Introduction What Yemen Reminds Us of Until a few years ago, Yemen would remind a Turk of the folk song that is sang for the Turkish soldiers that were martyred there. Of course, it would also remind people of the coffee known in Europe as 'Turkish coffee' which, in fact, was brought to Istanbul from Yemen and whose reputation spread from there as far as Vienna. And for those who are even more familiar with Yemen, it would remind them of the Yemeni houses made of clay, mud and basalt, and the daggers Yemeni men invariably keep at their waists. However, today Yemen only reminds people of civil war, suicide attacks, cities devastated by bombardment, hunger and poverty. Upon reading the articles in this book, you will witness the ever-growing social and economic problems facing Yemen, and see that almost no solution or reconciliation efforts are made on the part of any of the parties. These articles serve as the images of a country that, step-by-step, seems to be heading for a catastrophe. Each article tells us of a side of Yemen that is full of anguish and suffering. While reading these lines, you will witness how tribalism, discrimination against women, and the narcotic herb called 'khat' have devastated the country at one time or another, and you will have the opportunity to acquaint yourselves with genuine suggestions that will help alleviate this devastation. Of course, these writings do not merely serve as a political or social analysis: Throughout the book, what happens in Yemen is analyzed based on the tenets of the Qur'an and effective and exact solutions are offered accordingly. The analysis does not adopt a tone that favors one tribe, political group or religious sect over another. On the contrary, the articles only offer solid and constructive advice that will contribute to the coexistence of the members of different sects and ideologies. By introducing a modern Islamic conception that values science, art and women, the articles discuss how such an approach will offer a remedy for the problems faced by Yemen. One of our dearest wishes from Almighty God is the reign of peace over the entire world, and a peaceful and prosperous life for the Yemeni people as well as for all Muslims around the world as soon as possible. We do not want Yemen to remind us of suffering, conflict and dissension any more, but to remind us of a country that has achieved happiness, peace and solidarity within itself, and unity with all Muslims.

Two Countries Geographically Far Apart But Very Close in Heart and Soul: Yemen and Turkey

National Yemen, February 23rd 2014

Yemen has never been far from Turkey. Even when the Ottoman Empire collapsed, Yemen was close enough to express its loyalty to Istanbul. Despite their long and common history, Yemen and Turkey are today two separate countries. They have different political experiences and state structures. The problems they face and the solutions they produce are also therefore very different from one another. What is not different is the two people's feelings for one another: Love and affection. These feelings of course stem from both countries being Muslim.

Yemen occupies a privileged position in Islamic territory. Yemen is like a small laboratory; almost all the problems facing Islamic countries can be found there. So what happens in Yemen is of close concern to Turkey.

Yemen experienced its share of colonialism, it has had an experience of communism, and communist elements are still active. Arab socialists, nationalists, racists and groups with a singularly fanatical conception of Islam seem to be prevailing in the country's politics. Of course there are also foreign powers taking an interest in Yemen because of its strategic position.

Struggles between tribes and sectarianism threaten the integrity of the country. The country has natural gas and petrol, but cannot benefit from them sufficiently. On the one hand, the people desire greater freedom and democracy, while on the other they want the country to be governed better.

Yemen is like a crystal vase that is now in full view having been kept hidden away in a chest for years; a very well worked and decorated, but very fragile, vase. Since it is now in the open there is a high probability of it being struck and damaged. So how can that valuable vase be protected against potentially damaging blows without spoiling its beauty?

There is a strong demand for secession from the Southern Movement that was founded in 2007. The Southern Movement wishes to secede from the north on the grounds that "the national resources of the south have been exploited by governments that have come to power." The Spanish region of Catalonia, and Pandia in Italy, want to secede from their respective countries for the same reasons. Based on the framework of the EU and their strong democracies, Italy and Spain are keeping these demands for secession under control. In Yemen there is a factor that is far more influential than those mechanisms: Islam. If the rulers abide by the norms of the kind of moral values that God wants from Muslims, even if they come from different sects or tribes or hold different political opinions, such demands will disappear of their own accord.

