Indonesia withdraws permit for Andrea Bocelli Borobudur concert

Authorities in Magelang, Central Java, have officially withdrawn the permit recommendation for Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli’s scheduled concert at the Borobudur Temple complex. The decision follows significant opposition from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and other Islamic groups.

The MUI has urged the Indonesian government to cancel the singer’s upcoming performances in Borobudur and Jakarta, citing Bocelli’s alleged past support for Israel. Specifically, the council pointed to his participation in a 2010 fundraiser for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and a 2022 concert in Tel Aviv. The MUI argued that hosting the singer would be inconsistent with Indonesia’s constitutional stance and its official support for Palestinian independence.

In response to the controversy, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism stated it is studying the situation and intends to align its actions with the MUI’s decisions. The Ministry emphasized that the government maintains a clear position in supporting Palestine. Meanwhile, the management of the Borobudur Temple Tourist Site is coordinating with central authorities to determine the future of the event.