CIREBON RAYA | JAKARTA — The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged the Indonesian government to reconsider its involvement in the "Board of Peace," including the option of withdrawing from the forum.
Deputy Chairman of the MUI, KH M Cholil Nafis, considered Indonesia's joining the "Board of Peace" a strange decision and clearly not in favor of Palestine.
He firmly urged Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to withdraw from the "Board of Peace."
"Indonesia joining the "Board of Peace" clearly does not favor Palestine," said MUI Deputy Chairman KH Cholil Nafis on his personal X account, quoted on Wednesday (January 28, 2026).
The caretaker of the Cendekia Amanah Islamic Boarding School in Depok, West Java, explained that the "Board of Peace" was initiated by United States President Donald Trump and its members include Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is carrying out the occupation of Palestine. Moreover, the "Board of Peace" does not include a Palestinian state.
"Because Trump and his members include (Israeli Prime Minister) Netanyahu, who is clearly a colonizer, and there is no Palestinian state," he said.
Furthermore, Kiai Cholil explained another oddity regarding Indonesia's membership in the "Board of Peace," which charges a membership fee.
"What's even more odd is that Indonesia is still being charged a membership fee. It would be better for Mr. Prabowo to withdraw," he stressed.
Previously, the Head of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation, Prof. Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, considered the "Board of Peace" a clear manifestation of neocolonialism.
"The MUI emphasizes that the Palestinian issue is not just an ordinary conflict, but rather a matter of colonization, the deprivation of basic rights, and systematic crimes and violations of international humanitarian law," said Prof. Sudarnoto.
Prof. Sudarnoto emphasized the MUI's rejection of the "pseudo-peace" as advocated by United States President Donald Trump because it is not based on justice.
Furthermore, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) considers any peace initiative that does not explicitly recognize Palestine as a colonized nation and does not make ending the Israeli occupation a primary prerequisite. The MUI asserts that this has the potential to perpetuate colonization under the guise of peace.
"The 'Board of Peace' is a clear form of neocolonialism. The MUI views the 'Board of Peace' as having very serious structural problems. Israel's involvement as an equal member, rather than as an occupying power that must be held accountable, is fundamentally flawed," he stressed.
Prof. Sudarnoto believes this model risks shifting the issue from justice and independence to merely conflict management and regional stability. However, the MUI appreciates the Indonesian government's intention to contribute to world peace.
"However, the MUI also warns that involvement without clear red lines could make Indonesia a moral legitimator for schemes that are detrimental to the Palestinian struggle for independence," he stressed.
The MUI asserts that, from an Islamic perspective and universal humanitarian values, colonization in any form is an injustice that must be ended.
"True peace is only possible if the rights, dignity and sovereignty of the Palestinian people are fully restored. The "Board of Peace" scheme does not show the direction of true peace," he said. (source: MUI)