"God commands you to return to their owners the things you hold on trust and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. How excellent is what God exhorts you to do! God is All-Hearing, All-Seeing." (Surat an-Nisa', 58)

Another problem threatening Yemen is conflict stemming from sectarianism. Conflict between the Shiite Houthi tribe and Zaidis and Sunnis is a particular problem. The Yemeni administration tries to resolve this through security measures, and sometimes even by the use of force. However, the most effective thing to do will be to remind the sides that the Qur'an commands believers to treat all people, even with whom there are hostilities, in a pleasant manner. It is a grave error for some Muslims to attack one another with rage and hatred despite this explicit command revealed by God in verse 34 of Surat al-Fussilat. Muslims must at once make good that error by renouncing sectarian differences and be united in the way God commands. God reveals in the Qur'an that Muslims must act together as a single community:

"Hold fast to the rope of God all together, and do not separate. Remember God's blessing to you when you were enemies and He joined your hearts together so that you became brothers by His blessing. You were on the very brink of a pit of the Fire and He rescued you from it. In this way God makes His signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will be guided." (Surah Al 'lmr'an, 103)

Another vital problem for Yemen is tribalism. Yemen has many more tribes when compared with other Arab countries, and there are serious conflicts among them: It is even possible to say they operate as autonomous states among themselves. Indeed, someone from one tribe will not be allowed to work in a facility owned by another; this of course has a negative impact in economic and political terms. Yet Almighty God, Who creates the members of all tribes, reveals that superiority lies not in being a member of a particular tribe, but in fearing Him:

"Mankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you might come to know each other. The noblest among you in God's Sight is the one with the most fear of God. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware." (Surat al-Hujurat, 13)

Radical elements that make their presence felt in many countries are also a serious threat in Yemen. Radical elements threaten not only internal peace through their actions, but also provide justification for drone attacks by the USA.

The false religion espoused by fanaticism is one of savagery. Nobody can freely express his opinions in such a climate; people who hold such extreme views expect others to adopt their ideas and they punish those who hold dissenting views. Yet God explicitly reveals in the Qur'an that "there is no compulsion where the religion is concerned" (Surat al-Baqara, 256). It is therefore very important for the Yemen state to tell its people that Islam is a religion that espouses freedom of thought, worship and ideas, that protects the rights of all and that, most importantly, builds true liberty for everyone.

Until recently, similar problems Yemen has faced were also being experienced at full intensity in Turkey. However, there has been a marked economic improvement and rapid growth in Turkey over the last decade. The government is bringing in various rights and freedoms intended to win over our Kurdish citizens, who represent a significant part of the population. Similar measures are also being brought in regarding our Alawite brothers, a minority compared to the Sunnis. The Turkish government's determination on democracy and freedoms is bringing peace and tranquility to the country and drawing it closer to Europe.

The main factor making all these policies possible is that Turkey has a modern, in other words, correct conception of Islam that is instrumental in people of different faiths and sects successfully living together as one. These successes of Turkey's stand as an alternative model to the false conception of Islam that prevails in fanaticism. There is no doubt that this successful model can be a guide for Yemen with various problems being faced. A prosperous Yemen that has established political stability, that is devout and also modern, and that values art and science will be a source of pride and joy for all Turks as well.

Yemen, But What Sort of Yemen?

National Yemen, March 8th 2014

Today the country of Yemen is going through some difficult political problems. It is facing an ever-intensifying threat of internal conflicts and separatism; another major problem is high levels of poverty. So what are the most urgent problems that need to be addressed?

There are so many people who want freedom in Yemen, yet everyone has a different agenda for their pursuit of freedom; some want it for their sects, some for their tribes and some for their political views. Yet none of those groups want the same freedom for others. In addition, there are concerns that some groups -most particularly Muslim groups- might limit political and social freedom, freedom of thought and expression and go on to impede the flourishing of art and science in the country.

Yet in truth, Islam is a religion that provides every individual in a society with freedom of thought, freedom of worship, freedom of expression and effectively protects the rights of everyone. In other words, Islam offers true freedom to people.

A Sort of Yemen Where Religion Brings Freedom and Democracy.

Muslims in Yemen should advocate freedom of expression and faith for all in Yemen, regardless of group or sect. They should do so, because in the Qur'an, Muslims are commanded to respect the ideas, lifestyles and choices of others. Muslims should not oppose different ideas - and even atheistic ideologies - from being expressed. When this freedom is provided, Muslims will be able to provide a complete intellectual answer to such mistaken ideologies. Banning ideologies and thoughts is not something that would befit Muslims; on the contrary, it would only make the communication of Islam more difficult, and Muslims' intellectual struggle harder.

