Sunday, Aug 22, 2010Volume 01 - ISSue 12

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www.natIonalyemen.comNationalYemenThe Facts As They Are

The Facts As They Are

Ramadan Traditions 200 Commercial Violations Powerful History05 07 08 10

Eleven people died (including two children) and 40 others were wounded (including eleven children and two women) in 22 traffic accidents last week. According to the traffic services the ac-cidents were attributed to speeding, inap-propriate passing, non-compliance with traffic rules and not paying attention while driving.

The traffic accidents were as follows: 14 car crashes resulted in the death of 6 people and injury of 26 others, 3 over-turned accidents killed 4 people and in-jured 11 others, 4 pedestrian accidents resulted in the death of one person and injury of 3 others, and one person was injured falling of a vehicle.

Traffic reporT

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A tribe is essentially a mini-state and its laws apply to those who belong to it. It does not tolerate the violation of the rights of any of its individual members. It does not honor any individual who harms its reputation and may repudiate, or punish according to its tradi-tions, anyone who reflects a negative image of the tribe.

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Interview Trade Minister

ExclusiveThe Yemeni riyal witnessed

an unprecedented collapse over the last 35 days, with the riyal losing a quarter of its val-ue against the dollar. This has raised the fears of the private contractors who are building and equipping Gulf 20 facili-ties. They are afraid of finan-cial loss or bankruptcy; espe-cially those companies that have not completed the stadi-ums and those that import steel, cement and turf.

This collapse caused tension between the ministry and con-tractors, who have threatened

to stop working unless the min-istry compensates them for the difference in prices, especially since the state has allocated 20 billion dollars (as opposed to riyal) for the Gulf 20. This means that the price difference benefits the ministry and harms the contractors.

Instead of meeting the con-tractors’ demands, all were sur-prised by the Ministry’s deci-sion to deduct 15% of the value of additional work related to preparing the six training grounds. This made the con-tractors escalate the issue and gather at the office of Assistant

ADEN, Yemen — Five Al-Qaeda members were killed in clashes with the army in south Yemen, the defence ministry’s news website said on Saturday, bringing to 19 the toll from the previous day’s fighting.Three Al-Qaeda militants were also wounded in Friday’s clashes between the army and gunmen in the city of Loder, southern Abyan province, said the report carried by the 26Sep.net news website.

The latest deaths add to an ear-lier toll of 11 soldiers and three civilians killed on Friday.The defence ministry said it had managed to identify one of the slain Al-Qaeda fighters as Adham Shibani, adding that the wounded militants were currently being interrogated.The security forces were track-ing “other terrorists” who took part in Friday’s fight-ing, the ministry said. The militants who managed to flee

Yemen has denied reports that its oil stocks are running low.

Ongoing exploration is prom-ising, and the country has ex-plored just 20 percent of its po-tential, said Oil Minister Amer Al-Aidaroos, Arab News re-ports.

Al-Aidaroos dismissed recent forecasts that said Yemen would need to import oil this year. Pointing to an earlier forecast that said that block 18 would dry out in 2005, he said that the

block is producing 25,000 bar-rels a day and production is up.

While pipelines in oil-rich dis-tricts of Marib and Shabwa have become a target for Al-Qaida and tribal groups, he maintained that the sabotage has not had an impact on oil production.

“Without a safe and stable en-vironment, oil production will not develop,” he said.

Admitting that there have

been fluctuations in the coun-try’s oil production, Al-Aida-roos cited technical problems as the cause.

“But the sector is still a prom-ising one for investors,” he said.

An August report from the Central Bank of Yemen shows that current oil production is 300,000 to 350,000 barrels a day from 12 oil fields, down from a peak of more than 420,000 barrels a day in 2002

MUSCAT — A delegation of the Oman Football Association, headed by Saleh bin Abdullah al Farsi, Secretary-General and CEO of the OFA, has left for the Republic of Yemen yes-terday to take part in the draw of 20th Gulf Cup to be held in the City of Aden tomorrow. The OFA which received an official invitation from its Ye-meni counterpart to participate in the draw, has in its delega-tion included Hani Dhabit, the top scorer of the15th Gulf Cup hosted by the Kingdom of Sau-di Arabia in 2002 and Salah al Thuwaini Araimi, manager of the first national football team.The Sultanate national team will hold the top spot in Group 2 as the holders of the title while the Yemeni national team the top spot in Group 1 as hosts of the tournament. The rest of the six teams will be distrib-uted on three levels according to the latest classification of the international body Fifa and a draw will be held accordingly.Saleh bin Abdullah al Farsi will attend the meeting of the standing committee of secre-tary generals of the football associations participating in

the 20th Gulf Cup in addition to a technical committee meet-ing on the sidelines of the visit. Talal bin Ali Amiri, member board of directors will attend the meeting of the media com-mittee.The organising committee of the 20th Gulf Cup has organ-ised a special welcoming cer-emony for the delegation of the OFA participating in the draw as during this ceremony the Gulf Cup that was won by Oman team will be officially handed over to the host coun-try’s association three months before the start of the tourna-ment.Sayyid Khalid bin Hamed al Busaidy, Chairman of the OFA, said: “We have complete confidence in the ability of the Yemeni Football Association, the government and the people of this great nation to embrace the tournament and to ensure its success with the highest level of proficiency and com-petence. “Our best wishes to our brothers in the Yemeni as-sociation, and a lot of prayers for our National football team to emerge champions once again”, he added.

A New Crisis between Contractors and the Ministry of sport

Clashes in south Yemen kill 19

Calvalley Discovers Oil in Yemen 5 Al-Qaeda elements killed, 3 others apprehended in Abyan confrontations

Yemen Maintains Vibrant Oil Sector

Omani delegation leaves for Yemen to take part in Gulf Cup draw

SANA’A, Aug. 20 - Canada’s Calvalley Corporation is hop-ing for more success in Ye-men’s Block 9 after making an oil discovery at its Ras Nowmah field.

The Ras Nowmah-2 well ini-tially tested at 1,227 barrels per day of light oil with no forma-tion water. The company said that the pressure test indicated the well could potentially pro-duce at much higher rates. The well hit 41 meters gross oil output, but only the upper 15 meters was perforated for the test. The Qishin sands - the primary target zone - came in about four meters higher than expected.

Based on these initial results,

the company has expedited the acquisition of a pump with sig-nificantly higher capacity. The new pump will be on location within several days so that test-ing can resume.

Calvalley expects both short and long-term exploration operations to expand signifi-cantly. Calvalley added that the lighter Ras Nowmah crude is expected to recover strongly, which will have a positive ef-fect on the company’s total Block 9 reserves. Block 9 lies in the Sayun-Ma-sila basin, which has a proven hydrocarbons base, and Cal-valley said the Ras Nowmah discovery proves that the Qishin structures are similar to those in the Masila block.

SANA’A, Aug. 21 (Saba)- Se-curity sources in Abyan gover-norate have affirmed the kill-ing of 5 Al-Qaeda elements who are involved in setting an ambush for a number of secu-rity personnel in the governor-ate on Friday. In exclusive statements to the military-run 26sep.net, the sources made clear that the Al-Qaeda members were killed during confrontations with the military forces following the

ambush they set for a group of military personnel in their monitoring tour. It noted that 3 other terror ele-ments were injured during the confrontations and arrested, adding that they are now un-dergoing investigation.

The security sources pointed out that they are tracking down the rest of the Al-Qaeda mem-bers who took part in the Fri-day ambush.

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National Yemen

Newspaper

Fakhri Hassan Al-ArashiPublisher & Chief Editor

Mohammed Al-AsaadiEditorial Consultant

Mansoor Al-RdaeiNews Editor

Fuad Al-QadhiBusiness Editor

Dr. Ahmed Al-QoyadhiEducation Editor

Najla’a Al-ShaibaniSocial Editor

Ali lah AjlanIT Editor

Wardah Al-shaweshGraphic Designer

Najeeb AbdulwahedTechnical Director

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Khaled Al-SofiSeniorTranslator

Pathik RootAssistant Copy Editor

Hind Al-EryaniP.R & Marketing

Jihan AnwarStaff Journalist

Yemen is a country that has been known by many names throughout history. It has been called the “land of wisdom”; Quranic scripts say that Baldah Taiba and Rab Ghafour called it “a good country”, and anoth-er proverb says, “If another na-tion invades you, call on Ye-men to help.”

