Ma'ruf Amin Calls for Saudi-Houthi Dialogue to Halt Escalation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s 13th Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has called on Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement in Yemen to build a bridge of dialogue in an effort to halt the escalation of a conflict deemed to affect regional stability, international trade routes and the global economy.
Through his spokesperson, Masduki Baidlowi, in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, Ma’ruf Amin expressed concern over rising tensions in the Bab el-Mandeb area, including attacks on tanker ships.
According to him, a prolonged conflict between fellow Muslim nations not only harms the warring parties, but also affects the economic, political and psychological stability of the Islamic world, including Indonesia.
“Kiai Ma’ruf Amin is deeply saddened to see the current situation. He appeals to the conscience of the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group in Yemen to immediately lay down their arms,” said Masduki, conveying Ma’ruf Amin’s message.
“As fellow Muslims, blood and honour are sacred. It is time for weapons to be lowered and for a dialogue table to be set up constructively,” Masduki continued.
As an effort to encourage a peaceful resolution, Ma’ruf offered the concept of a ‘Four-Pillar Dialogue Bridge’. The first pillar is a humanitarian ceasefire to halt military operations and attacks in Bab el-Mandeb, in order to prevent a humanitarian crisis whilst safeguarding the smooth flow of international trade routes.
The second pillar is to reactivate internal dialogue among the Muslim community through mediation by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) together with leading Islamic scholars worldwide, so that a resolution can be pursued in the spirit of ukhuwah Islamiyah (Islamic brotherhood).
The third pillar promotes inclusive political reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis to draw up a regional security roadmap that respects the sovereignty of each party.
The fourth pillar proposes the establishment of a conflict-free zone in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to guarantee the security of international logistics routes, which are considered vital for energy supply stability and the control of global inflation.
Masduki added that Indonesia, as the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, stands ready to support any peace initiative undertaken by both parties.
“War never produces true victors; it brings only destruction for the future generations of the ummah. Let us end this conflict and rebuild a dignified bridge of dialogue,” he said, conveying Ma’ruf Amin’s message.