A Yemen Where Sectarian Differences do not Cause Tension.

The most painful sight witnessed in Yemen would doubtlessly be Muslims directing their guns on each other, although God has clearly entrusted Muslims to each other. It is an explicit order of God that Muslims should unite. Yet despite this clear command, Muslims are grappling with disagreements and as a result, clash with each other in Yemen, just like the rest of the Middle East.

It is a grave mistake for Muslims to attack each other with hatred and rage, despite the clear command of God related in Surah Al Imran, verse 103. It is of paramount importance that Muslims quit making the mistake of sectarian divisions and unite, just as God has ordered them to. The fact that God addresses Muslims as a single community in the Qur'an is again further evidence that Muslims should unite.

A Yemen where the Administration is Qualified.

The people of Yemen want their nation to be run competently and want their administrations to adhere to the rule of law and democracy no matter how difficult things might get, and prioritize the protection of fundamental human rights. They also expect their administrators to refrain from feeding their own egos by adopting tyrannical methods, as if they consider themselves to be the absolute owners of Yemen.

To be able to be a fair administrator, as described here, one has to have a sincere belief in God and fear God. The social, political and economic practices of such God-fearing people will not be influenced or led by anyone, as their actions do not depend on the pleasure of individuals that support their administration. Furthermore, they will be consistent in their democratic, fair and just attitude.

The decisions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – both regarding the Muslims and other people from different religions, tribes or ethnicities – has always been the epitome of compassion and justice, and therefore constitute an ideal example of a perfect democracy where everyone is treated equally regardless of their differences.

A Yemen with Perfect Social Justice.

To ensure peace and welfare in Yemen, it is essential that the poverty and the vast gaps between income groups are eliminated. This social democracy can be achieved only when Islamic moral values are truly practiced in Yemen. God says in the Qur'an that wealth should not be hoarded by certain groups; on the contrary, it should be distributed to the poor and the needy. To ensure peace and welfare in Yemen, it is essential that the poverty and the vast gaps between income groups are eliminated. This social democracy can be achieved easily when Islamic moral values are truly practiced in Yemen.

How to Achieve the Desired Yemeni Model?

All this makes it abundantly clear that there is only one way to end the injustice, conflict, terror, killing, poverty and tyranny in Yemen: The moral values of the Qur'an.

A quick look at the problems in the country will make it clear that a general moral degradation has led to a lack of love, hostility, selfishness, indifference and cruelty and that is the reason for all these untoward sights in the country. The way to solve these issues and put an end to all the other myriad problems is love, compassion, mercy, an unconditional desire to help others, being sympathetic to other's problems, altruism, common sense and reason. All of these traits belong to people who follow Qur'anic moral values to the fullest.

The most urgent action to be taken in Yemen should be an intellectual struggle by Muslims to ensure that Qur'anic moral values defeat irreligion. Needless to say, one of the quickest ways to ensure that is in spreading the miracles of creation using science, so that the weakness of faith and atheistic influences over people can be effectively conquered. Communicating Islam to all is the most paramount and urgent duty of our time for all Muslims.

The Problem of Poverty in Yemen and Regeneration

National Yemen, May 11th 2014

States need great financial power in order to meet all their social needs, from health to education and from the fight against terror to public transportation. Yemen is also experiencing similar troubles at this time when all countries, from the richest to the poorest, have been affected by the global financial crisis and when unemployment has risen.

One of the biggest economic problems in Yemen is high rate of increase in prices. The increase in prices of various basic consumer products, not considering seasonal factors – known as core inflation – is as high as 166% this year. However, the fact that price increases standing at 25% in October 2011 have now come down to about 12% is a positive sign. Unfortunately, the fact that Yemeni incomes are not rising as fast as prices is leading to increasing poverty in the country. The monthly incomes of impoverished Yemenis are not enough to meet their needs, and there is also a major problem of unemployment across the country.

Research shows that unemployment in Yemen reached 30% in 2012: This figure increases even more when one considers the families, which these people are responsible for. It is impossible to speak of manufacturing or productivity in a country with such high unemployment levels.

Imbalances between income and expenditure are not only a problem at the individual level, but also at the national level. Yemen's exports stand at $850 million, but imports at $1.5 billion; that naturally has an adverse effect on the country's balance of payments.