These examples do not exist today, as Yemen faces hun-dreds of critical problems that will never end unless the gov-ernment asks for the help of the citizens and institutes reforms.

These problems include a wa-ter shortage, a lack of sufficient power, an increase in disease, a weak economy, illiteracy, in-creasing poverty, a lack of transparency, corruption, un-healthy population growth, a poor education system, weak infrastructure, low income, and a misuse of agricultural lands.

What Yemen needs in order to overcome these problems is trust among the community. The government never fails once it turns its focus toward the people. Evils exist in every corner of the government, and many make illegal profits. The citizens are fed up with these government routines and with

the practices of dishonest em-ployees.

It was disheartening to read the statistics from a World Bank report, which ranked Ye-men second to last (between Djibouti and Somali) in terms of education, health corruption and etc.

Yemen has not been like this over the past twenty years. It seems that donors are contrib-uting to a “non-developing country”, otherwise, with all this money Yemen should be one of the best economies in the Arab world.

Yemen cannot afford more mottos or slogans; it needs se-rious action to encourage all citizens to become more in-volved in the development of the country.

The government does not need to sign an agreement with the political parties to rule the people, or a sign a ceasefire with the Houthis in Sa’ada or appease the secessionist move-ment in the south or negotiate with al-Qada’a members. The government needs to work with the people who are the cornerstones to all the above parties. The people of Yemen have never turned the govern-ment down throughout the his-tory, even though the govern-ment does all the time.

The people need free and quality education, better health care, better salaries (especially government employees), social security, honest laws and equal treatment for all. The problem won’t be solved overnight, but a concerted effort to bring hope to people and an offer to work hand by hand with the govern-ment, are good first steps.

Fakhri al-ArashiPublisher & Chief Editor

Cooperation will Lead to a Better Yemen

Continued from ( 1 )A New Crisis between Contractors and the Ministry of sport

Continued from ( 1 )

Clashes in south Yemen kill 19SANAA, Yemen, Aug. 17

(UPI) -- Forty percent of chil-dren in Yemen are drawn into the labor market between the ages of 7 and 13, a study by a U.S. aid group indicates.

The group CHF International said 5 million Yemeni children are currently in the work force and three-fifths are not receiv-ing an education as a result, the Yemeni news agency SABA reported Tuesday.

According to CHF, 80 per-cent of the children working in

Yemen are involved in jobs that are hazardous and diffi-cult.

More than half use dangerous tools and more than 30 percent have been injured or fallen ill as a result of their jobs, the study found.

CHF said some Yemeni par-ents attempt to smuggle their children to Saudi Arabia where they can earn about $400 a month, a much higher salary than they would receive in Ye-men

Child labor a problem in Yemen

I hope that these blessed days of Ramadan will remind us that Islam is a religion of jus-tice and moderation. It calls for the need for a balance between freedom and independence of the individual Muslim entity, and the strength of the social structure in which Muslims live.

It calls on the believers, indi-vidually and collectively, to make their objective in life to achieve a strong social struc-ture within this balance. Allah says in the Holy Koran, “And hold fast, all of you together, to the cable of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves. And remember Allah’s favor unto you: how ye were en-emies and He made friendship between your hearts so that ye became as brothers by His grace.”

But, when we regressed from this pursuit, we became weak and consequently humiliated in ignominy. Undoubtedly, our regression is the cause of the underdevelopment in which we currently live. However, I do not believe, as some people think, that our underdevelop-ment is caused by weakness of faith. It has come from a failure to work, not from deficiency in faith. Today, Muslim communities have a stronger sense of faith than ever before. Strangely enough Arab nations, among other Islamic nations, have been the least able to build such a social structure.

My observation comes from past historical events and pres-ent realities. If one looks back on the history of the Islamic state, he finds that the Persians, Turks, Tatars and Ottomans all demonstrated greater ability in this respect than Arabs.

The present is no different from the past, at least in terms of comparing between Arab nations and other Islamic coun-tries such as Indonesia, Malay-sia, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. We regret to admit that this is a nature specific to Arabs. Per-haps we should find an oppor-tunity to discuss together the reasons of this phenomenon. Development or underdevel-opment is not a characteristic of a particular nation(s); if we

believe this, we will only fall into abhorrent racism, God forbid. Arabs, like the other nations, have the strength and acumen that enable them to build civilized and modern so-cial systems.

I would like to note that this observation was mentioned in the 1910 Encyclopedia Britan-nica, when it said, “The Arabs are physically of a strong and noble race. So, physically they do not succumb to only a mi-nority of the human races if to any at all. Mentally, they are superior to most of the races of human beings; and progress is restrained by the apparent lack of organization and their inabil-ity to take joint action. While the forms of governments are characterized by dullness and shortcomings, they are hard-earned.” Whether or not this observa-tion is correct, it remains a temporary case; we can go beyond it if we understand the reasons that led to it. We, Arabs, must recognize that we have given up our capabilities, wasted our resources with our internal conflicts, and sought the help of foreigners against each other. We gave up building a strong social Arab structure and be-came losers. Awareness of this fact will be our first step in working to overcome these dishonoring flaws. “O ye who believe! Take not for intimates other than your own folk, who would spare no pains to ruin you; they love to hamper you. Hatred is re-vealed by (the utterance of) their mouths, but that which their breasts hide is greater. We have made plain for you the revelations if ye will under-stand.”

Unless we make Ramadan a station for hope, ask Al-lah for repentance of our sins and work hard to overcome our torn and backward reality, Allah will double our weak-ness and suffering at the hands of our enemies, and then we submit to them and our souls will be crushed with humilia-tion and wretchedness: “save those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

Let the Holy Month be a Station of Hope

By / Mohamed Abdel-Salam Mansour

Nine people, ages 15 to 40, were killed, and 121 others were injured in motorbike ac-cidents during the first half of August. Statistics from the Security Information Centre indicate that the 78 motorbike accidents were as follows: 68

bike-car collisions, 6 pedestri-an accidents, and 4 overturned bike accidents. According to the statistics speeding, bikers’ carelessness and non-compli-ance with traffic rules were the main causes of these accidents.

The National Organization for Defending Rights and Free-doms (HOOD) organized a workshop to review and draft civil society laws. HOOD aims to protect the freedom of civil society organizations to establish themselves and

function effectively. They also wish to raise public support for the Sana’a Declaration of the Freedom of Civil society. The workshop was a part of a proj-ect run by HOOD, under the framework of the Yemeni Net-work for Human Rights.

130 Motorcycles Casualties in First Half of August

HOOD Addresses Civil Society Laws

Undersecretary of the Projects Sector and Investment.

This crisis between the compa-nies and the ministry has in-creased fears among athletes. It also raised fears that contractors might take short cuts and alter the specifications, as happened at Al-Tilal Club’s Haqat stadi-

um. The Haqat Stadium was ex-cluded from being a substitute stadium because its current di-mensions are 100 m × 68 m, while the official dimensions are 105 m × 70 m. This forced the Gulf 20 committee to prepare Al-Wahdah Stadium in Abyan.

An Al-Qaida commander ac-cused of taking part in the bombing of a French oil tanker in 2002 surrendered to the Ye-meni security services, the De-fense Ministry said on Thurs-day. “Hizam Mujally, a local al-Qaida leader in Arhab dis-trict, some 30 km north of the capital Sana’a, gave himself up to the security authorities.”

Yemeni authorities accused Mujally of participating in plotting the attack against a French oil tanker off the south-ern Yemeni coast in 2002. He was also charged with killing a military officer in August 2004.

Police sources said Mujally was arrested and subjected to an investigation by the Yemeni intelligence in 2003, but he es-caped from a highly guarded intelligence prison in 2006, along with 23 other al-Qaida

detainees.

Last week, another al-Qaida leader, Jumaan Sufian, surren-dered to security province in al-Jouf province, northeast of Sana’a, according to the De-fense Ministry.

The Yemen-based Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has carried out a series of deadly attacks on the country’s security facilities and western targets in southern Yemen over the past two months, leaving dozens of people dead.

