Yemeni Qur'an memorisation schools spread moderation during Ramadan

A man reads the Qur'an at Sanaa's Grand Mosque. [Jumana El-Heloueh/Reuters]

A man reads the Qur'an at Sanaa's Grand Mosque. [Jumana El-Heloueh/Reuters]

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Yemen's mosques began offering courses aimed at instilling a culture of moderation thorough memorising and understanding the Qur'an.

New courses began on the first day of Ramadan under the slogan "to build a moderate and patriotic generation", according to officials.

"The capital's mosques continue to carry out their religious role by teaching the Qur'an and its sciences, with 86 Qur'an memorisers graduating July 19th following the first course instalment," said Qaid Mohamed Qaid, the director general of endowments and guidance at Amanat Sanaa.

"The schools are carrying on their enlightening role in educating students, especially those more than 12 years of age, about the principles of Islam as a religion of moderation and tolerance, and immunising them against the extremism and radicalism some terrorist groups practice in the name of religion," he said.

Qaid said Qur'an memorisation schools are important, adding that they "contribute to building a generation armed with education and faith far removed from extremism".

Yemen's Minister of Endowments and Guidance Hamoud Abad echoed Qaid's sentiment.

In an interview with the official Yemeni news agency Saba, Abad said the "state and its government care about the youth and developing their capabilities in all fields, including teaching them about the Book of God, its sciences and mastering reading and reciting it, aiming to instil in them a culture of moderation".

He said the schools are set up to teach the Qur'an and religious duties under the ministry's supervision. They play a role in caring for the younger generation, educating them and filling their free time with beneficial activities, he added.

Sheikh Jabri Ibrahim, the ministry's director general of preaching and guidance, said these schools play an important role "in view of the rise in terrorist operations targeting innocent people that have recently claimed dozens of lives".

The ministry seeks, through Qur'an memorisation centres, "to educate the youth on the importance of moderation", he said.

Ibrahim described the role of these Ramadan courses, saying that terrorists often exploit them at the onset of the holy month to recruit youth for ill purposes under the pretext Ramadan is the month of jihad.

True jihad, however, "is performed in support of God's religion and the vulnerable, to protect the land, defend rights and deter the enemy", he said.

'Terrorism has no religion'

"The role of preachers and counsellors is to counter extremist thought by clarifying confusion [in interpretation] and highlighting the principles of Islam, which are based on moderation, tolerance and acceptance of others, including non-Muslims, as long as they do not usurp Muslim land," said Sheikh Ahmed Hussein Hafeez, the preacher at Sanaa's Radwan mosque.

Courses "also explain that jihad is not represented by terrorists who carry out their attacks in Muslim countries and kill innocent people", Hafeez said.

"We have made it clear to our students that terrorist elements use young people to carry out their bombing operations and that this is forbidden in Islam," he said. "Terrorism has no religion and God has imposed a severe penalty for taking a life. [The Qur'an says that] killing one man is the same as killing all mankind, and saving one life is like saving all mankind."

"We have been keen to teach our students not to kill people of other faiths, for our Prophet has said: I acquit myself of whoever kills a muaahid [non-Muslim promised safety]," Hafeez said. "This is proof of the error committed by those who speak in the name of religion, but [in reality] are far removed from it, because [non-Muslims] have entered with the permission of the guardian of the Muslims."

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    موسى حبيب

    2012-8-12

    The clergy could have a greater influence on the people through their soft and non radical rhetoric. In fact, they should call to God’s path through wisdom and good counsel. The importance of the clergy also lies in spreading the values of religious tolerance and the rejection of militancy and extremism in religion. They have to stay away from all forms of extremism and exaggeration through clarifying the impact and dangers of terrorism on individuals and societies. They should also preach the teachings of Islam and the correct and moderate values.