In order to close this gap and get back to a normal flow of life, the Yemeni government has also started looking for foreign assistance. Yet even if foreign assistance were to be found, it is inadequate, because the interest repayments give rise to even greater problems such as increases in prices and taxes.

The assistance given to countries today, and particularly to those under difficult economic conditions such as Yemen, is built upon interest. The high-interest loans granted by the IMF, World Bank or other international organizations all too often have seriously adverse effects on national economies.

Such assistance is generally used in providing finance for essential imports, paying public sector salaries and closing the budget deficit. These are all short-term measures and cause the country to fall into an even greater spiral of debt. No country has ever closed its budget deficit with high-interest foreign loans.

Various technical matters that need to be borne in mind if Yemen is to develop and overcome the poverty that has become a feature of its national life are as follows:

◉ Immediate legal amendments strengthening freedoms to meet Yemenis' material and non-material needs;

◉ Investments and support directed toward regeneration being spread across Yemen rather than restricted to a narrow region;

◉ Measures to ensure Yemenis being able to provide for themselves instead of expecting material support from wealthy nations or international organizations;

◉ Financing from overseas being used in revenue-generating development programs, and the prevention of their being used by individual institutions and of abuse;

◉ All cultural or sectarian groups in Yemen, and especially women, being given respect and equality of opportunity;

◉ Prevention of damage to natural resources such as water, air and soil.

Putting these arrangements into practice at once will provide a ray of hope for Yemen. Otherwise, an economy in which there is high inflation and interest rates, where investment is next to zero and where money is stuffed in safes or under mattresses will almost inevitably bring with it such problems as a high cost of living and inflation.

If there is production, however, there will be a general improvement in the national economy; the markets will come to life and that will be to the benefit of all. The hoarding of goods and money is a kind of behavior that God dislikes: In the Qur'an, it is commanded that people use their money for good causes. It is revealed in verse 34 of Surat at-Tawba that people who do not use their possessions for auspicious deeds but hoard their wealth will come to a painful end.

In a climate where people live by Islamic moral values, living conditions are arranged for the benefit of people. That is why interest is forbidden, and verse 275 of Surat al-Baqara makes it unlawful for people to be crushed under a heavy burden of debt. God reveals that interest will not cause anyone to prosper in another verse:

God obliterates interest but makes charity grow in value! God does not love any persistently ungrateful wrongdoer. (Surat al-Baqara, 276)

It is very important to have order and stability in the country if living conditions are to be improved and that stability must be in all spheres of life, from economy to social life. All Muslims have great responsibilities in that regard; nobody should simply sit around waiting for someone else to come up with a solution. We must all do what we can, because God imposes this responsibility on all believers. This can be fulfilled by preaching religion and showing people the delights religion offers in their lives.

For example, a society that believes that it is auspicious for wealth to be spent on good deeds and on God's path will use its excess wealth for such purposes: Clearly, under such a system the whole country will attain well-being. The only way to ensure that people do not regard such a conception as far-fetched and inaccessible is to teach them the moral values of the Qur'an.

It also needs to be made clear that in a life guided by the moral values of the Qur'an, since people act out of reverence of God they will work for the comfort and interests of all, not just their own. That is because unity, solidarity and mutual aid are highly important in the moral values of Islam.

In such a society, violation of others' rights would not be possible as it would be known that it is an act strictly prohibited by God. Nobody will cast their eyes on anyone else's share in a covetous manner and there will be no injustice in distribution. There will be no unjust system based on self-interest, in which the weak are crushed underfoot, and in which people seek to add other people's shares to their own, of the kind we so often see in irreligious societies that are distant from moral values and religion.

If people live by Qur'anic moral values there will be no waste in Yemen, and no wasteful consumption. People's economic levels will rise due to mutual solidarity and justice and the result will be a prosperous society. The Age of Felicity in which people lived by the moral values of the Qur'an and in which social peace and social justice was perfectly secured is one clear proof of this.

How To Ensure the National Unity of Yemen?

National Yemen, March 21st 2014

While European countries have been working on ways to achieve more unity, Middle Eastern countries have been busy seeking ways to further separate from each other. Clashes and conflicts have become a common sight in the region due to ethnical and sectarian differences in the population.