Yemen, the ancestral homeland of Osama bin Laden, intensi-fied security operations and air raids against terrorist groups after the Yemen-based al-Qai-da wing claimed responsibility for the failed Christmas Day bombing attempt on a U.S. passenger plane bound for De-troit last December.

A correspondent for the North News Network said that south-ern separatist guerillas detonat-ed an explosive device in the car of Captain Abdul- Khaliq Shaye’, Director of AL-Dale’ Intelligence.

Mr. Shaye was injured in the blast and was taken to the hos-pital, while the vehicle was

destroyed. The incident took place Thursday afternoon in the center of Al-Dale, close to Al-Sayfi Exchange.

There have been previous at-tempts on Mr. Shaye’s life and southern separatist guerillas have carried out similar op-erations in the same place as Thursday’s attack.

The Civil Defense Services re-corded 283 unintentional fires during the first half of 2010, two more than the same period last year. 271 have been offi-cially declared unintentional, while other 12 fire incidents are still under investigation. The fires occurred in 22 gover-norates of the Republic. Ninety incidents occurred in the capi-tal secretariat, followed by Aden and Hajjah provinces with 28, Sayu’oon province with 22, Taiz with 21, Hodeida with 14, and Sa’ada and Hadra-mout with 12 incidents each. The remaining fires occurred evenly in the rest of the prov-

inces. 108 fires occurred in the morning, 80 occurred at mid-day, and 76 in the evening. The lowest number of incidents oc-curred at night (at most 19).Statistics released by the Min-istry of the Interior said that the incidents claimed the lives of 16 people (including 7 fe-males) and injured 104 others. The total number of victims in amounted to 359, including 60 females. They were as follows: 352 Yemeni citizens, 4 Arabs, and 3 foreigners. The statistics estimate the number of minors affected by these incidents at 61, and place material damages at about 205 million riyals.

Yemeni Al-Qaida Commander Surrenders to Security Authority

Blast in Al-Dale’ Injures Director of Intelligence

283 Unintentional Fires in First Half of 2010

were named as Ahmed Moham-med Abdu Daradish, Abdel Rauf Abdullah Mohammed Nassib and Jalal Saleh Mohammed Saidi.The interior ministry had said on Friday that 11 soldiers were killed “in an ambush set up by Al-Qaeda terrorists and outlaws cooperating with them.”Eight of the soldiers were killed when a rocket-propelled grenade hit their armoured vehicle, ac-cording to Loder’s regional secu-rity chief Yahya al-Barkani.

Three civilians were killed -- and another four wounded -- when soldiers bombarded buildings near Loder market from where the military was being targeted, medical sources said.South Yemen, and the Abyan province in particular, is feared to have become a base for Al-Qaeda militants to regroup, under the network’s local franchise Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 Issue 12 www.nationalyemen.com4 National YemenSOCIAL

Rituals for exorcizing jinn range from dances to blood drinking. These ceremonies are usually held in an elderly wom-an’s home, where women who want to get rid of jinn and spirits meet.According to a woman skilled in these rituals, these ceremonies usually begin with tambourine and drum beats accompanied by hymns, incomprehensible mumblings and body move-ments. This continues until the ill woman falls to the ground. The moment she falls down, the old woman screams at the jinn and devils and orders them to leave the patient’s body after she makes a sacrifice, which is usually a rooster and sheep.Patients resort to this method only when all other attempts at Qur’anic therapy have failed to heal them. People who frequent these “quacks” complain of the length of treatment and that of-ten it only makes their condition worse.When Hassan, a man from the Hajjah governorate north of Sana’a, heard that there is a man heals all incurable diseases with the Koran, he went to him to heal his daughter who suffered some kind of concussion from falling down when she was a child. Her father did not believe the diagnosis of a specialist doc-tor and thought that the Koran therapist could heal anything.He and his daughter spent four months in Sana’a, attend-ing therapeutic sessions every Thursday and Monday, but the situation remains the same. Most therapists refused to re-veal their treatment methods to me, so I had disguise myself and fake illness to gain entry.I made an appointment for a Thursday and before I entered I paid 200 riyals (about one dol-lar) for the examination and 250 riyals for the gloves that must be purchased by female patients because the therapist does not want to see the women’s hands.Moments after I entered, some of the women were asked to form a semicircle, which they did and the rest of us were or-dered to stand back and watch. The therapist started to recite Sura’s from the Holy Koran, in-cluding: Al-Falaq, Al-Nas, Al-jinn, Tabarak and Yassin.We were all listening when his

voice rose and he started to hold every girl’s head and blow on them. One of the girls started crying, and the therapist re-moved her from group. Another girl got tired and wanted to lean her back to the wall and fidgeted nervously. The quack saw this, stopped his reciting, and re-moved her from the group too.He continued to read, and soon asked all the women to move backward. He approached a girl who was nearby, and asked her name. She replied, and then he grabbed her throat and choked her until her face turned red and she became pale and her arms fell down as if dead. All of us were scared.After several seconds the girl regained consciousness, and he asked her name once again and she responded quickly. He smiled and went to the other girl, and did the same thing with her. At that moment I thought of running away, but my curiosity kept me in place.After that, he gave the two girls talismans(script of unknown writing) and some sort of herbs, he advised them to take them in the morning and evening with honey and black cumin added to the prescription. Next he turned to the girl who was crying in the beginning and asked her mother to enter the room and wrap her in cloth, as he was to start treat-ing her.Her mother did as she was asked and he started to read in the girl’s right ear. He was rais-ing his voice and the girl started to have convulsions and scream. He asked for a thin stick, and when he started to hit her with it, the mother shouted at him, inquiring why he was hitting her. He told the mother to calm down and not to fear a thing: the strikes are directed to the jinn inside the girl and not to the girl herself. He added that the girl will be fine after she comes around and will feel no pain.The therapist went on read-ing from the Koran and at that moment we all heard a change in the girl’s voice. Her voice changed from soft to a hoarse voice and when the therapist started to read faster and raise his voice, the girl started to con-vulse, scream in a weird voice and writhe fiercely as he con-tinued to beat her and scream in

her ear, “I command you - you genie - to go out.”This continued for nearly half an hour, but what struck me was the change in the girl’s voice. When I asked the thera-pist about it, he said it was the voice of the genie that posses the girl. He asked her mother to come back with her daugh-ter another day so that the genie could be removed once and for all. I excused myself so that I could catch up with the girl and ask her if she feet pain from the beating. She said, “I did not feel anything because I was scared to death.” Useless treatment“When we talk about treatment with Koran by those quacks, we are talking about neurologi-cal disorders because these are subject to suggestion”, said pro-fessor of clinical psychology, Sana’a University, Dr. Abdul-Rahman Almunifi. He added, “It is certain that Qur’an is useful in cases of neurological diseases only, and also through the medicinal herbs prescribed by the therapist. Primarily it de-pends on the therapist’s ability to convince the patients. It is a matter of suggestion only; the sound of Quranic verses serve as a moderator and pacifier to the patient, but not a recom-mendable treatment.” He continued, “Neurological diseases arise out of the pres-sures and difficulties accumu-lated in life that continue to in-crease in the Arabic societies.” These diseases could be cured naturally without resorting to quacks and without the need for drugs because these problems usually subside without any in-tervention. The quacks’ meth-ods of beating and cauterizing as a method of treatment is no more than torturing and those who practice such things must be punished.”“The issue of the jinn enter-ing humans is an illusion and patient’s strange voices are the result of split personality, which is usually found in hysterical cases. These patients are known for their ability to channel dif-ferent personalities, perform certain movements and create other voices.” He adds, “The vocal cords in human beings cannot accept duplication be-

