Calls to close ranks against extremism in Yemen

In a recent visit to Hadramaut provincial capital of al-Mukalla, Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Dagher said that Yemen must seek to guide the religious discourse and activate the role of mosques in order to raise awareness about the dangers of violent extremism, especially among young people.

Extremists seek to draw young people in and fill their minds with the type of discourse that labels Muslims who do not support their radical views as unbelievers, Bin Dagher said during a meeting with officials and religious scholars.

Extremist elements incite youth to support illusory causes or engage in acts of violence such as bombings and the killing of innocent people that have no basis in true religion, which advocates tolerance and peace, he said.

Addressing tribal elders and dignitaries, preachers and scholars during an October 9th meeting in the southern port city, Bin Dagher called on them to shoulder their social responsibility and help to protect Yemen from such ills.

It is especially important, he stressed, in light of the current national conflict, to close ranks against extremism and strengthen social ties .

Bin Dagher praised the Hadramaut elite forces, who with coalition backing succeeded in purging the province of al-Qaeda, noting that Hadramaut has been known since antiquity for the peacefulness of its people.

Need for religious guidance

The people of Hadramaut are in urgent need of "religious discourse guidance so that moderation may be disseminated", al-Mukalla directorate head Abdel Baqi al-Hothari told Al-Mashareq.

This is due to some attempts to distort Islam, which at its essence affirms moderation, he said, referring to the bombings that shook the city after it was liberated in April from al-Qaeda’s year-long control .

"Religious discourse guidance is very important for fortifying the youth and all members of society, particularly the elderly, who hold misconceptions despite the fact that Hadramaut is free of sectarian conflicts and its people are accustomed to moderation in religion," al-Hothari said.

"Co-ordination is ongoing with the Endowments and Guidance Office to make use of mosque pulpits by using Friday sermons, all assemblies in mosques and [religious] occasions to inoculate the youth and raise awareness about the dangers of violence and extremism," he said.

Other parties also can play a role in raising awareness, al-Hothari said, adding that "we are working with the media, especially al-Mukalla radio and online sites and forums to involve them in this aspect".

"We also are working with the Ministry of Education to devote classroom sessions to raising awareness against extremism and violence," he said.

Youth involvement is essential

Young people also have been involved in raising awareness about violent extremism, al-Hothari said, noting that the directorate has conducted meetings with the heads of volunteer youth forums to discuss this issue.

"Youth accept advice from their peers, more than they do from older people," he said, noting that moderate views will be propagated through various upcoming forums, initiatives and festivals.

These "aim to fortify the youth and utilise their potential for the benefit of society", he added.

Certain malign groups have previously preyed on the malleability of young people, seeking to influence them and use them to strike Islam and Muslims, said Yemen Scholars Association member Sheikh Yahya al-Najjar.

In recent decades, he told Al-Mashareq, a number of extremist groups have emerged that don the mantle of Islam to conceal their true objectives.

These include al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL), in addition to other groups "who torment society, subvert and destroy under the banner of religion", he said.

"Islam is innocent of them, because through its messengers it came to spread compassion and love, and these groups donned the clothes of Islam falsely and with malice," he said.

Beyond having no connection with Islam whatsoever, al-Najjar said, those who carry out such criminal and terrorist acts are "enemies of Islam".

He called on preachers and public figures to take a "serious stance to correct the perversion, explain to people the dangers posed by these groups and call on people to [embrace] the moderation of Islam".

Islam brought light and compassion, he said, noting that the Qur'an stresses that there must be no coercion in religion.

"[This] illustrates the freedom of choice of religion, in contrast to these groups which have appointed themselves as trustees of humanity," al-Najjar said.

A bulwark against extremism

Extremist groups have exploited the current conflict in Yemen for their own gain, particularly in regard to recruiting youth, political analyst Nayef Haidan said.

"Fighting extremism and [the ideology] these groups advocate starts with the nation’s scholars, for they are the gateway through which these groups attempt to influence the minds of the youth," he told Al-Mashareq.

Families, schools, local communities, the media and government agencies can each play a role in fortifying youth for their benefit and for the benefit of their communities, he said.

In this way, he added, the natural energy of young people can be channeled to a positive rather than a negative end, for the benefit of Yemeni society.