Islam in Yemen
Islam was introduced into the region by Ali ibn Abu Talib in about
630 when Prophet
Muhammad was still alive. It was during this period that the
mosques in al
Janad and the great mosque in
San'a were built. Virtually all citizens in
Yemen today are
Muslims,(42% Shi'i and 55% Sunni): 30-35% of the
Zaidi order of
Shi'a Islam, 7-12% of the
Ja'fari and Western Isma'ili orders of
Shi'a Islam, 55% of the
Shafi'i order of
Sunni Islam.
The Zaidis of the northern highlands dominated politics and cultural life in northern Yemen for centuries; with unification, and the addition of the south's almost totally Shafi'i population, the numerical balance has shifted dramatically away from the Zaidis. Nevertheless, Zaidis are still overrepresented in the government and, in particular, in the former North Yemeni units within the armed forces. However, there are no reported incidents of violence or discrimination between the adherents of the two main orders of Islam, Zaidi and Shafa'i, in Yemen. Except for a small politically motivated clerical minority, religiously motivated violence is neither incited nor tolerated by the Islamic clergy.
The
Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice; however, there were some restrictions. The Constitution declares that Islam is the state religion. Followers of other religions are free to worship according to their beliefs and to wear religiously distinctive ornaments or dress; however, the Government forbids conversions, requires permission for the construction of new places of worship, and prohibits non-Muslims from proselytizing and holding elected office. The Constitution states that
Shari'a is the source of all legislation.
Under Islam as applied in the country, the conversion of a Muslim to another religion is considered apostasy, a crime punishable by death. There were no reports of cases in which the crime has been charged or prosecuted by government authorities. Public schools provide instruction in Islam but not in other religions. However, almost all non-Muslims are foreigners who attend private schools.
The Government monitors mosques for sermons that incite violence or other political statements that it considers harmful to public security. Private Islamic organizations may maintain ties to pan-Islamic organizations and in the past have operated private schools. However, in May
2001, the Government mandated the implementation of a
1992 law to unify educational curriculums and administration of all publicly funded schools. Publicly funded Islamic schools will be absorbed into the national system.
Men are permitted to take as many as four wives, although very few do so. By law the minimum age of marriage is 15. However, the law largely is not enforced, and some girls marry as early as age 12.
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Islam by country