Yemen is one of those countries hit by separationist winds. The South Yemen Movement, founded in early 2007, has declared its desire to break away from the North, claiming that the 'South's national resources have been exploited by the central government'. To help address the issue, the Yemeni government has chosen to move to a federalized system of governance in order to prevent a breakaway.

According to the plan, Sana'a was going to be the federal capital city while Aden would be given a different status, as it is a commercial center. Yemen would be officially divided into six states; four states in the north and two in the south to be ruled by their own federal governments. This plan was also said to be giving the states independent judicial and executive powers, and would come into effect if approved with a referendum.

But will this new system really be a solution to the problems of Yemen?

To understand that, we first have to examine what powers will be given to the states and what kind of ties will be built between the states and the federal capital city of Sana'a. This has yet to be clarified.

Federal governments and unitary governments are the most common methods of administration used in the countries of the world today.

In unitary governments, the country is an inseparable whole. Even if it has cities and provinces, they are merely administrative regions and are governed by officials appointed by the central government. The central government makes administrative, judicial and financial decisions that impact the entire country. As a matter of fact, this is how the system works currently in Yemen.

In a federal government, the country is divided into multiple states and even if the nation seems to stand as one, every individual state acts like a separate region within itself. They can independently make administrative, judicial and financial decisions and put them into practice. However, their powers are not unlimited; they answer to the central government and this level of accountability is regulated by the federal constitution.

In federal systems, the issues that will occur in terms of division of power between federal administrations and the central government usually creates sluggishness in the enforcement of policies that concern the entire country, which in time may turn into large crises.

In federal systems, every state tends to look out for their own interests and naturally, it would be far more difficult to equally distribute the wealth to the entirety of the country. In summary, a shift to a federal system in Yemen has the potential to escalate separatist sentiment, rather than alleviate it. The new states will be shaped by ethnic and sectarian differences. Therefore, it is likely that there will be regional wave of immigration, and ethnic cleansing, which would surely add fuel to the fire.

1. YEMEN 2. SAUDI ARABIA 4. ARABIAN SEA Yemen was divided into 21 governorates. In 2013, the archipelago of Socotra, which was previously a part of Hadramaut, became the 22nd governorate. Socotra Governorate can be seen in the bottom right corner of the map. The governorates are subdivided into 333 districts, 2,210 sub-districts and 38,234 villages (2001).
1. Sa'dah 2. Al Jawf 3. Hadramaut 4. Al Mahrah 5. Hajjah 6. 'Amran	7. Al Mahwit 8. Amanat Al Asimah (Sana'a) 9. Sana'a 10. Ma'rib 11. Al Hudaybah	12. Raymah 13. Dhamar 14. Ibb 15. Dhale 16. Al Bayda 17. Shabwah	18. Taiz 19. Lahij 20. Abyan 21. Aden 22. Socotra

Even if there are measures that can be taken to prevent states from seceding and turning into independent countries, this happens quite frequently, and if the federalized states are based on ethnical or religious divisions, such as in the case of Quebec in Canada or Kashmir in India, the request to 'secede' inevitably comes. Varying levels of economic development also fuel such desires. For instance, Catalonia, which has a well-developed industrial base and economy, wishes to break away from Spain claiming that its resources are being used by the other states.

Needless to say, the people of Yemen will decide which option is the best for them after evaluating the pros and cons of all the alternatives being presented to them. No matter what system they choose, every Yemeni should know that being united is a command of God for Muslims, and therefore they should avoid separation and unite. God orders Muslims in the Qur'an that they should act in unison as a 'single community':

Hold fast to the rope of God all together, and do not separate. Remember God's blessing to you when you were enemies and He joined your hearts together so that you became brothers by His blessing. You were on the very brink of a pit of the Fire and He rescued you from it. In this way God makes His signs clear to you, so that hopefully you will be guided. (Surah Al 'Imran, 103)

Preserving the integrity of Yemen within a democratic framework is surely possible through an alliance of good and reasonable people in Yemen, regardless of the system chosen. If Yemen can do this, it will set a great example to the Islamic world. Muslims need unity, not separation. Yemen has a great opportunity ahead: it can be the country that chose the long-awaited union of Muslims, rather than choosing artificial divisions.

How Can Yemen Best Make Use of Its Natural Wealth?

