Ramadan Bi Aman Campaign

Proceeding from their corporate social responsibility and commitment to the community, G4S security services Yemen L.L.C launched the “Ramadan Bi Aman” campaign in cooperation with Yemen Red Crescent and Aleena Charity, which distributed food items to poor families this Ramadan.

 

 

 


75 families (657 people in total) in and around Sana'a
were provided with bags of 10 Kgs rice, 10 Kgs sugar, 10 Kgs flour, 2 Kgs milk, 3 kgs dates and 5 liters corn oil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The al-juri is Yemen's closest cousin to the rose and is one of the best-selling local flowers.

 

 

 

Did you know?

 

In Yemen musicians are allocated for specific occasions:

The guardian and interpreter of the most formal of the sung poetry is the nashad. 

The zamil performs at large tribal meetings, the razfah and balah at wedding celebrations, the dan at more intimate social gatherings and the qasidah in any number of situations.

Read more 

 

 

 

 

Snapshot

 

Queueing for fuel during Ramadan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amidst all the problems in Yemen, Yemenis are protesting for Palestine:

F. @Palestinianism 
Anonymous Palestine @PalAnonymous 
The brave people of #Yemen protesting for #Palestine

 

 

 

 

 

 

People of Yemen: Afrah Nasser

Diving into the journalism ocean since 2008 with immersion in the social media world since the Arab Spring, Yemeni blogger and freelance writer, Afrah Nasser has been telling the untold stories about Yemen. Such stories had a high price for Nasser that she had to pay. She is in self-exile in Sweden since May 2011 after receiving death threats for her anti-regime writings.

 

Photo by Ameen Alghabri Art


Nasser paved her path to journalism after developing a humanitarian consciousness throughout her college years in Sana'a University while perusing a BA degree in English linguistics (2004-2008). She began to contribute to the Yemen Times newspaper (2004-present) and later began working as a social and cultural editor at the Yemen Observer (2009-2011). As the uprising in Yemen erupted in 2011, Nasser realized that objectivity was a bullshit and she proudly wore the activist hat, becoming a diligent blogger, writing with a focus on human rights violations and women's rights in Yemen. She has written for CNN, The National, Al Arabi magazine, Institute for War and Peace Reporting, Doha Center for Free Media, Al Akhbar, the European Magazine, the Dissident Blog, among others. She has appeared on France 24, BBC, Al Arabiya, Al Jazeera, Swedish Radio, SVT and TV4, commenting on a range issues related to Yemen and MENA region. Nasser also has worked in Sweden as a reporter at the Swedish International Radio 2012, and the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, 2013.

Nasser occasionally shares her knowledge and experience -on using social media as an agent for social change- by leading workshops with various institutions, such as; Swedish Institute, Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, Olof Palme Center, The National Council of Swedish Youth Organisations (LSU) and others. She is also an international public speaker on Yemen's affairs and has contributed to two books, one is 'Now That We Have Tasted Hope: Voices from the Arab Spring', reflecting on poverty in Yemen and the other is (يحدث في الطريق) 'Happening on the Street', sharing her own experience with sexual harassment.

Currently pursuing masters' degree in communication at Gothenburg University in Sweden, she works in parallel with the Yemeni Salon – a non-profit NGO she co-founded in Stockholm in 2012.

Source: http://afrahnasser.blogspot.com/p/about.html 

 

 

 

People of Yemen

 

How long have you been taking ballet lessons?
"Six years"

What do you like about it?
"It makes me feel free and it helps that my mother supports me by attending all my lessons"

 

 

 

 

 

Did You Know?

 

The Republic of Yemen is very rich in bird life. If one includes the island of Socotra over 360 species have been recorded. Among these are seventeen species (thirteen on the mainland and four on Socotra) which are found nowhere else in the world except in some cases neighbouring areas of south west Arabia. For these so-called ‘endemics’ Yemen has a special responsibility and because of them, ranks as one of the most important countries in the Middle East for bird conservation.

The endemic Yemen warbler is a rather plain-looking warbler with a large head, short wings and a long tail. Both sexes are sooty-grey to dark brown above, with a darker head, especially around the eye. The iris is distinctively white, contrasting with the dark orbital ring. The dark upperparts are clearly demarcated from the pale underparts, which are white on the throat and buffish on the belly, with a dull apricot patch 
between the legs. Acacias, especially those with a flaky bark, are a good place to look for them.

source

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply now for the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program!
Deadline: Friday, August 15, 2014
Please complete your application online via the link below

 

برنامج "الفولبرايت" لتدريس اللغات الأجنبية (FLTA)
آخر موعد للتقديم 15 أغسطس 2014
يتم التقديم عبر الرابط التالي:https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/flta/27/

 

 

Manabu's Kitchen

 

*Opening hours during RAMADAN*
6:30 pm - 11 pm (10:30 pm STOP SERVING)
June 29 - July 11, 2014

*VACATION NOTICE*
MANABU'S KITCHEN will be closed from July 12 to August 4, 2014 for summer vacation,  reopening at 11:30 am on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.

 

 

 

 

Ramadan Kareem رمضان كريم

 

  

 

 

 

The 2014 Alexia Women's Initiative Grant is currently accepting applications. 

 

The Alexia Foundation is pleased to announce the call for entries for the 2014 Women's Initiative Grant which will provide a $25,000 grant for a project to be produced on a significant issue involving and affecting women anywhere in the world.

The Alexia Foundation's main purpose is to encourage and help photojournalists create stories that drive change. While our traditional grant guidelines put no limits on the subject matter for grant proposals, a number of proposals about women's rights in the last few years have been so powerful that we have been compelled to create a grant specifically on issues relating to women.

Unlike the first Women's Initiative grant, which specifically focused on abuse of women in the United States, this call for entries is open to photographers any where in the world and is intended to permit the photographer to produce a serious documentary photographic project encompassing any issue involving women anywhere in the world.

 

 

http://www.alexiafoundation.org/grants/womensinitiative2014

 

 

B 100 Ragl

 

"B 100 Ragl" (Worth 100 Men) an exclusive radio fiction series on the role of women in society produced by the Womanity Foundation is airing throughout the Middle East and North Africa starting July 2014, featuring animating conversations on women's rights in this region.

