Amid slogans calling for the return of the Islamic Caliphate to the Arab and Muslim world, hundreds of scholars, sheikhs, and interested persons attended the conference organized by a political entity calling itself Hizb ut-Tahrir âLiberation Partyâ in Sanaa last Tuesday.
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Organizers were able to gather many people from different sectors of the community, including prominent scholars such as Judge Abdulwahhab Al-Hitar, who attended the conference that called for the removal of current regimes and establishment of an Islamic Caliphate, which is believed by the organizers to be the âsole and only cure for the Ummaâ.
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During the conference, a taped lecture was given by Sheikh Atta Abu Al-Rushta, the Emir of the Hizbut-Tahrir, who took over the post from Abu Yusuf Al-Shaikh, and Abdulquddoos Zalloom, who are staying in Palestinian occupied territories.
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The lecture called for âthe liberation of Muslim nations from the current oppressive Arab regimes and replacing them by a just Islamic Caliphateâ. The lecture blamed the current regimes for the deteriorated conditions of Muslims in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan. Kashmir, and Chechnya and called upon Muslims throughout the world to exert extra efforts during the month of Ramadan. On the other hand Dr. Abdullah ba Dheeb, a representative of the party in âthe state of Yemenâ told Yemen Times that the party will work on raising awareness among the public about the idea of reviving the Islamic Caliphate. âWe are mobilizing the idea of the party and soon will have an official representation in the state of Yemen and from thereafter apply the state system to various governoratesâ he said.
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Ba Dheeb said that security authorities had launched a massive arrest campaign against members of the party last year, and he himself was just released from a prison in Mukalla last week.
The attendance to the conference was less than expected. Except for Al-Hitar, none of the influential Islamic figures or other politicians from the opposition or the government attended the conference. Most of the attendees who were present at the conference were youngsters, who expressed their interest in the idea of the conference, and showed eagerness to promote the partyâs cause. It was also concluded that despite the fact that the party is not legalized through the governmentâs licensing system, it was still given some margin of freedom to operate in the country and launch its activities, which are expected to continue in the months and years to come.
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