A Message to the Yemeni People [Archives:2001/03/Focus]
Gary Vey
[email protected]
As a citizen of America, I knew almost nothing of Yemen before my studies of ancient history and languages. My work led me to study Yemen and the archaeological work at Bilqis in particular. I have since then been engrossed in the study of the history and current politics of your beautiful land.
I read the Yemen Times weekly and see the same stories in every new issue. There is the poverty and unequal distribution of wealth and prosperity from the urban city areas to the remote tribal villages and there is kidnapping and unrest as a result of the poverty and anger at the slow progress. There is also the attempts of outside countries to influence Yemen, such as the Saudis, who wish to place a pipeline through the country, and the USA who wish to establish a military base under the premise that this is to prevent smuggling.
I feel the frustration myself. I know that your beautiful country can become a wealthy nation with pilgrimages and tourism beyond your wildest dreams. I know that your infrastructure of roads, hotels, water and sewage can all be brought up to the level of even the most progressive nations with the establishment of a tourism and religious site that will serve all religions and beliefs. I know that young children will receive an excellent education and that their health will be maintained and that they will become the future of Yemens natural resources.
Why dont the people of Yemen see these visions?
In the Bilqis archaeological site you have the temple of Queen Saba and the great Sabaean kingdom. This is the only place on our planet where we can see the evidence of Biblical times, when Solomon and Saba formed a union, which crossed racial boundaries and religious taboos. This is a special place, for Christians, Jews and Moslems – not unlike the Temple of the Mound in Jerusalem. But there is a difference. This special location has not been claimed by any one faith and so could be a hate-free zone where all people could come to pay homage to the One God, forgetting for a brief moment the human messengers that reminded us that the Father was all important.
Please, people of Yemen, make this happen. You are a special people who have forgotten your special place in history. Please awaken and grow into a neutral and peaceful country. Ask the World Bank to assist you with funds to build your infrastructure so that you can become this pan-religious and safe oasis for believers in the Lord. Become Yemeni people first and devote yourself to the work of peace and do not tolerate the politics of more powerful nations. You, people of Yemen, seed of Saba and Abraham, have the most powerful Lord on your side.
First you must become non-political. Do not make deals with foreign nations that will influence your future. Avoid being influenced by Islam or Judaism or Christianity. Align yourself with the Lord – the One God – and start a revival to honor the Lord instead of arguing about his messengers. Did not Jesus and Muhammed demand that you honor the Father? Did they ask to be honored as a God? You, people of Yemen, can right this wrong. And the One God will make your land strong and your people will be the peacemakers of the world.
In your heart of hearts, you know this to be true. Why wait generations to see this happen. Why not NOW?
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