It enacts typical situations and problems that affect women through the adventures of Noha, a young radio journalist, played by Mona Zaki. Noha challenges prejudice and oppression and becomes a roll model for the whole society.

 

 

 

Bent B 100 Ragl by Nancy Ajram

 


On air and online buzz:

Radio Nisaa FM in Palestine, 92.7 MEGA FM in Egypt and Radio Almahaba in Iraq aired the fiction between March and May 2014 and plans reruns during Ramadan. Radio Farah Al Naz in Jordan is broadcasting it once a week since April 2014. Radio Yemen Times in Yemen and Radio SouriaLi in Syria will air the 30 episodes during the coming Ramadan. 

The conversations around the issues raised by "Be 100 Ragl" are taking place on Facebook, Twitter and its blog. 

Partners include Oxfam, Soul City, CEWLA, Better Life, the Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling and Women's Affair Centre.

 

 

 

UNV launches Youth Volunteering Award in Yemen!

 


The Arab Youth Volunteering for a Better Future project, under the umbrella of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme, is launching the “Youth Volunteering Award” competition for young volunteers of Yemeni nationality, aged between 18 and 29 years.

The Youth Volunteering Award is part of a regional competition launched in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco, and Yemen. Three winners from the five countries will be selected.

Contact Information
Ms. Marwa Al-banna, UNV Youth Development Specialist at marwa.al-banna@undp.org, +967.712.222.306,https://www.facebook.com/UN.Volunteers.Yemen

Website:http://www.ye.undp.org/content/yemen/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2014/06/07/unv-launches-youth-volunteering-award-in-yemen/

 

 

 

Did you know?

 

Mint tea (chai nana) relieves digestive discomforts like indigestion and vomiting and mint soothes sore muscles in liniment recipes applied topically. It is also a great diet aid and curbs the appetite!

 

 

This is such a refreshing drink that it goes well for morning or evening.

 

 

Method

 

 

Your Reasons To Love Yemeni Food #17 Sambosa

 

 

One of Yemen’s favourite Ramadan snacks is the sambosa. The sambosa originated in the Middle East prior to the 10th century. It was introduced to South Asia (India, Pakistan) during the Muslim Delhi Sultanate when cooks from Middle East and Central Asia migrated to work in the kitchens of the Sultan and the nobility where they are now known as samoosas. 

Sambosas consist of triangular shaped dough with a variety of stuffings- varying from potatoes to meat- which are deep fried.

 

 

HOROUF : Bilingual Type Design Competition

 

 

 

29Letters and NUQAT are proud to announce HOROUF, the first bilingual (Arabic and Latin) type design competition to take place at the yearly NUQAT Design Conference in Kuwait. 

 

Experienced type designers as well as beginners can submit their Arabic and Latin type designs to an experienced and diverse international and regional jury. The winning fonts will be exhibited and will be presented with choice of being published by 29LT digital type foundry.

 

Call for submission : Deadline 15 July 2014

 

Application

 

 

 

 

WINNER OF THE 16TH ANNUAL MARTHA GELLHORN PRIZE FOR JOURNALISM

 

This year's Martha Gellhorn Prize has been won by Iona Craig. A freelance journalist reporting from Yemen, Iona Craig receives the prize in 2014 for her courageous, insightful and humane reporting from Yemen — journalism exemplifying that of Martha Gellhorn herself. Often alone, and risking her life, Iona has for almost four years given voice to the ordinary people of Yemen, especially the families of the victims of America's 'war on terror'. Her eyewitness investigation of a drone attack on a travelling wedding party, in which 12 people were killed, is truly a 'view from the ground' and rare evidence of the 'unpalatable truth' that Barack Obama's worldwide 'war by drone' is killing the innocent. Her achievement is set against a record number of entries for the Prize, including remarkable journalism from across the English-speaking world.

 



The Martha Gellhorn Prize is given in honour of one of the 20th century's greatest reporters. It is awarded to a journalist whose work has penetrated the established version of events and told an unpalatable truth, validated by powerful facts that expose establishment propaganda, or 'official drivel', as Martha Gellhorn called it.


 

Yemeni Film & Arts Festival 
 
 
The first-ever International Yemeni Film & Arts Festival comes to Sana‘a on June 12, 2014! Hosted by the Basement Cultural Foundation, this event will include screenings of selected films by filmmakers from Yemen and around the world, as well as a discussion with featured filmmakers.
 
 

People of Yemen 

Kamal Sharaf is a Yemeni caricaturist who began his career in 1996 with a focus on social issues. 

In 2008 during the ongoing war in the northern province of Saada - when government forces fought Houthi rebels and the media was barred from covering the news – Sharaf began creating political cartoons focusing on the situation in the north. He was a board member of the “Binibserkom” (“We are Watching You”).
 

Sharaf's cartoons about Yemen and other Arab struggles in countries like Palestine were published in newspapers and on websites. He tried to expose three main players in Yemeni politics: those who allege to act in the name of the country, those who allege to speak on behalf of religion and those who allege to act on behalf of their tribe. 

His satire was often aimed at President Saleh and he consequently received e-mails warning him that he would regret it. In 2010 he was forcibly removed from his home and imprisoned for his work. In order to be released, he signed an agreement which stated that he would not poke fun at the president again. However, when the revolution kicked off, he broke his promise when the protests intensified, Kamal resumed mocking president Saleh in his cartoons. He joined a coalition called "The Nation For All", and worked with youth groups. 
 

Kamal Sharaf continues to take comparatively progressive stands on issues like women's rights and is not afraid to question the direction of the new Yemeni president.
 
 

 
Diet wa Lite is a health food store located in Haddah. Their range of products include: reduced Sodium salt, brown sugar, brown Macaroni, diet and brown rice, light tuna, Canola oil, unsalted nuts, low-fat and fat-free cheese, 100% natural fruit juices, as well as sugar free foods (without aspartame) for diabetics. Other foods for patients with high blood pressure or those on weight loss programmes are available. Recently they started stocking Quinoa, chia seeds, tofu, Gluten free products and Lactose free products.

Whole-wheat grain breads are available, either from the western bakery (Sliced toasting bread, buns, French sticks, etc.) or from the local bakery (Thamol, Qafo'a, etc.).
 
