support the concerts for economic reasons.

The allegations have attracted attention in Indonesia, where public support for the Palestinian cause remains strong amid the continuing conflict in Gaza.

However, Bocelli responded Monday that his planned Indonesian performances were intended to promote music and humanity rather than any political or military cause, according to a statement published by Indonesian media.

The Italian singer also said no proceeds from his Indonesian concerts would be used to finance political or military activities. His participation in a past fundraising event does not, by itself, establish that he personally donated money to Israel’s military, observers said.

GOSPEL CONCERT BLOCKED

The Indonesian Ulema Council demanding his concert to be cancelled was established in 1975, bringing together Muslim scholars and representatives of Islamic organizations. It issues religious rulings known as fatwas, advises the government on Islamic affairs and exercises considerable influence over public debates, although its decisions are not automatically legally binding.

The organization has previously declared support for Israeli actions against Palestinians religiously forbidden, or haram, and urged authorities to prevent events it considers supportive of Israel.

Its latest campaign follows the government’s refusal to authorize a planned performance by Houghton, a prominent Christian worship leader known internationally for Gospel music.

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said officials had considered Houghton’s October 2023 public declaration, “I stand with Israel,” when assessing the proposed concert.

Yusril stressed that the government was not objecting to Houghton’s Christian faith or religious music but feared the event could be used for political messaging contrary to Indonesia’s support for the Palestinian cause.

GOVERNMENT DENIES PERMISSION

Police authorities said Houghton’s concert would not receive the required permit, while immigration officials indicated that he would not be granted a visa to perform.

Yusril said organizers had not submitted a formal police permit application despite tickets reportedly being offered online.

The controversy now surrounding Bocelli raises broader questions about artistic freedom, religious influence and Indonesia’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Bocelli’s performances, part of his Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour, were scheduled for Borobudur near Magelang and Jakarta International Expo. No official government decision canceling the concerts had been announced as of Monday.

The dispute comes as Indonesia continues to support Palestinian statehood and maintains no formal diplomatic relations with Israel, with its political and religious leaders frequently condemning Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Christians in Indonesia have told Worthy News they oppose their government’s stance toward Israel, a country some have managed to visit as members of church groups.