The Marginalized… A Story Of Isolation Inside The Homeland Racism, Marginalization, Discrimination, and Slavery in Yemen Walls of Discrimination Surround the Marginalized in the Alleys of (Mahwa) Young Marginalized...They Broke The Barrier Of Isolation And Overcome Racism

Racism And Marginalization In Yemen: Issue Confronting The Sawt 5 Pages Problem Before 12 It Is Too Late By: Abdul-Aziz Oudah Price Free

ome may find it strange, and others may denounce the newspaper’s handling of racism, marginalization and dis- Voice of Hope crimination in Yemen. Some may deny the existence of Sthe problem at all, and some others may underestimate it and Independent - Newspaper (Towic a Month) Puplished by Yemen Information Center the extent of its spread. Regardless of the differing descriptions of the words between "racism", "marginalization" and "dis- 1 / 4 / 2021 - Repulbish www.sawt-alamal.net crimination", all of them in the end pour into the same stream, leading to the same results: different social classes, infringed rights, unfair treatment, unequal roles and opportunities buried Bara’a, A dreams, aspirations ending before they emerge, absenteeism and disappearance of principles, people doomed to stay in cer- Dark-Skinned tain frameworks, and boundaries surrounded by barbed wire. Marginalization leads to discrimination and discrimination Girl, Victim as well as marginalization, means a distinction based on de- scent, color or occupation, and this is racism itself. Of Racism All these paths ultimately lead to an inconsistent society and unjust opportunities; they deny justice in rights and -ob And Inequity ligations, and undermine constitutional basis and values that the nation has contractually developed to exist in a single land called “homeland”. People Live In The problem exists in Yemen, and even more so, that it has not stood at the level of racism, marginalization and discrimi- The Margins nation, but has moved beyond the stages to a worse and more declining phase, as there are still areas with slaves and maids. Yes, there are areas in which slaves and maids are passed down The Weddings Of The from generation to generation. They have no rights nor free- dom nor education nor health nor individual ownership nor Marginalized People: freedom of movement, and they are not even allowed to obtain identification papers such as identity cards and passports. Hustle, Singing, It is not a shame for us have problems, as the general con- ditions that the country has experienced during the various Dancing And Parties historical eras, long ago, have imposed many deep-rooted problems and differences, according to the political and social Until Dawn nature of the stage. This is not a specific case of Yemen, but it exists in all countries, but the same defect is to deny these problems, turn a blind eye to them, ignore them as if they were Minorities In not, and claim that they do not exist. Denial and turning a blind eye contribute to exacerbating Yemen Are problems from under the table, feeding their growth factors in a way that may explode, and will inevitably explode, when the Respected And Not appropriate conditions are created. The problem must be highlighted, addressed, and the cir- Discriminated

cumstances that contribute to its explosion in the future should By: Rajaa Makred be ended, because it is in the interest of the homeland and its future generations. It is the duty of the press to show, clarify and publish the facts, and religious and social activists and advocates must Educating The Marginalized play their part in raising awareness and mentoring. Civil soci- ety organizations analyze studies, propose solutions and proj- ects and implement them. And on top of all comes the role of Between The Devil And Deep Sea Regarding Discrimination And Poverty official authorities in enacting laws and monitoring the imple- mentation of policies on the ground. So the problem exists and is lived along the Yemeni geo- graphical area, and the recognition remains as an entry point Due To Economic President of the Union of the Marginalized for finding solutions and ending the suffering. The Marginalized Face It is not normal for millions of Yemenis to live in the isola- Situation, Illiteracy Rate tion and exclusion imposed by class restrictions and discrimi- Discrimination Because nation, which force them to live on the margins of life. Among Marginalized Racial Discrimination Is Inherent To Us Today, discrimination against marginalized groups in- Ye men manifests itself in multiple ways, as factors of ethnic rac- People Is High Of Race And Lineage ism and class order are intertwine, forming a canvas of racism, From The Very First Moment We Are Born. casting a dark shadow over the future of the nation. By: Manal Ameen The Voice of Hope Given all of the above, the newspaper decided to open the The Voice of Hope Exclusive: The Voice of Hope Follow-ups file of racism, marginalization and discrimination in Yemen, and upon making the decision, there was a great concern about A report issued by the Equal Rights The marginalized group in Yemen the ability to handle the issue in a way that would achieve an Trust in December 2018 confirmed Numan Al-Hudhaifi, President of the- Na acceptable level of professionalism and vocationalism and we is subjected to racial discrimination that there is discrimination against tional Union of the Marginalized, confirmed expected many difficulties in finding independent sources, in personal treatment because of the marginalized group in schools in that racial discrimination is inherent to the reaching the target groups and achieving acceptable results. race, lineage and color despite their And when the press team began to work on the ground, we Yemen based on the race, lineage and black marginalized people from the first -mo did face what we had expected, and even more. Many deny inequality, by studying 103 (a hundred ment they give birth. Al-Hudhaifi considered importance and influence in Yemen. the existence of the problem, and most, while acknowledging and three) cases in 16 (sixteen) Yeme- that Yemeni society is a traditional society, in They are located in the central and its existence, deny that it reaches what the words racism and ni governorates who left their schools which tribal, regionalist and Salafi affiliation southern regions close to the coasts marginalization mean. represent the basis on which human relations of the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, And between denial, fear and unwillingness to speak, espe- and were deprived of education be- cially anonymity, we were able to access reports highlighting cause of their ethnicity or lineage and based on differentiation are determined, and it is not strange for especially in the governorates of this problem in Yemen, and we distributed them between the their exposure to harassment, abuse and the society to deal with the marginalized from the angle of con- Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Hodeidah, Taiz, two parts of this issue. discrimination by students and even tempt and inferiority, which made them a social group rejected by and Ibb, and are among the poorest school administrators. Yemeni society. and most illiterate in the country. 02 Report Issue No (5) - 1/ 4 / 2021

Since dawn, Um Salem, a 48-year-old woman, part of the marginalized group, has been preparing and cooking sesame (i.e. Al Juljul) on her simple stove, in her home made of tin, some wood and tarpaulin, and packing it in small plastic bags, above a large plate, so that she could devote herself for housework until evening, heading afterwards from the Dar Sad district in Aden to a market to sell it. By: Manal Ameen Sawt Al Amal (The Voice of hope) How Does The Society View The Marginalized At Work? Um Salem bears many of the ment that are widespread among hardships, exhaustion, and - ha this group. rassment of people most of the time in order to provide a liv- He added: “The society has ing for her children, who are been dealing very carefully with deployed in various jobs in the this group, even at the level of streets. She returns home every work. There are good models night with a small yield, barely that deserve praise and appreci- enough to buy some vegetables ation, but there are bad models and simple supplies she needs to that represent themselves, and prepare her goods. no one denies their suffering at work and the difficulties they Lack of job opportunities face especially those jobs that re- Samira Seoud <> quire strong and physical efforts. As a result of the high rate of No one can bear it daily except poverty in the Yemeni society, for those who seek legitimate the lack of economic opportuni- livelihoods, with a very modest ties, especially for the children return, which does not guarantee of the marginalized group in Ye- the individual a decent life as re- men, and the creation of racial quired”. and class discrimination in the The absence of security distribution of appropriate jobs, On the violence experiences by the marginal- terms of job search, and if any, then in most both private and public ones, The director of the Women and ized people in the workplace, she clarifies that cases, unfairness is practiced against them in contributed to an increase in the Children Department at the Min- the absence and deterioration of the country’s paying their due wages, as a result of their hard unemployment rate among this istry of Social Affairs and Labor security and economic situation has led to the work in a less unequal way with others”. group. in Aden, Awan Omar, told “The emergence of discrimination in society towards Murisi stated that marginalized women in our Voice of Hope”: “Marginalized this group, which is considered a member of society suffer a great deal of unfair discrimina- Samira Seoud, head of the women, especially domestic the society, and has rights guaranteed by the tion, although they are considered the sole sup- “Aman Association for Develop- Fatima Murisi <> workers (workers), are frequent- Yemeni law and international charters, as do port of their families, and they are viewed with mental Disadvantaged Groups,” ly subjected to unethical verbal rest of the society. racism which diminishes their humanity in assures to “ the Voice of Hope” that the extreme abuse during worktime by their employers, Omar stressed that many joint efforts should most places while performing their work, and poverty that the marginalized group suffers which sometimes make them endure all these be made with local authorities and relevant in- some see them in the cleaning sector only, and from, and the societal discrimination practiced cruel treatments in order to provide their daily ternational organizations, to limit the spread of they are not entitled to work in another field, against them, has made many of them not inter- livelihoods”. a culture of racial discrimination against the and this is a major mistake that we inherited ested in pursuing their studies, which has con- Omar noted that marginalized women are the marginalized at work, and offer them better op- years ago. tributed to the lack of diverse job opportunities ones who go out and seek jobs in comparison to portunities to project their abilities and capa- Regarding the federation’s role in curbing for them, thus limiting them to work for the the rest of society. They can bear the hardship bilities in the service of the country. this negative perception, Murisi said: “The Cleaning Fund, and some small and low-wage of the road and the heat of the sun and look up federation has approached the relevant authori- jobs in governmental and private institutions, for a few hundred Riyals to buy a simple meal No one accepted me ties to prevent women from getting assigned to as cleaners and correspondents only. to fulfill the hunger of their family as they have When we asked one of the marginalized sani- work in the cleaning sector on public streets, Seoud clarifies that discrimination in treat- the ability to engage men in difficult jobs both tation workers (who refused to give his name) and to become accustomed to facilities and of- ment has made and led to a significant gap inside and outside the house. about whether he had applied for a job other fices, far from being seen with contempt and between the groups of society, despite being than cleaning the sewage, he said, with an an- inhumanity, as there is a number of marginal- citizens with equal rights and obligations by gry voice mixed with sadness: “I applied for ized women who have been able to transcend law. In order to get rid of this racist and class many jobs in a hospital, a school, a company, the challenges to prove themselves in educa- view, attention must be paid to educating them, a grocery store, at a Qat seller, and many other tion, and they reached a high level in some le- integrating them in all facets of life, and mak- places more than a decade ago, but no one ac- gal and social fields in this society.” ing use of their abilities and capabilities in the cepted me”. Human rights reports reveal that there is no service of society. This worker has completed his secondary legal text in the Yemeni constitution concern- school education with "wellness" - as he put ing the issue of the marginalized people in the Double effort and lower wage it - and suffers from people's contempt for his country and the extreme discrimination they Marginalized women incur a lot of fatigue, dream of working in a prominent place with a face in the treatment, causing a kind of gap be- effort and suffering at work compared to men, monthly salary through which he can guarantee tween them and the rest of the society. More- because they are subjected to many unaccept- his life and future. But he is now working as over, there are people who exploit the margin- able behaviors in their workplaces, as corre- sewage cleaner for a daily wage, carrying the alized women's need for money by begging on spondents, cleaners, or even during domestic bad smell every day, and he just has to give in the streets or illegally trading them in different service (domestic workers), in addition to be- to this reality and remain silent, as he said. locations, or exploiting marginalized men in ing exposed to verbal, psychological and some- The head of the Yemeni Women’s Federation arduous and tiring work for a small amount of times physical violence. in Aden, Fatima Murisi, clarifies to “The Voice money, without any protection and legal deter- Fatoum Salem, a 34 year-old woman who of Hope” that “The repercussions and effects rent that prevents the practice of these unethical works in a private hospital as a cleaner, says of the conflict we are experiencing in various and inhumane actions against them, which led that she endures to get to work in the early fields in the country have reduced the scope to a more dramatic image of the marginalized. morning, as she lives in Al Louhoum in Dar for the marginalized groups, men or women, in Sad area and her workplace is in Mansoura and she works two shifts with double effort. She is paid a lower wage, on the pretext that she does not have an academic qualification, which made her accept it without objecting despite A Racism View Of The her difficult circumstances. On the other hand, the citizen Ahmed Abdel Rahman, stated to “The Voice of Hope,” that Marginalized Women At Work the marginalized people in our country are of- ten subjected to a harsh treatment, which they do not deserve, from the society, despite the Reduces Their Efficiency problems they cause most of the time because of ignorance, illiteracy, poverty and unemploy- Issue No (5) - 1/ 4 / 2021 Economy 03 Racial Discrimination Deprived Them Of Their Rights The Marginalized... Simple Dreams Of Joining Public Jobs By: Mona Al-Assaadi He adds: “My suffering to provide a living spread economic collapse has led to the loss The Voice of Hope did not intercede for me in the society which of livelihoods, due to the ongoing conflict in pursues me with words of shame wherever I Yemen since March 2015, which has creat- The search for a source of in- go, because of the color of my skin and their ed a competition for low-wage jobs between come, from which a living would disdain for this job, which makes me feel the displaced and the black marginalized be made, was not easy for “Mo- badly sad”. Mohammed preferred to work people, which were previously reserved for hamed Ahmed”, but it has become away from begging, to become a productive the marginalized. more difficult in recent years. individual, instead of remaining a burden Maher Mohsen, a 16-year-old member Muhammad, in his mid-fifties, on the society. However, the inherited ra- of the black community, expresses his dis- sits on one of the sidewalks at cial discrimination and marginalization in satisfaction with his work conditions, as he the entrance of the ancient city of Yemen remains the biggest obstacle facing moves from one job to another. Sana’a, accompanied by his nee- him and others from this group. The issue He says: “My father passed away when dles and scissors, and around him of negative social discrimination in Yemen I was 11 years old, so I had to leave school the shredded shoes, and the deep is one of the oldest and most common issues and work as a cleaner at an office in- Ho scratches on his fingers reveal the throughout this country’s past and present deidah. The situation was fairly good, but difficulty and cruelty of his work. and its tribal nature has helped to divide the with the unstable security situation in the society into social classes, including those area in which we lived, my family fled to the Despite the tiny amount of 500-1000 based on origin, occupation and color. De- on society and the marginalized groups. work to provide for