Ma'ruf Amin Urges Saudi-Houthi Ceasefire, Proposes Four-Pillar Dialogue Bridge

JAKARTA - The heating up of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, particularly the escalation of the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group in Yemen spreading to the strategic Bab el-Mandeb area, has drawn serious concern from the 13th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, K.H. Ma’ruf Amin. The tension, marked by mutual attacks, is considered potentially disruptive to regional security stability as well as threatening global supply chains.

Through his spokesperson, Masduki Baidlowi, Kiai Ma’ruf Amin expressed his distress at the protracted conflict. He stressed that disputes between Muslim states and peoples harm not only the parties involved but also carry wide systemic consequences for the economic, political and psychological stability of the Islamic world, including Indonesia.

“Kiai Ma’ruf Amin is deeply saddened by the current situation. He appeals to the conscience of the leaders in Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group in Yemen to lay down their arms immediately. As fellow Muslims, blood and honour are sacred. It is high time weapons were lowered and a dialogue table set up constructively,” said Masduki Baidlowi.

As a form of Indonesia’s concern and intellectual contribution, Kiai Ma’ruf Amin offered a ‘Four-Pillar Dialogue Bridge’ as a middle way (a path of moderation/watsathiyah) to resolve the conflict.

First, Ma’ruf Amin called for a humanitarian ceasefire as soon as possible. He urged that all military operations by both sides, as well as attacks in the Bab el-Mandeb area and its surroundings, be halted. This pause is crucial to prevent a worse humanitarian crisis and to secure international trade routes that affect the global economy, including energy supplies to developing countries such as Indonesia.

Second, Ma’ruf Amin urged the reactivation of an intra-Muslim dialogue axis. He encouraged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), together with leading Islamic scholars worldwide, to act as neutral mediators. The conflict must be resolved in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood, not through the intervention of foreign interests that would only deepen tensions.

Third, Ma’ruf Amin called for reconciliation based on political inclusivity, encouraging the Houthi group and Saudi Arabia to sit together to agree on a roadmap for regional security governance with mutual respect for sovereignty.

“A stable and sovereign Yemen is the key to security for Saudi Arabia, and vice versa,” he said.

Fourth, Ma’ruf Amin pushed for guarantees of security along international logistics routes and for agreement on a conflict-free zone in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for the benefit of all humankind. Disruption to this route triggers global inflation that strangles ordinary people across the Islamic world.

Kiai Ma’ruf Amin reminded that Indonesia, as the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, always stands ready to support every peace effort between the two nations.

“War never produces true victors; there is only devastation for the future generations of the ummah. Let us put an end to this dispute and rebuild a bridge of dignified dialogue,” said Masduki, conveying Kiai Ma’ruf Amin’s message.