cause they have a specific func-tion, as the source of the voice is in the brain and not in the throat. In the case of jinn (psychology does not admit their existence), they must have control over the audio device in the brain and over the Central Nervous System in the brain at the same time, which is definitely not possible.” He said that psychology, like any science, believes only tan-gible and concrete things, in particular modern sciences. There is analytical psychology, which believes in subconscious, does not believe in jinn enter-ing human body. It believes that there is a lot of pressure and problems, but jinn have nothing to do with them. He suggests instead that we educate these people and solve their economic and social problemsSeeking treatment is legitimateVoodoo and quackery are for-bidden under the Islamic reli-gion. Dr. Saleh Al-Sawab, head of Islamic Studies Department in Sana’a University says, “ Al-lah and His messenger ordered us to seek treatment and this does not detract from the per-son’s faith. Perhaps, the person may even commit a sin if he or she does not search for it.”There are two types of treat-ment: the first is modern medi-cine, where the doctor knows the cause of the disease and gives the patient drugs; this is legitimate. The second is psy-chological, which the Arabic medicine deals with and which could be the basis for modern medicine. The therapists know herbs, their benefits, their effect and their potential to cure some diseases; this type of treatment is permissible. An unacceptable type of treatment is when the therapist gives people a variety of herbs that may have adverse effects, sometimes leading to loss of life or infection with chronic diseases. He added, “Some of those who use talismans claim that they heal diseases by the help of Allah; while in fact they use voodoo and witchcraft, which

is reprehensible and forbid-den by Islam. They deceive and defraud the people because the sorcerer is dealing with the jinn.” Dr. Saleh said that witch-craft is unacceptable in religion as it is fraud and manipulation, even if witches or wizards pray and fast (tactics used to show that they are religious).He points out that some magi-cians might tell a patient secrets about his or her life, and say that these secrets are revealed to them through contact with the jinn or unseen spirits. There may be things such as family disputes or confidential matters in a person’s home and the jinn come to the magician or sor-cerer and tell him about those things. Dr. Saleh says that you have to distinguish between a healing cure and sorcery and superstition.Among the useless strategies employed by therapists are the use of unintelligible and un-readable names or when the sorcerer gives the patient a tal-isman and tells them to soak it in water and than take a bath with that water. Some sorcer-ers even ask the patient to write incomprehensible words on a plate and drink the water from it. The sorcerer might also ask the patient to slaughter a black chicken in a particular place and than throw it away. Treatment with Qur’an is legiti-mateReligious scholars emphasize that Allah the Almighty created man in the best stature, and man is weak in nature and vulnera-ble to many diseases that can be treated abstractedly. Dr. Saleh says, “Allah, The Almighty God, can do anything and if God wanted to heal someone for no reason He can. In this life He enacted laws, but this does not mean that some cases that can-not be healed with prayers and supplication.”In relation to diseases, our Prophet (Blessings of Allah be upon Him) advised us in many of his sayings to seek treatment in the Holy Koran. Treatment takes place perhaps because

of closeness to Allah through the Koran, without medicine. This issue is legitimate and all religious scholars agree on it. However, there are two relevant sub-issues. One is how to use the Quran as a legitimate talisman. The Prophet approved this only in certain cases, including when some companions who asked for food from some people but they were denied. Then a snake bit the master of those people and his people came to the companions asking for some-one who can heal him. One of the companions read Surat Al-Fatiha on him and repeated this Sura several times until the master was cured.Dr. Saleh says, “Psychology’s denial of jinn entering man is a revolutionary question that cre-ated differences among people. Man still does not know what the person utters when he or she is possessed. It could be a fluent language, but this does not im-ply that the spirit has changed. Evidence of a possessive spirit is when the spirit leaves a per-son’s body they say they did not feel pain from beatings.”As for the beatings to remove jinn, Dr. Gobran confirms that patients should not be beaten or hit. Only verses from the holy Koran should be read to them. Only the possessing spirit should be harmed, not the pa-tient. If a patient dies, then the therapist should be held respon-sible, because in this case he is a killer. Islamic law has never been mentioned beating a per-son in a way that could lead to his death.It is difficult to accuse Koran therapists of sorcery and quack-ery, but it is quite easy to iden-tify the right from the wrong through further investigation and scrutiny. Overall it seems that there are facts rooted in tra-ditional medicine related to the proper treatment of people pos-sessed by jinn but these facts have been distorted by quacks who aim to exploit people.

Koranic Therapy and How to Distinguish Between Right and Wrong!

Najla Al Shaibani

Several years ago, in the Yemeni province of Lahj, four people tied-up one of the residents and beat him to death under the pretext of exorcizing the “jinn” (evil spirits) out of his body. Not satisfied with this crime, they claimed that the jinn came out of his body into a body of another person and they insisted on removing the jinn from this person. They would have succeeded if it the security forces in the region had not arrested them. If the security forces had to intervene to save the man from certain death, what about the other people who still believe in such therapeutic methods?

Yemeni Tribe and State of Law and Order

That is why the tribal commu-nity will continue to exist and flourish even in modern life.

In Yemen, the tribe has a norm that is different from what is known today. A tribesman is that person who acts with honor and dignity, valor and generosity. He is that person who protects his land and honor, rushes to rescue the weak and forgives his own. He is a person who accepts dia-logue and rational thinking. A tribesman has unrivaled loyalty to his tribe and its leader (the sheikh) and, in certain situations, he puts

the tribe’s interest before his own and his children’s.

A tribesman would do anything to heighten the status of his tribe even though the tribe does not employ him or provide a salary. However, in adversity, he may need tribal protection. He would never turn his back on his tribe, and involves himself in every is-sue. He plays the role that tribal customs and traditions require of him, even if he knows it is a lost cause. That is why members of the tribe are united in both times of joy and hardship.

I remember a story of tribal loy-

alty about two men from a Yeme-ni tribe in a remote area. The two tribesmen were walking on a street in the capital, enjoying their tour, when all of a sudden they heard a woman shouting angrily in the face of a group of men in a tone similar to that of their tribe. Before inquiring about what was going on, they started fighting with the men. It turned out that both sides belonged to the same tribe. They quickly announced that everything was all right and those who had gathered around were left with nothing to see.

In any case, loyalty to the tribe still exists in the hearts and minds

of all Yemenis. Whatever the per-son’s level of scientific, political or legal education, he cannot be separated from his tribal identity. Consequently, it has become nec-essary for intellectuals (like law-yers and politicians) to deal with the tribe in a new way, and work to transform loyalty to the tribe into loyalty to Yemen.

If we change the traditional view of the tribe, we can win them over and build our homeland. If we put our minds to it, we can utilize the tribal values and rigorous systems to build the state, maintain order, and implement the law.

We need a scientific study to ac-count for all tribal systems, so that we can achieve a balance be-tween them and the state’s regula-tions. This will be a strong strate-gy for genuine change in the tribes and a way to raise aware-ness about (and gain support for) the laws of the state of Yemen.

To this end a campaign titled “Homeland is One Tribe” should be run. In this campaign the focus should be kept on positive tribal aspects, linking them with legal regulations already in effect. All tribal imperfections that are ig-nored by the tribe should also be diagnosed and linked with legal

regulations. Under this concept, contradicting laws should be put up for discussion, advocacy and hopefully a general consensus.

I do not think that building a modern Yemeni state is possible unless tribes side with law and or-der. So, the campaign should be-gin with the Yemeni sheiks and senior social figures of tribes. Once tribesmen feel that law and order is part of tribalism, they will reject all security disorders and those who hinder develop-ment will be punished. The Ye-meni tribe will become the focal point for a state of law and order.

Continued from ( 1 )

Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 Issue 12 www.nationalyemen.com 5National Yemen COMMuNITy

Abdul-Salam OthmanMalaysian Ambassador

Malaysian Muslims are enthusi-ast about the arrival of Ramadan and greet this eagerly waited for month joyously.

Although our religious celebra-tion does not prevent us from maintaining our regular life or our normal schedules, excep-tions are made for closing times (of shops, businesses, etc) espe-cially for ladies who work and have to return home earlier to prepare for the Iftar.

Worshiping God by fasting should not prevent us from working since less fortunate people have to do the same thing in order to earn their sala-ry. We are required to fast to ex-perience what our unfortunate brothers go through and by do-ing so we hope that we will be able to become more generous.

After the sunset, Malaysians ful-fill their obligations to God by

praying and reciting the Qur’an. Following the Taraweeh prayer, people carry on their normal activities and sleep early since the next day their duties will re-sume at the normal time.

A typical Malaysian tradition is the Ramadan Bazaar, which can be found at every corner of the city and attract tourists with fa-mous culinary specialties.

In Malaysia only 55% of the population is Muslim, which might create an opportunity for temptation, but it definitely strengthens the self-control of the individual. Fortunately, oth-er religious groups respect our fasting, and actually attend the frequent Ramadan buffets orga-nized by hotels for the Iftar.

