Muslim Elders urge Yemen to avoid sectarianism

ABU DHABI // The Muslim Council of Elders has urged the people of Yemen to avoid sectarian grouping and political manipulation.

In a statement, the council – formed last July to find a solution to the violence plaguing Muslim countries – encouraged Yemenis to avoid anything that fuelled further conflict in the crisis-hit country.

“The Islamic nation is no longer able to bear more escalation of fighting and civil wars among all components of the Muslim community,” the council said, state news agency Wam reported. “The Muslim Council of Elders has followed the developments in Yemen during the past year, which broke the hearts of Muslims in particular and humankind in general, negating the teachings of Islam.

“The enormity of the tragedy increased when one faction ... insisted on tampering [with] the stability of Yemen in pursuit of power which led it to reject all initiatives and peaceful pursuits, as well as undermining all proposed political solutions.”

Sanaa was shaken by a series of airstrikes by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition this week targeting the Houthi rebels who have taken over the capital and overrun much of the country.

The Muslim Council of Elders, whose members are from the Middle East and North Africa as well as the US, reaffirmed its support to “any efforts that will put an end to bloodshed, destruction and devastation in any Muslim as well as Arab country”.