http://www.english.hadhramaut.info Keeping mosques clear of conflicts in Yemen [The Source: Yemen Observer - 05/05/2007] The new Yemeni Minister of Endowment and Guidance, Hamoud al-Hetar, has warned mosque leaders from exploiting mosques for partisan, sectarian or tribal purposes. In a meeting that brought together all of the officials at the Ministry of Endowments late last week, al-Hetar threatened to replace any mosque leaders who adopt extremism and fanaticism in their sermons and lectures. One of the demands raised by the al-Houthi rebels who have been battling with the government troops in Sa’ada for about four months now, was the replacement of Sunni Wahabi and Salafi mosque leaders in Sa’ada with ones loyal to the Shiite cleric al-Houthi. Al-Houthi has accused the government of supporting Salafi and Wahabi mosque leaders to dominate Sa’ada province, whose residents are mainly Shi’a.  “Any mosque leader who adopts fanaticism or extremism will be replaced. We want to make sure the message of the mosque is a message of enlightenment; we want to keep the mosque away from any partisan, sectarian or tribal conflicts, because the mosque is a public place for all, and should not be diverted toward such narrow conflicts,” al-Hetar told the assembled ministry officials. Shortly after his appointment as Minister of Endowments during the major cabinet reshuffle last month, al-Hetar announced a two-year plan for combating religious extremism, be it Sunni extremism or Shiite extremism.   The mosque leaders must meet the level of their responsibility before Almighty Allah, al-Hetar said at the recent meeting. “We in this ministry should be at the service of the mosques, and this is the best thing we can do; we are honored to do it, as it is a sublime directive of Islam to guide people to their religion, and their interests in this life and the life hereafter,” he added.    Al-Hetar urged the officials at his ministry to be good examples for others in spreading a culture of tolerance, coexistence and rejection of all kinds of fanaticism and extremism.  He pointed out that his ministry’s job is not only to levy money as endowments, but it is charged with guiding the people toward the right path.  He also instructed the officials to perform their duties to contribute effectively to combating all forms of corruption, be they institutional or otherwise, and holding accountable all those involved in corrupt practices, whoever they may be.    “Our top priority in the coming period will be the implementation of this strategy, which is in keeping with electoral platform of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and within the framework of a national strategy that aims to address deficiencies in education, culture, youth, media, and guidance, on the basis of the Quran and Sunna, constitution and laws in effect,” al-Hetar said.  “The objective we want to achieve is to create moderation, tolerance, co-existence, and a deepening of the collective sense of loyalty and national unity.”