Jakarta. An Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) official announced on Sunday that the US mixed martial arts show Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is haram and urged the government to ban it from local TV networks.

UFC is considered haram because it promotes fights that inflict physical harm on participants, said Badriyah Fayumi, deputy secretary-general of the MUI.

"Cock fighting is haram, let alone human fighting. Why? Because it inflicts wounds on participants and their opponents. This alone is against the Sharia principle of protecting our lives," Badriyah told reporters in Jakarta.

He said such shows have a damaging impact, especially on children, who may emulate their UFC heroes without understanding the consequences of violence.

“Violence and pornography are our common enemies. By blocking such content, the government will take concrete steps to protect a civilized community, especially children,” Badriyah said.

He called on parents and teachers to keep children away from the show and to explain the dangers and negative influences of violence.

His remarks followed a demonstration by a group of protesters in front of the Mola TV building in Jakarta earlier this week, demanding the cessation of UFC broadcasts.

The paid sports TV network often streams live UFC shows from the United States, which air in the morning in Indonesian time.