TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) has voiced support for President Prabowo Subianto’s decision for Indonesia to join the Board of Peace, saying the move is acceptable as long as it serves the public interest and contributes to global welfare.
MUI Chair Anwar Iskandar conveyed the position after attending a meeting between President Prabowo and representatives of several Islamic organizations at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
“As long as it is for the greater good, MUI supports it, because MUI is committed to the welfare of the community, the nation, and humanity,” Anwar said after the meeting.
According to Anwar, President Prabowo explained the rationale behind Indonesia’s decision to join the Board of Peace, an institution initiated by the United States. Prabowo, he said, stressed that Indonesia’s participation is intended to promote public welfare and contribute to peace efforts.
However, Anwar emphasized that MUI would remain critical if Indonesia’s membership were to produce negative consequences. “We will certainly criticize it if it turns out not to be beneficial,” he said.
Anwar added that Prabowo also made clear Indonesia’s readiness to withdraw from the Board of Peace if it fails to bring positive outcomes, particularly for Palestine.
“If in the future this organization does not bring welfare and benefit to Palestine and to world peace, then all Islamic countries involved will withdraw,” Anwar said, citing the president.
He said Indonesia plans to work alongside other Muslim-majority countries, including Kuwait and Qatar, within the forum to advocate for Palestinian independence and global peace.
“The aim is to prevent war and promote peace,” Anwar said.
President Prabowo invited leaders of Islamic mass organizations to the Presidential Palace on Tuesday to discuss several issues, including Indonesia’s participation in the Board of Peace. More than 50 representatives attended the meeting.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the forum was intended to allow the president to directly explain the policy and ensure it is understood by all stakeholders.
“Today’s meeting was an opportunity for the president to convey his considerations, with the hope that they will be accepted and understood,” Prasetyo said.
Prasetyo acknowledged that differing views remain among Islamic organizations regarding the potential benefits and drawbacks of Indonesia’s membership. Groups attending the meeting included Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), and MUI.
Previously, MUI had called on President Prabowo to reconsider Indonesia’s participation. MUI Deputy Chairman Cholil Nafis publicly urged Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on January 28, 2026.
Cholil argued that the decision did not favor Palestine, noting that the initiative was launched by US President Donald Trump and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among its members.
“With Trump as the initiator and Netanyahu as a member, it is clear that this does not support the existence of a Palestinian state,” Cholil said, as quoted on MUI’s official website.