Activities organized by govern-ment or philanthropists ensure that the needy and orphans are taken care of. There is also a special system for collecting the obligatory Zakat for the poor, which involves the tax collector visiting every house and Zakat collection counters placed at ev-ery major site in the city.

Ramadan is celebrated quite uniquely in rural areas, begin-ning with the 21st, the Qadr Night- Night of Power. For the occasion the courtyards are fully illuminated with kerosene lamps, while the home lights are turned off, to symbolically greet the blessed night creating a spe-cial panorama in the darkness of the night for anyone who strolls by the alleyways.

Rashad Farraj Al-TayebMinister Plenipotentiary

I’d like to thank National Ye-

men and salute all Yemenis and Muslims around the world in recognition of the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The population of Sudan is around 40 million people, of which 80% are Muslims who prepare themselves for the Ra-madan long in advance.

A custom in Sudan is the firing of the traditional cannon at the Maghreeb prayer to announce the fast breaking. Typical dishes are Aseeda and Mulah, while Abree is the popular beverage because it is refreshing.

One of the important charac-teristics of Ramadans is that the breaking of the fast is al-ways performed in groups (not necessarily restricted to family members). It is not uncommon to witness Sudanese Muslims preparing for the sunset while entertaining themselves with worship or interacting with oth-er citizens.

In rural areas Muslims of-ten stop travelers during the Maghreeb time and offer to share their meal with them.

As part of charitable activities tents are erected to provide food for the less fortunate, and peo-ple visit often forgotten places, like female prisons.

Despite the high temperatures in Sudan, working hours remain basically the same, with people actually leaving the work usu-ally later..

Allah has not ordered us to do anything except that it’s benefi-cial for us either directly or in the long run. Often we are blind and unaware of the wisdom behind every mandate, yet we resolve to obey our Creator. In regards to fasting, scientific re-search shows that periods of ab-stinence from eating and drink-ing benefits our physical and mental health.

The month of Ramadan teaches us many values, including self-control, patience, and generos-

ity. It is an occasion to master your behavior, renovate your spirituality, dedicate ourself to useful and pious actions, and avoid wasting precious time.

Khalfan Al KendiManager of UAE Red Crescent to Yeme

There’s no month that can be compared to Ramadan, even the weather seems to change and every Muslim senses a differ-ence. Its principal importance is religious and we impatiently look forward for the occasion.

The Ramadan is a festivity that brings together people in the

UAE, and is spent not only with family, but also with the whole district. For example, differ-ent culinary specialties are ex-changed between families from the entire neighborhoods.

We practice this custom in Ye-men with families from the Emirates embassy, but we miss “Harees”, a type of food we are careful to include in the Iftar menu after the dates.

Visits between friends and fam-ily, which often last until four in the morning, are almost a must. Even government offices re-main open till midnight to pro-vide services to the citizens.

In the Emirates there are no less then 4-5 tents in every city, in which Muslims can break their fast. In Yemen we plan to dis-tribute basic goods (such as sugar, wheat, salt, oil and flour) to disadvantaged families, in collaboration with local organi-zations in Sana’a and almost all the other governorates. We also plan to feed 5,143 refuges in the Haradh camps.

I noticed that Ramadan is simi-lar to ordinary Fridays, in the sense that a multitude of people fill the mosques, everyone is more aware of the rewards of good deeds, and people repent for previous faults; even before the start of Ramadan it not un-usual to reach out to other Mus-lims and strengthen our ties, even if there has been no serious quarrel in the past.

Alisha Burns-Sudent

This is my third Ramadan and I’m glad I had the chance to spend it in Yemen. In New Hampshire, America, it’s defi-nitely not the same experience. It’s difficult to undercover the

beauty and sanctity of this month living in a non-Muslim community.

Working and studying hours re-main exactly the same and often no one knows that I am fasting. When friends or colleagues in-vite me to eat or drink, I try to

excuse myself politely without providing a detailed reason. I do know a group of Muslims though with which I attend the Taraweeh prayer.

My family questioned at length my conversion, but in the end they accepted my choice. As a former Christian I found myself disagreeing with several parts of the doctrine, and no one was able to give me clear answers. Then I started searching for answers in different religions, from Judaism, to Hinduism and Buddhism, but Islam was the one who convinced me; it sim-ply means peace. I was captured by its simplicity, the scientific evidences supporting it and the lives of great Muslim women

like Khadija impressed me.

Ramadan Traditions in Arab & Muslims Countries living in Yemen ( Part II ) Jihan anwar

In the second week of Ramadan, National Yemen newspaper wishes to introduce readers to four more members of the Muslim community, all of whom have different experiences during the holy month in their home countries.

Every individual is uniquely enriched by the Ramadan spirit, yet all are united by their common Muslim identity. Sharing food, visiting friends and family, and having Iftar are all major phenomena during Ramadan.

One of the important characteristics of Ra-madans is that the breaking of the fast is always performed in groups (not neces-sarily restricted to family members). It is not uncommon to witness Sudanese Muslims preparing for the sunset while en-tertaining themselves with worship or inter-acting with other citi-zens.

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Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 Issue 12 www.nationalyemen.com6 National Yemen

The conflict in Northern Yemen continues to challenge the already unstable situation in the country, but this time it not only undermines the current stability of the country but it endangers and destroys the future; the children. An interview with George Abu Al Zulof, a Child Protection Specialist from the Unicef Program ‘Justice to Children’, briefed National Yemen on the recently published conflict area child report.

REPORT

UNICEF and the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour jointly released the First Inter-Agency Comprehensive Child Protection Assessment Report in Conflict Affected Areas. The assessment included shocking data

regarding the psychological impact of the war on children who have been subjected to an impressive number of risks.Children have been separated from their caregivers, killed, injured, displaced, detained, re-cruited and abducted.

“Around 8% of the internally displaced peoples (IDPs) and their affected families reported that one of their children has been killed and 10% reported them to be injured, while 7% witnessed someone being killed around them, either a relative or not,” states Abu Al-Zulof.

“Around 10% testified their children have been subjected to detention, and even if not with the intention of depriving them from liberty, some families ad-mitted forcing their children to stay at home for fear that tribal militias will recruit them.

The occurrence of domestic vi-olence stands at 65%, physical abuse at 33% and missing cases (children in unknown conditions due to a total absence of data) at 2% according to the UNICEF report”, he further says.

The child condition is even more precarious if we take into account that his caregiv-ers are often unable to provide for themselves because the low literacy rates lead to unemploy-ment and poverty.

The assessment also highlighted other perturbing information. Approximately 26% of chil-dren have encountered either an emotionally or psychologi-cally difficult experience due to the displacement; 52% revealed anxiety problems; 38% showed deep sadness and frustration; 37% felt anger and hatred; 30% admitted of having lost all hope; 34% lamented sleeping problem while 21% reported frequent nightmares.

Data confirmed the presence of child soldiers fighting for both

sides of the war, with 15% with-in the Houthis lines and 20% in the pro-government tribes army. These records clearly point to an emergency that is in dire need of a solution.

Illustrating the work of Child Protection, Abu Al Zulof ex-plains that the program focuses on several components, consist-ing principally of child traffick-ing, violence against children, juvenile justice and harmful tra-ditional practices such as forced or early child marriage and fe-male genital mutilation.

When an emergency situation arises, either man made or a natural, a rapid assessment is carried out so as to understand the nature of the emergency, and deliver immediate support to the children and the community. The second phase is a quick an efficient monitoring system, in which every child protection field worker investigates com-plaints (or possible complaints) related to child security. The third step involves advocacy within all relative agencies and sites to ensure that minors are safeguarded.

UN agencies are monitoring the Sa’ada conflict, where presently 350,000 IDPs have been regis-tered, of which 60% are under 18. This means that in a con-

flict area of 11,000 square km (inhabited by at least 800.000 people), 400 to 500 thousand youths are affected.

“ Our main intervention as Uni-cef is to reduce the impact of the war on the psychosocial wel-fare, mental health and physical wellbeing of children. Further-more it is our aim to promote respect for their dignity and rights,” affirms Abu Al Zulof.

Basic service assistance is a top priority for the agency, which plans to secure health care, shelter, proper nutrition, edu-cation and water and sanitation services to children and their family in the IDP com-munities. These services are not directly offered by the Child Protection Program but by other humanitarian agencies within the UN.