my family’s needs”. He Beit Al-Faqih district, south of Hodeidah, Riyals a day that he earns in exchange for spite the balance that this difference creates In the same context, Dr. Hammoud Saleh affirms: “I suffer from discrimination, and and I left for Sana’a searching for work”. eight hours of work between the freezing in the society, some groups are perceived as Al-Oudi, a professor of sociology at Sana’a no one accepts to hire me, since I belong Mohsen indicated that he started his clean- morning and the hot midday, the struggles disdain and contempt and this discrimina- University, states to “The Voice of Hope”: to the marginalized group which remains ing career in one of the hospitals in the cap- of life for the man in his fifties forced him to tion reinforces the rights of one party at the “The black marginalized group has gained a barrier between me and public jobs, and ital Sana’a. For 8 hours of stressful work, he work in patching shoes. However, Muham- expense of another. The black marginalized much interest and social studies locally and this is what made me think about self-em- was paid a meager salary of 40,000 Riyals mad’s humiliation of labor and the outlook are, therefore, the most marginalized group internationally from the early twentieth cen- ployment”. Ramzy continues: “Because of per month, in addition to the harsh treatment of discrimination that has been haunting in the society. tury and after the revolution in Yemen but the trash that I work with, particularly with he received by the hospital administration, him have become even harder. Muhammad this has not changed much on the social the spread of the pandemics lately, collect- which led him to leave work, and start col- describes his suffering to “The Voice of Overcoming Social Inequalities level”. ing plastic cans has affected my health”. lecting and selling plastic boxes. Hope” by saying: “I sit here for long hours Jamal Silan, a professor of journalism Ramzi Ahmed Saleh, a 23-year-old res- He added: “I once had dengue fever, and I We all aspire to a better future, but Mu- waiting for the poor customers who are only at Sana’a University, believes that margin- ident of Mahwa Al-Hasbah in Sana’a, could have lost my life after which I tried hammad like Maher, Ramzi, and many oth- the ones visiting us, throwing out what they alization can only disappear through sus- expresses himself about the catastrophic very hard to apply for work in the munici- ers have been hardened by life and the soci- may in return for patching their shoes. I tained awareness for a period of time until situation in Al-Mahwa, where life’s most pality, but I was rejected because there was ety did not feel their suffering and they are sometimes come home with a small sum of the social disparities that were formed as a fundamental needs are missing. Ramzi col- no vacancy as they said”. still waiting for their basic right to a better money and at other time with none, which result of wrong socialization are overcome. lects plastic boxes, which are his only source Aisha al-Warraq, program coordinator at job opportunity. Will the dream come true is tough for someone like me, who supports Efforts must be devoted to sensitizing peo- of revenue. He says: “I hope I can get a sim- the Sana’a Center for Studies, explains in a one day? a family of nine, most of whom are girls”. ple to the disadvantages of marginalization ple loan to start up my own business, and study she has done in 2019 that the wide- The Marginalized Occupations: A Conviction Or An Imposed Reality? By: Rajaa Mukred The income of marginalized families does not exceed as motorcycle drivers, carpenters, and shoemakers (shoe and have children. Of course, the house cannot fit them The Voice of Hope the sum of 500 to 1000 Yemeni Riyals for self-employed. patching) and most of them beg – according to Abdallah all and they sleep in the kitchen, according to Abdullah Most of the marginalized are practicing the profession of Saad – as they go out in the morning and scatter around Saad, the cleaning supervisor in Sawan, who believes that Faiza Al-Ansi leaves her home every morn- begging. The sheikh of Mahwa al-Sa’wan, Majid al-Ja- in tours and return late at night, around 10 or 11 pm. As the marginalized need awareness on family planning. ing to beg and get what people can spear to mal, told “The Voice of Hope” that some of the margin- for the labor force, it consists of children, women, and On the other hand, Dr. Abdal-Ilah Abdullah al-Haka- provide the living for her 16-member family, as alized are cleaning workers and some others are beggars. men of all ages. And he adds that there are qualified and mi, a specialist in the management of international and well as her elderly and sick neighbor, and her While Abdullah Saad Al-Jamal, the cleaning supervisor, university graduates ... diplomatic relations, says that the occupations vacated cancer-infected mother. considers that the marginalized in the refuge are 100% “The professions of the marginalized are imposed on by the marginalized are not by conviction, as he finds beggars, and the salary of a cleaner is 25,000 Yemeni them, because no one is willing to go out to beg or clean. those with a desire to change their status, clothing, Faiza Nasser Al-Ansi lives in a refuge for the margin- Riyals. Among the marginalized, there are also educated indi- house, food, lifestyle, but the deficit is clear. And there alized in Sawan, Sana’a, in one room with her elderly and The black marginalized group, also known as the “ser- viduals who have been rejected because of the color of is a deficit in financial capabilities and lack of aware- sick husband, and 14 children, the eldest of whom is eight vants category”, live under extremely dangerous their skin (racial discrimination), and intermedi- ness and interest, and there are several factors that may years old. She says: “The family’s income per day ranges and complex living, educational, health ary plays a large role. Whoever has an in- also have led to their current situation. from 400 to 600 Yemeni Riyals, which is sufficient for and demographic conditions due to termediary and a well-known Sheikh is Al-Hakami adds that the basic principle in the human the day’s sustenance, cheese and tahini.” Faiza is the only the deterioration of their economic employed, but who does not will go being is cleanliness, imitation of the best, and evolu- breadwinner for her family. She saves from the begging situations, especially because of through the profession of clean- tion, but when there are no ingredients, motives and work 200 Yemeni Riyals to pay off the grocery’s debt their lack of all means and tools ing or begging”, says Majid awareness, these things remain just hopes and aspira- every month for the value of oil and flour, and confirms of economic production that al-Jamal, the head of tribal co- tions. Even a funeral upon death may be to some of the that she doesn’t receive any aid because she has traveled enable them to enjoy decent hesion for the marginalized. poorest (marginalized) just a hope they wish to fulfill to Hodeidah to visit her mother, and because of the card living. The majority of the Al-Jamal comments on upon their death, because the society often sees their problems. She also hasn’t received any humanitarian aid. marginalized people depend his speech, considering that funeral as marginalized servants who have died, so they According to recent statistics conducted by UNICEF on practicing professions being a Sheikh and having stick to joy, release anecdotes on the life of the dead and in December 2019, and which “The Voice of Hope” has that society perceives as intermediaries, his broth- list his lifestyle and how it had to be dealt with. obtained a copy from the organization media office Mr. despised professions, such ers and relatives have been Kamal Al-Wazizah, the number of marginalized people as working in the fields of hired in the police and at the Solutions is 2,371,153 (two million three hundred seventy-one city cleaning, sanitary, shoe airport. He also confirms that There are no options to bring about the desired thousand and one hundred fifty-three) which are 7.89% weaving, car washing and the government is responsible change among the marginalized, other than by forcing of the total Yemen population, and their proportions are harvesting in agricultural- ar for the marginalized people va- them to engage in education and vocational training in distributed among the population of the governorates as eas, as well as collecting waste cating low-income jobs as clean- all its forms, while providing them with an appropriate follows: 1.21% of the total population of Abyan, 1.37% and plastic materials to sell them ers or beggars. educational environment that enables them to learn and of Aden residents, 4.66% of Al Bayda residents, 4.28% for recycling purposes. Many women In a survey conducted by the news- work. Without that, the situation will remain unchanged of Al Dhale’e residents, 1.43% of Hodeidah residents, and children of this group roam the streets paper “The Voice of Hope” on the social and there will be no change in their lives in the pres- 4.28% of Al-Jawf residents, 1.06% of Al-Mahra res- and public markets and sit on the sidewalks for networking site Facebook about whether the mar- ent and in the future, according to Numan Al Hudhaifi, idents, 8.39% of Amanat al-Asima residents, 7.90% of begging and the marginalized completely depend on all ginalized people vacate low-income jobs as cleaners with head of the National Federation of the Marginalized in Al-Mahwit residents, 4.54% of Amran residents, 4.35% these works to secure their daily sustenance and survival, their conviction or the conditions are imposed on them, Yemen. of Dhamar residents, 1.35% of Hadhramaut residents, according to Noaman Al Hudhaifi, head of the National it was found that 82% agree that it was imposed by the As for Ms. Ashwaq Al-Faqih, an employee at the Min- 1.01% of Hajjah residents, 4.60% of Ibb residents, 1.01% Federation of the Marginalized in Yemen. situation, while 18% believe that it is with the conviction istry of Human Rights, she considers that the reality of of Lahj residents, 3.53% of Ma’rib residents, 1.01% of of the marginalized themselves. social discrimination against the marginalized forced Raymah residents, 5.18% of Saada residents, 3.65% of The Occupations of the Marginalized and the Labor them to pursue these professions, which led to their Sanaa residents, 8.67% of Shabwah residents, 6.11% of Force The needs of the Marginalized non-enrollment in schools. The solution, then, is to pre- Socotra island residents, and 6.70% of Taiz residents. The occupations of the marginalized vary among 50 people live in two rooms, an indoor hall, another vent discrimination against them, integrate them into the cleaners and construction workers, greengrocers and outdoor, one bathroom and a kitchen. The father is mar- society, and enhance their political, economic and social The Income of a Marginalized Family sellers of Qat in their own yards. And some of them work ried to two women, and four of his children are married participation. Staff Abdul-Aziz Ali Oudah Mohammed Bawazir Sawt Manal Ameen Rajaa Mukred Alya Muhammed Hani al-Nasheri Editor in Chief Managing editor Editorial Secretary Mona al-asadi Nada al-Bukari Design & Layout Voice of Hope Haneen Ahmed www.sawt-alamal.net Independent - Newspaper (Towic a Month) Puplished by Yemen Information Center 04 The File Issue No (5) -1/ 4 / 2021 Islam: The Marginalized Protection Shield! By: Mona Al-Assaadi agrees with him, so he says to Sawt Al-Amal (Voice S.A, 23 years old, is one of the marginalized who completely abolished and the northern legal system Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope) of Hope) that the Islamic religion was clear and ex- have been subjected to violence more than once, but was adopted, and paid little attention to the margin- plicit on the issue of discrimination... it did not dif- did not dare - in any of them - to file a complaint alized. ferentiate between Black and White except by piety. against his assailants; being one of the “richest” - -ac In Yemen, a culture of marginalization Islam has granted victory to the oppressed and com- cording to his description and he says, while recalling The National Dialogue and the Marginalized: and discrimination is taking root, con- manded it and he inferred that is, according to the what happened to him: “ No matter how attacked and Yemeni political roles reflect a significant margin- trary to the equal sense of creation for all hadith of the Messenger of God {you are [...] helped beaten I was, I could not file a complaint because be- alization of this group. Since we do not find them a human beings as many community groups through your weaklings}. ing a servant, no one will ever do you justice, even if representative in any of them, not even in Parliament suffer from racial and class discrimination. you file it while dripping in blood”. and here we can ask: If the owner of the right is ab- Hence, the Blacks category is the most Has Yemeni Laws Marginalized Blacks? Despite all the human rights violations that hap- sent, who will claim it? marginalized; It suffers from discrimina- In society, it is assumed that there are no margin- pen to the marginalized, and in the absence of Ye- Despite the participation of Numan Al-Hudhaifi, tion and racism which made it down the alized groups (citizens from meni laws that protect this vulnerable President of the National Union of the Marginalized, social ladder. the second level), as every- group, they still don’t get fair. in the National Dialogue Conference, where one of its Islam is the religion of truth, the one should be equal in rights Lawyer Abdul Al-Rahman outputs was the allocation of 10% of government jobs Quran brought forth verses that affirm and duties. According to the Al-Zabib says: With regard to the marginalized, but nothing has yet been accom- the achievement of justice (the principle constitution, which is - con to marginalization, there is a plished. According to the legal experts, the outputs of of justice and equality) among human sidered a social contract be- positive experience for south- the National Dialogue are parallel to the constitution beings and even fought against all forms of tween the state and society, ern Yemen: There were bind- as a new social contract for the Republic of Yemen, discrimination and racism, and brought the it states (in Article 24 of the ing laws, and were applied, and a constitution that is subject to its outcomes must necessary solutions to obliterate them. Yemeni Constitution) that including the imposition of be issued. “the state guarantees equal penalties and financial fines Dr. Abdullah Al-Darsi, Professor of Islamic Stud- opportunities for all citizens: on anyone who used verbal Solutions ies, at Arhab University, says to Sawt Al-Amal (Voice politically, economically, so- abuse against this group and Societal marginalization resulting from the accu- of Hope) that the Islamic religion addressed the prob- cially and culturally, and it it was granted absolutely pri- mulation of marginalization and exclusion, over the lem of racism and marginalization in the best way and issues laws to achieve this,” ority to anyone who belongs past long years cannot be addressed except by pos- took excellent steps to advocate these marginalized which means equal opportu- to the marginalized; therefore, itive and fair discrimination for a group that has suf- and vulnerable groups in the society. It distinguished nities, non-negative discrimi- a large group of them were ed- fered from injustice and unfairness for many years, from other religions such as Judaism and Christianity nation, but rather, the mar- ucated people and doctors. as well as their psychological and scientific rehabil- which did not pay much attention to this issue, and ginalized groups must be He confirms to Sawt itation, so that it raises the level of this marginalized among these treatments are the following: it greatly afforded more rights in Al-Amal (Voice of group to become parallel to the rest of the citizens, cared for the interest of these groups, required zakat proportion to their status Hope) that this posi- and enjoy - according to the constitution - equal cit- and charity for them as a source of strength that in order to achieve the tive discrimination that izenship with all parties in order to remove the pre- would prevent them from demand and need. It also principle of justice and equal- occurred tore apart the vious marginalization, because neglecting this group exempted them from Hajj, which is one of the pillars ity for all. Unfortunately, no laws have marginalization completely more, may lead to unplanned negative consequences. of Islam. been enacted and endorsed to address marginaliza- during that period but after the forma- Al-Zebeeb asserts that if this marginalization is not Dr. Muhammad Al-Makhzi, Professor of Jurispru- tion in the Yemeni society, and this constitution has tion of a committee to harmonize legislation between addressed legally and socially, then we will be on a dence of Transactions at the University of Sana’a, remained a dead letter! the south and the north, the southern legal system was date with human mines that will destroy the future. The Marginalized: Citizens Without an Identity By: Hanin Ahmed eight years in the same place and he has not been ing in promoting competition among students in of marginalized women by opening training cours- Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope) mixed with the general public in a large way be- educational attainment. es in various professional fields to achieve their cause he has no identity (proof