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7/1/1994 - What Saudi and Yemeni Religious Authorities had to say about the Yemen war by Katherine L. Roth

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUTWRITER SCONSENT KI INSTITUTEOFCURRENTWORLDAFFAIRS KatherineRoth San YEMEN 30July PeterBird Martin Institute ofCurrentWorld Affairs 4WestWheelock Street Hanover NH 03755 What Saudi andYemeni Religious Authorities about theYemenwar DearPeter Thestatements fatwasl andrecommendations oftheUlema orIslamic scholars region great weight In traditional Muslim societies Yemen where literacyrate remains respect religious scholars transmissionofdocumentssuch asthosetranslatedbelowholdagreatdealofsway among largely uneducated masses andin official government circles Religious statements following widely distributed among populations often posted mosques where recounted illiterate Such oraltransmissionofreligious messagesremainscharacteristicofmanyIslamic societies The statements edicts circul internationally politicaleeligious circles quoted Islamist media abroad On clandestine Islamist radio Algeria example broadcasts citations international statements following common While journalists concentrated political maneuvering behind local persons decision makers iustas attentionto Ulema changing situation Muslim believers based their actions reactions religious decree KatherineRoth isaFellowoftheInstitute writing about tradition modemity Arab world Since theInstituteofCurrentWorldAffairs theCrane Rogers Foundation hasprovidedlong termfellowships enable outstanding young adults outside United States write about international areas issues Endowed bythelateCharlesR Crane theInstituteisalsosupportedbycontributionsfromlike mindedindividualsand foundations leastpartlyonthe clarifications ofthoseconsideredtohave specialknowledgeofthe points ofthe religion I gathered below statements issued Saudis Yemeni Ulema during immediately after valuable reference source insight manner which current events interpreted religious context The below documents light Saudi Islamist opposition Yemeni Ulema while directly linked dialogue another WhattheYemeniUlemasaid after meeting inmid MaytodiscusstheYemenwar PraisebetoGodwhosays Ohyewhobelieve ObeyGod andtheMessengerwhen He calletbyou thatwhichquickenethyou Andguardyourselves againsta chastisementwhichcan notfall exclusivelyon thoseofyou wrong doers So I witness there God promoter religion supporter believers betrayer enemies God blessing peace mercy those invoke fight until God blessing peace Prophet family companions However known those present This notification peopleandletthem warnedthereof distinguished Muslim Yemeni people period difficult circumstances imposed renegade illegitimate apostate forces representedbythe socialistpartywishingtokindlethe fireofsedition startthe ofwar destroy religious peaceful Yemen faith wisdom This party exercised atheism injustice tyranny entire Yemeni nation suffer manysorts ofafflictions misfortunes These misfortunes registered history arerememberedwith bitternessbythesonsofYemen The Yemeni people never forget black history party starting enforcing disbelief children people southern eastern provinces throughschoolcurriculumandthepressandbywayofMarxist principlesand roleswhich tookastheirmotto ThereisnoGodandlifebutreality Thesocialistsunderminedthe moralsofthesociety itstraditionoflawfulnessandindustry andcOmmittedabominations atrocities which drinking alcoholic beverages destruction dignity disgrace ofhonor seizure ofproperty 2SuraVIII Verse24 SpoilsofWar TheHolyQ Verse tradition Prophet Mohamed Our nation never forget massacre thousands innocent citizens partywhichusedasjustificationtheMarxisttheorythat Itisnotimportantwhetherone exterminates three quarters humanity remaining quarter becomes communist The socialist party strengthened citizens dishonoring population nationalizing funds spreading apprehension humiliating citizens militias secret service deemed forbidden lawful Still socialistpartywasnotsatisfiedwithallthesethings itexporteditsdestructivewaysto therestofYemen Everyoneknowsabo uttheplantingofmillionsofminesincentral Yemen poisoning northern wells The story hideous crimes against Khawalan sheikhs dignitaries hidden nation The bloody instincts socialist party clearly demonstrated events