[9][10] The strait was one of the spice trade routes connecting the Middle East with Maluku and was probably traveled by Tomé Pires on his voyage to Java.

[12]: 111–113 In 1979, the northern side of the mountain was chosen by the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) [id] as a location for the construction of a nuclear power plant, with the understanding that the risk of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions was small compared to other parts of Java and Bali.

[15] Mount Muria is historically comparable to Mount Genuk [id], another volcano on the Muria peninsula, located in Donorojo [id]: both produce coherent lava, and have both lava plugs and domes as well as maars at the foot of each volcano and in the surrounding plains.

After the protests continued for several months, the local branch of Nahdlatul Ulama denounced the project to build on the sacred mountain.

They declared that the government's plan was haram because it would force Indonesia to import foreign uranium, hire foreign experts to manage the plant, and pay the costs to dismantle the plant and store the nuclear waste indefinitely.