Yemen scholars urge global jihad if West interferes in its affairs

SANAA, Yemen – Inside a crowded mosque with barbed wire and stones atop its concrete security walls, Yemen’s top clerics urged the Muslim world to revolution, if Western governments conduct military operations inside the county.

“We should warn anyone thinking about international interference in Yemen,” said Abdul-Majid al-Zindani, one of Yemen’s most influential clerics. About 300 people crowded the stage where he spoke softly into a microphone that broadcast his speech onto the street.

Another sheik and member of parliament, Arif al-Sabri presented a statement, signed by about 150 Islamic scholars, warning the West to not interfere with Yemeni political or military affairs.

The statement condemned the recent air strikes that officials say killed more than 60 Al Qaeda militants. Opposition leaders say the strikes killed dozens of civilians, and wounded hundreds.

“What the Yemeni government did to innocent people in Abyan, Shebwa and Arhab is a crime,” reads a pamphlet that outlines the opinion of the scholars.

Zindani is the Head of Imam University and a leading Islamic scholar in Yemen, but in 2004, the U.S. called him a "specially designated global terrorist." In a Department of Treasury press release, the U.S. accused Zindani of supporting and recruiting Al Qaeda members, and of loyalty to Osama bin Laden.

The atmosphere was tense outside the mosque after the speech, with police asking Western journalists to leave for their own safety. The crowd was not aggressive, but police said they feared danger from passing motorists.

(Heather Murdock)

Locals said they resented how the U.S. characterizes Zindani. Sheik Abdulsallam Al-Ansi said the West fears Zindani because of his popularity and achievements. “Zindani is the highest scholar in Yemen,” he said.

Others said they agreed with Zindani, and said they were angry about foreign interference in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ragah Ali said he was prepared to fight. “This is our country, and it is our duty to protect our country form interference,” he said.

(Heather Murdock)

http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/middle-east/100114/yemen-scholars-urge-global-jihad-if-west-interferes-its-affairs