of13January1986andthecommotionofDecember1992 whichwouldhaveshaken allof Yemen God providence mercy The subversive socialist continued The chain crisis created socialist party secretary general returned abroad Every Yemeni citizen tasted bitter crisis burned flame party tried stirring thejabiliyyaS feuds fanaticism emphasizing sectarian genealogical tribal doctrinal ethnic regional differences order extend influence achieve malicious It before losing party6 transformed crisis deadly military battles which military force spill blood Yemeni people anddisruptthepeaceintheCapitalofUnity San aswellasothertownsandprovinces killing women children elderly AI Hasaba quarter San AI Rahida hospital The religious scholars arenotused tokeeping silent inthe faceofsuch eventsand nation accustomed listening scholars circumstances basedonthesayingoftheExaltedOne AndrememberwhenGodsetout theresponsibilityofthosewhohadreceivedtheScriptureHesaid Youaretoexpoundit tomankindandnottobideit TheUlemahavecontinuedto fulfilltheirdutyofguiding advising leaders responsible persons common people 5pagan Islamic society This widely contemporary Islamist refer practicing Muslims infidels This provocative theory which Muslims essence communicated perceived practicing Muslims first presented Egyptian Islamist Sayid O whose banned Muslim countries Sayid Q considered father modern Islamist movement important weeks prior statement socialist party second biggest political party country 7Sura III Verse Family Imran The Holy O_or demanded constitution amended conform Islamic Law The socialist party failed advice ofthe Ulema As aconsequence thescholars oftheYemenoffaithandwisdomwish tomention following points ofthe nation The current fighting against socialist party supporters constitutes jihad God order protect Islamic faith against rebels secessionists protect believers their grave dangers themostexalted Andfighttbemuntilpersecutionisnomore religionisinthenameofGod 8Godalsosays HowsbouMyenotfightforthecause ofGodandtbefeebleamongmen womenand cbildrenwboarecrying OurLordt Bring usforthfromoutthistownofwhich thepeopleareoppressors 0giveusbytbypresence someprotectingfriend 0giveusfromtbypresencesomedefender The Ulema invite believers unity socialist party review their attitudes since returning truth virtue They should rally around banner existing legitimacy renounce publicly dogmas which against Islam The doors repentance The Ulema tribute heroic stands armed security forces stand confronting forces sedition separation oppression atheism The praise God achieved through great victories advise thesegoodmentosticktotheirfaithandtheholywarinthenameofGodandto fight until God becomes highest They should depend God steadfast battlefield invoking God remaining obedient messenger authorities soldiers should beware injustice oppression God theexalted Oyewhobelieve tWhenyemeetanarmy boldfirmand thinkstronglyaboutGodinordertobesuccessful AndobeyGodandhisMessenger anddisputenotonewithanotherlestyefalterandyourstrengthdepartfromyou Be steadfast Lo Godis always steadfast The Ulema Yemen Yemeni people without exception stand beside their brothers armed security forces times theftbad 8SuraVIII Verse39 SpoilsofWar TheHolyO_or 9Sura IV Verse Women The Holy O_or 10SuraVIII Verse45 SpoilsofWar TheHolyQor 11SuraVIII Verse46 SpoilsofWar TheHolyQor IolyWar either enlisting volunteer reserve forces donating money blood The Yemeni people should beware those sneak suspiciously among ranks people intownsand villagesand notifythe authorities ofthewhereabouts ofthesepeople andofanyattemptsthesepeoplemightmaketodisturbthepeace Yemenisshouldlso confront spreaders false biased rumors spread terror among people forGodtheexaltedsays Ifthehypocritesandalarmistsinthecitydonotcease weverilyshallurgeyeonagainstthem thentheywillbeyourneighborsin itbuta little while The Ulema support steps attitudes taken Presidential Council parliament Council Ministers Their moves courageous They trying eradicate sources sedition reject outside interference internalYemeniaffairs TheUlemadenounceandcondemntheactsofwarcriminalsand socialist party which started launching missiles Capital Unity San other areas cities greatlyappreciatethecourageousstandsofthesonsofthesouthernandeastern provinces standing beside their brothers armed security forces against tyrannical socialist party rebel