documents) which Concerning the future plans that the ministry identity among the community in a manner that According to what was mentioned by caused him to fall into a lot of problems and suffer- is implementing in all schools, Abdul Qader indi- preserves their dignity. the President of the National Union of ing, being the weakest part of the society. cated that the ministry has future plans on how to Al-Saqqaf added to “Sawt Al-Amal” (Voice of the Marginalized, Numan Al-Hudhaifi, He adds, in despair and sorrow: “There is no one attract these children on the streets (marginalized) Hope) that the association conducts training cours- the marginalized people in Yemen suffer to support my family except me and we rarely re- and make them aware of the importance of educa- es for teachers in order to promote peaceful coexis- from all kinds of racism and discrimina- ceive any of the aids provided by the organizations tion in building themselves and their abilities as tence and acceptance among students, through the tion. Most of the time, they are stripped (Bassma organization), although we are the most well as motivating them to continue education in implementation of awareness-raising programs tar- of all their natural rights guaranteed by needed to such aid because we have no source of order to face all challenges and become supportive geting students about concepts of coexistence and the law like other citizens. On the level of permanent income. Thus, the biggest thing we suf- for themselves and their families in the future. non-differentiation between each other. identity, they do not have any documents fer from is our inability to face society and the In the same context, Mustafa Kamel, the agent or identity that identifies them in society, future, as there is no identity that identifies us”. of activities at the Azal School in the Al-Tawahi The Social Situation of the Marginalized and they weren’t even allocated places to district in Aden, confirms that the school admin- Regarding the social situation of the marginal- live with dignity or accepted as important The Suffering of Education for the Marginal- istration receives all students equally without dif- ized, Dr. Rajaa Moqbel, a sociology doctor at the members of the society ized ferentiation and there are no measures against any University of Aden, Faculty of Arts, said to “Sawt Ahmed Abdulqader, Director of Public Edu- group whatsoever as the school carries out self-ef- Al-Amal” (Voice of Hope) that the marginalized Al-Hudhaifi explained that he is responsible for cation at the Ministry of Education, confirms to fort or cooperation with some support agencies are considered in society to be part of the un- 3 million marginalized people distributed over sev- “Sawt Al-Amal” (Voice of Hope) that “all schools to focus on the difficult conditions of students at derprivileged group, deprived from the simplest eral regions in Yemen. The majority of whom do accept all students from all segments of society. the beginning of each academic year by providing necessities of life, a group that has surpassed the not have the right to be engaged in any activity or There are no statistics for a specific category and in-kind assistance represented in providing school level of poverty until it has reached the stage of work in any government agency or other facilities, there are no arbitrary measures against applicants bags, school uniforms and breakfast as well as fo- not proving its identity even though there is no except for those who are able to produce (person- for education, all schools follow its normal proce- cusing during the school year on activating the so- difference between them and the rest of the soci- al proof documents), which may take a long time, dures for all students, without exception.” cial worker section in the school as required, aim- ety, apart from the material situation. In fact, the due to the inability to pay the costs of obtaining Abdul Qadir explained, “As for the mar- ing at carrying out school activities that raise society is the one who makes such classifications the identity and facilitating the procedures to help ginalized children who have been regis- awareness among all students in one entity. and discrepancies among individuals, by focusing them in that. tered since the first grades, they are on the economic status of the person, color and assisted in obtaining a birth certif- Supporting Coexistence Organiza- race. Society Disowned them; thus, the Street Adopt- icate, in order to continue their tions And she adds that it is not humane to make ed them studies normally without being On the role of civil society or- such differences and racist practices on the basis This group of people seeks to continuously and classified and given nicknames.” ganizations in strengthening the of (color, race and the abolition of their reality) by tirelessly gain their daily livelihood and double He adds that the Ministry has identity of the marginalized the society, generation after generation. their efforts to ensure the subsistence for their fam- implemented courses on how to group, Noor Al-Saqqaf, President Dr. Rajaa called on the concerned authorities ily and provide the simplest needs to continue liv- attract the marginalized and the poor of the Coexistence Foundation and those concerned to put in place the necessary ing. They held against all suffering (psychological, who have been left behind, so that they affirms that the foundation seeks, treatments and solutions to protect this category physical, economic and social, etc.), so their suf- can be reintegrated into schools and edu- among its objectives, to promote of ideas deep-rooted in the minds of people and fering may not be limited only to that, but it rather cated in the required manner by joint cooperation between all which transmit their ideas and beliefs to the next reached bullying and harassing them with racism providing them with the nec- members of society for the generations as well as the need for joint action to only because there was no proof of their identity essary assistance in gener- development process and protect people and their rights and accept the oth- in the society. al, especially for those who the promotion of education ers who are considered members of this country. Fouad Ahmed Saif Qaid, father of eight chil- want education and are un- for all societal groups. It The doctor reviewed the laws mentioned in the dren, works as a car cleaner in one of the neighbor- able to afford it. Thus, the has contributed to the im- Yemeni constitution in Article (41) which include hoods of Khormaksar District, in Aden. He belongs ministry rejects and stresses plementation of many aid “that all citizens are equal in rights and public du- to the marginalized people who were disowned by the lack of discrimination in the education of mar- ties” , which obliged the concerned authorities to society and had to continue their lives cleaning the between all students, the ab- ginalized and out-of-school recognize them as an influential group in society streets, washing cars, begging and even working in sence of any kind of bullying children; including them in and not to classify them with false names that di- the field of sanitation (sewage). or harassment and the interest schools and working in the minish their value, as they are an integral part of Fouad says that he has been washing cars for in accepting others and participat- field of economic empowerment this country. Issue No (5) -1/ 4 / 2021 The File 05 People Live In The Margins

Life punished them because of the color of their skin that they did not choose, imposed on them social isolation, an inferior view and deprived them of living ❝ like the rest of the members of society, of which they are an integral part. The marginalized people, as they are called, are a socially and humanly vul- nerable group. They live on the outskirts of cities, or on the banks of torrents, setting up their tents that are metaphorically called houses or “Al Mahawi”, which hardly protect them from the heat of the sun, the cold of winter, and the rain, which has exacerbated their suffering and made them vulnerable to fur- ther diseases and pandemics.

By: Bushra Al-Ghaili that we do not bury our dead”. He adds, “A journalist as a permanent behavior, to grasp the conditions and Sawt Al Amal (The Voice of hope) “Arma” : We Bury Our came out with this rumor and when he was informed concerns of those living in “Al Mahwa”, and solve their and saw by himself how we bury our dead, he apolo- personal problems. As soon as we reached them to feel their concerns Dead In Well-Known gized for what he stated”. “Arma” says, “We are here as one family dealing and suffering, they complained about any journalist with each other respectfully, and we thank God that who came to take pictures of them or talk to them, be- Cemeteries. The Rumors No Substitute for Begging! not a single corona infection case occurred among us cause those who took pictures of them made promises About Us Are Untrue. You find their children around most of the capital’s despite our difficult situation, and although all the “Ma- and did not keep them, whether they were individuals tours since the early morning, and at the restaurant hawi” were sterilized by the Ministry of Health except or organizations. doors, waiting for what they are given from crumbs to this “Mahwa”, God has protected us from that deadly Let us talk and read the details of what this part of take them back to their (Mahwa) and feed the hungry pandemic knowing about our conditions”. society suffers from. “Al-Mubarzi” : All Those people who await them there. Back to the context our dear reader. The Sheikh of “Al Mahwa”, “Farie” says, “Let them In Tents and Rental Homes Who Come To Take find us an alternative and give us what we live from, They often live on torrential streams, shantytowns, or Five days after his birth, he passed away Pictures Of Us Promise and we promise that they will find no one in the streets banks of “Al Sailah” where the water level sometimes At the entrance to "Al Mahwa", there is a small room or tours. The Sheikhs and (Akels) of our neighborhoods rises and floods their tents in which they live. in which a group of women crammed, performing the Us And Then Break Their will abide by the fact that no one will go to beg”. He “Farie”, the Sheikh of “Al Mahwa” confirms, “Some duty of condolences to a mother whose child passed continues, saying, “But we cannot stop this, as long as of us live in rental houses in different places in the cap- away in her hands, five days after his birth. The cold Promises. we do not have food to eat, and there is no source of ital and its neighborhoods, and those who have jobs can weather and the raindrops that were falling through the income from which we live except begging”. pay the costs of the rent, and some others live inside ceilings covered with cartons and rickety zinc were not stores with their families, and recently three children enough to give him warmth, so he passed away. Intermarriage with community members from one family of our tenants died in “Naqum”, during “Arma” talks about the integration with members the flood disaster that swept buildings there. They were Expired Plastic Covers of the community, through attending social events and transferred and housed in a school due to the disaster”. “Umm Murshid”- talks about their conditions with intermarriage, and he says, “We are married to white the rainy season saying that their situation is difficult, people, and they are married to us, and we attend their Cartons instead of Gas and since they are on the banks of “Al-Sailah”, its lev- events, whether in the capital or other governorates, Although the Revolution Directorate specialist dis- el rose until it reached their place of residence that is and thus we feel that the barriers have begun to fade charges their share of gas, according to the Sheikh of metaphorically called “home”, and which lacks the between us”. He also adds that the term (Bilal's de- “Al Mahwa”, “Fahad Farea”, some people cannot af- simplest means of living. She adds: The mattresses that scendants) makes them feel comfortable, and the terms ford the price of a gas cylinder, so they are forced to we sleep on have sunk, and the covers that protect us used to call them like “Khadem” (servant in Arabic) and cook their food on stones, by collecting empty plastic from the rain have shred, and whether there is someone (marginalized) are receding, and they are very satisfied cans and cartons collected from the streets, especially to alleviate their suffering or help them, she confirms: with the new term. when the World Food Organization (WFP) provides Most organizations come and take pictures of us, our Corona did not reach us them their share of monthly food aid. children and our simple rooms, but we no longer see Among the tasks performed by the (Akel) of “Al them after that”. Mahwa”, “Nasser Arma”, is to raise awareness of the Going to school or wandering? importance of hygiene on a daily basis and adopting it The children of the marginalized people go to school, We slept without supper just like the rest of the community, except that their par- “Umm Niaz” was next to her and said, “We sleep ents are forced to take them out in the third or fourth under raindrops and our beds are filled with water, we “Farie” : We Marry grade of primary school, due to their inability to pro- have no destination to go to, and there is nothing for vide the costs of schooling, and they send them to beg, us but begging throughout the day, or we dry up the Members Of The Society. or engage them in child labor, so that they participate houses, so we can eat and live, otherwise we may die with their families in earning a living. of hunger.” And she continues, “Even begging all day The Whites Marry Us And Here, “Umm Murshid” explains, "We do not have long is no longer useful as we get 500 Riyals, we do not We Marry Them, And We the cost of notebooks, pens and school supplies, so know how to spend them on our children, and the aids they drop out early from the first grades". The sheikh come only every five months, while the rest of the days Share Their Occasions. of “Al Mahwa”, “Farie”, who also participated in the are just bitterness”. And she concludes: "Yesterday, my conversation with her adds, “If there were organizations family and I slept without supper." that support our children’s education, we welcome that. If There Are Alternatives It will make us happy to see our children learn and “Saeeda Al-Mubarzi”, a mother of eight children, be good at reading and writing so we will push them one of whom has 15 children, and the other 7 children, To Gain Our Livelihood, against their will to learn and be good members in the her quiet charm, dark skin, and grief-filled looks, is ask- society”. And he adds, “If you have ten or fifteen chil- ing God to relieve her from her misery. She suffers from We Will Not Push Our dren and you want them to learn in light of our difficult cancer and cannot afford the cost of treatment, and her financial conditions, so how can you provide them all kitchen is flooded with water. After she allowed us to larly attempts to raise the residents of “Al Mahwa”, but Children To Beg. with the educational supplies?” take pictures of it, she said, “ I do not have the transpor- no one responds. tation fare to go to the hospital, and all those who come Regarding their occasions, festive or funeral rituals The Latest Papers to take pictures of us promise us aids which we haven’t and how they celebrate them, “Arma” said, “We pub- From the above data, it can be asserted that the so- received, and all their promises evaporated”. lically hold engagement parties and weddings. In wed- called (marginalized) group have the ability to fully in- ding parties, women are placed in a large room in “Al tegrate into the society if they had the opportunity and Rituals Mahwa”, and men gather in a tent. Same thing goes in alternatives were found to get them out of their isola- “Nasser Arma”, the (Akel) of “Mahwa Al-Ramah”, funerals, just like other members of the society”. tion, they are in fact Yemeni citizens, and they carry speaks on behalf of “Al-Mahwa”, that their suffering is the Yemeni identity, not to mention that Islamic religion very difficult in the rainy season, bitter cold, and hun- Where do they bury their dead? has abolished any racial discrimination, and the world ger. He says, “We, our children and our families, have A rumor circulates among the community, saying has also become more receptive to this category which all suffered, and we eat the remains that the restaurant that the marginalized do not bury their dead, and no one has suffered a lot of marginalization. Obama, who as- owners leave. This is our daily life”. has ever seen their funerals, and this rumor remained sumed the presidency of the United States, did not lack a mystery that baffled many, and regarding this rumor, competence, nor did the color of his skin prevent him “Umm Mabruk”, who has 9 children and three grand- the Sheikh of “Mahwa Al- Ramah”, “Fahad Farie”, re- from being like the rest of the white-skinned. So here children, says, “Our suffering is very difficult. A month plied, “This is not true, we bury our dead in cemeteries, we conclude by asking this question: Will we some- has passed with the rain falling on our heads, and we and we hold the funerals with the same rituals that are day see the marginalized people of Yemen going be- suffer from hunger, thirst, and cold, and we can’t afford held in the general community, but the difference is that yond their framework, turning from mere cleaners, car the price of a medical injection when our children suffer we do not rejoice, and 5 or 6 