Salafis have traditionally shunned politics. But the success of the Salafi Al-Nour party in Egypt, which won the second highest number of seats in the first democratically-elected Parliament in decades, may have changed that.

Salafis in Yemen said their new party would be called the Rashad Union.

“After months of studying and discussing the necessity of immersion in the political process, we have decided to found the Rashad Union,” they said in a statement, describing participation as a religious duty.

They also called for talks with militants and northern Shiite rebels to end political upheaval that has pushed Yemen to the brink of civil war.

“It is necessary to open dialogue with the armed groups … to get Yemen out of the cycle of violence,” said Abdel Wahhab Al-Hamqani, one of the leaders of the Salafi movement.

The fate of Yemen’s interim government depends, at least in part, on how it deals with these groups.

Although parliamentary elections are not due to be held until 2014, the Rashad Union will be able to take part in a national dialogue.

From: Reuters