forces The omnipotent The believersarenotelsebutbrothers Godalsosays Andthebeli evers menandwomen amprotectigfriendsofoneanother God beexalted Thouwiltnotfindfolk believeinGodandtbefinaljudgementdaylovingofthosewhoopposeGodandhis Messengerevenftheybetheirfathersorofthesameclan Asforsuch Hebathwr faith theirheartsandbath strengthenedthem witha spiritfrom Him The Ulema Yemeni nation truly repent devote themselves Lord They should humble faithful honest supporting victory andthesoldiersofIslamintheirfighttodefeatanddishonorHis infidelenemies whoare heralds sedition rebellion wickedness corruption Yemenis should Muslim militants SoGodsays Andverilyourwordwentforthofolduntoourbondmensent towar thattheyverilywouMbehelped Andthatourhost theyverilywouldbethevictors 13Sura xxxIII Verse The Clans Holy Q 14Sura XLIX Verse The Private Apartments The Holy Q 15Sura IX Verse Repentance The Holy Q This quote cited Algeria Islamist militants defend rejection killing practicing family members God 16Sura LVIH Verse She That Disputeth The Holy Q Godtheexaltedsays Godbathconferredonthosewhostrivewiththeirlivesandwealth arankabovethesedentary UntoeachCodhathpromsedgood butHehathbestowed thosewbsm veagreatrewardabove sedentary Lastly Godsays Asforthosewhobelieve bemindfulofyourdutytoGodandseekthe ofapproach untoHimandstrive His The Prophet Mohamed God blessing peace family To serve earlymorningandlate night gbting forthesake ofGodis bettertha attainingany worldlypleasures 19And No ofbattlefor ofGodwill thesmokeofhell Islamicsoldiergoes directly Paradise WebegCdtopreserveusour religionandtheunityofourcountryand toshow allofus straight Yemen Ulema Association May1994 Statement SaudiCommittee Defenceof gitim teRitihts issued May28 ThisimportantIslamistoppositionorganiti0n consisiinginpart ofSaudiUlema based London An eliteofthe nation sscholarshas issuedastatementaboutthe fighting inYemen inwhichtheyunmaskedt hecriminal ofthe communists thepastandatpresentand warnedMuslimsoftheconsequencesofbeingdeceivedbyfalsecommunist slogans They called Yemen brothers constant religion abiding Islam confronting enemies ofIslam While D L R supports statement statement issued bythe Saudi Ulema refers tothe thatths statementemphasizeswhatthe CD L mentionedn itsnouncementNo seebelow bysayng thattheSaudistate sstandofsupportingthe communists isadictatorialsolatedattitudecontrary_tothe nation sview representedby Olema religious scholars totally inconsistent Islam 17SuraXXXVII Verses171 ThoseWhoSettheRanks TheHolyO_or 18Sura IV Verse Women The Holy O_or 19Sura V Verse The Table Spread The Holy Q 20Traditions Hadith Prophet Mohamed The C D L R hails statement expresses sincere thanks appreciation scholars expressed people conscience declared publiclywhat isfightandinsodoingfulfilledtheirreligiousresponsibilityofclarifyingand publicizing truth regard Islam The C D L R confident these scholars continue disclose truth regarding forms deviation injustice continue uphold their religious dutyofholdingthe rulersaccountableforrepresentingthebestinterestsofthepeople Thefollowing isacomplete textofthescholar announcement entitled TheSaudi Role Yemen PraisebetoGod GodsblessingandpeacebeupontheMessengerofGod The nation21 repeatedly expressed scientific ideological leadership letters addressed leadership rejection state perverted practices including floundering foreign policy expenditure enormous funds support injustice tyranny These expressions discontent The rulers ignored continued their material moral support unjust oppressive regimes dubious movements acting people using funds ofthe eople without authorization warrant By taking awaythe people fight decide their funds acting against opinion nation intellectuals reformers rulers forcibly involvedtheKingdomintheaffairsofYemen Insodoing theyhaveactedwithoutany authorizationormandate Therulersenthusiasticallysupportedtheforces ofcommunism atheism Aden these forces hundreds millions dollars pressured merchants Hadramy origin emigrated escape oppressive unjust communist regime contributions communists Not satisfied rulers supplied atheists hundreds military vehicles armored ddition largequantitiesofarmsand provisions It obvious these contradict rulers claim reiterated acting Islam Saudi Arabia alliance artificial entity South Yemen losing party socialists against country interest