Sheikh al-Ahmar statements to NYT raise controversy among Yemen activists

Islah leader Hamid al-Ahmar’s latest statements regarding women activists in the Change Square has made controversy among Yemeni women.

 During an interview with the New York Times Newspaper, 23 May, al-Ahmar states, “There was bad behavior, which turned the square into a discotheque! Those women wanted to go hand in hand with their boyfriends as lovers in the demonstrations.

This is not right and is against our religion.”

 Some women activists accused Al-Ahmar’s provocative message against them in the Change and Freedom Squares. Bilqis al-Lahbi, a legal female activist, said that al-Ahmar prompted to expel women activists as well as attack on them in the squares.

 The famous attacks on women activists during the revolution, 26 April.

 “I just want to know what is the attitude of Tawakkul Karman in a case such this,” she added.

Samah al-Shakhdari, an activist and head of Voice Foundation for Development, said that al-Ahmar’s statement is very provocative and reflect the psychological of Hamid, who plunder the land and wants to be sodomized the honor of women.” Al-Shakhdari revealed that there are movements for women activists to file a lawsuit to the Attorney General against al-Ahmar on charges of defamation women activists.

 “He is not naive and stupid, but his senseless statement came because his disdain of Liberals and Jurists,” she added.

However, other women activists do not believe that al-Ahmar spoke these words. Intisar Sinan, a political and legal activist, said that we couldn’t speak about this issue until the confirmation of this news.

 “We need the full proof that is his statement then we will deal with it,” she added.

Sources said that al-Amar denied that statement orally, but most of the women activist in the Change Square are certainly sure that the statement was from him and proved his hatred toward women activists in all Yemeni community.

 Hamid al-Ahmar has tweeted, “Not surprisingly, the lies and hypocrisy of the yellow press! It would be weird and strange for those who believes it!”

Related Content

•  http://www.yemenobserver.com
•  http://www.yemenobserver.com
•  http://www.yemenobserver.com
•  http://www.yemenobserver.com
•  http://www.yemenobserver.com
•  http://www.yemenobserver.com
•  http://www.yemenobserver.com
•  Offensive against militants drives US drone campaign, tribes claim
•  Family to hand over militants should drone campaign cease
•  Government says Al Qaeda deputy amir dead, experts skeptical