National Yemen, April 13th 2014

Yemen possesses considerable oil and natural gas reserves. However, nobody can say that Yemen is making full use of these. Despite having the fourth largest population in the Middle East – if we exclude Palestine – it has the lowest electricity production. Installed power per capita in Yemen is a mere 40 W, compared to 857 W in Turkey.

According to World Bank figures, only 40% of the population of Yemen have access to electricity. The electric network does not cover the entire country, and the existing electrical infrastructure is antiquated, so much so that around 25% of the electricity produced is lost during transmission. So why is energy production in Yemen, with its rich oil and natural gas resources, so inadequate? The answer is quite obvious:

Energy resources in Yemen are used for export. According to the IMF, 60% of public revenue comes from oil and natural gas sales. But according to reports in the Yemeni press, the public finds itself unable to benefit sufficiently from this revenue.

Good energy planning is essential if economic regeneration is to be started in Yemen. These plans must consist of identification of reserves, extraction, exports and the use of export revenues.

Yemen's revenues clearly need to be used for the production of facilities in the first stage. The best way of investing revenues from energy exports will be in the building of new power stations and bringing its electric grid up to date. Yemen can benefit from Turkey in that respect.

Turkey is looking for new countries to obtain natural gas from. It also possesses the capacity to build and operate energy plants. It has a large skilled workforce with energy sector experience; costs are also much lower compared to Europe and America. In return for giving oil and natural gas to Turkey, Yemen can request new power plants and electric network construction. In addition, the Yemeni government can opt for the build-operate-transfer model that has been successfully applied in Turkey: This model, summarized as service in return for goods, can put an end to the debates in Yemen about the best use of revenues and those revenues' proper distribution among regions.

Yemen's fossil-fuel energy resources are limited. The country is estimated to have three billion barrels of oil and 480 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves. If consumption continues at present rates, all the oil in the country will have been used up within 30 years and natural gas within 50 years. In truth, however, all the oil and natural gas may be used up much faster than that.

The limited nature of its energy resources is another problem Yemen needs to address. That problem can be overcome by building energy power stations based on wind, solar and small hydroelectric resources. Turkey can be an excellent partner for Yemen in achieving that solution.

In order for all these things to happen, it is first and foremost essential to overcome the security problem of the pipelines in Yemen. The pipelines and energy plants throughout the country are frequently subject to sabotage; indeed, tribes literally blackmail the government over the security of pipelines that run through their territory. The authority of the state therefore needs to be strengthened on the one hand, while a sense of national awareness and a spirit of solidarity needs to be established in the tribes on the other.

As we have seen, in order for all the wealth of Yemen to be used in order to benefit the Yemeni people, both those in charge of that wealth and those who will make use of it must be in possession of a conscience and the only way to have a conscience is through faith. Only people of faith always act by heeding the voice of their conscience.

Consequently, there is only one solution to the injustices, turmoil, terror and poverty in Yemen – to live by the moral values of the Qur'an.

Looking at the myriad problems in Yemen in general terms, they are all caused by irrationality and emotions such as lovelessness, hatred, loathing, enmity, self-interest, selfishness, apathy and ruthlessness. The only way to resolve and totally eliminate these issues are through reason, love, affection, compassion, altruism sensitivity, self-sacrifice, friendship, understanding and common sense. These characteristics are only to be found in people who fully abide by the moral values of the Qur'an. God reveals in verses how morality of the Qur'an leads people out of darkness:

…. A Light has come to you from God and a Clear Book. By it, God guides those who follow what pleases Him to the ways of peace. He will bring them from the darkness to the light by His permission, and guide them to a straight path. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 15-16)

In another verse, God describes how there will be nothing but devastation if people do not abide by the Qur'an:

If the truth were to follow their whims and desires, the heavens and the earth and everyone in them would have been brought to ruin. No indeed! We have given them their reminder, but they have turned away from it. (Surat al-Muminun, 71)

The most important thing that needs to be done to resolve all the various problems is to ensure that people all over Yemen live by the moral values of the Qur'an.