 

 
This Day in History: 22 May
 


Twenty - four years ago on this day, north and south Yemen were united into a single state - the Republic of Yemen. This replaced the Yemen Arab Republic (YAR) in the north and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) in the south. 

Ali Abdullah Saleh of the north became Head of State, and Ali Salim al-Beidh became Head of Government. A 30-month transitional period for completing the unification of the two political and economic systems was set. A presidential council was jointly elected by the 26-member Yemen Arab Republic advisory council and the 17-member People's Democratic Republic of Yemen presidium. The presidential council appointed a Prime Minister, who formed a Cabinet. There was also a 301-seat provisional unified parliament, consisting of 159 members from the north, 111 members from the south, and 31 independent members appointed by the chairman of the council.
 
 

Summer Schools
 
Are you looking for a summer school for your kids? Here are some of the schools offering programs. 
 
 
 

Did you know?

Shaiban village (after which the Al Shaibani restaurants, famous for their fish, are named) is surprisingly not located on Yemen’s extensive shoreline, but can actually be found deeper in the middle part of Yemen, on the western outskirts of Taiz.
 
 
 
 

Women Peacemakers Program

The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) at the University of San Diego in California, is currently accepting applications for its 2014 Women PeaceMakers Program (WPM). The WPM program is designed for leaders from conflict-affected countries around the world who are transforming conflict and assuring gender-inclusion in post conflict recovery through the defense of human rights and peace building efforts they lead. These are women whose stories and best practices will be shared internationally; they are women who will have a respite from the frontlines work they do.

 

Four Women PeaceMakers are selected each year to spend two and a half months in residence at the Institute. They will receive a small stipend while having their unique peacemaking stories documented, through both film and narratives that will be available to inspire others around the world. Women PeaceMakers in residence will have the opportunity to engage with the community through a series of public forums and to meet with other activists and leaders involved in human rights, political action and peacemaking efforts. Following the residency, alumnae will be linked through a global and a regional network to project gender-inclusive peacebuilding expertise locally, regionally and internationally.

 

Four Peace Writers are selected each year to partner with and document the stories of Women PeaceMakers (WPMs) for publication. Writers will each interview one WPM and engage in extensive research to become familiar with the history of her conflict and peacemaking efforts.

 

Residency dates are September 20 – November 26 for Peace Makers and September 16 – November 26 for Peace Writers.

 

To Apply click here


 

Dear friends
 
If you wish to place a classified ad (for free) or contact admin please use our e-mail address contact@sanaaonline.net we can respond.
 
Thank you for your continued support.
 

Honey Remedies
 

 

In Greek mythology, the king of the gods, Zeus, was fed nectar from queen bees during his childhood. Honey became known as ambrosia, the nectar of the gods. Honey was thought to prolong life and give strength, and was used in many forms including medicines, beauty treatments, alcoholic beverages, candle wax, as a currency, and in sacrifices to the gods.

 

Honey bees pre-date humans, with fossil evidence dating back as far as 150 million years ago. The earliest records of bee-keeping date back to 7000 B.C. From these early times man has used this natural product to nourish, heal, purify and protect.  Honey is as popular today as it was in the ancient world, and is still held in great esteem due to the way that it is expertly made by the honey bee.

 

 

The health benefits of honey

Honey has been used to promote healing for centuries. Ancient civilisations knew about its therapeutic value as well as its sweetening value and probably revered it precisely because it made people feel better. Some of these home remedies include:

 

Arthritis:

As a topical application: Add 2 teaspoon of honey to 2 tablespoons of lukewarm water. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it into affected area

Vinegar drink: Drink a glass of water mixed with 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey a day. It dissolves crystal deposits of uric acid that form between the joints.

 

Bad breath:

Some South Americans gargle with honey and cinnamon powder mix in hot water every morning so that their breaths stay fresh throughout the day.

 

Boils:

For lancing: One teaspoon of cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of hot water twice a day will bring relief.

 

Bladder infections: Two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water.

 

Constipation: Honey is a popular laxative. Drink a cup of warm water or herbal tea mixed with fresh lemon juice and honey every morning on an empty stomach to treat your constipation.

 

Coughing:

Tickly cough: Two teaspoons of cider vinegar and two teaspoons of honey with water before dinner or when irritating cough occurs.

Heavy cough: ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ½ cup water, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 4 teaspoons of honey. Take a tablespoon when coughing and one before bed.

 

Detox and energiser: Honey with hot water and slice of lemon in the morning provides an energy boost that is much better for you than coffee.

 

Fatigue: To remedy poor quality sleep, honey comes highly recommended as it acts as a sedative to the body. Mix 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with 275ml of honey. Take 2 teaspoons of the mixture before retiring. Sleep should be induced in an hour, if not, repeat the dosage.

 

Hay fever: One teaspoon of honey after every meal for two weeks before the season changes. After that 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons of honey dissolved in a glass of water, three times a day.

 

High blood pressure: First of all, a balance should always be maintained between proteins and carbs in sufferers. The following dosage should be taken: 2 teaspoons each of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of water up four times a day.

 

 

Toothache: Apply honey to the aching tooth 3 times a day. Better yet, visit your dentist regularly.

 

 

Beauty Treatments:

Cleopatra knew a thing or two about beauty. Her fabled baths of milk and honey worked because honey attracts and retains moisture.

Cleopatra moisture mask:

2 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons milk mixed and smoothed over the face and left for 10 minutes will feel you leaving like a queen.

 

Firming face mask:

Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerine and about 2 tablespoons cornflour to form a paste. Smooth over face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

 

Foaming honey bath:

Mix 225ml almond oil/olive or sesame oil, 175g honey, 100g liquid soap and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Mix until blended and put into a plastic bottle with lid.

 

Hair conditioner:

Mix 120ml honey and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Work through hair and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse well.

 

Hair loss treatment: Apply paste of warm olive oil, one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Keep on for 15 minutes before washing.

 

Hair shine: After shampooing rinse your hair with 1 teaspoon of honey dissolved in 1 litre of water. Do not wash out.

 

Pimple treatment: Mix 3 teaspoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off in the morning

 

Weight loss: Combine one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey in a 227ml glass of unsweetened grapefruit juice. Drink one glass before every meal as an appetite suppressant.

