Erfan Maruf, Jakarta – Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar voiced concern over growing calls to boycott products linked to Israel and the United States, saying such campaigns risk hurting Indonesian workers without resolving conflicts in the Middle East.
Speaking at a Ramadan gathering hosted by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Friday, Nasaruddin said economic boycotts were unlikely to influence geopolitical outcomes while potentially damaging local businesses.
"I am concerned about the concept of boycotts. They are not the solution to the major problems happening there," Nasaruddin said during the event, which brought together business leaders for a fast-breaking dinner.
The minister said some Indonesian businesses and workers had already been affected by consumer boycotts targeting multinational brands perceived to be linked to Israel or the United States.
According to Nasaruddin, more than 3,000 employees in the fast-food sector in Indonesia have lost their jobs as a result of declining sales tied to boycott campaigns.
"This means Muslims suffer twice," he said. "People are being killed there, and here workers are being laid off."
Nasaruddin, who also serves as the grand imam of Istiqlal Mosque, said he invited business leaders to the mosque as a gesture of support rather than to seek donations.
"I did not invite you here for fundraising," he told attendees. "We want to show support to the business community because without them Indonesia cannot survive."
He added that businesses often face multiple pressures, including regulatory burdens and unfair competition, and urged religious leaders to stand by those he described as economically vulnerable.
The minister's remarks come amid continued tensions across the Middle East following the war in Gaza and a broader regional escalation.
A population-based study known as the Gaza Mortality Survey, published in the medical journal The Lancet Global Health, estimated about 75,200 violent deaths in the Gaza Strip between Oct. 7, 2023 and Jan. 5, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 72,063 people had been killed as of Feb. 16 since the conflict began, including more than 600 deaths recorded after a ceasefire declared on Oct. 10, 2025.
Regional tensions have also intensified following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran beginning Feb. 28, drawing other countries into the conflict and leaving at least 2,000 people dead across the Middle East.