We need to remember that people who fail to heed their conscience, who behave insensitively and uncaringly toward the poor, orphaned and wretched, who spend the possessions given them in this world on empty and foolish things, who uncaringly watch the mistreatment of women, children and the elderly, who delight in the spread of all forms of immorality and ugliness across the world and who encourage others to engage in such behavior will be held to account for this in the hereafter:

Have you seen him who denies the religion? He is the one who harshly rebuffs the orphan and does not urge the feeding of the poor. So woe to those who perform the prayer, and are forgetful of their prayer, those who show off and deny help to others. (Surat al-Ma'un, 1-7)

Therefore it is abiding by the moral values of the Qur'an that will help Yemen towards a better and brighter future for all of its peoples and lead them into an era of prosperity, plentitude and brotherhood.

Women's Place in Yemeni Society

National Yemen, May 1st 2014

One of the main elements for growth and stability in Yemen are the women who live there. Despite representing half the population of Yemen, women do not enjoy the same opportunities as the male half, however. This is immediately clear from statistics published by various international bodies:

According to the World Economic Forum, Yemen is the region with the worst sexual discrimination.

The great majority of women in Yemen are illiterate. More than half of women marry before the age of 18. (1)

While 73% of boys in rural parts of Yemen attend primary school, only 30% of girls do. Although discrimination based on gender was banned under a law passed in 1995, discrimination against women is still widespread, particularly in workplaces. (2)

Only 35% of women are literate in Yemen. There is also a deep economic gulf between men and women, with a female to male income ratio of 30:100. Yemen comes in at 134th in a list of 136 countries on education attainment for women. Women's education, marital, health care and human rights are all at very low levels in Yemen; divorce, custody and inheritance rights are also at very low levels. Women can only travel and hold passports with their father's or husband's permission. Female share in the Yemeni Assembly of Representatives is at the lowest level in the world, less than 1%. (3) In an investigation into women's rights by the World Economic Forum in 2013, Yemen came last on a list of 136 countries. (4)

But why are women in Yemen in this position? In fact, women in a wide range of countries throughout the Islamic world, from Morocco to Afghanistan, live under similar conditions to those in Yemen. This causes some people to blame Islam for the difficult conditions faced by women. This is clearly a blatant error, however. Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge of Islam among many people emerges on the subjects of women's rights and the importance of women in the Qur'an, as it does in so many other areas. The false idea that women should be treated as second-class people in Islam is based, not on the Qur'an, but on various forms of regional traditions, ignorance, or belief in outright nonsense.

In the Qur'an, God constantly calls for women to be watched over and protected, and imposes on men various responsibilities regarding the protection of women: However, to interpret this as meaning that men have power over women either indicates a lack of knowledge or else an evil-minded or deliberate distortion. According to the Holy Qur'an, men only watch over women, but do not govern them;

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because God has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means ... (Surat an-Nisa', 34)

As God reveals, men are charged with protecting and watching over women. Indeed, the Arabic word "qawwam" in the verse means "protector" or "guardian."

God has supported women with various material and other rights lest they be mistreated, praises them and always gives them legal priority. According to verses, women's financial positions are guaranteed after divorce; for example, assets bestowed on women cannot be taken back after divorce. Following the divorce, women's accommodation is also guaranteed. The Qur'an also prohibits men from inheriting women by force, and Muslims are also commanded to show their mothers special respect.

In addition, God reveals in verses of the Qur'an that men and women occupy an equal place in society. Our infinitely merciful Lord eliminated all distinctions that had been made between men and women during the Time of Ignorance through His verses and commanded that women be valued as they deserve. Man or woman, a person achieves superiority through the strength of their faith in God, their moral values, character and their resoluteness in living as a Muslim.

In another verse, God reveals that "Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them according to the best of what they did" (Surat an-Nahl, 97), showing that everyone, man or woman, will be exactly recompensed in this world and the hereafter, with no injustice being suffered by anyone. This is all evidence of God's mercy on His believing servants.

Structurally, Yemen is preparing for great changes. That can be utilized as a major opportunity for women to assume a respected and more influential place in society. The constitution currently being prepared might be amended to address the subject of women enjoying the same rights as they do in modern Western societies. Legal changes about the strengthening of women's rights and the protection of women can be reinforced by amendments to both criminal and civil law, and not just restricted to the constitution.

The elimination of discrimination against women in Yemen, preventing violence against women and most important of all, recognizing women's educational rights, are all important steps that can – and should – be taken toward the development of the country. These things must not remain limited as initiatives of a single party; greater rights for women must be made a national policy supported by all parties. Increasing women's right to representation in the Assembly of Representatives would be a good place to start.