people come out with the windshield wipers, and beggars, to prominent leaders in from the cold because of the rain”. dead, while more than two hundred people at least take their community, sharing with all members of society The Sheikh of “Mahwa Al-Ramah”, “Fahad Farie”, out the dead in their funerals, and when they do not see the building of their great homeland, Yemen? adds to the speech of “Al Mahwa” (Akel), that he regu- us taking out our dead in a crowd and cheer, they think Sawt 06 Issue No (5) -1/ 4 / 2021 TheFile Voice of Hope The Children Of The Marginalized ... Ongoing Suffering In Schools And Outside By: Manal Ameen The illiteracy among the marginalized is high that is practiced against their children in schools, are and to promote a culture of acceptance of others, re- Sawt Al Amal (The Voice of hope) A report issued by the Equal Rights Trust in Decem- among the most important reasons for their reluctance gardless of their color, gender or race, and joint work ber 2018 confirmed that discrimination was practiced to go to school in the early stages. In addition, children to provide basic services in order to meet their needs With a frowning face, revealing the worries of the against the marginalized group in schools in Yemen, start working at a young age, on the streets and side- for a decent life. whole world, the 12-year-old girl, “W.F.”, says, “It is based on race, lineage and inequality, through the walks, to support their families financially”. not my fault that I am black-skinned or from a poor study of 103 cases, in 16 Yemeni governorates, who Dabwan added that there are no statistics or research I dream of becoming a pediatrician family. I want to learn and become a teacher. Is this left their schools and were deprived from education studies from any party (governmental, international forbidden??” because of their ethnicity or lineage, and their expo- organizations, or research centers) that shed light on The students belonging to the marginalized group “W.F”, who lives in the “Sira” district in the city of sure to harassment, abuse and discrimination by stu- the estimated percentages of the number of marginal- suffer many psychological difficulties due to- thera Aden in southern Yemen, originally from “Tihamah” dents and school administrators. ized people in schools, and the issue of discrimination cial treatment they are subjected to at schools, as other region, is a fifth-grade student. She complains about The (difficult) humanitarian and economic situation against them in the educational facilities indicating students call them “Akhdam” (servants in Arabic) and the mockery and irony of her classmates at school, as that Yemen has been going through - during the past that all published research related to the issue of the sometimes insult and beat them and diminish their they always describe her as a “Khadima” (servant in periods up until now - has contributed to an increase marginalized are just incomplete and unrealistic infor- dignity before their colleagues, and the school admin- Arabic), and she is sometimes subjected to physical in the illiteracy rate among the marginalized in various mation. istration or teachers are found unable to limit the per- attacks. Yemeni regions, in addition to the process of ongoing “Dabwan” also indicated that international organi- sistence of racial discrimination among students. displacements of this group between the regions of the zations bring many funds through various programs, “R. Q.”, a 13-year-old girl from the marginalized “W.F” tried to leave school several times, but her country in search of a livelihood. The unstable eco- in the name of the marginalized people and their dif- category, is a sixth-grade student at a school in the city parents’ insistence on going to school prevented her nomic and security situation has led to the reluctance ferent causes, but in fact, the main demands were not of “Aden”. She aspires to become a pediatrician in the from doing so, which prompted her not to lose hope of the marginalized people from schools, in addition implemented to enabling them to enjoy their rights in future, out of her passion for helping children who suf- in continuing her studies in order to become a teacher to some harassment and racist practices (bullying) practicing an ordinary live, including their enrollment fer from many diseases in the area where she lives in the future, despite the difficult living conditions her practiced against them: from students and some school in educational and employment facilities like the rest with her family in the “Tawahi” District in “Aden” family is going through. administrators. of the community, and it did not provide any type of Governorate. The child, “Wedyan”, just like many of her peers facilities, and all it took were helpless and unrealistic “R.Q.” suffers from being from the marginalized, suffers a lot in order to contin- Helpless and unrealistic measurements measurements. bullied by her classmates in ue her studies. They are forced to work in the streets The Secretary-General of the National Union for Regarding treatments and solutions to confront this her school because of her or beg most of the time, to gather the educational sup- the Development of the Poorest, Salah Dabwan, con- problem, “Dabwan” points out that great efforts must skin color and her worn- plies they need, in light of the failure of the organiza- firms to “Sawt Al Amal (The Voice of hope)” that the be made with all parties, to implement interventions out clothes. She says, tions supporting this group. extreme poverty from which suffers the members of that facilitate the process of integrating students from “Since the first grades, I the marginalized group, and the racial discrimination the marginalized group into the educational process, have been suffering from

Educating The Marginalized Between The Devil And Deep Sea Regarding Discrimination And Poverty

Nada al-Bukari li” in “Sana’a”, says that schools ask for a thousand Riyals children of “Al Mahwa” wish to pursue their studies.” Sawt Al Amal (The Voice of hope) of monthly fees, and that he cannot provide the sum in ad- He points out that school principals’ pretext is the over- dition to the school expenses. He adds, “My daughter did crowded classrooms and that priority is given to other socie- not go to school because of the non-payment of fees and the tal groups, while we belong to the marginalized class “Akh- Racial discrimination based on skin color causes margin- non-purchase of school books and notebooks.” dam” and we are not prioritized by them. He also affirms alized children to drop out of public schools in Yemen, ow- Al-Russi indicates that he works on collecting empty wa- that the children of the marginalized suffer from discrimi- ing to the inferiority view and their non-integration into the ter cans, and gets between 500 and 1,000 Riyals to provide nation and racism, even if they are smart and excellent in classes with other students, which aggravated the problem a living for his family. He adds, “My daughter suffers from education, they do not come first. of the drop-out of the marginalized students from school and bad treatment at school, yet she is still trying to learn like led to their lack of access to their basic right to education, other girls but her suspension because of the non-payment Unavailability of statistics in addition to the difficult economic and living conditions of school fees has had psychological effects on her and a There are no specific statistics on the rate experienced by the marginalized people in the country, and feeling of frustration.” of illiteracy among the marginalized thus, their inability to integrate with their fellow members Muhammad, who is a father of 4 children, points out that in Yemen, confirms Haidar Al-Sa- of society. all of his children do not go to school because of his poor mawi, Deputy Director Gener- The The marginalized also suffer from the lack of application living conditions, lack of income, and his inability to pay al of Statistics at the Ministry of law and decisions issued concerning their integration into the fees and provide school supplies. He considered that of Education: “We do not Marginalized public schools, and their exemption from tuition fees, but the school administration’s failure to accept the exemption have specific statistics on those decisions have not been implemented. from fees is a racial discrimination against the children of illiteracy indicators for “Abdullah Awad”, a 12-year-old student from the - mar the marginalized people who are deprived of their educa- the marginalized group Of Yemen ginalized group in “Sana’a”, says, “I strive to go to school, tional rights. in Yemen”, indicating and I hope that I will have a great position in the future. I am that the illiteracy index ... Racial trying to avoid paying the prescribed school fees, because Deprivation of Education and Numerous Diseases in general has reached my father is unable to pay, given our poor living situation, 57 families live in “Al Mahwa” of “Al Hasba”, and they 40.7% in 2005, accord- Discrimination but in vain. He asserts that every day, he receives a notice suffer from diseases and pandemics, due to the sewage sur- ing to a household survey from the school administration that he must pay the fees or rounding their housing, which led their children to stop go- carried out by the Central Isolates Them else he will be suspended from studying and permanently ing to school due to the diseases that they are exposed to, Statistical Organization. dismissed”. He adds, “Because we are “Akhdam”, as they in addition to the inability of their parents to provide the Regarding the imple- From Society teachers, who treat marginalized students -vi say, they do not support us and do not stand by us to get our school fees or the price of treatment for those affected with mentation of the decision to olently, in addition to being harassed by their educational rights.” the disease. exempt marginalized group peers who practice racial discrimination and bully- “Tariq Ali Abdo” (the “Akel” of Al Mahwa) says, “The from fees, “Al-Samawi” explains that ing because of their skin color. Racial Discrimination in Schools schools want monthly fees although there is an exemption, the decision used to be applied normally On the other hand, Muhammad Saad Al-Russi - a guard- as this has not been applied, and some of my children are before the war, but due to the salaries outages four years A different view ian of the marginalized people in “Al Mahwa of Al Maama- still studying and some others are not. We are still being ago, it is likely that the implementation of the decision is But “Wafaa Mohammed”, from the marginalized group, treated as marginalized, although my children and other no longer effective, especially since public schools depend believes that her children have not been subjected to any on the community contributions and tuition fees to disburse marginalization or improper treatment, but rather received teachers’ salaries and transportations. some respect. “Al-Samawi” affirms that the culture of the surrounding “Wafaa” says, “I was deprived of education, and I do not community plays a major role in the issue of whether or want my children to be deprived of pursuing their education, not to enroll in education. As for the school, it is consid- as the situation will improve in the future”. “My husband is ered amenable to all groups, without racism, and without educated, but he is currently working in the municipality, exception according to the law and the constitution. And and he does not have the right to work with his diploma, and there are programs previously implemented by the ministry herein lays racism; to learn and not find a law that gives us in aspects of motivation and awareness against discrimina- opportunities to acquire jobs like other members of society”, tion towards the marginalized. He points out that the most she adds. notable difficulties are the unwillingness of marginalized students to enroll in education, in addition to their parents’ Treating with Contempt dependence on them to work and assist in providing family “Samira Ali Abdo”, a displaced woman from the margin- expenses. alized group and a mother of six, suffers from discrimination and the non-enrollment of her children in schools in “Sa- Inferiority deprived them of their Rights na’a”. Samira says, “Because we are from the marginalized Inferiority and racial discrimination towards the mar- class in society, we are exposed to racism and we are treated ginalized resulted in depriving them of education and other with contempt, which has made my children feel humiliated, rights and opportunities, which exacerbated their suffering. so they left school and went begging”. She adds, “After my The “Akel” of “Al Maalami mahwa”, in “Sana’a”, and the husband’s death, there is no one to support us. I hope to see head of the “Dar at-Ta’am” association, Yahya Al-Fakhry, my children study, and fulfill my dream of changing their says that the reluctance of marginalized students to attend situation for the better, but unfortunately there is nothing schools is the result of the behavior of some principals and I can do.” Sawt Issue No (5) -1/ 4 / 2021 07 Voice of Hope TheFile The Children Of The Marginalized ... Ongoing Suffering In Schools And Outside the classmates’ mockery regarding my skin color, my studies and finish secondary education. hair and my clothes. I used to cry every day for calling Regarding the support of international organiza- me “khadima” and insulting me. I have endured it all tions, he pointed out that there are evening classes for the love of learning, despite my family’s insistence in some schools in the governorate that provide rein- on leaving school, like my older brothers who did not forcement lessons for this group, as well as students complete primary school”. who are late in their education and need assistance, Despite the light smile that was drawn on her face, supported by “Save The Children” federation under mixed with pain and soreness from the bitter reality, the direct supervision of Department of Education, in she said, “I dream of continuing my studies and be- order to re-engage them in the educational process in a coming a pediatrician to treat the children for free in way that preserves their status in the community. the future”. The Ministry of Technical Education: Bureau of Education: No impediments hampering The percentage of marginalized people is low in to pursue their education the institutes The Head of the Division of General Education The Ministry of Technical Education and Vocation- at the Bureau of Education in “Aden”, “Nabil Abdul al Training confirmed to “Sawt Al Amal (The Voice Majeed”, says that all schools receive all those who of hope)” that there are students from the marginal- want to study, from all the society segments without ized group in a number of disciplines in the institutes discrimination, and there are no barriers that prevent at the level of the Yemeni governorates, but in very the marginalized group from pursuing their studies, small proportions, because of the difficult economic stressing that there are many marginalized people who situation that this group is going through in society, are being received in public schools normally. and that there is no discrimination practiced against He added that the reluctance of marginalized stu- these people while receiving them in the technical and dents to learn is linked to their own inherent culture, vocational institutes. and the rest of the Yemeni governorates, except as grams, to alleviate the suffering of the marginalized related to the necessity of literacy, without worrying The Ministry’s administration also confirms that an individual initiative that seeks to train some mar- and change the society’s perception against them, and about completing all academic stages, and being de- there are no international organizations that directly ginalized youth, in the disciplines of auto mechanics, promote a culture of their acceptance and non-racism voted to work due to the economic and social situation support the marginalized group, in order to facilitate plumbing and turning in an unsustainable way. in dealing with them, as they are members of Yemeni that the marginalized families are going through, but their integration into the educational process in the Some activists and human rights defenders in Ye- society, and have rights and duties in Yemeni laws and despite that culture, there are people who pursue their various technical and vocational institutes in Aden men seek, through some simple activities and pro- legislation. Minorities In Yemen Are Respected And Not Discriminated Statistics issued by the United Nations High Com- Yemeni, I wear Yemeni clothes and also cook Yemeni missioner for Refugees in May 2020 revealed that food, but my only problem so far is that I still cannot Yemen hosts about 218,000 refugees and asylum make bread using the “tannour”. I consider my learning seekers, mostly from Somalia, and they consti- of Yemeni customs and traditions a kind of exchange of tute 96%, while Ethiopian refugees constitute cultures and civilizations, as I learned a lot, as well as 6.3%, according to the UNHCR. some Yemenis who learned a lot of Ethiopian customs and traditions from me.” Nada al-Bukari In the same context and regarding marriage with Ye- Sawt Al Amal (The Voice of hope) menis or vice versa, it has been shown that when Ye- menis go to Abyssinia, they marry Abyssinians, but the opposite is not desirable, for several reasons, including African refugees are characterized by that Yemenis prefer the women of their country more, self-reliance, through work and seeking and if they do get