wasteful people funds atatimewhenthecountry sufferingfroma criticaleconomic situation 21This wording interesting nation refer people Saudi Arabia separate regilne while state government 22Hadramies those originally region Hadralnaut eastern Yemen Many Hadra families descended Prophet Mohamed Saudi Arabia northern Yemen escape communist regirne Much funding Islamists Yemen comefromthese families manyofwhomamassed greatwealthinSaudi Arabia Nowthatthe rulershaveseentheworldwide collapse ofthecommunistpartythey trying support communism trying encourage United Nations Security Council andassist these infidel allies The C D L R deems defense rights Saudi people declares thattheIslamic nation inthelandofMeccaandMadinastands clearofthe rulers policiesofsupportingunjustandoppressiveregimes especiallythedeadpartyofAden which makes public hatred ofreligion The D L R apologizes Islamic nations which hatred Kingdom firmly planted Saudi regime hopes fellow Muslims helpless people responsible happened The C D L R asserts pOsition Saudi Arabia represent expression ofthe people decision making power TheC D L R callsuponthesonsofthethenationtorealizethatseriousdamage beingdonetoIslamandtoMuslimsandwarns continuationofsuch p01ic nation economic deterioration Those charge tottering government shouldsavethecountryandnotdestroy The C DiL R insists people fight participate decision making process government accountable required Islamic Law The neglectofthisfightiscausingthesufferingofpeopleonall levels Thedutyofallscholars intellectuals should uphold their religious making their rulers accountable especiallywithregard tothepeople dignity London 28May1994 WhattheSaudi Ulemahadto sayabout thewar June Inthenameofaod mostgraciousmostmerciful Praisebetoaod wethankbm forbeshelparlforgveness andrepenttobm eseekrefuge mgbtyGodfromour evilspiritsandsbamefuldeeds bepeaceandblessingofaodbeuponourProphet Mobamed masterofthemuabedn gbters ThecrimesofthecommunistsinthesouthoftheArabianpeninsulacontinue Theirblack historyexiststodayand iskeptinourmemoriesThecommunistshumiliatedthepeople country They killed country Ssheikhs religious scholars They attack property honor The communists separated region Islamic community ummab foralongperiodandbyforce Allahpermittedustostrugglewith another In struggle about IS people killed civil eight years Today Socialists changed their skins They patched together slogans democracy multi party system modem civil state resistance against extremism fundamentalism It raised their flags Them famous proverb which applies which The citizens Meccaknowthe region smountainsandvalleypasses Meanwhile northern southern Yemeni people stood against Socialists ThesepeopleweretorturedbytheSocialistParty TheYemenipeoplearewellawareofthe Socialists ferocity religion property honor human fights But Muslims facts about battle Yemen mislead false propaganda They should wander wisdom believers which ProphetMohamed peacebeuponhim Abelievingmandoesnotgetbittentwicein They should God uproot criminals honor Islam Muslims We Saudi Arabian religious authorities possible crush Socialism unless Islamic raised shows clearly At everything against Islam abandon deceitful mottos In revelationtheProphetMohameddescribedtheYemenipeopleasfaithful wiseandjust It Yemeni people therefore faithful religion God honored denyall might stand against religion WebegGod tosupporttherighteouspeople lifeand theirsupportersand atthe struggle against polytheism supporters He God ruler capable PeacebeupontheProphetMohamedand familyand hiscompanions The names religious scholars ratify communique HamoudBinAbdul labA1 Sboabi Dr AbderabmanBinNasserAl Barrak AbdullabBinHamadA1 Jalaly SuleimanBinIbrabimA1 Rasbawdi AbdullahBinSuleimanAl masary Dr SaidBinZobir SuleimanBinFabdAl Odab AhmedlbrabimE1 Salifeb Dr SafferBinAbdelrabmanA1 Hawaly mobamedBinAbmedA1 Farag IbrahimBinmohamedA1 Deeban YehyaBinAbdel AzizA1 Yebya Dr BakrBinFabdA1 Besbr AliBinI hadirA1 Kbadiry Dr NasserBinSuleimanAl Omar DeebanBinMobamedA1 Deeban Dr AbdullabBinHamoudAI Turigry AbdallahBinIbrahimA1 Rais Dr mobamedBinSaidA1 Gabtani IbrabimBinSalehAl Kbadiri Dr SuleimanBinTbonian MobamedBinHamoudA1 Fanezan mohamedBinAbdel RabmanA1 Dabikbi Dr mohamedBin SalebAl mufidir Dr mobamedA1 Labim WhattheYemeni religious authoritieshad sayaboutthewar July InthenameofGod mostgracious