Every agency has its own man-date and local organization such as the Islamic Relief, Al-Saleh Foundation, and the Charitable Society for Social Welfare, co-operate with International agen-cies for the development of the country.

The Child Protection Program does not supply medical care except in specific cases. The philosophy of the program is to target communities using a social approach. Activities are planned to enhance a sense of normality in the children’s lives and their communities.

Unicef and the Social Affairs Ministry, along with other field partners, organize creative ac-tivities to help the IDPs relieve the stress. Studies have proven that actives that relieve stress, such as singing, playing, shout-ing, talking, dancing and sports,

help combat the effects of war on children. IDPs have the chance to alleviate their suffer-ings by participating in sport competitions, plays, radio pro-grams and art classes.

HARADH, August 14, 2010 – The people of Haradh District, in the governorate of Hajjah in northwest Yemen, celebrated to-day the inauguration of the new Al-Masraq Water Scheme, sup-ported by UNICEF.

The new water scheme is de-signed to meet the demands for access to safe drinking water by internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps and scat-tered settlements in the district. Hajjah governorate has received the majority of the 320,000 peo-ple displaced by the conflict in the neighbouring governorate of Sa’ada. Sixty percent of those displaced are children.

In total, the new system will provide at least 30,000 benefi-ciaries in two IDPs camps and surrounding hosting communi-ties with better access to safe drinking water. This project has also opened the way for the General Authority of Rural Wa-ter Projects (GARWP) to con-nect some 18 villages in the area with drinking water using the same network. Many of those villages have been waiting for such measures for over twenty years.

The inauguration took place at the Om Al-Gussom pump-ing station, which is one of the two pumping stations serving the system. It was attended by

Mr Ameen Al-Qodami, Deputy Governor of Hajjah, and other local officials as well as repre-sentatives from the Executive Unit for IDPs, GARWP and other implementing partners.

The event coincided with the Haradh visit of Mr Martin Bell, UNICEF UK Humanitar-ian Ambassador, and Mr Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Repre-sentative in Yemen, who were also present at the ceremony.

In his address, Geert Cappe-laere said: “This water project demonstrates how an emergen-cy can be turned into opportu-nity for a country like Yemen, which struggles with major wa-

ter shortages. This water project will indeed benefit both IDPs and hosting communities and hopefully UNICEF will soon be able to extend our support to areas that are currently not ac-cessible.”

Martin Bell said in his address: “I have come a long way and it has been a pleasure to see what UNICEF and its partners are able to do for the IDPs and host communities of this governor-ate. The new water project will make an incredible difference and I am proud to be here.”

The highlight of the event was when the pumping engine was activated and the taps of the wa-

ter collection point turned on so the sparkling fresh water could stream through.

Ameen Al-Qodami, Deputy Governor of Hajjah, said after the ceremony: “I am very happy

about this important milestone. I want to express my gratitude to UNICEF for its support. Hopefully, it will continue help-ing both IDPs and host commu-nities in Hajjah.”

Sana’a, August 16, 2010 – UNI-CEF has strongly called on par-ties on both sides of the border of Sa’ada for an immediate and sustained peace agreement to provide unrestricted access by humanitarian organisations to children caught in the crossfire.

The call was made hours after a UNICEF convoy carrying UNI-CEF UK Humanitarian Ambas-sador, Martin Bell, could not enter Malaheet in Sa’ada Gov-ernorate.

Geert Cappalaere, UNICEF’s Representative in Yemen says that lack of access to the inno-cent victims of a conflict can-not be allowed to continue and needs to be addressed in order to save the lives of thousands of children.

“UNICEF works in conflicts all around the world and if there is one lesson that we have learnt is that children are never respon-sible for wars but they are the biggest victims. Yemen is no exception as 60% of people dis-placed by the conflict in Sa’ada are children deprived of their basic right to health, education and protection. This is wrong and we need to put it right,” said Mr Cappalaere.

Martin Bell, a former war corre-spondent and UK parliamentar-ian was in Yemen to get a bet-ter understanding of the plight that children face. He travelled almost 2,000 kilometres in six days to four governorates to see how UNICEF is supporting the Government of Yemen to im-

prove the lives of the country’s children.

Mr Bell said: “The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is acute even by the standards of other countries that I have visited in conflict or post-conflict situations. I have been impressed by the work be-ing done by aid agencies and by the Yemeni people themselves. But much more has to be done, especially to meet the rights of the children who are the coun-try’s future. On my return to the UK I shall do what I can to raise awareness of the crisis. It is time for a concerted effort to help these children, who have suffered too much already.”

The Humanitarian Ambassador, who has travelled to some of the most dangerous places cham-

pioning the cause of children, has visited many areas in Ye-men. Among them were camps for internally displaced persons in the north, refugee camps in the south and a general prison in Hodeidah where children are kept.

UNICEF, which relies on volun-tary donations to fund it emer-gency operations, has appealed for US$ 19 million but has a se-vere shortfall in funding. UNICEF, the world’s largest children organisation, has been operating in Yemen for over 40 years supporting long term pro-grammes to improve the lives of the country’s 12 million chil-dren.

The current five-year pro-

gramme between UNICEF and the Government of Yemen is due for re-negotiation next year. In the last five years it has fo-cused on enhancing child sur-vival and development, basic education and gender equality. Plans are underway for a stra-tegic review and shift of the country programme in line with emerging priorities for children and the Millennium Develop-

ment Goals for the new 2012 – 2015 country programme.During his visit, the Humanitar-ian Ambassador met with vari-ous officials, including Minister Ahmed Al- Kohlani, the head of the Executive Unit for IDP camps operations and Dr Amat Razzaq Hummad, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour as well as other counterparts work-ing with UNICEF

Children: Never the Cause, Always the Victims

On Saturday 21 August 2010, the first meeting for Child Protection Strategy for Working Group was held in Haradh. The UNICEF Assesment Report will be the reference for the development of the strategies.

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UK Ambassador Martin Bell returns to Yemen

UNICEF Launching a new-water scheme serving both IDPs and hosting communities in Haradh, north-western Yemen

Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 Issue 12 www.nationalyemen.com 7National Yemen INTERVIEW

operation with the relevant au-thorities and international insti-tutions, is currently concluding the national strategy for food security, which it will soon sub-mit to the cabinet for approval. The strategy will be a compre-hensive national framework to deal with the issue of food secu-rity from many different angles (procedural, legislative, struc-tural, financial and investment). It will enhance the cooperation of all parties and strengthen the commitment to the issue of food security.

He said, “This strategy will deal with the issue of food security as one of the main challenges and issues facing the Government. The effects of this global food crisis and the ensuing global fi-nancial crisis have clearly made the state and government re-consider a number of policies related to food security. These global developments have had an especially hard impact on Yemen, which almost entirely depends on imports for basic food commodities.”

The minister also addressed the current negotiations regarding the requirements of Yemen’s entrance into the WTO. He ex-pressed his satisfaction with the steps that have been made in the negotiations and agree-ment with the WTO, and Yemen is on schedule to become a by the end of this year. He said that the progress made by Yemen reflects the country’s and the government’s credibility and seriousness.

He pointed to legislation that the Government recently re-ferred to the House of Repre-sentatives, which will speed up the measures taken by Yemen to join the WTO.

“The package includes 6 draft laws and 11 draft ministerial de-cisions, all of which have con-centrated on bridging the gap in the legislative system required for joining the WTO; taking into account preserving of intel-lectual property.”

The minister said that private sector’s concerns about joining the WTO are legitimate. The Yemeni private sector economy is still in the early stages of growth, particularly the indus-trial sector, which is thought to have difficulty standing on an

equal competition in the local or foreign markets. However, articles in various WTO agree-ments give the least developed countries, including Yemen, transitional stages through which they can adapt to the con-ditions of international competi-tion.

Dr. Al-Mutawakil said that Ye-men’s openness to the current market economy and its en-trance into the WTO does not affect the private sector or na-tional industries. The competi-tion will be strong and only the best will survive.

“ MTI has made a draft resolu-tion for the protection of national products, in order to absorb the effects of dumping the market, which could be harmful when Yemen joins the WTO. We have notified the WTO members of the draft resolution.”