 

Honey has always been associated with longevity. Democritus was a bee-keeper who lived to the great age of 109. Fred Hale, a Maine bee-keeper, died in 2004 aged 113 and was driving up until the age of 107 and shovelling snow at 112. The Roman Emperor Augustus asked a centenarian how he lived to be 100 and he replied “oil without and honey within”.

 

Source: Honey and its many health benefits by Margaret Briggs


 

People of Yemen: Nouria Nagi

 

 

Ms Nouria Nagi, a British Yemeni national, left London behind in 2003 and travelled to Yemen with great ambitions to help her country of birth. She established the Yemen Education and Relief Organisation in Sana'a (YERO) with the objective of providing education to girls and boys who come from poor families, and children begging and peddling items in the streets. Most of these children live under conditions of extreme poverty and are often forced to work to supplement to their families' income.

 

Nouria believes that education is the key to a better future. The centre’s main role is to provide these children with school uniforms and educational tools and to monitor their progress. This is accomplished by providing assistance with homework, summer activities and other extra curricular activities, including English, Art and IT courses. The centre also supplies basic necessities such as money for transport to school, clothes and other items the children require for day-to-day living. Last year 11 children were sponsored a university education through Nouria's tireless efforts.

 

In addition, women are taught crafting skills at the centre to financially support their families.

 

In 2013 Nouria Nagi was awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) for "services to charitable work transforming the lives of women and children in Yemen.”

Sana'a,Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,Halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island   

 

Aan Korb Arabic Documentary and Film Festival
 
 
 
This autumn, BBC Arabic Service, working in partnership with the British Council, launches a new film and documentary festival for London called ‘AanKorb’ that will concentrate on the very best work that has been created about the Arab world since the uprisings began.

This new festival aims to give film, documentary makers and journalists a platform to share their distinctive journalistic and artistic work with a wider audience. Although there is a developing interest in Arab films, many people in the UK still know little about Arab cinema; the challenges of film making in the region and the personal stories behind the news. We hope this new ‘Aan Korb’ festival will bring them closer to the region and to some of the people telling its stories. They want to show a British audience just how much quality and excellence there is being generated around this subject matter to increase peoples' interest and awareness even more.

There are five different categories for entry. These are feature films, short films, documentaries, investigative and citizen journalism. They're looking for a wide range of subject matter with social, cultural or political angles. BBC Arabic and the British Council want as many different people as possible to apply during this entry period. All entrants must apply via the website below.

BBC Arabic also aims to recognise and encourage the talent of the future in the Arab region. So It has created a new award – the BBC Arabic Young Journalist Award ‐ which is open to young people aged between 18 – 30. Anyone who submits a documentary or journalism entry to the ‘Aan Korb’ festival, who falls within that age bracket, will automatically be considered for this award scheme.

For more information about ‘Aan Korb’ please visit the website
 

 

 

Supporting Yemeni artists:

Yemen Catering International and Sanaa Online Host Exhibition

 

On 26 April 2014 Yemen Catering International in cooperation with Sanaa Online hosted it's first art exhibition for renowned artist Mazher Nizar. A Yemeni born in India, Mazher studied in Calcutta and returned to Yemen to focus on painting watercolors, land and cityscapes and abstract compositions, mainly of dreamlike women with fragments of the Old City and Sabaeen text incorporated into the background.

His art embodies a mixture of the spirit of the ancient Indian culture and rich visual Yemeni traditions as he draws from both these sources for inspiration. 

We aim to host more exhibitions in the near future to showcase the abundance of talent in Yemen. 

 
 
 

Yemen Webdate is back online!
 
 
But now as a blog.
 
Yemen Webdate is the blog of the American Institute for Yemeni Studies (AIYS), an online forum to provide up-to-date and useful information for anyone interested in the academic study of Yemen, especially its history and culture.
 
 

Fulbright Scholarships
 
The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce applications are being accepted for master’s degree studies in the United States under the Fulbright program for grants beginning August 2015.
 
Eligible candidates will have:
 
• A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science (four- or five-year degree) from an accredited institution awarded at least one year prior to application;
• Demonstrated ability to undertake advanced studies, with a B.A. or B.S. grade point average equivalent to at least a 3.20 of 4.00 scale;
• Strong English language skills; and
• Preferred: At least one year of paid or voluntary work experience (minimum of two years for applicants to masters of business administration programs only).
 
Please share this information with any individuals you feel may be interested and/or qualified. Application deadline is 4 P.M. Thursday, June 5, 2014.  
 
More information, including application details, is available in the attachment as well as on the AMIDEAST website: http://goo.gl/LwfbFg

 

People of Yemen: Dr Raufa Hassan 


Dr. Raufa Hassan was an academic professor, writer, and a famous Yemeni journalist who was mourned by all of Yemen  when she succumbed to an illness in a Cairo hospital in April 2011. During her 53 years, Dr. Raufa was a vociferous crusader for freedom, democracy and women’s rights, causing her to get expelled from Sana'a University after which she had to complete her studies abroad. She obtained her PhD in Communications in Paris and returned to Yemen to found the Media College at Sana'a University and the First Centre of Women's Studies. She devoted herself to efforts that supported Yemeni academic life, in particular, media, female empowerment, and the advancement of civil society.
 
 


"If I was given the ability to chose in which time in Yemen I would like to live in, I’ll truly chose to live during Dr. Raufa Hassan’s generation; because I really wanted to accompany her in her inspiring path and work with her on the educational, developmental and cultural projects she has done for Yemen. However, when I think of her works, I know for sure that she paved the road for me and so many other youth in Yemen. Even though she left our world at very early time, her legacy is immortal."
 
- Afrah Nasser

 

 

The Basement Culture Centre

 
 
The Basement Culture Centre opened in 2009 to give the youth a place to express themselves with the support of the Ministry Of Culture. 


The venue is rented out for cinema, music, art exhibitions, workshops and impromptu music gatherings. It also contains a library with books in various languages and hosts a weekly book club.

 

 

 

Dear Friends

Thank you for your continued support. 

Just a quick note: Sanaa Online serves as a directory, we do not send queries to the companies or individuals listed, so please utilize the phone numbers or e-mail addresses provided if you require more information. Therefore some of your comments will not be posted. 

