Oman's Grand Mufti Ahmed Al-Khalili has made comments that have stirred a significant controversy, particularly in Yemen. In a statement on social media, Al-Khalili expressed his sadness over the infighting in Yemen, where he said, "Brothers are fighting in Yemen, and some are killing others; I wish I knew how the Yemeni wisdom failed to staunch the bloodshed and unite the ranks."
Al-Khalili also praised the Houthi group for defending the Palestinian cause and resisting Israel, which he believes is a noble endeavor. He expressed disappointment in some Muslim scholars who, in his view, are fueling animosity among Yemenis. The Grand Mufti's comments have been met with a strong reaction from the Yemeni government, which views his statements as biased towards the Houthi group.
The Yemeni Ministry of Awqaf and Guidance has responded to Al-Khalili's comments, expressing deep regret and disapproval. The ministry stated that the Grand Mufti's remarks do not accurately reflect the nature of the crisis in Yemen and provide moral cover for the Houthi group, which the Yemeni government views as an Iranian-backed entity.
The Yemeni ministry highlighted several key points in its response. Firstly, it argued that the conflict in Yemen is not merely an internal Yemeni issue but rather a result of the Houthi group's seizure of state institutions since 2004, culminating in their takeover of Sana'a in 2014. The ministry also criticized Al-Khalili for praising the Houthis for defending the Palestinian cause while ignoring their alleged human rights abuses and exploitation of state resources.
Furthermore, the Yemeni ministry emphasized that Yemenis across different factions are united in their support for the Palestinian people and cause. However, it rejected what it termed as "attributing heroic qualities" to the Houthi group, which it accuses of committing widespread human rights abuses, displacing millions, and causing a severe humanitarian crisis.
The ministry called on Al-Khalili to reconsider his position and take into account the actual situation on the ground in Yemen. It urged him to side with "justice and fairness" and protect the blood of Yemenis. The controversy highlights the complexities of the Yemeni conflict and the sensitivities surrounding discussions of the Palestinian issue in the region.
The exchange between Al-Khalili and the Yemeni government underscores the deep divisions and competing narratives surrounding the Yemeni conflict. While Al-Khalili's comments reflect a perspective sympathetic to the Houthi group's stance on Palestine, the Yemeni government's response reflects its concerns about the Houthis' actions and their impact on the country.
Key points
- The Yemeni government has criticized Al-Khalili's comments as biased towards the Houthi group and not reflecting the true nature of the conflict in Yemen.
- Al-Khalili praised the Houthi group for defending the Palestinian cause, which drew a strong reaction from the Yemeni government.
- The controversy highlights the complexities of the Yemeni conflict and the sensitivities surrounding discussions of the Palestinian issue in the region.