  • ليث جبير

    2012-8-11

    Ramadan is the right atmosphere for fighting all types of corruption. It is the occasion of giving up everything that is bad. This is not the responsibility of the clergymen alone, but our responsibility towards each other. We should tell ourselves and others to fight the extremist thoughts that destroy the home and the people. Extremism applies to all acts that violate the sharia and the law. It has influence on many societies and it is spreading in a fearful way. These kinds of thoughts exploit the people’s unawareness and irreligiousness in the worst way. Hence, we have to make use of this holy month in fighting all kinds of extremism. This should be a good start of a life that is free from extremism.

  • منصور محمد

    2012-8-11

    The Muslim people look forward to Ramadan, which comes once a year. It is the month of worship. So Ramadan must be exploited for the religious preaching to confront the corrupt and brutal terrorism, which is a form of targeting the security of states and societies. Terrorism is a criminal act and a kind of war against God, His Prophet and the believers. Islam has forbidden murder committed for no reason and without justification. God has emphasized the inviolability of blood in Islam and has forbidden murder. The spread of terror, panic and fear in the Muslim countries is a major crime. God has said in his wise and holy book that the one who kills one soul without justification is as if he had killed all the people. These extremist Muslims have paved the way for the Islam haters to depict it as a religion of violence and terrorism. Security is a great blessing that no one feels or realizes its importance until he loses it. All the communities with their different sects must cooperate together against terrorism. We must help the security personnel and give them support to get out of this crisis. The clergymen and the preachers have a significant role to prevent sedition, and by preaching, guidance and cooperation, they can end terrorism and bring about the return of security to the Muslim and safe communities. A well-organized calendar must be done to take advantage of Ramadan in raising the awareness of the threat of terrorism.

  • اسماعيل

    2012-8-11

    Terrorism is one of the most negative phenomena that harm society, not just specific individuals. It is a result of poverty, ignorance and of the weakness in the religious scruples of these extremist individuals who are easy to be trapped by people who have taken advantage of their circumstances. So they teach them to implement their plans, which aim to cause confusion and a psychiatric and nervous disorder, and even paralysis in the life of society as a whole. What we are seeing in terms of the bombings carried out by the suicide bombers aims for the destruction of the innocent and pathetic people who have not committed any crime, and who only call for us to pray for them to be guided away from the bloodshed of others. We must take advantage of Ramadan, the holy, great month, the month of goodness, blessings and charity, in which the Qur'an was revealed, giving guidance, forgiveness and mercy to the people. This month must be exploited in the good preaching by the clergymen, through giving an open religious speech to help spread the most important instructions of the Islam, in terms of love, peace, brotherhood and the renunciation of violence and terrorism. The subject of Islamic education taught in schools should explain the seriousness of terrorism, extremism, violence and the excessive adherence to ideas. Violence and extremism must be renounced, and we must try to establish a tolerant Muslim society. Terrorism is a heinous phenomenon in any society in the world, and resisting it must be a priority for any government in the world, because of what it represents in terms of the collapse of the state, the insecurity, the stopping of its activity and the impeding of its development.

  • مكي حمادي

    2012-8-9

    The Ramadan special sessions, where the clergy teach people the Holy Quran, are very important in facing extremism. Indeed, the clergy should take advantage of these sessions and the special atmosphere of Ramadan, where many religious men and scholars could meet. Besides, most ordinary people meet in religious ceremonies, courses and other occasions. Thus, the clergy must take advantage of this religious atmosphere to raise the awareness of the ordinary people about the correct and proper interpretations of Islam. In so doing, the people would fight and resist extremism. They should not confuse Islam with terrorism and extremism. In fact, such confusion is very common because of the terrorist attacks that occur in many Muslim and Arab countries. This confusion is erroneous altogether. Perhaps, some parties are perpetuating this confusion in order to defame Islam and Muslims. This is crystal clear in their discussions about the concepts of Islam and terrorism. Indeed, there are some contradictions between Islam and terrorism. The Muslims might wonder about the accuracy of the arguments which link the true Islam to terrorism. The ideological interpretation of Quran text should be considered inaccurate and misguiding. In fact, some Muslim interpret the holy Quran according to their own wishes and desires, which make some other Muslims get involved in terrorism against each others. The Muslims also wonder about the ways to avoid the ideological interpretations which lead to the terrorist attacks against the others. We should discuss the issue in order to reach the accurate conclusions. In this respect, we should prove that the Islamic religion appeared partly to eradicate the physical and moral causes of terrorism.

