Jakarta. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will proceed with two scheduled concerts in Indonesia despite calls from Muslim groups to cancel the performances over allegations of his support for Israel, the concert promoter confirmed Wednesday.

Shoemaker Live said Bocelli's Indonesian leg of the Romanza 30th Anniversary World Tour will proceed as planned, with performances scheduled for Oct. 31 at Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java, and Nov. 3 at the Jakarta International Expo.

The confirmation follows objections from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which earlier this month urged the government to block the concerts over Bocelli's alleged past support for Israel.

Shoemaker Live founder Prajna Murdaya thanked the Indonesian government for helping ensure the performances could proceed safely.

"We would like to express our appreciation to the Indonesian government for the support and guidance provided throughout this process, allowing Maestro Bocelli's concerts to be held safely. We understand that, for many people, these concerts carry a meaning that goes beyond a musical performance," Prajna said in a statement.

"We have listened to every perspective with an open heart. Maestro Bocelli has always upheld humanitarian values and wishes to convey a message of hope for peace, particularly to those who have yet to experience it," he added.

Prajna said the concerts were intended to promote peace, unity and solidarity with communities affected by armed conflicts.

"Shoemaker Live invited Maestro Bocelli to Indonesia to deliver a message of global peace, unity and brotherhood, while expressing solidarity with children and communities affected by war," he said.

As part of the concert series, the promoter plans to organize fundraising activities for humanitarian programs worldwide and donate 100,000 pairs of shoes to children in Palestine and other conflict-affected countries.

Prajna also highlighted the humanitarian work of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF), established in 2011.

He said the foundation has supported community empowerment initiatives, including music education, cultural exchanges and psychosocial assistance aimed at expanding educational opportunities and supporting communities affected by humanitarian crises.

Bocelli Addresses Allegations Over Israel
Earlier this month, the Indonesian Ulema Council called on the government to prevent Bocelli from performing in Indonesia, citing allegations of his support for Israel.

MUI Foreign Relations Chairman Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim pointed to Bocelli's alleged involvement in a 2010 fundraising event for the Israeli military in Los Angeles and his performance in Tel Aviv in 2022.

Sudarnoto argued that allowing the concerts to proceed would undermine Indonesia's commitment to humanitarian principles and support for the Palestinian cause.

Bocelli subsequently issued a statement emphasizing that music had served as a bridge across national, religious and political differences throughout his three-decade career.

He also sought to address concerns about the use of proceeds from his Indonesian performances.

"I also wish to reassure those who have expressed concerns about how the proceeds will be used. No fundraising in support of political or military causes is planned in connection with these concerts, nor are any of the proceeds intended for such purposes," Bocelli said.

The promoter's latest confirmation indicates that both Indonesian performances remain on schedule despite the controversy.

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