Have a great day!

 

 

Your Reasons to Love Yemeni Food #11 Hawaij


Hawaij is the name of the Yemeni spice mix which is used in a lot of popular dishes. The basic ingredients include cumin, black pepper, turmeric and cardamom. The Adeni version is made of cumin, black pepper, cardamom and coriander. It is used as a rub for grilled meat, poultry, seafood and vegetables. It is also sprinkled into broths, stews, sauces, and added to rice for a bit of flavour. 

Click here to make it yourself 

 

 

 

 

 

Humans of Yemen 

 

"We are on a date"


"خاورة تصطبح خارج، قلنا نعزمها"

 

 

Photo by Thana Faroq

 

 

Bayna Entre

 

 

Pieces featured at the opening of Nasser Al Aswadi's exhibition Bayna Entre on 6 April 2014 sold out in the first half hour. This event was hosted at the Instutit du Francais Yemen.

 


Al Aswadi portrays a combination of letters, words and shapes in a very personal manner and his stunning twist and swirl of Arabic script has led him to creating a style of his own that reflects his background and culture.

"Writing is at the heart of my work, and my purpose is to transcend mere terminology and proceed into the realm of signs, of a visual language."

 

 

The exhibition is open to the public until 8 May 2014.

 

 

 

Gnocchi, connecting people

 

Gnocchi are thick, soft dumplings that are made from potatoes, flour/semolina and eggs, with various types of sauces ranging from simple oil or butter to tomatoes, cream, pesto, or ricotta. 


Some gnocchi are made with additional ingredients in the dough such as the popular "green ones" made with spinach. 

 

So, where you may ask, does one find gnocchi in Sana'a? Follow this recipe. 

 

Requirements: 

2 willing Italians (gnocchi-making lineage)

 

 

1 plastic gnocchi-making device

 

Method:

Proceed to fashion tiny little gnocchi

 

Add the sauce after a quick boil

 

 

And enjoy.

Buon Appetito!

 

 

 

Your Reasons to Love Yemeni Food #10
 

Honeycomb bread (khaliat al nahl) is a popular Arabic bread usually filled with cheese and a sugar syrup. It can also be filled with savory treats.

 

 

 

Places to Go, Things to See

 

Inaugurated in 2008 the Al Saleh Mosque is the largest Islamic building in Yemen, reputed to have cost $60 million. At the time of construction and opening, it was criticized for being too expensive in relation to Yemen's general impoverishment.

 

 

The mosque has become one of the defining features of the city's landscape. The main hall can accomodate up to 13,000 worshippers with an additional 31,000 worshippers outside. A large women's prayer hall located upstairs. 

 

Brand New Features!

 

Contributor's page - send us your articles/opinions and have them published

 

Comment system - leave your comments and they will be added (inappropriate content will be filtered)

 

 

 

BBC Arabic Film and Documentary Festival

 

Aan Korb is a new film and documentary festival in London, presented by BBC Arabic in partnership with the British Council.

 

The festival will screen the very best work across feature and short films, documentaries and investigative and citizen journalism, that has been created about the Arab world since the start of the uprisings in December 2010.

 

Taking place in the fantastic surroundings of the iconic Radio Theatre at BBC Broadcasting House, the festival will be packed for four days with screenings, talks, debates and workshops.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26515589

 

 

 

Fly to Istanbul from Yemen (return) until 16 April for only YR50 000 with Turkish Airlines!

 

 

 

 

Calling All Artists

 

The British Council would like to commission some local artwork from up and coming artists for its Sana'a office.

 

If you are an artist, please send a sample of your work and estimated cost  by Sunday 23 March 2014

 

Please send to rowaida.khulaidi@ye.britishcouncil.org

 

 

 

Zoom Film Contest 2014

 

 

Experience the journey of the 5 filmmakers who went on to take Zoom Film Training in February 2014, sponsored by the British Council, with us.

 

Videos

 

 

 

Did you know? 

 


The Hoopoe goes down in legend as the messenger who made King Solomon aware of the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis).

After disappearing for days he returned to tell the king that he had discovered a land governed by a queen, the Queen of Sheba, a good land, with trees and gardens watered by the rivers issuing forth from the Garden of Eden, and where there was plenty of gold and silver. That the citizens of that country made no warlike gestures, and wore crowns upon their heads.

At hearing this, King Solomon commanded his scribes to write an epistle summoning the Queen of Sheba, which should then be bound to the wing of the bird, and the bird sent back on his journey into the land of Sheba.

 

 

Holy Quran reader in the Great Mosque

by Essam Al Sulaihi
  

 

Real men speak for those who cannot speak for themselves

 

Johnathan Rys Meyers support the Dolls for Childbrides Project in Yemen

 

Sana'a,Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,Halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island   

 

OPEN CALL FOR MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA – BASED ARTISTS FOR NEW YORK RESIDENCY

 


All application material should be sent directly to Edge of Arabia by email: sarah@edgeofarabia.com. Closing date for submissions is April 1, 2014. The recipient(s) will be notified in early April 2014.

http://edgeofarabia.com/education/new-york-residency-program

Sana'a,Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,Halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island   

 

 

 

 

Qamariya

 

Qamariya are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The word qamariya is derived from qamar (moon) and is said to stimulate the senses by letting light reminiscent of the moon’s beauty into the house while still retaining an opacity that prevents strangers from seeing inside. 

 



At first glance the captivating stained glass windows which so perfectly compliment Yemen's unique gingerbread architecture may appear to look the same but are as varied as snowflakes. Each of these beautiful windows are individually crafted according to the instructions of the purchaser or the imagination of the crafter. 



The first qamariya were made by Yemeni Jews, who had a tradition of fine wood carving. Their homes had intricately carved windows fitted with panes of coloured glass. Today craftsmen still follow the same pattern of creating qamariya as they did hundreds of years ago.



It takes a craftsman two days to complete a qamariya. The first step is to pour gypsum in a wooden mold to give it its geometric shape. It is then allowed to partially dry before designs are cut into the plaster. Then it is polished with sandpaper after which it is removed from the mold and placed in the sun to dry completely. The next day coloured glass is cut to match the shape of the plaster. Some more plaster is poured over the back of the qamariya to secure the glass and excess plaster scraped off. Sana'a,Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,Halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island   

 

Check out Mafraj Radio!