married, the Abyssinian shall be the opportunities to help them provide a second rather than the first, because of different customs livelihood, which has made them eas- and traditions, and their non-acceptance. ily integrate into the Yemeni society, “Maryam” mentioned that her daughter, when she exist in all Yemeni governorates, and was young, got married to a Yemeni married man, but work in different life professions, far that marriage did not last. She adds, “He was underesti- from discrimination and racism. mating my daughter for being Ethiopian, and this affect- “Maryam Mohammed” is Ethiopian, and ed her psyche, so she asked for divorce, but that does not she immigrated to Yemen more than 25 years mean that my daughter’s failed experience applies to ev- ago with her four children in order to get a job eryone, because most are not, and there are many Yeme- opportunity and provide her and her children nis whose ancestors are Abyssinia called “Muwalladin”. a decent life. (M-P) who is an immigrant has been living in Yemen “Maryam says: “After the death of my husband, I did not find anyone to sup- port my family, and I have children so I had to migrate to Yemen, my chil- dren and I, to provide financial in- come to guarantee the living costs”. Foreign Cultures Blended She adds: “I worked in cleaning houses, and I used to work in more than one house a day, to cover my expens- With Yemeni Society And es, and after a period of work and efforts, I was exposed to a health problem, and could not continue my work, so Formed Homogeneous to “Sana’a” and married a woman of Indian origins, and I left it, and found a cooperative Yemeni merchant, who Hafat Al Hunoud: mixture and cohesion as my parents did, I taught my children both cultures.” made me run a small shoe shop. I have been in this same Coexistence Panels “Umm Mohammed” says: “We have a strong -re shop for two years, and I added to it the well-known “Hafat Al Hunoud” is one the old neighborhoods in lationship with Aunt “Farzana”, who is a well-known “injera” in the preparation of “Zigni” meals, in addition the “Crater” district of the ​​“Aden” governorate, which Indian bag merchant. There is no house in “Crater” that to the types of Abyssinian honey that is distinguished includes a number of Indian families who came to does not deal with her because she is simple and hum- by its quality and unique taste. So this helped me cover Yemen during the period of the British occupation of ble”, and she adds, “When Aunt “Farzana” returns from my expenses. southern Yemen, to fill some administrative positions India, we all know and we go to her, and she opens a “Maryam” talks about her experience and life in Ye- for seven years, and has been working for an interna- and work in banks, and since they arrived and lived huge room containing a number of goods, and we start men, and the behaviors of Yemenis towards her during tional organization, then he quit when he found a job in in Yemen, the two cultures have overlapped. They in- choosing. We pay her in installments, and this is the the years that she spent in this country until today. She a friend’s shop. He describes the Yemeni society as nice, termarried, and this connection was not limited to the most beautiful thing in her, as she relieves us of many says: “Ever since I came to Yemen, I have found no as he was supported and helped during his life among southern regions only, but they reached the northern re- troubles.” harsh treatment, and there has been no racial discrim- them, and says, “I have adapted to Yemeni customs and gions, and they lived in them, and the people of North “Mujibur”, an Indian tailor who owned a shop for ination against me as an Ethiopian, but quite the oppo- traditions, and I feel that there is a great connection be- Yemen married their women, representing the greatest tailoring and sewing women’s dresses, coexisted with site. The Yemenis treated me with manners and respect. tween the two cultures, and I hope I will keep living in example of coexistence and community cohesion,- de a large number of people. He says, “I did not feel that They see me as their mother, and sometimes describe this country, but because of the current situation, life has spite their different customs and traditions, thus they I was strange as the wonderful thing in Yemen which me as their sister. These behaviors helped me a lot to become more difficult for everyone. I am as affected as merged into a society that had rejected all aspects of differs from other countries in the world is that they are adapt with the Yemeni society”. any Yemeni citizen and God willing, the situation will discrimination and differentiation. simple, treat you with love, and cannot insult you once The combination of Yemeni customs and traditions improve and we will live safely”. Uncle “Taha Al-Ansari” has Indian parents. He was they know your nationality, and this is what many Indi- generated a great harmony between Yemenis, Ethio- Regarding the Yemeni treatment to him, he says, born and raised in the city of “Aden”, where his parents ans around the world miss.” pians and others which made Yemenis eat Abyssinian “There are many people who have high morals, and settled. He speaks Arabic and Hindi. He says to “Sawt Cultural diversity remains a prominent feature that foods and accept to buy products that are distinguished they respect your presence among them. I met people Al Amal (The Voice of hope)”, “I did not feel that I was included many different cultures in Yemen, which has by Abyssinia from leather and others. with high morals and human values ​​that I could not find different in Yemen, but I rather felt I belonged to this been inhabited by a large number of different nationali- Maryam added, “I have become an old woman, and in any country, and if I wasn’t Christian, I would have country. I took a lot from its culture. I lived my child- ties, in which they have lived, for long periods, without I know many Yemeni customs and traditions, as if I am married a Yemeni woman.” hood in “Aden”, and when it was time to work, I moved any discrimination and racism. Sawt 08 Issue No (5) -1/ 4 / 2021 TheFile Voice of Hope President Of The Marginalized Union To “Sawt Al Amal (The Voice Of Hope)”: Racial Discrimination Is Inherent Us Since Birth By: Rajaa Mukred not have any money.” that we seek for this group or for other groups of the Yemeni “Sawt Al Amal” (The Voice of hope) The child died, and I took care of all arrangements for society cannot happen. his burial. We went to pray for him in “Al-Nour” Mosque in “Al-Salkhana” neighborhood in “Taiz”, and when we Q: Why do you think marginalization exists? Is it be- Gasping out his last breath, he extended his hand and said, brought the child to pray for at the time of the evening prayer, cause of society or the marginalized themselves? “Please take care of my mother, and bury me, because my the Imam refused to pray for him, on the pretext that he is a A: Both, in addition to the absence of the government that mother may not find a pit (tomb) in which I would sleep, after (khadem) who does not pray, and he asked us for two witness- guarantees the rights and is able to achieve justice and equali- I had kidney failure, and my health worsened”. These words es to prove that he prays. I told him at the time that he was a ty among its citizens, on the basis that everyone has the same uttered by one of the marginalized children in his last mo- child, and if he does not pray, then he will be punished by his rights and duties, and that they are all equal towards law and ments. It was a turning point in the life of “Numan Al-Hud- Lord. Everyone refused to pray for him, so I came forward to order. haifi”, President of the National Union of the Marginalized, lead the prayers for the dead and the black-skinned followed whom “Sawt Al Amal (The Voice of hope)” met with and me, but the responsible, Imam, and preacher of the Mosque Q: What are the future plans of the “National Union conveyed more details about his life and his journey in com- - a religious figure in “Taiz” - was ashamed and prayed for for the Marginalized” that you are chairing? bating racism. And as an example, he overcame the pressures him, so these two incidents were the turning points in my life, A: The “National Union” has many ideas and plans, but and difficulties, raised his voice and said: We are here! Let’s towards confronting racism. ultimately, it remains a civil entity, and the issue of advanc- go to the interview details: ing the marginalized and integrating them into society is the Q: What does success mean to you? government’s responsibility, as they are its citizens, and one Q: To begin with, tell us about “Numan Al-Hudhaifi” A: Success is a human trait, given that human beings were of the state’s duties is to work to improve their conditions and and his childhood? molded for that, being God’s finest creatures on earth, and take them into hands to be good citizens and able to partici- A: “Numan Qaid Mohammed Al-Hudhaifi”, born in 1972 therefore every person has an ambition to achieve success, pate and contribute to building the nation. AD, in the village of Souq Al-Rameed, Uzlat of Al-Hudhai- and to put his imprint in life which makes him an inspiration fi country, Al-Udayn District, Ibb Governorate. I belong to to the rest of his peers. As a conclusion: “Success is what a Q: What are your future ambitions? a poor family, known as (the marginalized group), which is person wishes to achieve in his life.” A: There are many aspirations that I hope will be fulfilled the poorest social group among the components of- Yeme on the personal, categorical and national levels. ni society. Married twice, and father of nine males and fe- Q: How does society deal with the marginalized? males, I studied “Technical Education” for the fact that my A: Yemeni society is known to be a traditional society, in Q: What message would you like to send to the world, family’s conditions and their constant relocation between the which tribal, regional, and dynastic affiliation represent the the society and the marginalized? governorates of “Taiz” and “Ibb”, in addition to the extreme basis on which human relations based on differentiation are A: There are three messages that I would like to send. The poverty we were suffering, prevented me from pursuing my defined, and therefore, it is not strange for the society to deal first would be to the marginalized, based on the Almighty university education. with the marginalized from the angle of contempt and the saying (Allah does not change what is in a nation unless they view of inferiority, which is inconsistent with the association Numan Qaid Mohammed Al-Hudhaifi change what is in themselves) Thunder 11. If you want to Q: Did you face racial discrimination in your child- of religion and land which brings together the marginalized change, you must go towards education for you and your hood? How? and the rest of the Yemeni society. That’s why the marginal- children, change some behaviors and replace them with be- A: Racial discrimination is inherent in us, the black- ized remained a social group rejected by the rest of the Ye- couldn’t forget throughout your life? haviors that bring you closer to the society, and if you want skinned people, since birth. meni society. A: There are many positive situations that I have encoun- to enjoy your full rights, they are extracted and not gifted, tered in my life, which I can’t remember, but they have all and the best way to reach your rights is to continue changing, Q: How was the beginning of your fight against racism? Q: Who is your inspiration in your scientific and prac- shaped my personality, through the love of good for every- expressing peacefully, and stepping away from the culture of A: In fact, my story began one day while I was doing my tical life? body, and the search for justice and equality among all my violence. The second message would be to the Yemeni soci- job as an environmental health officer at the Public Works and A: There are many who have passed through my life, and compatriots, no matter their social spectrum. ety: If you are Muslims, Islam was equal between the com- Roads Office in “Taiz”. I passed by the gate of “Al-Thawra” they were given credit for “Numan Al Hudhaifi” personality, panions, our master “Bilal al-Habashi” and our master “Abu Hospital and found a black-skinned woman crying over her but since I am struggling to eliminate racism, I put before me Q: In your opinion, what are the necessary steps and Bakr as-Siddiq”, and that the marginalized are your brothers son, who was less than ten years old. I approached her and two world figures: “Mandela” and “Martin Luther King” as procedures for the advancement of the marginalized cat- under the bonds of religion, language, land, and a common asked her, “Why are you crying?” She said, “My son suffers an inspiration to continue my struggle. egory? destiny. The message that I would address to the world: It is from kidney failure, and they kicked us out to the hospital, Q: During your academic and practical journey, did you A: In fact, there are a number of steps and procedures that time to rethink your policies, move towards establishing the because he does not have clean clothes - according to the hos- notice a difference in the way the society and employers treat can advance the marginalized, including those related to the values ​​of equality and justice, and renounce all forms of vio- pital director - and we are required to pay the bed fees.” I you? How did you find the difference? marginalized themselves, based on the Almighty saying (Al- lence, extremism and racial discrimination, through a global then felt chills and fever at the same time, so I took the boy A: Certainly, a person puts himself wherever he wants, and lah does not change what is in a nation unless they change revolution, if we want to live in peace on this earth. to the hospital director, and told him that if he doesn’t order thank God, throughout my career, I have never been subject- what is in themselves) Thunder 11, and this is a very import- to receive the child, I will take him to the court, and if he ed to any kind of racial treatment. On the contrary, I have ant step for the marginalized to act upon on their own if they Q: Is your life outside Yemen different from inside Ye- dies, I will file a lawsuit to accuse you personally of killing enjoyed a decent societal respect, and this is a blessing from really want change and influence within their societies. Then men? Why? him. At that time, the child was accepted and I went to the God on me. I hope it falls on all the marginalized people in comes the role of the government represented by its political A: In fact, I am not an advocate of expatriation. I am not Association of the late “Haj Saeed Anam”, and they took in Yemen. system, which must undertake a series of legislative and legal dazzled by all the forms of modernity and development that charge the purchase of medicine and all the bed and treatment measures, and develop practical plans and strategies to make I see abroad. I am a Yemeni deeply attached and affiliated fees, as they used to do with many poor and sick people from Q: What are the main difficulties you have encountered a change in the lives of the marginalized. to my country, so the dirtiest spot of its pure soil is the most “Taiz” and all of “Yemen”. Three days later I went to visit the in your social, scientific and professional life? In addition to bringing about a change in the mentality of beloved, dearest and most honorable of all the nationalities child in the hospital; I was informed that his mother had taken A: Of course, we are all exposed to many difficulties and the rest of the components of Yemeni society, and re-evalu- of the world, and in summary: I am a Yemeni by identity and him out based on her desire. I went to the child’s house, and challenges in our social, scientific and professional life, but ating the behavior of these components, from the standpoint passion, and inevitably, no matter how long the separation found him lying down, gasping out his last breath, wishing we should not stop at the first turning point that faces us as that there is no difference between people except by “taqwa” from my country lasts because of its exceptional circumstanc- me health, and he said, “Promise me Sir to shroud me (cover individuals or groups if we want to move forward. (piety, fear of God) and the amount that the human being of- es, I am confident that we will return to it, and together we me in white) and buy me a grave, because my mother does Q: What positive situation have you encountered that you fers to his community and country. Without this, the change will build its future that we all aspire to. A Journey Of Suffering For A Marginalized Displaced Person From (Ad-Dali’) The conflict in the country that has been going on for and bitter journey, he arrived to “Dar Sad” district of “Al of 18 families live in “Al-Shaab” camp, in “Al-Burayqah” region of (​​Ad-Dhali’) at different educational stages, and more than six years has led to the destruction of many Bayda” city in Aden with more than 18 families (from his district, which contains more than 142 displaced families were relatively well-off in their studies, as I ensured they homes, the displacement of thousands of families, the family and relatives), and lived in a building for several from various Yemeni governorates, supervised by the Ex- complete their studies, build their future in a way that pro- increase of poverty and unemployment, and food insecu- days, in a very bad psychological, healthy and economic ecutive Unit for the IDPs Camps in “Aden”. tects them from all harm in the society, and teach them how rity, especially among the