{
  "id": 14462303,
  "title": "Bocelli concerts face uncertainty after MUI opposition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/bocelli-concerts-face-uncertainty-after-mui-opposition",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T13:55:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Jakarta Post",
    "slug": "the-jakarta-post",
    "url": "https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/10/14/bocelli-concerts-face-uncertainty-after-mui-opposition.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is opposing Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli’s planned concerts in Indonesia due to his past support for Israel, casting doubt on the events and leading the Tourism Ministry to respect the council’s stance. Bocelli is set to perform at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, on October 31 and in Jakarta on November 3 as part of his Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour.\n\nTourism Ministry Secretary Bayu Aji stated that the ministry will comply with the MUI's decision, once officially notified, as they continue to discuss the matter involving religious community values and Indonesia’s foreign policy. The ministry hopes Bocelli’s camp will release a statement supporting Palestinian independence, though they clarified that concert permits are beyond their jurisdiction.\n\nLocal authorities in Magelang withdrew their recommendation for a permit for Bocelli’s concert at Borobudur Temple, with Magelang Police removing billboards promoting the event following a meeting with protesters against the show. MUI deputy secretary-general for arts and culture, Erick Yusuf, clarified that the council is not targeting Bocelli personally but is objecting to his support for Israel.",
  "summary": "The Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) objection to Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli’s planned concerts, given his past activities linked to Israel, has put the events under a cloud, with the Tourism Ministry signaling it would respect the council’s position.",
  "key_points": [
    "Indonesian Ulema Council opposes Bocelli’s concerts due to his support for Israel.",
    "Tourism Ministry will respect MUI’s decision on Bocelli’s Indonesia tour.",
    "Magelang authorities withdraw permit recommendation for Borobudur Temple concert."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}