A growing chorus of Indonesian Islamic organizations and political figures are calling on the government to take a more assertive international role in de-escalating the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. These calls, which intensified in March 2026, reflect a broad consensus across Indonesian society that the nation should move beyond a position of passive diplomacy.
Shifting Expectations for Indonesia’s Role
The Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) has been particularly vocal, condemning actions by the U.S. And Israel as violations of international law and advocating for a stronger diplomatic response. The MUI has too urged the government to withdraw from the U.S.-linked “Board of Peace” (BoP), citing a loss of credibility for the initiative as a neutral platform.
Indonesia’s two largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) and Muhammadiyah, have also expressed support for stronger engagement, though without endorsing confrontation. PBNU, led by Yahya Cholil Staquf, has encouraged Jakarta to utilize its diplomatic channels, including its role in multilateral initiatives and its leadership within the D-8 group of Muslim-majority economies, to press for de-escalation and potentially reach out to Tehran.
Muhammadiyah has emphasized diplomacy as the only viable path forward, advocating for increased coordination with international institutions like the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), even as urging restraint from all parties involved.
Beyond religious organizations, the Center for Islamic Studies in Finance, Economics, and Development (CISFED) has argued that Indonesia’s “independent and active” (bebas aktif) foreign policy provides a foundation for a more prominent role – not as a sole mediator, but as a convener of neutral states.
Lawmakers from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and Prosperous Justice Party have echoed these sentiments, urging President Prabowo Subianto to adopt a firmer and more independent stance, with some explicitly calling for Indonesia to lead a coalition of non-aligned Muslim-majority nations.
This convergence of opinion suggests a shifting expectation of Indonesia’s role on the global stage. Rather than acting as a traditional mediator, Jakarta is being encouraged to organize and lead a broader coalition capable of amplifying diplomatic pressure.
However, this push also acknowledges a structural limitation: while Indonesia possesses credibility as a non-aligned actor, it lacks direct leverage over the major powers shaping the conflict. Indonesia’s potential role may therefore lie in mobilizing a coalition of neutral voices to reinforce calls for de-escalation and shape global opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Board of Peace?
The Board of Peace (BoP) is a U.S.-linked initiative that Indonesia’s Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) believes has lost its credibility as a neutral platform.
What is Indonesia’s “independent and active” foreign policy?
The Center for Islamic Studies in Finance, Economics, and Development (CISFED) argues that Indonesia’s “independent and active” (bebas aktif) foreign policy provides a foundation for taking on a more prominent international role.
Which organizations are calling for Indonesia to take a stronger role?
The Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Muhammadiyah, the Center for Islamic Studies in Finance, Economics, and Development (CISFED), and lawmakers from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and Prosperous Justice Party are all urging Indonesia to take a more assertive international role.
As domestic pressure intensifies, the challenge for Jakarta will be to translate these expectations into a form of diplomacy that is both credible and effective, without overextending its reach on one of the world’s most complex geopolitical fault lines.
