Page 244 - What Kind of Yemen ?

What Kind of Yemen?

failing to reach four people out of five, that almost 1.5 million people
have had to abandon their homes, and that blood banks have closed.
Somali refugees who fled war and poverty in their own country
and settled in Yemen are now trying to return home because of the
worsening conditions. The fact that nearly 29,000 Somalis have
returned home is an indication of how far things have worsened in
Yemen. (4)
It seems that the sides to the fighting in Yemen, and their spon-
sors, only care about their own side's achieving dominance in the coun-

try.
In fact, all known means were employed to prevent the current sit-
uation in Yemen from arising. The UN stepped in, intermediaries
became involved and bilateral talks were held with the opposing sides
in the country. The U.S., Saudi Arabia and even Iran became involved.
Aid organizations such as the Red Crescent and the Red Cross strove
to get aid through to the country during ceasefire periods. None of

these efforts has led to a solution and Yemen is now on the brink of the
abyss.
Yet if the same sensitivity were shown to the needy people of
Yemen that is shown to stranded whales or hunted seals, the situation
would be very different. If Iran and Saudi Arabia could have sat down
and worked together to unite Yemen, rather than bring their own sup-

I If a culture that re-
gards differences with under-
standing, that uses its power and en-
ergy for the benefit of not only Muslims
but all mankind and a culture that is con-
ciliatory and peace-loving prevails among
Muslims, then the Islamic world can
build the greatest civilization of the
21st Century.

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