marginalized groups in Yemen situation, then he moved with the families to another area to face difficulties, especially since we are from the margin- in the various Yemeni governorates. It has also drowned in “Al Mansoura” district and lived in an under-construc- Implementation of a private business alized group, but the conflict and displacement conditions them in a lot of scourges, bitterness and heartbreak as a tion building for a month. Regarding the aid that has been provided to the dis- made them lose two years of schooling”. He explained, result of living in a bad reality that turns day after day “Abdo Ahmed” suffered greatly when he saw his cous- placed in the camp, “Abdo” says, “Since we arrived to the “Currently my children and camp children continue their into a worse reality, without there being any glimmer of in whom he raised like his son, severely beaten by some camp, we have obtained some relief and shelter aids from studies at the primary stages, through only one teacher, as hope for a breakthrough. people in that area, while assembling plastic cans from the various international and local organizations and benefac- the camp administration is searching for another teacher to streets. The boy could not bear the pain, and died the next tors. Last year, I received the sum of 125,000 Riyals from target as many camp children as possible.” By: Manal Ameen day suffering from the severity of the beating. The shock INTERSOS International in 2009 in which I implement- “Abdo Ahmed”, the displaced member of the margin- Sawt Al Amal (The Voice of hope) was hard for “Abdo”, so he went to the police to file a re- ed a small business inside the camp, consisting of a shop alized group, goes back in memory, to the time when he port on the murder of his cousin, to know the iden- containing some simple food products, in order to worked in the field of “Qat” cultivation in his area, along “Abdo Ahmed Saad”, a displaced person from the mar- tity of the perpetrators and bring them to jus- defy all the difficulties facing my family, with his family, who missed those days and feel nostalgic, ginalized group from the “Hajr” district in As-Saddah, the tice, but no one heard his suffering or and contribute to providing assistance, especially in light of the bad situation they are currently border region between “Qa’atabah and Ad-Dali’, migrated responded to his appeal for justice. even in some small way, to the camp living in the displacement camp. Among the most import- to the southern Yemeni city of “Aden” on April 5th 2018, children. He added, “My sons cur- ant difficulties facing “Abdo Ahmed” in the camp isthe after many houses in that area were destroyed and burned Death threat rently work in this store, which lack of support organizations during this period for the dis- due to the constant bombing of the outskirts to the conflict, “Abdo Ahmed” said, “We brings us very little return that placed, the lack of food baskets that satisfy the hunger of which led to the total destruction of his house. He was then kept trying to search for the may only be sufficient to buy many displaced and marginalized families, in addition to forced to emigrate with his family of seven children and killers for more than a week modest goods and one meal the deterioration of the tents that became completely di- 3 of his brother’s children, who was killed in the “Muris” but in vain, until a number for our family, in light of lapidated and unsuitable for living in, especially since his area in 2014. of masked people came to the difficult economic - con family is big and the level of damage in the camp is huge. the building and threatened ditions that the country is Stages of the displacement suffering to kill me and my family going through and the high The dream of returning “Abdo Ahmed” talks about the stage of his displacement if I did not forget about the prices.” “Abdo” dreams of the end of this conflict so that he can and suffering that began when he left his house that was issue. Here, I contacted the return to (Ad-Dali’) governorate, to his work on the farm, destroyed and burned along with the rest of the houses “Executive Unit” to help and Ensuring to Continue Ed- and rebuild his house stone by stone, as he said, in order and cabins near him due to the constant bombing in his protect us from being killed. In- ucation to feel safe and get rid of the feeling of expatriation and area, which is considered a battle front, in addition to their deed, we have all been taken to this Regarding the education of his oppression, while he sees his family and children displaced exposure to constant threats of death by the parties of the camp.” children, “Abdo Ahmed” said, “My from one place to another in difficult circumstances which conflict if they did not leave their homes. After an arduous “Abdo Ahmed” and his large family children were studying in the “Hajr” makes him feel powerless. Sawt Issue No (5) -1/ 4 / 2021 09 Voice of Hope TheFile

They Are Viewed With Racism And Contempt The Society Culture Surrounds The Low-Profession Employees In Yemen

The circle of lower professions is expanding nancially profitable,” says “Muhammad Nader”, a young in Yemen, which falls under the works and pro- man who plays the oboe, sings, recites poetry at events, The Phenomenon Of Racism Choice of lineage fessions in which the community looks down on and other artistic works. His passion and love for this False misconceptions and beliefs that the Yemeni so- profession began when he was a child. ciety believes in make a person’s profession remain a their workers and refuses to work in them. While And in reference to the caste discrimination that he Is Once Again Creating A stigma that pursues him/her throughout his/her life. The those working in those professions see that racial was subjected to from the society, and the insulting terms young “VSA” says, “They refused to marry me off with practices and caste discrimination have become a that detracted from his being, “Muhammad” affirms to Gap Between The Members someone I loved, because his grandfather was a cook at hereditary habit in Yemen, this did not deter them “Sawt Al Amal” (The Voice of hope) that the reason is weddings.” She adds that societal and racial discrimina- due to wrong legacies and convictions that have been in- Of The Society tion against employees deprived her from being with the from practicing their work which is a profitable stilled in the minds of the society, and they have forgot- person she loved and wished to be her life partner, whose source of income, and they don’t care what is said ten what God Almighty said, “Surely the most honorable only shame is that his grandfather used to work as a cook about them. of you with Allah is the most righteous of you”. God country, these concepts have found a suitable environ- at weddings and events. created us equal, and there is no preference for one over ment for the consolidation of these ideas, due to societal Many youth believe that such divisions and differenc- Alya Muhammed another. He adds that he and other people whose profes- desire. es are inevitable, as they are related to the family’s repu- “Sawt Al Amal” (The Voice of hope) sions are despised, all bear the responsibility of families, As for “Amir Al-Surabi”, he lives in conflict between tation. “Ibtisam Harbi” says, “We must choose a person and they cannot change their professions, because they his humanitarian principles and other matters that make who will be a lineage (son-in-law) for us, so no one in are the source of their livelihood, so it is not permissible him reticent. He says, “There are things that I have res- the family can marry a girl from the “muzayana” class or “None of my father, grandfather, or member of my for them to leave work just because of discrimination ervations about, as a result of family customs and tradi- those working in professions in which work is a shame family worked in this field. I rather chose it willingly”. practiced against them by some groups of society. tions, and because of racial discrimination, I cannot mar- for the tribes, because this issue affects the reputation of That is what “Fawad Al-Hubaishi”, a young man from In the same context, the journalist, “Noor Sareeb”, ry the daughter of a butcher, barber, artist, blacksmith an entire tribe. And we should only be married to origins, “Ibb” city, has been working for fifteen years in shaving says, “In ‘Aden’, we do not see that there is a caste and other employees, as a result of the categorical rejec- and whoever violates these conditions will affect the en- said. He has chosen this profession as a source of liveli- discrimination, which is the result of integrating these tion of my tribe to this marriage, which they consider un- tire family. hood for him and his family. “Al-Hubaishi” is proud of groups into the society and giving everyone his right, equal, because of lineage, race and other terms inherited She is disagreed by the journalist “Marwa Al-Areqi”, his profession and says, “I do not care what people say and thus the discrimination was dropped. The sanctions by the society”. who believes that relations should be based on good mor- about me being a deficient or a “muzayin” as the society imposed previously on those who practice discrimina- als, behavior and good treatment, and not on color, race, calls those working in this profession. I am not affected tion disappeared... and she adds, “Laws that abolish dis- Discrimination Criterion or profession... and asserts that if any of her children by what is said about me, because there’s nothing like the crimination, had they been applied in the tribal areas in On the other hand, the journalist “Mustafa Al-Shar- want to marry a girl from any societal group, she will not feeling of comfort when your livelihood is hard-earned “. southern Yemen, the view of contempt for these profes- abi” believes that the discrimination criterion must be stand in their way because these are decisions that you sions would have changed... based on behavior, not occupation as some of those who should not interfere with. have a profession that the society despises, have a behav- Discrimination Origins In her speech to “Sawt Al Amal” (The Voice of hope), ior through which they impose respect by others, adding Caste discrimination ... will it be dropped? The origins of caste discrimination and racism go back she deplores any term that insulted any person who that people are not equal, for each person has his/ When discrimination becomes like the human genes, to hundreds of years. The social division by professions wasn’t to blame except that he had chosen a her own behavior. For example, we can it is passed on from generation to generation and will not has been made into a number of classes, beginning with profession from which he could earn a see that a person whose profession change, and the society will remain the one that creates masters and tribes, and ending with service owners, and permissible livelihood”. She point- is not shameful doesn’t possess barriers of racism and discrimination that stands in the the circle of low professions expands to include all those ed out that workers in the field a positive attitude. way of building a cohesive society free of distinction and who serve others, such as forging, butchering, weav- of art and hairdressing re- racism. ing, and making household appliances, and working in ceive great attention and In the same context, “Issam Al-Hamidi” says, “I expect that time will come clothes washing, cupping, reviving parties, grooms and respect, and they are “Ahmed Thabet”, a in which we will not see distinctions and racism, - giv brides hairdressing, shaving, patching shoes, playing considered to have displaced person en the increase in the society’s awareness, and what we drums and bowls, playing the oboe, and other profes- high income levels from the city of need is to change false misconceptions and install correct sions in which a large proportion of the Yemeni society in “Aden” and oth- “Taiz” to “Sa- conceptions.” practices. er Yemeni cities, na’a”, says, While the journalist “Fatima” says, “I left the pen and These groups, which are classified according to the which made a sig- “I have been paper and took the needle and thread, and now I am sew- professions practiced by the members of each category, nificant number patching shoes ing dolls, and I did not surrender to people’s talks, be- whose number reaches about half a million, according of them resort to and bags for cause I am fully aware that I am the one who builds my to the official statistics, are discriminated and racism is working in these fifteen years name, and not my profession. I am “Fatima”, the journal- practiced against them, and are prevented from the most professions that and I have ist. I have not changed from “Fatima”, the dolls weaver.” basic rights, so they are not entitled to marry outside their generate great not been ex- As for “Amro Muhammad”, he took a new step, and families, and they are not allowed to sit with those who financial profit. posed to such changed a misconception about employees, because of are of a higher social class. They are given surnames, Social re- surnames like his passion and high ambition to achieve the position he and proverbs that despise them are passed on. Despite searcher “Ahmed “muzayin”, dreams of. He says, “Despite the caste discrimination, I the September 26th revolution in 1962, which abolished Al-Majidi” be- incomplete, or practiced my hobby and talent, despite the fact that I be- all forms of racial and caste discrimination, and partial- lieves that caste undignified, and long to a tribal family that totally rejects such professions ly stipulated and removed some of the differences and discrimination other terms that », and he adds, “I faced many problems, but they did not privileges between classes, some manifestations of rac- occurs between dif- I do not believe affect my ambition. I challenged the wrong traditions and ism that the society could not overcome remained and ferent groups of the in.” He adds that the beliefs, and changed the ideas of some of my tribe’s peo- returned again creating a large fence and forming a large society, and these forms only criterion that can ple, and now they are the ones supporting me, and here gap between the members of a single community. of discrimination only re- be used for preference is I am organizing their own weddings, and this is what I sulted from accumulations of ethics and dealing with oth- consider a great achievement through which I changed Customs and legacies that formed a racial gap concepts, customs and traditions ers only. a wrong societal legacy that was passed down through “We practice honorable work, many of which are fi- inherited from grandparents. In our generations”. 10 Civil Society Issue No (5) -1/ 4 / 2021 Public Opinion Issue: Bara’a, A Dark-Skinned Girl, Victim Of Racism And Inequity A brutal incident that disclaims the val- The girl’s father filed a complaint with the con- us justice.” He adds: “The perpetrators discredited Hope” that “Bara’a” is still under psychological reha- ues, customs and norms of the Yemeni so- cerned authorities, which in turn issued an arrest war- “Bara’a” and issued an arrest warrant against her, -ac bilitation in the shelter in the General Federation of ciety which victim is a seventeen-year-old rant for those accused of the crime, but one of the vil- cusing her of defamation, and she was detained in the Yemeni Women . girl, classed within the black minority who lage influential people (related to one of the accused) Public Prosecution Office until we contacted people Likewise, Lawyer Samira Nbeish, chairperson of are racially referred to as “Akhdam” (the helped four of them escape from the governorate, and and she was released. the Rights and Freedoms Committee at the Nation- servants in Arabic) or “the marginalized”. asked the fifth accused to surrender The perpetrators tried to ques- al Federation for the Poorest, says that the issue of In a remote village in one of the Yeme- himself, and promised to release tion the authenticity of the medical “Bara’a” is a serious case, and is considered as a case ni governorates, Bara’a (a pseudonym) him within two days. report, although it was issued by of a public opinion solid with reports issued by gov- was publicly harassed, at the end of March “I don’t want anything else; I the Rural Governmental Hospital, ernment authorities, as well as by the testimony of 2020, by a village youth, while fetching wa- am only claiming the right of my according to Salem, who also in- witnesses and she adds: “We have submitted to the ter from the well from which she used to get raped daughter,” says “Bara’a” dicates that “Bara’a” is a trauma- Attorney General a memorandum of appeal - fol- water from, like most girls and women in ’s father in a special statement to tized child, and a victim who has lowing all of the above - to demand that the case be her village. The Voice of Hope. He confirms, no sin except that her skin is dark, re-investigated under local and international judicial “I have not given up the case, as and neither organizations nor spe- supervision, free from prejudice, influence and inter- Alya Muhammed they said, I still and will continue cialized bodies stood by her side. ference in the interest of the perpetrators.” “Sawt Al Amal” (The Voice of hope) to demand my daughter’s right, de- He concludes his speech to "The She points out that “Baraa'a” needs support, assis- spite the pressures and threats I face Voice of Hope" by saying: "Victory tance from civil organizations, and advocacy for her Bara’a did not remain silent about the harassment from the perpetrators who pass by for the child “Bara’a” and give