Hadramaut scholars denounce religious extremism

Yemeni scholars and preachers meeting in the Wadi Hadramaut city of Seiyun on Saturday (May 12th) affirmed the need to promote unity in religious discourse to prevent extremist ideology from taking root.

They confirmed the need for a co-ordination council that would benefit religion and society by unifying religious messages to ensure they denounce terrorism and extremism and promote tolerance and moderation.

The meeting, convened by the Wadi Hadramaut Religious Endowments and Guidance Office, was held in Seiyun under the auspices of the local government.

Scholars, preachers and dignitaries from across the spectrum took part in the discussion, along with senior government and military officials.

Those in attendance praised the effort to create unity and renounce divisions.

Promoting genuine Islamic values

Assistant deputy Hadramaut governor for wadi and desert affairs Abdulhadi al-Tamimi highlighted the important role of scholars and preachers in promoting Islamic values, which call for love, fraternity, co-operation and tolerance.

These values reject the culture of hatred, extremism and division, he added, stressing the need to keep this type of discourse out of religious speech and raise social awareness about its dangers.

Religious scholars and preachers "enjoy a great standing in society and their voice is heard", he said. "Therefore, their role is important, especially as there are schemes being plotted against Hadramaut aimed at sowing discord."

He urged scholars to "renounce disputes, if any, and to unify religious speech", noting that the local government is supporting all efforts to serve the population and ensure stability prevails in Wadi Hadramaut.

"Our religion is a religion of moderation," he said. "Therefore, let us give up on being ideologues and return to moderation, which is the school for which Hadramaut has been known."

Renouncing extremist ideology

Religious scholars have a key role to play in countering extremist ideology and all forms of terrorism, said Murad Sobeih, director of the Wadi and Desert Religious Endowments and Guidance Office.

"The local government has sent a circular to all scholars, preachers, guides and media in the province about the importance of renouncing extremist ideology and terrorism in all of their activities," he told Al-Mashareq.

"The circular warns violators of legal and punitive measures," he said.

As for the proposed religious co-ordination council, Sobeih highlighted the "importance of bringing scholars closer, rejecting sectarian disputes, walking in the footsteps of Prophet Mohammed, and following his tolerant teachings".

"Agreement among scholars, which involves spreading the opinions that the scholars of this nation agree on, will correct perverted ideology and expel those who want to manipulate Hadramaut, its security and stability," he explained.

Meeting participants took part in detailed discussions concerning a number of issues of interest to the Wadi Hadramaut community, he added.

High profile attendees included 1st Military District Commander Maj. Gen. Saleh Tamis, Seiyun University president Mohammed Ashur al-Kathiri, and leading scholars, preachers, dignitaries and media figures in Wadi Hadramaut.