Jakarta: A study by digital research firm Populix reveals that 65 percent of Muslim respondents support the Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) call to boycott products affiliated with Israel as a form of solidarity with the people of Palestine.
In November 2023, the MUI issued a fatwa (edict) declaring Muslims must support the struggle for Palestinian independence through various means, including donations, almsgiving, or charity. Additionally, the fatwa prohibits any form of activity and support for Israel’s aggression against Palestine.
Respondents state that the primary motivation behind their intention to comply with the fatwa is to show solidarity with Palestine, express a response to humanitarian issues, and protest against Israel’s military aggression.
According to Populix’s study titled “Understanding Public Sentiment on the Boycotts Movement Amid the Palestine-Israel Dispute,” awareness of MUI Fatwa has reached a high level of 94 percent among Indonesian society, both Muslim and non-Muslim.
“The call for boycott is so strong that awareness of this fatwa is not only among Muslims but also non-Muslims. Even non-Muslim respondents express their support for the boycott. This may be because this issue is a humanitarian one that transcends religious boundaries,” said Vivi Zabkie, Head of Social Research at Populix.
