Agreement between Ansar Allah and Salafists from the al-Noor Centre

  • Country/entity
    Yemen
  • Region
    Middle East and North Africa
  • Agreement name
    Agreement between Ansar Allah and Salafists from the al-Noor Centre
  • Date
    26 Jun 2014
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/local conflict ( Yemeni Civil Wars (1994) (2011 - ) )
  • Stage
    Pre-negotiation/process
  • Conflict nature
    Inter-group
  • Peace process
    Yemen Inter-group Agreements
  • Parties
    The first side: Mr Abd al-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, signed by his representative, Yusuf Abdallah for Ansar Allah [The Houthis]
    The second side: Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Imam [for the Salafists of the Noor Center]
  • Third parties
    -
  • Description
    Short agreement between the Houthis (Ansar Allah) and the Salafists at the Noor Centre following the defeat and expulsion of the Salafists at Dar al-Hadith Centre in Dammaj, Sa'dah. Agreement postulates that all involved are Muslims, calls for reconciliation and open lines of communication between the groups to coordinate in the face of strife, guarantees cultural freedom and freedom of thought, and calls for an end to hostile rhetoric by both parties.

Local agreement properties

  • Process type
    Informal but persistent process
  • Rationale
    The common local practice of appealing to mutually held religious values and identities among fighting sides has a strong presence in this agreement. Additionally, the clear culture around representatives being present in the process, including sheikhs is also a prominent feature in the agreement text. The agreement also carries many of the same values that other local agreements at this time involve. This primarily involves freedom of expression, countering aggressive language or speech aimed at other groups, and encouraging cultural freedoms and cooperation among traditionally opposing groups for the benefit of the area/region.
  • Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
    T
  • Link to national process: articulated rationale
    The wider peace process is not specifically mentioned in the text. There is also no further research which indicates a clear structural link to the national peace process.
  • Name of Locale
    Dammaj, Sa'dah governorate
  • Nature Of Locale
    Region
  • GPS Lat/Long (DD)
    16.896582, 43.800934
  • Participant type
    Local armed group
  • Mediator, facilitator or similar
    Mediator or similar referred to
    Mediator (references)
    No reference in the text to a mediator or other type of convening/supporting body, with only reference to the representatives of the two sides signing.
    Type of mediator/facilitator/similar

Local issues

  • Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)
    Page 1, Untitled Preamble: You shall hold fast to the rope of Allah, all of you, and do not be divided.

    Page 1, Paragraph 1: Praise be to Allah, who says ‘believers are brothers’, believe in Allah, pray, and blessing upon our master, Muhammad, and on the ones who are pure, and Allah is pleased with his good companions of migrants, supporters and followers, and those that follow them charitably.

    Page 1, Paragraph 2: We are all Muslims with one Lord, one book, one Prophet, and one Enemy. If we differ on the subdetails of Islam, it dispossesses us of our blood, our symptoms and our finances over each other as
    Muslims.

    Page 1, This is what was agreed upon, and Allah is behind its intention.
  • Grievance List
    [Summary] (1) lack of unity among Muslims and indifference caused by disagreement around the elements/stipulations of Islam which has caused cultural and financial losses (2) Cultural freedoms and freedom of expression and thinking must be ensured (3) aggressive rhetoric in all forms and in all areas must cease
  • Cattle rustling/banditry

    No specific mention.

  • Social cover

    No specific mention.

Agreement between Ansar Allah and the Salafist al-Noor Centre

Document of Co-existence and Brotherhood

26 June 2014

You shall hold fast to the rope of Allah, all of you, and do not be divided [Surah ‘Ali ‘Imran 3:103]

Praise be to Allah, who says ‘believers are brothers’, believe in Allah, pray, and blessing upon our master, Muhammad, and on the ones who are pure, and Allah is pleased with his good companions of migrants, supporters and followers, and those that follow them charitably.

We are all Muslims with one Lord, one book, one Prophet, and one Enemy.

If we differ on the sub- details of Islam, it dispossesses us of our blood, our symptoms and our finances over each other as Muslims.

Based on this, Ansar Allah represented by Mr Abd al-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi and the Salafists from the al-Noor Centre and their affiliated centres represented by Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdallah al-Imam, agree on the following;

Peaceful co-existence between the two sides [who will not be] brought to quarrel or sedition, regardless of circumstances.

Freedom of thought and culture are guaranteed to all.

Stop inflammatory and hostile rhetoric from both sides in its various forms and in all areas, and work to cultivate the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation.

Continue the process of direct communication between the two sides to face any emergency, event, problem, the behaviour of individuals, or any attempt at exacerbating the situation between the two sides, and to determine their position.

This is what was agreed upon, and Allah is behind its intention.

Done at the 28 Sha’ban 1435 AH, 26-6-2014

The first side:

Mr Abd al-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, signed by his representative, Yusuf Abdallah.

The second side:

Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Imam