Mafraj Radio covers contemporary political, social, and cultural affairs in Yemen and the Yemeni diaspora from a range of sources and perspectives. The aim of this podcast is to make Yemen accessible to casual listeners who don’t necessarily have a background in Yemen or Middle East studies, while still providing a level of depth and context that one can’t get from mainstream media coverage of Yemen.

 

 

                                             The Yemen Peace ProjectSana'a,Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,Halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island   

 

People of Yemen: *Hanan's* Story

 


Hanan’s father married her off for the first time at the age of eight in an exchange marriage agreement. Her elder brother wanted to get married but did not have money for the dowry, so she was married to the brother of his bride-to-be.

 



Her eighteen-year-old husband was her second cousin on her father's side. She wasn't afraid to get married because she didn't understand the implications of such a commitment. Her husband treated her like a child and even tried to buy her toys but he was reprimanded by his family members and neighbors. They said that she should learn how to be a wife. She was forbidden to play outside in the streets as she longed to do. 



One of the major problems with exchange marriages is that if one marriage suffers, the other one suffers too. When the other couple experienced problems in their marriage, her husband took it out on her. After a week she returned to her parent’s home. 



At fourteen, Hanan was married off again, this time to a fifty-eight-year-old man, as she was considered a divorcee. Her mother informed her about him when she returned home from school one day. With a heart with filled with fear she accepted her fate. At such a tender age she was not equipped to become a mother and could not take care of her newborn without her mother and her sisters’ assistance. Her new husband never gave her money and there were times when she ate so little that she suffered from malnutrition. Often she was forced to borrow money from family and friends to feed herself and her kids. 



They hardly ever communicated but he made it very clear that she was forbidden to return to school or complete her studies. After suffering a nervous breakdown when her husband took her three children away from her during their divorce, her sister suggested that she enroll at YERO (Yemeni Education and Relief Organization) which she did against her parent’s wishes. She managed to complete her high school education and obtained an art diploma.



“I received unwavering support from Ms. Nouria, the founder of YERO. She is like a mother to me. So many times when I was exhausted, crying and on the verge of giving up, she encouraged me to persevere.” 

 


Today, Hanan is a 24-year- old first year student at Queen Arwa University, majoring in Trade in the Department of Financial and Banking Sciences. All her expenses are being paid by Nouria through YERO. She sells paintings to be able to pay for transportation, books and food. Her dream is to find employment after completing her studies so she can afford a home for her and her children. 

 


“My first and second marriage in both cases were a big mistake, one was not better than the other. I do not want anyone to suffer like I did or endure such an experience. I want the government to pay attention to these child bride cases. I hope to create awareness in the community about these issues as it affects a young girl’s entire life when she is a divorcee, or has children too early without knowing how to take care of them. Once a woman has been married the community rejects her and treats her badly. I want all girls to learn from my experience, and to empower themselves. It’s never too late….”

 

Support YERO and help people like *Hanan* achieve their dreams.

http://www.sanaaonline.net/view/603/232/2

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What Do Yemenis Want?

 

Once again Yemenis of all ages, social backgrounds and genders expressed their enthusiasm and unconditional love for their country by making the United Nations “My World" global survey a resounding success.


To date 121 000 people have voted for their top development goals compared to 247 000 in India with 5 times Yemen’s population. In Egypt only 3315 votes were garnered, and in Saudi Arabia a mere 1600. 


17, 000 of Yemen's votes were collected offline across all governorates, including Socotra, by volunteers. People were also encouraged to call in by dialing 2015 on Y Mobile network for free. This service has now been extended across all networks. 


So, WHAT DO YEMENIS WANT? A good education is the top development priority followed by better job opportunities. The third most pressing development priority, as seen by voters, is a responsive government. 

 

 



Dr Mohammed Al Hawri, Deputy Minister for Economic projections, research and Studies at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation emphasized the importance of the campaign in the development of goals that reflect the priorities and actual needs of the Yemeni people. 

 


For the launch of the second phase of the “Let the world know what you want” campaign at the Movenpick hotel, filmmakers were encouraged to submit short films with a focus on Human Rights issues in Yemen. Mr Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UN Resident Coordinator, presented the first prize for a film highlighting the issue of sexual harassment. In second place was a film about Forced Detainment and in third place a documentary examining the plight of Marginilized People in Yemen.



Vote now and become part of the change you want to see.



http://www.myworld2015.org/

 

 

Screening of Academy Nominated Film Karama Has No Walls


You are cordially invited to a public film screening and discussion this Wednesday, 19 February 2014 at the American Institute for Yemeni Studies (AIYS). 

 

 

 


Director Sara Ishaq will screen her film Karama Has No Walls (Leysat Lil-Karama Jidran) which was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Short Documentary—the first-ever Oscar nomination for a Yemeni film. The screening will be followed by discussion with Ms. Ishaq.

The presentation will take place in the AIYS building off Tawfiq St. in the Al-Qaa' neighborhood. The event will begin promptly at 17.00. All are invited.

If you need specific directions to AIYS's location, please call 278 816 or 735 608 627. We urge first-time visitors to call for directions, as the location is off the main street.
AIYS looks forward to welcoming you!

 

www.aiys.org Sana'a,Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,Halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island   

 

Arabic Photography Course

 

 

Essam Al-Sulaihi is offering a photography course in Arabic sponsored by the Taha Trading company this coming Thursday 20/2/2014 and Friday 21/2/2014.

Photography basics will be covered such as how to handle your camera, different settings and their effects on the image in terms of light and depth of a field-shutter speed-sensitive camera, ISO-explanation of White Balance and tips on how to develop your photography skills. Course material includes a flash disk of 37 course books in PDF format. Cost of the course is YR5000 per person: to be made at Taha Anam on Haddah Street, across Moka Sweets (just after Mujahed turn off).

 

 

 

Did You Know?

 

 

The Socotra Grosbeak or Rhynchostruthus socotranus is Yemen's national bird. It is a very attractive gold-winged finch found only on Socotra and in the mountains of southern Arabia.


 

Your Reasons to Love Yemeni food: Salta

 

Salta is one of Yemen's signature dishes and consists of a stew of meat and vegetables covered in a froth of fenugreek, served in a sizzling cast iron pot. Salta is popular in Yemen because it pairs so well with qat. It is eaten by dipping delicious flaky bread into your bowl and scooping out a mouthful to enjoy.

 

 

Qat, as the legend goes, is best appreciated when the body is warm. Reflecting ancient Greek medical knowledge, qat wants all the humors to be in sync. Thus the body should be heated up for chewing.

 

The foam and its gooey texture are achieved by soaking ground-up fenugreek seeds in water, decanting the excess fluid, and then whipping up the swollen grounds. The resultant emulsion is called helba, and it may be supplemented with zhug, a of fresh green chilli and tomato salsa.  Sana'a,Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,Halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island   

 

How To: Order Online 

 


Ghassan Alharazi runs an online ordering business and can order anything from a dot.com site and have it delivered to Sana'a in 2-3 weeks for a nominal fee. He speaks perfect English. 

Contact Sana'a,Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,Halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island  

 

 

 

Which of the following are the most important for you and your family?

 

An honest and responsive government

Affordable and nutritious food

Protection against crime and violence

Access to clean water and sanitation

A good education

Support for people who can't work

Better transport and roads

Equality between men and women

Freedom from discrimination and persecution

Action taken on climate change

Reliable energy at home

Political freedoms

Better job opportunities

Phone and internet access

Protecting forests, rivers and oceans

Better healthcare

 

 

Vote anonymously by calling 2015 (free for Y subscribers) or 701 00 2015 for other networks (with charges). From the 19th of February the number will be 2015 and free across all networks

 

Or cast your vote onlineSana'a,Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,alal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island  

 

Celebrating the year of the horse

 

Yemen born Tasleem Mulhall reveals her horseshoe sculpture in London to celebrate the year of the horse. 

 



Tasleem was born in Aden, Yemen, and resides in the UK. She is a freelance photojournalist, photographer, sculptor and painter and also an ardent campaigner against child marriage. Sana'a, Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,alal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island  

 

Finding A House

 

If your accommodation isn't preallocated, you or your partner's organization is bound to know of a house hunter. Before reading the below suggestions remember, it is important to know how far away you are from a mosque or a school in Sana'a. 

 

  

* House Hunters: will take between half and a month's worth of rent as their finder's fee. Agree on this upfront.

 

* Keep Asking: often you can be shown the worst properties first, if you keep asking more and more come out of the woodwork.

 

* Rent: is always negotiable. Foreigners will automatically be charged more, can be useful to take a Yemeni friend/colleague with you to help bargain.

 

* Deposit: if there is a deposit, it's a good idea to pay it as soon as you have agreed to take the property, even if you don't move in for a while, so the house doesn't go to someone else.

 

* Improvements/Renovations: get the landlord to complete these before you move in and/or start paying rent, or they might not get done.

 

* Rent in Advance: if you are sure of your plans, paying e.g.  three to six months in advance can be a good bargaining tool.

 

* Contracts: if you dont speak Arabic, it's always worth asking for a contract in English. If not, have it translated and ask to sign the English copy too. If you are staying for a while, ask for a clause capping rent increases to avoid wild increases.

 

* Bills: if there's a dramatic increases in a bill, check it out. One guy discovered a whole arcade of shops had hooked into his electricity supply.

 

* Moving Out: its normally written into the contract that you will leave the property in the same condition as you found it. This is taken very literally and you will be expected to repaint it alternatively, agree on a fee for this with yourland lord.

 

Specific considerations for an individual property:

 

* Electricity: ensure that you have your own meter (to avoid paying for other people's electricity). Is the electricity on/working? (this should be the landlord's responsiblity). Find out whether there are hidden charges e.g. in an apartment block paying a share of the lift's electricity.

 

* Water: Is the house on the mains water? (some areas still rely totally on water trucks) If in an apartment block, do you have your own water tank? Does the water pressure rely on gravity, or is it pump assisted? What happens if you need a water truck? Who pays for it?

 

* Telephone: Is a line already installed? If not, who will pay for this?

 

* Internet: Is there internet at the property? Dial up or ADSL?

 

* Bills: Who pays or delivers the utillity bills? Sometimes the landlord, or his fixer, will pay the bills directly and bills to you either for payment direct, or payment through him. Ask for receipts.

 

* Rent: When is it due? Who will you pay it to?

 

* Repairs: Who is responsible for paying for repairs?

 

* Cleaning: Are there charges for cleaning e.g. the hall (in an apartment block). How much is this, and how frequently?

 

* Appliances: Does the property have water heaters? Fridge, oven, generator (unusual to find this). If there's a generator, who maintains it?

 

Moving Truck:

 

What will it cost for the truck’s use? What will it cost for the workers? There are places around town where workers/trucks hang out looking for work. If possible, take a Yemeni person with you if you are new to Yemen and can’t speak Arabic very well. The price for a truck should generally be around 1500 riyals and somewhere around that for the workers, depending upon how many you have. Be aware as they might try to increase the price after work has started.

  

See also Logistics: Packers, Shippers & Movers below for mover's trucks, and full moving service and Agents for house hunters.Sana'a, Sanaa, Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island   

Ballet Lessons for Kids

 

Ukranian-born Irina has been teaching Sana'anis the love of dance for more than a decade. She offers ballet and jazz dancing to girls below 15 and belly dancing lessons for adults at her studio.

 

 

 

  Sana'a, Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,alal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island  

 

New Health Food Shop

 

If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes or simply enjoy eating healthy, we have great news!

 

Diet Wa Lite, a new health shop, has opened its doors in Haddah Medina. They stock Canola oil, gluten free pasta, diabetic rice and sugar-free Belgian chocolates among other things.

 

 

   

 

Map Sana'a, Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,alal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island  

 

People of Yemen: Dr Abdel Aziz al Maqaleh

 

 Abdel Aziz al Maqaleh, Yemen’s best known poet, was born in 1937 in Yemen. During the last three decades, al Maqaleh has been widely recognized inside Sanaa as leader of the city’s top cultural arts and literary circles. He has many poetry collections, among which are Ma'rib Tatakalam, 1972 (Ma'rib Speaks), Abbjadiyyat al Ruh, 1998 (the Alphabet of the Soul) and Kitab Sana'a, 2000 (The Book of Sana 'a). He has published a number of literary studies such as Qira'a fi Adab at Yemen (A Reading of Yemenite Literature) and Azmat al Qasida at Arabiyya (The Crisis of the Arabic Poem).

 

 


From the Book of Sana'a:

The spirit of this city floats
On the water of years
Do not wake her
Let her moan while her children drown
Do not light her pale alleys,
For the streets are still wet
With the sweet blood of martyrs
Who died for their homeland,
And turned the pages of life too soon

Let her sleep to forget
Let her sleep to remember 
do not scratch with words 
The tomb she has erected for her grief
Above it moan corpses 
Below it they are lost.

 
 

Translated from the Arabic by Huda Fakhreddine 

 

 

The Oldest Musical Instrument in Yemen

 

The metre-long al-khallool may look like a cudgel or a walking stick, but it's actually a flute. It is played in the Tihama area and has probably changed little during the last 500 years. There are only two holes - at the far end of the instrument. 

 

 

Unfortunately, no one knows where the instrument originated. This instrument was used by the farmers and the Tihama people in their festivals, celebrations and entertainments. It has been in use even long before the Turkish conquest. 

Source

 

 

 

People of Yemen: Thana Faroq

 

 

"Yemen is not the image in your head, on television or in magazines, all about poverty corruption, terrorism, and people killing each other. This is not Yemen. There is life here. There’s beautiful life going on. Yes, there’s oppression, but there are brave women who are achieving something new every day."

 

-Thana Faroq

 

 

 

 

Thana Faroq is a 23-year-old, Boston-educated Yemeni photographer, out to prove that her country’s streets have more depth than poverty and protests. Recently returned from university in the United States, Thana has brought her camera and her passion for street photography back to Yemen with her.

 

Dominant global discourse holds that Yemeni life pulses with militant attacks and foreign drone strikes. Thana says she wants to showcase the humor, beauty, and simplicity of small moments on Yemen’s streets.

 

Full article by Erin Kilbride 

 

 

 

The National Dish: Fahsa

 

Fahsa, Yemen's national dish, is mainly a stew consisting of lamb cutlets topped with helba (fenugreek).  The pieces of meat are small and there are not any noticeable vegetables.  It is also traditionally eaten with Yemeni bread, which serves as a utensil to scoop up the food.

 

 

 

 

fahsa

Yemen, Sanaa, Sana'a, Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia      

 Yemen, Sanaa, Sana'a, Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia      

People of Yemen: Khadija al-Salami

 

 

 Khadija al-Salami is an award-winning documentary film maker and Yemen’s first female film director, having made some 20 documentaries for various TV stations in France and Yemen. She co-authored a book with her husband, The Tears of Sheba, an emotional account of her experiences growing up in Yemen. She currently serves as the Press Counselor and Director of the Communication and Cultural Center at the Embassy of Yemen in Paris.

 

Photo credit

 

 At an early age, al-Salami was sent to live with relatives after her mother divorced her father due to severe domestic abuse.  She was forced by her uncle to marry a 20-year-old man when she was only 11. Some weeks later, after much protest and disobedience, her husband returned her to her uncle, who immediately disowned her and returned her to her single mother. She escaped the immense family and societal pressure by finding employment with the local television station and simultaneously attending school in the mornings.

 

 At the age of 16, Khadija received a scholarship to finish secondary school in the United States. Subsequently, she enrolled at the Mount Vernon College for Women, in Washington D.C. After a period in Yemen and Paris, she returned to Washington to earn her Master's degree in communications at the American university. For her thesis, she produced her first film.

 

Last year she produced Al Sarkha (The Scream) where she documented women’s active participation in the 2011 uprising. As it nears its end, “The Scream” portrays the disappointment of women as they realize that the uprising has failed to improve their status within Yemeni society.

 

Khadija  is currently working on a new film that tells the stories of girls who have been forced to marry older men, an ancient traditional practice in Yemen. 

 

  

 

 

Things To Do: Rock Climbing

 

 

Mountain climbing and hiking available within Sana'a city limits. Yemen Adventure Club caters for people who are climbing for the first time as well as experienced climbers. Equipment is provided. 

 

 

 

 

Yemen Adventure Club

Yemen, Sanaa, Sana'a, Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia,       

 

Yemeni Artists Open call

 

 

 

Yemenis artists of all mediums are invited to submit their portfolios to be considered for an upcoming group exhibition to be hosted at the National Museum in Sana’a and for travel to Europe and other countries in the region.

 

 

 

Photographers, painters, filmmakers, installation, performance and mixed media artists are welcome to send their portfolios to be reviewed.

 

 

 

If accepted the curators will contact the artists to discuss details.

 

 

 

The closing date for submissions is 19 January 2014. E-mail submissions to ibiibrahimart@gmail.com

 

 

 

Yemeni Film Shorlisted for Academy Award! 

 

 
 
Karama Has No Walls: The first Yemeni film to be shortlisted for an Academy Award. Stay tuned for The Oscars 2014 nomination announcement on JANUARY 16th 2014 and keep them in your prayers!! 

Meet the All-Yemeni crew: (left to right) DoP Ameen AlGhabri, Dir. Sara Ishaq & 1st AD Abdurahman Hussain 


 
 
 
Read more about the film here
 
 Yemen, Sanaa, Sana'a, Shopping, Accommodation, Hotels, Schools, Mosques, History, Aden, Socotra, Restaurants, Things To Do, Where to Go, Visas, Holidays, Government, Yemenia, Yemeniah, Tickets, Travel, Hiking, Beit Baws, Beit Bouss, Old City, Music, Dancing, Culture, Arabia Felix, Arabia, Middle East, Haraam,Halal, Art, Diving, Kamaran Island, Arabian Leopard, YERO, Imam      

 

Our Must-See: The Gift Maker

 

A bomb-maker falls in love with woman he sees from his basement. A poignant portrayal of love and sacrifice. 

 

 

Ziryab Al-Ghabri's production took first place in the Zoom British Council competition for aspiring filmmakers in 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

British Council Article & film

Links