According to the findings of the 2009 World Bank report on business activity, Yemen ranks first in the reforms to starting up business activity. This success is the product of the actions taken by the MTI to facilitating the es-tablishment of trade activities. It is also due to the MTI’s intro-duction of the single window system, and amendments relat-ed to the practice of commercial activities. These actions were based on the results of a survey taken by the ministry in coop-eration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

“The Ministry has also abol-ished the requirement of mini-mum capital as a condition for the establishment of limited li-ability companies, which was up to three million riyals. It has also issued a guide to action ser-vices of the ministry. It began to automate some of the actions and trade registration. It has also concluded memorandums of understanding with government and relevant non- government agencies to complete the com-mercial registration procedures through the single window sys-tem,” he said.

The minister said that the gov-ernment efforts to improve the investment climate and business environment have improved Yemen’s status in a number of international reports. He reiter-ated the government’s keenness to ensure the sustainability of

reforms, which would help at-tract local, Arab and foreign investments and boost overall development.

Dr. Al-Mutawakil reviewed MTI’s achievements in accel-erating the steps needed to es-tablish 11 industrial zones in several important Yemeni cit-ies. These zones will enable lo-cal, Arab and foreign investors to have an easy access to land and services. They also, as part of the Ministry’s plans to en-courage industrial investment, create new incentives that will shorten process of establishing

investment projects.

“Three zones in Aden, Hodei-dah and Lahj were offered to investors for development and operation with the Build-Oper-ate-Transfer (BOT) system. We have recently signed a memo-randum of understanding with Mena for Touristic and Real Estate Investment (an Egyptian firm) to develop and operate the industrial zone in Aden, which consists of 196 hectares,” he added.

“Last may The Chamber of

Commerce and Industry in Ho-deidah launched a joint-stock company to develop, invest and operate the core of the indus-trial zone in the province with (BOT)”.

In addition to these two mod-els, the ministry has set a num-ber of possible alternatives for the development of industrial zones, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Foundation of Private Sector Financing (an affiliate of the Islamic Development Bank)

for cooperation in planning and promoting the development of specialized industrial and eco-nomic zones in Yemen.

It has also financed specific phases of development for projects of border industrial, economic areas and complexes within the government’s an-nual development program. The ministry has also encouraged investors to establish their own industrial projects in those areas and complexes.

Mr. Yahya al-Mutawakil, Minister of Trade and Industry (MTI) said that the ministry has been closely monitoring the supply and price situation through its central operations room and its branches in all governorates. It will not allow any unjustified price rises, and will penalize violators and monopolists as per the powers granted to it under current laws, regulations and resolutions.

In an interview, the minister pointed to the collaboration between the ministry and the lo-cal authorities in controlling markets and illegal trade practices. There are regulations and standards in place for establishing and operating commercial stores, especially ones that sell food. Regulations include compliance with health and security requirements and at least minimal precautions to protect consumers’ rights.

“Three zones in Aden, Hodeidah and Lahj were offered to investors for development and operation with the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) system.

Faoud al-Kadi

The ministry has carried out proj-ects aimed at mini-mizing the time and cost required to start a business, and encouraging new businesses for locals and for-eigners through cooperation with a number of in-ternational donor organizations. This contributed to the improve-ment of the work-ing environment in particular and also the investment cli-mate, These proj-ects were within the framework of the Government’s plans for the devel-opment of its eco-nomic structure and modernization of the manage-ment system.

Yahya al-Mutawakil

Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 Issue 12 www.nationalyemen.com8 National YemenBuSINESS

He added that a number of stores have been cited for not complying with rules of dis-

playing and storing. They did not abide by the proper health or production codes, which could

result in contamination of these goods.

Through its offices in the cus-toms routes, the organization has, in the past week, stopped a

number of shipments for violat-ing sanctioned specifications and seized others pending a re-view to ensure safety and con-formity. These products include packed Saudi dates, Chinese garlic, ketchup, ginger, oils, powders, drinks, wafers, some canned food, etc.

He said that the actions taken by the organization are accom-panied by an awareness cam-paign. The organization has printed more than 30,000 bro-chures and posters aimed at consumers, traders, importers and authorities at other offices, civil society organizations and the private sector.

The organization’s general manager said that this campaign is being carried out during the holy month of Ramadan, be-cause this is a season where many goods are exchanged and sold in the market. He warned traders against taking advantage of this occasion to promote and market fake, counterfeit or al-tered products.

He emphasized that unhealthy methods of exhibition and stor-age, like selling on sidewalks, streets, traffic circles, display-ing goods outside stores and ex-posing them to the sun and heat, are widely practiced. These methods make goods vulnerable to pollution and expiration, which leads to damage and dan-ger to the health and safety of consumers. Among the products that pose a risk to public safety are packed dates, powder drinks, creams, flour, household items, plastic bags and electrical

appliances.

The director called upon all citizens, relevant authorities and civil society organizations to cooperate and double-check any products that are question-able or which may be counter-feit or smuggled. These good are often sold on the street, at roundabouts and on sidewalks.

The organization asked vari-ous media outlet to help educate the public about those goods that violate the specifications and standards, and make clear the adverse effects of consum-ing such products.

The organization also asked the private sector to cooperate in detecting traders, importers and producers who do not com-ply with controls and standards when importing, producing, marketing or selling.

During the past two months, the YSMQCO, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works, has carried out a field search of various importers, dealers and retailers of the rebar used in concrete. Samples were taken for testing, and the results showed 56 violations out of 78 samples. They have been re-ferred to the prosecution so that legal action can be taken

The director stressed that the YSMQCO will, in collaboration with the proper authorities, prosecute and blacklist all trad-ers who violate product specifi-cations.

200 Commercial Violations in the Past Two Weeks

Falling Fish Prices Force Store Closures

The Yemen Standardization, Metrology and Quality Control Organization (YSMQCO) uncovered more than 200 trade violations during the past few days, said the director. He said that the violations were as follows: low weight of certain commodities (particularly rice, sugar, and dates), and a lack of explanation labels and expiry dates on some goods that have been confiscated.

Al-Bilaily Market is the most famous fish market in Sana’a. It is frequented by hundreds of citizens, and its daily transac-tions are estimated at about one million riyals.

Most days the Central Market

opens early in the morning, however, this routine changes during he holy month of Rama-dan. With the arrival of Rama-dan this year, there has been de-cline in the demand for fish (despite the low prices and

availability of all kinds of fish), which has nearly paralyzed the market.

Fish prices dropped 30-40 per-cent below normal, especially on the first and second days of Ramadan. According to Mo-

hammed, an employee in the market, the decline in fish prices during Ramadan each year is common because during the first week people eat more chicken and meat. Owners con-firmed that the low prices range

from 700 to 1200 riyals per kilo.

The low local demand for fish has forced many storeowners to close down during Ramadan. This strategy is meant to avoid any loss they might suffer dur-ing Ramadan, especially with

the frequent power cutoffs and their inability to provide elec-tricity for storage containers; not to mention improper storage during transportation between provinces, which causes consid-erable damage to frozen fish.

Pho

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Ane

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Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 Issue 12 www.nationalyemen.com 9National Yemen SPORT

The President’s Cup Tourna-ment recently concluded com-petition in all age groups. The tournament was organized by the Yemen Federation of Ten-nis and Squash and included 120 players representing 6 governorates: Sana’a, Taiz, Aden, Hadramout, Dhamar and Al-Mahweet.

At the end of the tournament, Hammoud Obad, Minister of Youth and Sports, Abdul-Ha-mid al-Saidi, Assistant Under-secretary of the Sports Sector, Mohamed Al-Ahjori, Secretary General of the Yemeni Olym-pic Committee, Ali Taha, Gen-eral Executive Manager of the Fund, and members of the Ye-meni Tennis Federation hon-ored the winners as follows:

Excellence Category:1. Mohammed Saif (Aden)

2. Mo’men Hassan (Aden)3. Ahmed Seif (Aden)

Youth: 1. Mo’men Hassan (Aden)2. Ghassan al-Ansi (Sana’a)3. Hussein Hasan (Aden) Juniors: 1. Ghassan al-Ansi (Sana’a) 2. Ahmed Al-Shawafi (Sana’a)3. Amr Al-Ra’wi (Taiz)

Children: 1. Aziz Mohammed Sharaf (Aden)2. Fahmi Abdul Rakib Al-Ward (Sana’a) 3. Manei’ Al-Maqaleh (Sana’a) Girls: 1. Shaimaa Ali Al-Olofi (Sana’a)2. Ayat Tahir (Aden)3. Buthaina Al-Olofi (Sana’a)

Conclusion of President’s Cup for Tennis After the outcry over the sacking of the Secretary-General of the Federation of Tennis, the return of Nabil al-Mahdi revitalized the game.