  • هادي

    2012-8-2

    Terrorism as violent activity creates panic and horror in the hearts of secure people and ends the lives of humans via the most terrorist crimes. It is considered an ancient violent phenomenon known since ever, plus it created a powerful effective factor in all of international relationships during 20th century, especially during WW2 and massacres that consumed thousands, even millions of innocent citizens. The terrorist crimes came back to the international stage again in the late 60s of the last century, which had many established studies and researches about finding solutions to eliminate terrorist organizations all over the world. Many cities and governorates in Yemen had suffered in the early 90s of the 20th century till now, from hundreds and thousands of terrible bombing and assault crimes which ripped thousands of thousands of Yemeni citizens and foreigners' souls. It shown clearly that al-Qaeda had been a very important co-factor in many other international multinational terrorist organizations, in all these operations and terrorist invasions which were continuous and planned,and are associated with them, by coordinating and partnership with some local Yemeni parties. hese included some Yemeni Leaders, political parties, religious bodies, social agencies and military supreme agencies and the Yemeni community as it appeared recently.

  • مصطفى كامل

    2012-8-1

    The Muslim nation know Ramadan as the month of good and blessings that comes with every beautiful to the Muslim nation. This not only words it`s facts the all world witnessed it historically. Through this month all Muslim step huge steps forward God and that`s why the life become as it should be. A life with basics of religion and worship and worship is not a second concern beside the work and school as we do nowadays unfortunately. An example for the activities that Muslims have to encourage each other for doing good it is the Ramadan periods within the month while the Muslims gathering from different places and areas lifting behind them work or life only for reading Quran and racing in finishing it several times, this really what you can call the greatest and honorable meetings. This meetings is surrounded with angels of God Al Rahman, it is meeting to best Muslims who seeks to grant victory for Islam and it is one of the available opportunity to fight the extreme thinking in minds of people and to aware some of them about this danger represented in the useless thinking that choose only the way of blood and murdering all the time.

  • سعد علي

    2012-7-31

    Ramadan courses help in memorizing the Qur'an to renounce violence and disputes in the Mubarak month and much charitable work. Muslims can in this month work all kinds of goodness and kindness, and so the clergy have a major role in educating people and raising awareness of them and make them do great acts and can take advantage of the holy month in educating people and guiding them to keep away from extremism and terrorism and the danger of terrorism and destruction, which caused terror from the destruction of all sectors of society and educating young men and women and different groups in society the danger of terrorism and its impact on people, so you should take advantage of Ramadan in the organization of Ramadan courses for the memorization of Qur'an with the principles of humanitarian. Semitic calls to renounce violence, differences, and awareness of the importance of social peace and love of the people. Organizing contests helps young people to reject violence and unite over on one goal and sincerity of intention. Also develop skills and cultural experiences and in-depth the concepts of religion and the communication of religious, social, cultural and scientific. It helps to raise awareness of principles of strict religious and helps the community of coherent concerted. Also prepares the youth of the community for a better future for all peoples, which must stand against violence and terrorism. Therefore, the courses of Ramadan have a great role in the development of mental skills, cultural, creative and social development for a better tomorrow, free of violence and live secure and safe life for all Muslim peoples.

  • احمد خلف المصراوى

    2012-7-31

    God is Greater and thanks to God! God willing, there will be goodness to you, nation of the Chosen (the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH).