mostmerciful This communique issued Yemeni Religious Scholars Assembly victory conferenceheld intheRepublicofYemenfromJuly11 toJuly Praise God promise servants victor The Messenger Moham peace valued soldiers believers highly defeated partieswhostoodagainstreligion TheAlmightygavethebelieversunityastheeSsenceof theirsuperiority Hepavedthewayforvictory progressandprosperity GodAlmighty Holy Qor And boldfast togetberbytbe which Godstretches forye andbenotdivideduponyourselves Rememberwithgratitude Godsfavoronyou foryewereenemiesandbejoinedyourhearts sothatbyhis graceyebecame brethren Youwereonthebrinkoftbepitoffireandbesavedyoufrom May peaceand blessingbeon final sealof ProphetMohamed companion This religious scholars meetingcomes_asaresultofcontinuouseffortstoprotect Yemeni unity securityand stability They their consideration unity religious legitimate ordinance patriotic necessity Preserving unity legitimateand holydutycommandedbyGod Andverily thisUmmab community ofyours singlynationandIamyour andno LordandCreato thereforefearmeother Separation contradicts God Messenger ordered It cause inescapable disappointment failure because God Andfall disputes heartandyourpowerdepart God achieved victory legitimate forces23 against secessionists sought dismember count disperse nation disobey legitimacy Ummahagreeduponandaroundwhich allpartieshadgathered The religious authoritieshavestudied situationsincethebeginningofthe crisis discussed meeting San meeting AI Jannad AI Jannad Taez govemorate again San Theyheld these meetings because religious scholars carry their shoulders great responsibility analyzing clarifying details crisis Ummah With regard their commitment which God Legitimate forces San government describe forces fighting southern separatists during To troops northern considered treason implied certain legitimacy those fighting other bestoweduponthem theHolyQor AndrememberthatGodtookcovenantupon thepeopleoftheBooktomakeitcleartomankindandnottobide After studying matter religious scholars confirm following points HereI veselectedafewofthepoints Ifoundthemostinteresting TheeventsinYemenweretheresultofconspiraciesaimedatdismemberingthecountry anddispersingYemeniunity ClaimsbytheYemeniSocialistParty YSP werejustamask conceal intentions conspiracies seeking people ItwasanobligatorythingandalegaldutyuponallYemenistostandtogethertofacethis theYSP anddefendtheirbelief unity andthesovereigntyofthecountry Relevant statements Holy Qor Thepunishment ofthose wagewaragainstGodandHisMessengerand strivewithmightandmainformischiefthroughthelandis ecutionorcrucificationor thecuttingoffofhandsandfe etfromoppositesidesorexilefrom theland TheAlmightyalso Iftwopartiesamongthe believersfallintoafight makeyepeacebetween Butifoneofthemtransgressesbeyondboundsagainsttheother thenfightye allagainsttheone transgressor untilhe complies thecommandofGod The control prices arrest tricksters playing prices goods currency exchange rates should strictly enforced addition punishing thosewho monopolize goods The religious authority should increase efforts fight types usury The religious scholars confirm necessity create suitable media policy which suits people beliefs values morals The Ulema hereby education schools begin process ofchangingschool curriculum amendingthecurriculum inawaywhichcanform basis religious belief correct concepts eradicate effects cultural invasion The cultural invasion cause ehind recent destruction crisis The Islamic scholars fellow Islamic scholars around world understand situation Yemen We stand behind Yemeni people andsupporttheirjustissues InadditiontothattheyshouldclarifytheYemenisituationto their people rulers The Yemeni religious scholars thank everyone stood beside Yemeni people Finally religious scholars thankGod forthevictoryhe hasbestowedupon Yemenipeople TheUlemaextendtheirthankstothebraveandbelievingYemenipeople whostoodasasinglemaninthecrisis Atthefrontline thearmedandsecurityforces 24This quote O_or often referred Yemenis leading political parties asked whether Socialists still future Yemen If agree God Sharia welcome reasoning generally brave leadership righteous voluntee their lives preserve country PeacebeupontheProphetMohamedand hisUmmah This communique issued Yemeni religious scholars their meeting San Safar5th 1414A H July13th Best regards Kathering Received inHanover