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Shia Islam in Yemen is practiced by a substantial minority of the population,[1] with the vast majority of Shia Muslims in Yemen being Zaydi, while a minority are Twelver and Isma'ili.[2] Sunni Muslims make up 65% percent of Yemen, while 35% of the country are Shia Muslims. These Shia Muslims are predominantly concentrated in the northwestern regions of the country, including the capital and major cities that are some of the most densely populated areas of Yemen.
Historically, the Zaydi Muslims ruled Yemen for a thousand years until 1962. During this time, they fiercely defended their independence, resisting foreign powers such as the Umayyads, Egypt, and the Ottomans, who aimed to control Lower Yemen and expand their rule northward.[3] The Zaydi branch of Islam, known as the Fivers, is a sect almost exclusively prevalent in Yemen, making it a distinctive feature of the religion in Yemen.[4]
- ^ "Yemen", The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 2023-10-03, retrieved 2023-10-08
- ^ Al-Deen, Maysaa Shuja (June 7, 2021). "Yemen's War-torn Rivalries for Religious Education". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ "Yemen: The conflict in Saada Governorate – analysis". IRIN. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
- ^ Al-Shamahi, Abubakr (7 February 2014). "Yemen is more nuanced than 'Sunni' & 'Shia'". Yemen Times. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015.