Virtually all citizens of Yemen are Muslims, either belonging to the Zaydi order of Shi'a Islam (50%) or to the Shafi'i order of Sunni Islam (50%). There are also approximately 3,000 Christians, 400 Jews and an extreme minority of Hindus. Islam in Yemen Virtually all citizens of Yemen are Muslims, either belonging to the Zaydi order of Shi'a Islam or to the Shafa'i order of Sunni Islam. While there are no available statistics, estimates are that the Zaydis form approximately 40 percent and the Shafa'is form 50 percent of the general population. There are a few hundred thousand Ismaili and Imami Shias who reside mainly in the north and northeast. There are some non-official Sufi doctrines.
Yemen is a presidential republic with a bicameral legislature. Under the constitution, an elected President, an elected 301-seat Assembly of Representatives, and an appointed 111-member Shura Council share power. The President is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
Yemen is one of the oldest countries, which have a distinct cultural tradition of its own. Yemen society and culture reflect the lifestyle of Yemen people and their traditional aspects.