her cause, but no organization, so far, has played its part and disturbance to which she was subject by that me every day.” Baraa’s father adds, justice." in the case and the child victim among the marginal- young man. So she went to complain to his father, “My daughter is a victim whose In the context, Nehman ized groups that need support and advocacy. who replied to her by saying: “You are beautiful, and dignity, reputation and honor have Al-Hudhaifi, head of the Nation- The lawyer, Nbeish, was assaulted and attacked if I were him, I would have raped you”... With this been robbed, and the perpetrators al Federation for the Poorest (The in last Ramadan by whom she described as- "influ response, the father encouraged his son and gave him are free, breathing freedom.” marginalized in Yemen) says that ential" in security. She says: "They threatened me, a tacit approval to carry out the heinous crime after Baraa’s mother, through a call it has been eight months, and the took me and brought panic to me, my family and the that, as it happened at the same night, the young man with The Voice of Hope, appealed case file of raping the dark-skinned neighborhood people, and if they had not intervened, raped Bara’a, not alone, but with four other young to everyone to stand with the cause child, “Bara’a”, is thrown in the I would have been kidnapped now." men who participated with him in this act. of her daughter. “We are a poor and Attorney General's office drawer The case of “Bara’a” is an example of racism On the day that Bara'a described as “the ominous vulnerable family. We are facing in- in Aden, and the case file has been practiced against a societal category, because of the and black day of her life,” she was on her way to visit fluential people who pay huge sums of money for my withdrawn from the competent prosecution, with the skin color, which calls for the intervention of interest- her grandmother in a nearby village. When she ar- daughter’s rights to be lost. We haven’t found anyone aim of hindering the investigation procedures, and ed parties to support such cases, which are concealed rived to the valley, the five young men were waiting to do us justice in Taiz,” she said. Then she added, executing the desires of those who stand behind the and do not go out into the open because of the Yemeni for her, kidnapped her to the farm of one of them, and "We transferred the case file to the Attorney General, accused. He adds: “We hold the Attorney General re- defect culture, customs and traditions, and according then took turns raping her. but we aren’t able to provide the travel costs to follow sponsible for the loss of the legal right of the victim, to specialists, behind every public case of rape, there The screaming of the girl “Bara’a” did not shake up the case." and all the aggression and intimidation that the family are dozens of cases that are kept a secret. her kidnappers who were enjoying ravaging her body, Salem, the cousin of “Bara’a” (the newspaper is exposed to, in defiance of all the values, legal legis- as she kept on screaming for help until a passer-by holds his real name) says: “I was threatened and lations and international coventions related to human heard her, and rushed to the incident site. Upon his shot by the perpetrators, to put pressure on us in or- rights and international humanitarian law.” (Fictitious names were used and details of the arrival, the young men escaped after having complet- der to give up on the case, taking advantage of our On her part, the lawyer of the child “Bara’a” (the area where the incident happened were hidden, in ed their crime against the girl, and the medical report social status and our class classification as Khaddam newspaper holds her name), says that the legal pro- order to ensure the safety of the persons associated later proved that she was still a virgin until the day of (servants). I filed a complaint with the security- ad cedures are still frozen until the Attorney General is with it, and the newspaper retains the real names the incident. ministration in the governorate, but they did not do informed of the case file and assures “ The Voice of and details of the case) Civil Society Organizations ... Efforts To Combat Discrimination And Marginalization In Yemen Civil society organizations play an deterrent to combating racism against the margin- important role in establishing many alized people, and we won’t need any laws to curb programs that fosters the groups in this phenomenon. need of support and assistance, includ- Amr Zeid affirms: “In light of the current sit- ing the marginalized category, which is uation, and from my experience in humanitarian one of the poorest in the society, and action in most of Yemen’s governorates, it is dif- which suffers from discrimination and ficult to impose the application of international racism made by societal customs, tradi- laws against racism at present and the compliance tions and human values. So many orga- with international laws against racism has become nizations have sought to establish and a moral obligation that reflects on the individual, and no law obliges the individual to follow it”. reduce support activities, and to set up And he adds: “I do not overstate the efforts of any several projects to help this group and individual, entity or organization, but I see that alleviate its poverty, but some others, the activities and programs offered by organiza- and they are the majority, are in the tions in combating marginalization and discrimi- process of promoting activities in the nation are very few, compared to the actual need media, while in fact there are no activi- for them in the field. Thus, I think that each stage ties on the ground. brings with it its priorities for humanitarian activ- ities and action, and the current stage, of course, By: Nada Al-Bakary has marginalized this aspect considerably.” The Voice of Hope In the context, Mohammed Al-Qudsi, the monitoring and evaluation officer at the Qatari Income-generating projects Crescent Association says: "we always target all Abdullah Muhammad, one of the marginalized are many organizations that come to the refuge to ent societal groups, as guaranteeing their rights groups of society, especially the vulnerable ones, people in Sanaa, says that many organizations collect information, while we hope to get projects is an essential and fundamental part of the work regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or skin col- come to Al-Mahwa and provide food aid “which is that will help us face the requirements of life, but and activities of NGOs, whether local or interna- or", "Even if we don’t allocate programs for the half a bag of flour (25 kg), five kilograms of sugar unfortunately, we do not see any tangible effect of tional.” He adds, “if we talk accurately about the marginalized in particular,” he adds, “we are keen and a can of oil” for a month. They are sometimes these organizations, so we feel despaired and sad role of organizations in combating marginaliza- to ensure that they are included in some projects, disbursed after two months, and then we do not as those hopes go unheeded.” tion and discrimination in Yemen, given the ex- especially those related to gender marginalization see these organizations anymore. He adds: “Some ceptional situation we are currently experiencing, and discrimination.” institutions provide water on a weekly basis, but Programs and Projects the reality of the field requires organizations to Despite the efforts made by civil and interna- the residents of Al Mahwa are large families and Many organizations emphasize their endeavor focus on other aspects of humanitarian action”, tional organizations to combat marginalization in each household, there are more than 8 people. to implement programs and projects for the mar- pointing out that the role of organizations in com- and discrimination against groups of society, the The water provided is not enough, which forces ginalized group, and because the conflict has led bating marginalization and discrimination is di- reality of those marginalized groups says that their them to search for water from other sources, in the to a high proportion of groups in need of such minishing, at the expense of focusing on provid- suffering is increasing as the situation in Yemen neighborhoods adjacent to ours." projects, the latter are distributed according to ing emergency humanitarian assistance, which is deteriorates, and that the organizations do not live While Ahmed Qaid - from the marginalized priority among those affected by the conflict in designed to include marginalized groups. up to their aspirations to reach social integration group who lives in the Sawad Hanash neighbor- Yemen. and remove marginalization and discrimination, hood in Sana'a, stresses the importance of small- Amr Zaid, the program manager and report- Anti-racism laws and to provide development and economic proj- scale entreprises that help this category who suf- ing officer at RRD, says to “The Voice of Hope” While there are many international laws that ects that guarantee this category a decent life, and fer from difficult living conditions, which calls that “humanitarian organizations generally aim reject racism and discrimination among segments to enforce laws to reduce discrimination and rac- for development projects that improve their liv- to guarantee human rights of all kinds, and of of the society, they do not apply do not matter, ism that are directed by the marginalized people ing and economic conditions. He adds, "There course, there must be equality between the differ- but if human values ​​are reinforced, they will be a in Yemen. Issue No (5) -1/ 4 / 2021 Visions of Youth 11 Young Marginalized...They Broke The Barrier Of Isolation And Overcome Racism In every society, young obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business guishes it from her community in which in their communities, and there is a major people represent the flame Administration, and trained in the field she would like to achieve her project confrontation and challenge that margin- of hope and the fuel of the of human and project development. He called «Struggle to Succeed». alized youth face, such as access to edu- engine of change, and the founded the National Union for the Mar- In this context, media activist Jamal cation, health, employment and equality”, youth of the marginalized ginalized in Yemen, and was one of its Al-Hari, deputy editor-in-chief of “The says Al-Harbi. He affirms that youth are prominent leaders. Voice of the Marginalized Net” website, a positive force that pushes the wheel of group are not an exception “Aqlan” contributed to the project of and head of the Irada Society for Com- development forward, but only if they are to this rule. There are souls rehousing the marginalized people, taking munity Development in Al-Dhalea, says: provided with knowledge and opportuni- that glow with brilliance, them away from the dangers of torrents, that the youth of the poorest category are ties that will qualify them to participate energy and enthusiasm to monitoring the violations that affected the living in social isolation to a bad extent, in various areas of development. He also change the bitter reality of marginalized. He participated in 21 train- something that is deeply self-motivating praises the role of marginalized youth in their centuries-old commu- ing courses and also prepared three docu- and has a very serious impact on them, decision-making, achieving the peace nity, besieged in the margins mentaries for the marginalized people in and thus negatively affects all their gen- process, and representing the homeland of life. Yemen, which were translated into several eral orientations.» in local, international and regional confer- In this report, “ The Voice languages. “Aqlan” denounces the nega- Jamal adds that he dreams of a coun- ences. of Hope” deals with examples tive social legacy of the Yemeni society, try in which the values ​​of social justice On his part, the Executive Director of the long-standing contempt of the dark- are embodied, and that everyone becomes the National Union for the Marginalized, of marginalized youth, who skinned marginalized people, which has equal like the teeth of a comb, with no Mortada Naaman Alzekry, says that there broke barriers, overcame expanded over time. difference between them, He stressed the are many young people who devote all marginalization restrictions, He tells “The Voice of Hope” that importance of activating the role of the their attentiion to improving the humani- and rejected the racism prac- especially young men, as the prevailing some marginalized youth spend their lives culture tied them to professions that some marginalized young man, caring for him tarian situation of the marginalized in all ticed against them, so they in permanent estrangement, and in - sys thought fit only in this category, such as and encouraging him, pushing him for- aspects of life. broke into education, went tematic isolation, in a racial society that cleaning and sanitation work, leather shoe ward, guiding him to safety, and encour- Alzekry added: “There are a lot of out to work, founded civil does not appreciate their needs and re- patching, and drum beating at events and aging him to fulfill his mission, play his work and accomplishments that have been organizations, and accom- quirements, which will only be achieved weddings. effective role in the society and activate carried out to support marginalized youth, plished achievements that through awareness of the importance of The community activist Maha Rush his potential that suffers from stalemate as 130 male and female students were reached beyond the Yemen’s education, taking children to school, so- (from the marginalized people in the due to the social, political and economic enrolled in university education within 4 cial integration, achieving equal citizen- restrictions that besiege marginalized years, 50 male and female students were borders. city of Taiz) says: “I have lived a cruel ship, and empowering the marginalized childhood and I suffered from the racist groups in Yemen. enrolled in technical education within 3 people to attain all their rights. Hope Despite the Pain years, and more than 2,500 families were By : Alya Muhammed and unjust outlook of society, which has Dr. Hajar Nehman, who agrees with The human rights activist Muhammad enrolled in the UNICEF-funded Monetary The Voice of Hope made me stronger and more determined to him, believes that “some young people of achieve my ambitions.” Maha told “The al-Harbi received a scholarship within the Assistance Program in the Secretariat.” the marginalized group have a number of quota for marginalized seats in a public The thirty-year-old Abdul Ghani Voice of Hope”: “I did not care about the practical and scientific talents and skills, university, but he was rejected by the uni- What else? Aqlan, who is part of the “marginalized” words of society, its class discrimination, but unfortunately they lack many things, versity presidency, and in a second, he felt On the walls of marginalization, these group in Sana’a, did not stand impotent in and its racial language towards the mar- such as the educational arms and the safe his dream was shattered. But with deter- young people have painted their dreams the way of achieving his ambitions and ginalized group. Thus, I continued my environment, as they are surrounded by a mination and perseverance, he stood back and aspirations, a positive step to change goals, and his affiliation with this group journey with confidence, until I partici- society where illiteracy and poverty are on his feet and registered in the media de- society’s perception of a category that has was not an obstacle to him, but a main pated in the Fellowship Program for Mi- rampant.” partment of a private university in order been trapped in the corners of racial dis- motive for building his future and prov- norities in Switzerland ». Young People Break the Barrier of to complete his education, and obtain the crimination. Many of them have proven ing himself and his name, by adopting the She referred to what she benefited university degree. their ability to make a significant change causes of this category that has suffered Discrimination from in this wonderful participation, Long ago, the society began to is- “Marginalized youth are increasingly in society, by having the capabilities of and still suffer from racial discrimination which added a lot of information in know- sue judgments on black-skinned people, demanding more equitable opportunities other social groups. due to color and race. Abdul Ghani Aqlan ing the other community, and what distin- The Weddings Of The Marginalized People: Hustle, Singing, Dancing And Parties Until Dawn By:Alya Muhammed as painful and sad, one of which was the story of a system, the marginalized people used to participate And regarding the most important characteristics of Sawt Al-Amal (Voice of Hope) white young man who loved a black-skinned girl and with the “dawashin” in reviving weddings in the coun- these wedding rituals, Arwa says: “In previous periods, held on to her love, asked her father to marry her, and tryside of Taiz. When they moved to the city, they took weddings were mixed, bringing together women and he was rejected, but the young man’s insistence on their passion for music and dance as if it were their best men, but the situation is different now and no longer The “Marginalized” live in isolated resi- marrying the girl made the end of this love a tragedy, safe haven to resist the ascendancy of discrimination. occurs, but the ritual of the flute entry to the wedding dential areas, known as “Al Mahwa” (mean- as the young man