  • جبار خضير

    2012-7-31

    Ramadan role did not stop at being month of chastity, forgiveness, generosity, and proximity to God, its role is being the days Muslims waiting for from year to year, but it is also the month of creativity and genius in order to get closer to Allah. Many of the innovations during the month of Ramadan bring closer to Allah Almighty. These ideas include those sessions that held Ramadan in order to seal the Quran several times. Muslims have to hold back such courses during the month of Ramadan in order to motivate themselves and encourage each other to seal the Quran many times as possible. Many Muslims spend great and long times during this holy month together trying to get closer to Allah Almighty, and senior virtuous clergy attend this great gathering. The gathering becomes the great Islamic tremendous opportunity to try to educate Muslims religion for the severity and brutality of terrorist ideology and how to face this thought, in addition, these preachers are trying to protect Muslims from extremist thought and reinforced by the ideology of moderation and mediation of ideas and decision-making. This climate of Islamic unity based on love of Allah and it is the best climate to demolish a radical thought and every brutal thought, because here lies the real strength of the Muslims in their unity, not far from some of the dispersed. Together, we can eliminate all terrorist extremist thought to spread security in all the Arab countries.

  • رحيم لفته

    2012-7-28

    Terrorism is a word which carries within its letters everything that is cruel and painful. Its color is red because it contains the blood of those who lost their souls in vain by the hands of those who embraced terrorism as their road and method of life regardless of the big number of words used or the accuracy of descriptions and yet neither words nor sentences can express the dangers of terrorism. Terrorism is like a plague that kills and destroys each land that it passes by. It destroys everything and it spreads darkness in its roads where there is no goodness or hope for the victimized nation. How many nations have lost their glory and fortunes at the hands of terrorism and its followers? How many tears were shed on the faces of the innocent afflicted mothers with broken hearts for losing their children whose blood was shed by the hands of terrorists? It is a plague that does not have mercy towards anyone in his way. It does not know any kind of compassion or human qualities, and mercy is lost between the letters of the word 'terrorism'. Many Arab countries went through the worst conditions that a nation may experience on earth due to terrorism. A lot of Arab countries lost the most beautiful things that a nation may have such as economic, political and technological developments due to the terrorist thinking which succeeded in infiltrating some of its individuals. Therefore, the roads and streets of these countries turned red because of the bloodshed of the innocent people.

  • jasim

    2012-7-26

    Yemen received the greatest possible Arab support in its war on terrorism and rebellion in southern Yemen, which always seeks to declare separation from northern Yemen in addition to the presence of Al-Qaeda. The Arab support was represented in s a shuttle visit of the Arab foreign ministers who stressed their unified stance regarding insistence on the importance of protecting the Yemen’s union and stability and security of the state. They also confirmed their limitless support to Yemen in its conformation with the existing challenges, which are considered the most difficult in the history of Yemen, despite the speculations about this Arab move to support Yemen whether through the initiatives to stop the civil war or handling the needs of the southerners that make them call for separation between southern Yemen and northern Yemen. This visit stressed the importance of the unity of Yemen and ignoring any ideas about separation even within confederation.

  • حسن

    2012-7-26

    The organized groups which are also called terrorist al-Qaeda are washing the brains of the Yemeni youth and working on misleading their brains by means of terrorist and extremist ideologies. The latter may be the deviant and exploited one through the religious side which is innocent of them till the Judgment Day. In so doing, they aim to expand their number and their extremist military base, to take control of the largest possible number of the sons of Yemen, murder the innocent Yemenis and shed their innocent blood. Therefore, a lot of youth Yemenis have been largely involved in working with these cowardly terrorist groups which may plot to murder, bomb, sabotage, destroy the entire Yemen and wreak havoc everywhere on earth not only in Yemen. As a matter of fact, they are exploiting the brains of the youth through brain washing and in so doing they are taking advantage of another negative aspect, the most important one, in the country which is unemployment from which a lot of the Yemeni youth are suffering. Thus, terrorists wash their brains through tempting them with money, cars and electronic devices which the youth Yemenis may need in order to implement terrorist acts and bloodshedding operations.