ExclusiveDr. Abdullah Al-Jarmal, Chair-man of the Yemeni Weight Lifting Federation, said that the IFW penalty of a two-year ban and a two thousand dollar fine has not been officially ap-proved because Yemen is chal-lenging the decision.

He said that there was certainly a conspiracy by some employ-ees at the IFW against Yemen to deprive it of new achieve-

ments. He said that the conspir-acy prompted the honest mem-bers of the IFW to postpone the sanctions. The decision will be postponed until the meeting of IFW Board of Directors next month in Turkey. Jarmal has called on the Yeme-ni press to support the Yemeni Weight Lifting Federation, es-pecially National Yemen news-paper, as it is the only English-language newspaper with a sports page and a website.

ADEN, Aug. 20 (Saba) – In-formation Minister Hassan al Lawzi urged on Friday the media to make the coverage of the Gulf Cup 20 a success, two days ahead of the drawing of lots for the cup.

He underlined the sport event that Yemen will host for the first time, saying Yemen shoul-ders a big responsibility to-wards making it a success. The championship will take place later this year in Aden and

Abayn Provinces.

Al Lawzi also pointed to the media coverage of the cup, saying the Abu Dhabi Sports Channel won the concession to covere it.

For his part, head of the Ye-meni Football Association Ha-mid Shaibani said all arrange-ments for drawing the lots of the championship have been completed according to world conditions and standards.

ExclusiveThere has been controversy over the efficiency of the sum-mer centers, on which the state has spent more than 600 mil-lion riyals in less than ten days. This spending has led to a war of words between many minis-ters, particularly the Minister of State and the Secretary of the capital, Mr. Abdul Rahman Al-Akwa, who predicted the sum-mer centers’ failure for the third time in three years.

The summer center at the or-

phanage in Sana’a, led by Mr. Mohammad Al-Asadi and Captain Naji Al-Rayashi, has achieved success for the Suhail team against the Royal Sana’a Team, in a match that ended in a tie.

In the football tournament for youth that was concluded last week, Suhail also lost the ju-nior championship against Al-Qassam Team. The closing ceremony was attended by: Mr. Hassan Ali Al Khawlani, Con-sultant of the Ministry of Youth

and Sports; Abdullah Obaid, General Manager of the Min-istry’s Office and Chairman of Technical Committee of the Summer Centers in the capital secretariat; Captain Abdul Sat-tar Al Hamdani, National Di-rector of the Yemeni Special Olympics; Mr. Mohammed Ali Al-Shami, Principal the Or-phanage School in Sana’a and Mr. Nabil Al Shami, Director of Sports Activities in Al-Sab’een Educational District.

Yemen Appeals International Federation of Weightlifting (IFW) Penalties

Al Lawzi urges good media coverage as 20th Gulf Cup lots drawing nears

Yemeni village discovers climbing craze

Under the watchful and expert eye of two young rock-climb-ing enthusiasts, the 30 villagers just wanted more, and so The Yemen Adventure Club was born. The 100-metre drop off a cliff-edge dominated by the spectacular Dar Al Hajjar for-tress atop was not enough to deter an entire Yemeni village from donning harnesses — af-ter learning what they were — and just abseiling down.All of them were first-timers.

But under the watchful and expert eye of two young rock-climbing enthusiasts, the 30 villagers just wanted more, and so The Yemen Adventure Club was born.Starting an extreme sports club in Yemen today might sound like madness and in 2007 the odds weren’t much bett

Sana’a Orphans Save Summer Centers

Gulf 20 is Officially in Yemen

The Ministry Calls on the National Football Association to Submit Financial Reports

* ExclusiveIn confirmation of the Na-tional Yemen newspaper re-port, about the refusal of the financial manager of Yemen Football Association (YFA) to submit financial reports (accounting for 950 million riyals), a ministerial com-mittee was formed. This is despite the new manager’s claim that there was only 600 million riyal to begin with. National Yemen learned from sources that the YFA did not cooperate with the ministe-rial committee and formed a its own committee chaired by its Secretary General, Dr. Ha-mid Sheibani. This forced the MYS and the Welfare Fund for Youth and Sports to issue a memorandum demanding that the YFA cooperate with the ministerial committee in order to avoid prosecution. It is worth mentioning that sources say that that the YFA, whose debts amount to a bil-lion riyals to CAC Bank, is considering opening a new account at another bank in or-der to avoid the debit.

Sources close to the UAE Foot-ball Association Committee said that leaders in the Arab Emirates and Qatar Associa-tions offered to mediate the dis-agreement between the Yemeni and Kuwaiti associations in re-gards to the Gulf 20.

The predicament came about because Yemen insisted that is it has to right to draw lots for the tournament in Aden on August 22nd. This argument is based on the regulations of the Arabian Gulf Cup, which state that the drawing of lots takes place in the host country one hundred days before the tour-

nament.

Kuwait considers this a chal-lenge to the decision by the Board of Trustees of the Gulf Football Associations, which is still deciding whether to re-locate the tournament. In the mean time, they had planned on drawing lots at their meeting in Kuwait, which was set to take place at the same time that Ye-men draws lots.

Sport analysts stressed that the decision of the Board of Trust-ees pleased Kuwait, whose football association, together with Bahrain, opposes Yemen’s

hosting of Gulf 20. Kuwait and Bahrain have recently won the support of Saudi Arabia, who had previously supported Ye-men.

Latest reports confirm that the Qatari-UAE mediation has suc-cessfully contained the crisis and delayed the Kuwait meet-ing. This means that Gulf 20 will officially be held in Yemen. This agreement comes after the Yemeni government assured the Board of Trustees that they will protect the participating delegations and a Gulf States committee report confirmed Yemen’s readiness.

Dubai / Jassim Mirza

Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 Issue 12 www.nationalyemen.com10 National Yemen

Jiblah has preserved traditional features of its skilful architec-ture. Tall, five-story stone hous-es are arranged in harmonious rows on the hill and seem to in-terconnect with each other. The numerous windows are large and are surrounded by friezes with motifs in white gypsum.

The history of the city really started in the 11th century, when queen Arwa ruled for 52 years. The Sulayhid Queen transformed this area into a rich and fertile land. She did this by spending much of the annual revenue on the improvement of communications, roads and agricultural land (the terraces around Jiblah).

This exceptionally intelligent woman also started the con-struction of a series of important religious buildings. She man-aged to make Jibla the capital of Yemen, and she introduced other ideas as well. Some of

these concepts, like terraced ag-riculture, are still used today. The town is relatively rich, has elaborate stone towers, views of the valley, and lots of children to run after you and accompany

you. The main attractions are the mosques; notably the Queen Arwa mosque, and the Qubbat Bayt az-Zum mosque.

Jiblah lies on a large outcrop of basalt, and is the perfect ex-

ample of a homogenous town. It is built on a supporting wall and bordered by the ravines of two small wadis which join to-gether just outside the town. The lush vegetation along the edges of the wadis and the val-

ley bottoms consist of acacias, eucalyptus, carob trees and cac-ti. This area has plenty of rain from June through September.

Jiblah is a City with a Powerful History

Jiblah is a small town with a big history. From 1064 to 1138 the region was ruled by the Sulayhids, a dynasty founded by ‘Ali as-Sulayhi. This dynasty controlled a large area of Yemen, and ruled some of the time from Sana’a and some of the time from Jiblah. They were Ish-mailis from the Tayy-ibiya branch of the Fatimid Ishmailism (or ‘Sevener Shia’).

TOuRISM

Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 Issue 12 www.nationalyemen.com 11National Yemen

National YemenSunday, Aug 22 , 2010 Issue 12 www.nationalyemen.com ADVERTISMENTS