lost his life because of his brothers The 40-year-old Aunt Khamisa lives in a slum, in tent continued, and women interact with its tunes, and ing “slums” in Arabic), whose inhabitants are who killed him. The incident caused the displacement the center of Sana’a, and she married off her daughter, they perform a dance called “Al Taba’a”, which is an called the “Akhdam” (meaning “servants” in of the marginalized group in that region. This is not by performing the marriage rituals in a tent she set in approach to the “Zubeidi” dance known in Tihamah. Arabic), and the surrounding community re- the only story. There are thousands of other stories that the middle of the neighborhood. fuses to coexist with them, mix with them, or discrimination placed on the margins of life. “We have special rituals for weddings, and we like Behaviors that society does not accept approach them. The marginalized suffer from On her part, Samira Soueid, director of the Aman to stay up late and dance to the sounds of loud music, There are many reasons that increase the marginal- various forms of class and racial discrimi- Foundation for the marginalized in Aden, said: “We so we prefer to hold the wedding in tents rather than ization of this group in the society because of some of the nation, the most important of which is social may find in southern Yemen and rural areas marriage halls, because it allows us to celebrate for long hours behaviors that some practice.. And in a poll conducted by discrimination. Tribal and social norms con- cases between marginalized groups and other groups, until three in the morning”, she says. Sawt Al – Amal (Voice of Hope) with a group of people – sider marrying them or marrying them off is but in small proportions, as a result of educational As for Salah Ahmed, he says: “The most living next to the marginalized - some agreed that family a shame due to the difference in color, gender, involvement and social integration.” She beautiful thing that characterizes our men’s upbringing is the main cause of these behaviors! ethnicity, and work, in addition to the life- added that what the most distinctive wedding rituals is dance. Our weddings “Behaviors that I cannot accept, carried out by some style, and the behaviors describe by some as feature of these areas is that their cannot be free of it, especially at the of the marginalized, and these behaviors gave us a neg- barbaric and urban. inhabitants are of different races “henna” party, which has a par- ative view of them.” This was how Salwa Hamid Awad and classes, their origins are ticular impression. Everyone saw the behavior of black-skinned people. Adding: “We Skin Color: a Hindrance to Marriage from Abyssinia, Somalia and at the party takes some of the do not deny that there are people from the marginalized “Being a black-skinned in Yemen makes your life India, and therefore we find groom’s “henna”, then every- group in Yemen, who have rational behavior, but most of an unbearable hell”, this is how Mahmoud Bahkali (30 that the discrimination based one dances on Yemeni and them behave in an inappropriate way, and no one accepts years old), described his suffering from racial discrim- on skin color in these areas Gulf songs, and even for- to merge with them.” ination because of color. is very minimal, and color is eign songs, and our parties Regarding these behaviors, many people described Mahmoud says: “We are condemned to unjust so- not a major problem. continue until late at night, them as barbaric and irrational, which is the main reason cial judgments because of our dark skin color. Tens accompanied by chewing why they don’t get linked or associated with members of black-skinned people and I suffer from the painful Marriage Rituals in “Al “Qat”. of this group. outlook of the society, and from the class divisions of Mahwa” On her part, the commu- Helmy Al-Hudhaifi (from the marginalized groups) society, which confine us to an isolated corner of the In “Al Mahwa”, the place nity activist Maha Al -Uday says: “Some marginalized people - especially those who world and prevent us from merging with the rest of so- where the so-called “ marginal- ni says: “The wedding parties live in slums - behave inappropriately, and therefore ciety. As a black-skinned man, I have no right to marry ized” groups live, there is a world held by the so-called marginalized people judge everyone for misconduct, but this does not a white girl because, according to their beliefs, I am different from the rest of the- neigh groups have no big difference com- mean that there are no people among this category who not fit for them.” borhoods, characterized by simplicity pared to the weddings of other groups as have transcended these behaviors and acted appropri- In the context, Naaman Ahmed, who is a human and absolute spontaneity, and an atmosphere of rituals are similar to some extent, but they differ ately: there are large numbers of us who have adopted rights and political activist (from the marginalized familiarity in this neighborhood, which consists of a in the location of the wedding. She adds that the most an appropriate behavior, adapted and integrated into the group), affirms that “the problem of class discrimina- number of houses made of tents or of zinc sheets and disturbed thing is the marriage of young girls, as a re- society.” tion in society concerning marriage is the refusal of logs and some others of stones. Speaker sounds are sult of the social environment and the difficult financial The activist Abdul Ghani Aqlan asserts: “that there marrying off males from the marginalized groups. As loud, and men lay on the ground to chew “Qat” until conditions of their families. are many young men and women from the marginal- for the marginalized, they accept marrying off their late at night. The inhabitants of these areas are charac- “Simple weddings at the lowest costs”, this is how ized groups who have proven their worth, reached ad- daughters to people other than the black-skinned. But terized by a different life, and marriage rituals differ Arwa Sami, one of the attendees, described a wedding vanced stages of education, and faced discrimination the majority of those who marry our daughters have from those rituals practiced by the rest of the society party for the marginalized group in Aden city. Arwa with vigor and courage, followed the right path, and left their families, and they have no connection with on such occasions. confirms that these people are simple and spontaneous, deserved to be role models for many young people”. them and their societies. As for those who have a fam- The newspaper columnist Latif Al-Sarari says: In so whoever cannot provide a white dress may wear He adds: “Regarding that segment’s wrong behaviors, ily, the latter prevent them from marrying one of our “Al Mahwa” there is a different world: “Qat” sittings a dress of another color, and whoever cannot find a the family has a big role in it. If every family starts daughters, given what we suffer from the inferior view extended to the end of the night, songs through loud- “wedding tent”, will then be holding the party in the upbringing correctly, the general perception of this seg- of some members of society. speakers, dances in which Yemeni folklore blends with house backyard, where everyone in the neighborhood ment which faces discrimination due to acquired socie- Naaman recounts a number of stories he described the African folklore. Prior the advent of the cassette meet and party until late at night. tal customs and traditions will change.” The Last Ward Yemen Information Center Specializes On Research And Media That Promote Peace And Development In Yemen

www.yemeninformation.org - www.sawt-alamal.net [email protected] Independent - Newspaper (Towic a Month) Puplished by Yemen Information Center Issue (5) - 1 / 4 /2021 By: Manal Ameen

The Marginalized... Have They Got Dignity?

Our Yemeni society has imposed on the marginalized group to live in cruel and inhuman conditions, only because they differ from us in color, and are considered among the poorest, most -de prived and farthest from ed- ucation, positions and high ranks in our society. In my country which has been ravaged by war for several years, and which has been severed by politi- "The Curse Of Blackness” cal, ideological and regional Racial Discrimination And Poverty Prevent disparities, this group was the most affected than any other group, so they lived Will The Yemenis Obliterate It? a life of displacement, loss By: Mona Al-Assadi bear witness that God is right, and this is our The Marginalized From Enrolling In Education and alienation, in a country The Voice of Hope destiny in life.” where the most extreme and This sad tone with which Muharram spoke Exclusive: The Voice of Hope the issue of the marginalized are nothing severe cases of collapse oc- Searching for a livable place has become all reflects the extent of suffering they are expe- but incomplete and unrealistic informa- tion. “International organizations bring in curred, where the majority of what Muharram Ahmed aspires for. He is a fif- riencing in the “Mahwa”. Perhaps what Mu- them hovered on the streets ty-year-old man who sleeps on a sidewalk of a harram mentioned of the suffering is only a The Secretary-General of the National a lot of funds through various programs, very poor neighborhood in Amanat Al Asima. microcosm of the misfortunes of three and a Union for the Development of the Poorest, in the name of the marginalized and their in scarcity, and some of them Muharram lives with his family, consisting of half million people of his own country, which Salah Dabwan, affirmed that the extreme different causes, but in reality, the main stayed in cafes, wishing to five children, in the “Mahwa” neighborhood is the total number of black-skinned people in poverty that members of the marginalized demands in enabling them to pursue their get crumbs to feed them- of Sawad Hanash, where life seems to be the Yemen, representing 12 percent of the popula- group suffer from, and the racial discrimi- normal lives, including their enrollment in selves, or looking for places worst and harshest, due to the state of poverty, tion of Yemeni society, according to statistics nation against their children in schools, are educational and employment facilities like to embrace their exhausted and the lack of services, where the smell of from the National Center for Statistics. among the most important reasons for their the rest of the society were not implement- bodies. sewage waste which is so close attests to the Not a single category suffered from nega- reluctance to enroll in schools, which has ed and any types of facilities have not been I am absolutely certain that real suffering of his residents. tive discrimination and exclusion in Yemen, led them to start working at an early age, provided for this matter, and all what they in the streets and the sidewalks to support did was paralyzed and not realistic.” these (marginalized people) The lack of Muharram’s ruse made him live as black-skinned people did, or as the Yemeni are the most hardened -peo in this neighborhood, with his family and 42 community calls them “the Akhdam”. “My their families financially. On treatments and solutions to con- others, being all black-skinned people. Mu- classmates call me ‘Al khadima’ (the servant Dabwan said to “The Voice of Hope” front this problem, Dabwan points out that ple, and the most willing to harram says “The word “Akhdam” (servants in Arabic)”, says Fatima, Muharram’s eight- that there are no statistics or research stud- significant efforts must be made with all sacrifice and work as there in Arabic) has followed us a lot since we were year-old daughter, “Everyone in class laughs ies from any party (governmental, interna- parties to implement interventions that fa- are no property, high salaries, children, and it kept chasing us and now our at me, and every time I leave school, I wish tional organizations or research centers) cilitate the integration of the marginalized or high positions they are children, and I don’t think it will ever leave that I never go back”. Her father adds: “I force that shed light on the estimated propor- students into education, promote a culture keen on, and they fear los- us”. He sadly adds “This eternal curse has Fatima to go to school and leave the task of tions of school-age marginalized people, of acceptance of one another regardless ing it, as they struggle from completely destroyed us, and deprived us and begging to her older siblings. I hope she will and the issue of discrimination against their color, gender or race, and joint work sunrise till sunset, and they our children of education, playing and living find a better future than it is now or at least far them in educational facilities. He point- to provide basic services and to meet their ed out that all published researches on needs for a decent life. only find what sustains their in security, although we are Muslims, and we from the sewage waste!” bodies and preserves their lives, to keep up toiling and working again. When will society real- The Story of a Marginalized’s Success ize that the dignity of these people is not an insignifi- cant thing, for the heavenly religions, Yemeni laws and Osama Massaad – If You Have Determination, Nothing Is Impossible international laws all affirm By: Rajaa Mekred group of ‘Al Mahwit’ governorate, graduated from high school Osama faces difficulties while doing hard and low-paid work. the right of others and re- The Voice of Hope in 2018-2019 with a very good average of 88.88%. The racial According to him, some car owners despise him, others appre- spect for their well-being and discrimination and intermediary stood as an obstacle to his entry ciate the hardship, and some use the word “Khadem” to call work, apart from the images The young man Ossama Massaad had into the Higher Institute for Health Sciences (a governmental him... He affirms: “We, the marginalized group, have no respect of undermining, disrespect a dream of wearing the white robe, and educational institution). But with his insistence, he was able to or status in the society. It is certainly difficult to practice my job, and discrimination that face becoming a doctor. He has made his way enroll in one of the private medical institutes, and is currently in but patience is necessary”. the daily lives of the margin- towards his goal with slow steps, almost the third year of specialization (Physician Assistant). Massaad had applied to other professions in the directorate one step ahead facing three backwards. Osama says that accessing education classes is very diffi- near his residence, but in vain, he did not get any job opportuni- alized, besiege their move- He strives to overcome the barriers and cult, as he belongs to the marginalized and the poor category, ty. He says: “I have crossed all the paths to improve my living ment, and prevent them from obstacles. And in order to achieve his although he has high degrees and aspirations for learning, but he conditions, but I did not find any solution. Thus, nothing can spending their lives like the dream, he accepted to work in the did not find what he aspired to, and repeated because of “pov- stop me from learning except death.” rest of human beings. most difficult and lowest-paid erty”. Osama adds that he is expelled outside the institute every Osama aspires to improve his living conditions, and to com- They are in need of finding professions. day for not paying the tuition fees of 140,000 Yemeni riyals plete his university education, which he has always dreamed of, the true value of their work Osama smiles while we (240 dollars). Once his time at the institute ends, he goes out regardless of the difficulties or obstacles that he faces, or the and roles in life, which the can see stories full of moti- to the street and wipes cars or does any other job, to save 1,000 hardships of the professions that he practices, and hoping that majority of the society is not vation and energy in his Yemeni riyals (two dollars) per day but he sometimes cannot he success will help him out. doing, to enjoy a better stan- eyes, and he says: "I find work. “The Voice of Hope” had conducted a survey on the social will do whatever it He goes on saying: “we are often sent as students to some networking site Facebook, on why the marginalized people do dard of living (housing, food takes and will not hospitals. During the field visit, I get out of the hospital to wipe not enroll in education. It was found that 61% of the partici- and dressing), to find social stop learning”. cars, to provide transportation fees for the next day,” in an at- pants agree that the reason for not educating the marginalized is protection against poverty, Ossama tempt to strike a balance between his education and work, de- the economic situation, 29% of the opinions suggested that the disease and unemployment, Mas- spite his feeling of regret, as he did not enter the specialty he marginalized people do not enroll in education due to their lack to have access to schools saad, a desired such as a doctor or anesthesiologist. of awareness of the importance of education, while 9% of the and universities and finally 21-year- Massaad's family consists of eight siblings and his parents. respondents agreed that the reason for the marginalized people to live a better and dignified old from Osama's father works as a porter, while Osama did not want to reluctance to learn is the marginalized themselves, and an esti- life. the mar- mention the other jobs besides wiping car windows and carrying mated 1% of the public attributed the reason for the marginal- ginalized flour, considering that the work is not a shame. ized people not to learn to racial discrimination.