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Indonesia's Muslim council opposes Andrea Bocelli concerts over Israel ties

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 12:33 · Archive

Indonesia's top Islamic council has demanded cancellation of tenor Andrea Bocelli's concerts, citing his past support for Israel.

Indonesia's top Islamic council, the MUI, has demanded the cancellation of two concerts by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The performances are scheduled for the UNESCO-listed Borobudur Temple in Central Java on 31 October and Jakarta on 3 November, as part of his Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour.

The council initially announced its opposition on 10 October and met with Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday to press for cancellation. The MUI objected to Bocelli's past support for Israel, including his participation in a 2010 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces and a 2022 concert in Tel Aviv.

In a statement, the MUI said that 'giving a platform to a figure who has funded or supported military actions linked to humanitarian abuses in Gaza runs contrary to the values of the Indonesian nation'. Public sympathy for Palestinians is widespread in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation. The government has long supported an independent Palestinian state.

Tourism Ministry Secretary Bayu Aji said discussions with the MUI were aimed at reaching a consensus on the issue.

Indonesia's Muslim council opposes Andrea Bocelli concerts over Israel ties
Image: News4Jax

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In this story: Andrea Bocelli · Indonesian Ulema Council · Indonesia · Israel · Borobudur Temple

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem