Dear brothers, don't forget, we are PARTNERS in this struggle

Today was another bloody day in Yemen. Pro-democracy peaceful protesters in Taiz, Hodaida and Sana'a were attacked with live ammunition and tear gas.

After the first attack in Sana'a, a march was planned to protest against the violence. Men on the stage at the university called on their brothers to join the march, and told women they are "forbidden" from joining. Yes that was the exact word used: ممنوع خروج النساء.

I understand that given the circumstances, they are concerned about our safety, but it should be stated as an advice, not an order. We are adults, and we can decide for ourselves whether we would like to march or not. We do not need someone to tell us what to do, or not to do.

In defiance, women decided to march regardless. This video shows the number of women who joined.




Then, at the intersection, the security committee blocked us from continuing saying that women are not allowed to march. Arguments emerged between women and the security. Some women asked us why we are arguing and said that the men are only doing it for « our protection ». I responded by telling her that if we let them tell us what we can or cannot do now, we will be dishonoring the essence of change and reform. Today, they say you can not march, tomorrow they will say, you can not work etc.

Today, we were full of sadness and sorrow for what happened to our brothers around the nation. We wanted to express that feeling with our brothers. Unfortunately we were denied that right.

Women of Yemen, we need to stand up for our rights now more than ever. We were at the square of change from the first day as equal partners in the struggle for reform, and we will continue as partners until the end.

** Note **

For those that worry that any negative criticism about what is happening in the square may cause rifts, I tell them this: What is happening in the squares is absolutely amazing, but of course we are human beings and mistakes may happen, it is not a utopia. In addition, differences of opinion are normal and very healthy.

When people criticize, do not fear for the revolution, our goals are too honorable and too big for it to be affected by differences of opinion. These differences are normal, and expressing them only enriches the diversity at the square, it does not cause rifts.

Saleh buys his loyalists with money

video: local council members in #Aden admit to receiving money for attending pro-Saleh gathering. They were offered 60,000 Yemeni Riyal to come to Sanaa and refused.

This money is coming from the public funds and is another example of the corrupt government.

Videos honoring the Martyrs of Yemen

Video by Haitham Raweh in memory of the heroes of the Yemeni revolution

Video by Sara Ishaq of the funeral procession

Songs for Change

The Yemeni Revolution is bringing out great talent within the Yemeni People. Here are some examples of art, creativity, and calls for change through songs:

New Revolutionary Zaffah


Comedy + Song:


الاضرعي و المعتصمين في الميدان




Yemeni Revolutionary Rap

Videos from Friday of Departure

Women at the Protest holding red cards



Reaction to Saleh's Speech


Stepping Game


Revolutionary Tea

Celebrate, worry, or a little of both?

A couple of days ago, I tweeted about my concern that the military bloodthirsty corrupt Ali Mohsen will “join” the movement. The same man who participated in the civil war of 1994 killing many innocent people, and in 2005 led the war against the Houthis which also led to numerous innocent deaths.

Today I received a text message that read: “Ali Mohsen joined the protest.” Although I was expecting this, my stomach hurt and I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, this most likely means the fall of Saleh, especially in light of the great number of resignations, which is of course great news. But before I start dancing out of joy, I am still worried that the nightmare scenario of a military coup or a joint agreement between Ali Mohsen and Islah leading to a military style Wahabi style theocracy might happen if we are not prepared to combat it. This is the exact opposite of what the majority of youth in the square want, which is a civic state which respects individual rights and freedoms.

Of course reality is that alliances are made even with enemies, but we can not accept a person with blood on his hand. A person who uses religious terminology to eradicate groups of people. This is a very bad sign of what could happen in the future if we stand back and watch the revolution being hijacked. His presence in the change will mean the future will hold no change.

The only way we can combat this is by having a clear transition plan, and a detailed strategy for the future, in order to guarantee that our rights and freedoms are protected. The battle for rights will begin, and we must be well prepared in order to secure a state that guarantees equal citizenship, women's rights, and the rule of law.

Videos from Today's Funeral Procession

Funeral Procession


Women at the Funeral


Under the Yemeni Flag

«Heavily Armed» Peaceful Movement?

Yes Yemenis own guns in a land where rule of law is not enforced. Yes there are tribal feuds. Yes the men wear decorative daggers. However, in the last six weeks of protests, these same men have joined the peaceful protesters without their guns and without their daggers. For those who write about Yemen, I wish you would also reflect on how amazing this civic experience really is. Since Yemenis are heavily armed, isn't it remarkable that they abandoned their guns and joined a peaceful movement, even when they were incited numerous times?

Today, hundreds of thousands of people were at the square of change in Sana'a attending the funeral procession of the 52 martyrs who died on Friday. It was a very emotional time as relatives and friends saw their loved ones for the last time. None of these tear-filled relatives took revenge and none were armed. Chants changed from «the people want the end of the regime» to «the people want to prosecute the killer (meaning Saleh)». This is a great example of a peaceful non-violent struggle by a heavily armed society.

When violence occurs against peaceful protesters, it only serves to empower the movement. People who were previously not part of the protests joined today. An old man who could barely walk insisted on joining. His daughter begged him to sit down, he turned to her and shouted: "they were killed for us, the least I can do is walk in their funeral procession."

For Western journalists I hope you put this in perspective when writing on Yemen and citing statistics about gun ownership. Lets remember that on average, every year, 100,000 people are shot or killed by guns in the United States (Source: National Center for Injury Prevention & Control).

Welcome to the Land of Liberty

I know that the fight for freedom always has a price. I come from a revolutionary family, where my grandfather was beheaded for calling for change, my father and uncles imprisoned at a young age. I moved back to my beloved country six months ago. My husband and I live in the same house where I was born. We sleep in the same room where my parents used to sleep, and now I'm engaging in a revolution just like my grandfather did in 1948.

Like my grandfather, I am filled with hope for the future. Watching experiences unfold in Tunis and Egypt provided people with the hope that tyranny can come to an end with the will and power of the people. Entering the square in Sanaa, feels like a new Yemen. From one entrance, a large sign greets the people: “Welcome to the first mile of dignity.” On the other side, a sign reads: “Welcome to the land of liberty.” The square fills people with utter hope.

The square is also a land of change, a land of resilliance, and a land of unity. Saleh's 32 years survived by dividing people. In the last month however, different groups came together in one place calling for an end to Saleh's corrupt military family rule. Socialists, Islahis, Houthis, liberals, men, women, children, unemployed, judges, academics etc are all sharing one space, eating together, chewing qat together, and strategizing for the future. Well-known musicians such as Abdulrahman Al-Akhfash are joining, photographers documenting history, wedding ceremonies being held in the square, and activists raising youth's awareness by daily seminars. It is truly a remarkable civic experience, one that costs less than a USAID grant, and takes less time to implement. It is a time of internal strengthening of the population.

Most importantly, the culture of fear is breaking. For years Yemenis have been ruled by fear of speaking out, fear of potential chaos, and fear of independent thought. This fear has been broken. Everyone is talking politics, young and old in every cornor are expressing their opinions openly. It is a great first step for change. Whether this revolution succeeds or not, there is no turning back from this point.

But every revolution comes with a price to pay. As I waited outside the hospital yesterday, I wondered how many more deaths we will we see before change occurs. For me, the attacks were unfortunately expected, and I also expect a lot more if the international community does not strongly condemn the attacks and if the US does not make its aid conditional upon Yemen's respect for human rights.

To honor the martyrs, we need to work hard on protecting this revolution from being hijacked. Despite the sacrifices Yemeni people made in the past revolutions, what eventually materialized was years of a brutal military dictationrship, which is not the change they hoped for. Today, we need to protect this revolution from turning into a military coup, a civil war, or a chaotic mess. This will only work if different groups come together including: youth, JMP members, members of civil society organizations, tribes, and businessmen, to develop a strategic plan for the future and a specific roadmap for change that forsees independent instutitions which protect and guarantee individual rights and freedoms even in the worst case scenario.

Some initiatives have started along this path, and I sincerely hope it continues. I believe that the ruling “chair” can corrupt even the best of humanity. Our work will not end when Saleh leaves, it will be a new challenging beginning. Freedom will depend on the strength, power, and determination of the people to work together for a better Yemen.

Appearance on Swedish Radio ETT

MaSpeaking about Violence on March 18