Kalla urges Muslim nations to pursue dialogue amid Mideast escalation
Speaking on the sidelines of the 8th Islamic Congress here on Sunday, Kalla expressed regret over the renewed tension in the Middle East, particularly following the breakdown of talks between Iran and the United States.
“We deeply regret the escalating conflict. We were initially pleased that an agreement had been reached between Iran and the United States, but it fell through, and the conflict has only widened,” he said.
As chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), Kalla emphasized that Arab and Muslim-majority nations must play an active role in encouraging peaceful resolutions.
He urged the conflicting parties to exercise restraint and pursue a political solution.
“We hope that Arab nations in the Middle East will also strive to promote peace among themselves,” he added.
Kalla also highlighted the ongoing conflict in Yemen, including tensions between the Houthi movement and the Yemeni government.
He expressed hope that all parties would exercise restraint and rebuild internal unity to prevent further instability in the region.
Furthermore, he urged influential foreign powers not to drag other countries’ territories into the conflict, stressing that ending violence is the essential first step toward lasting peace.
Kalla, who also serves as Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), reiterated that dialogue remains the key to resolving disputes among Muslim nations.
He noted that international bodies such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hold a crucial role in fostering unity among Islamic nations and facilitating peaceful conflict resolution.
Kalla believes that Indonesia, as the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, carries a moral responsibility to contribute to global peace efforts.
He affirmed that Indonesia remains steadfast in supporting peace, particularly regarding the conflicts in Palestine and the wider Middle East.
“Indonesia firmly stands for peace. What is happening in Palestine and across the Middle East is a catastrophe,” Kalla concluded.
Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Katriana