Indonesia Urged to Utilize Peace Council Membership for Mediation Efforts

Jakarta – Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Executive Board Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf has encouraged President Prabowo Subianto to actively leverage Indonesia’s membership in the Board of Peace (BoP) to facilitate mediation, particularly in efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran. The call for proactive engagement came during an iftar event at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Leveraging the Board of Peace for Peace Initiatives

“Let’s use whatever tools we have at hand,” Staquf, also known as Gus Yahya, stated before the iftar. He emphasized the importance of utilizing all available resources for peace efforts, even if they appear limited in power. “We should not discard something that could actually be useful just as it seems weak,” he added. He likened the situation to using a spoon to dig a hole when a shovel isn’t available, highlighting the require to produce the most of existing instruments.

Indonesia’s Role Amidst International Concerns

Staquf believes Indonesia can still play a constructive role through the BoP, despite the ongoing conflict and the involvement of key players like the US and Israel. He stressed the absolute necessity of pursuing peace, stating, “Stop war, stop, peace now. There is no other alternative. Because if not, no one survived. There are no survivors. We have to stop, we have to stop this violence immediately by whatever means possible.”

Condolences and Continued Peace Efforts

Regarding recent expressions of condolences to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Staquf acknowledged Indonesia’s gesture and affirmed NU’s own condolences. However, he reiterated that the primary focus remains on actively working to halt violence and achieve peace. Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono delivered a letter expressing these condolences directly to the Iranian Embassy in Jakarta.

Background on the Board of Peace

The Board of Peace was established in January 2026 under a UN Security Council resolution aimed at supporting Gaza’s post-war administration and reconstruction. Chaired by US President Donald Trump, the BoP includes approximately two dozen founding members, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye and Indonesia [Fulcrum.sg]. Indonesia’s decision to join the BoP has been met with both support and scrutiny, with some concerns raised about potentially aligning with US and Israeli interests rather than prioritizing Palestinian independence [South China Morning Post].

Prabowo’s Engagement with Islamic Leaders

During the iftar event, Prabowo is expected to share insights with Islamic community leaders and scholars regarding current international developments and strategic steps being taken by his administration [Tempo.co]. The gathering included representatives from Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, among other Islamic organizations.