Yemeni women’s living conditions difficult under Houthis

Students listen to a teacher in class at a school in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Monday. (Reuters)
Updated 19 April 2017
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Yemeni women’s living conditions difficult under Houthis

JEDDAH: The life of Yemeni women is exceedingly difficult because of the mounting violations and atrocities committed by the Houthi militias against them in the provinces controlled by the putschists, according to Human Rights reports. 

Violations against women take the shape of verbal and sexual harassment, physical abuses, including rape and murder, as well as preventing them from working.

Riyad Al-Kaabari, Yemen’s representative to the Arab League in Cairo, said that human rights activists’ reports show an increase in the number of cases of violence and intimidation, as well as other human rights violations, including preventing thousands of girls from attending school, and contributing to growing rates of poverty, unemployment and begging.

Media sources quoted Al-Kaabari as saying that since September 2014, women in Yemen have been subjected to verbal and sexual harassment, and the denial of employment. 

“They have suffered the greatest share of abuse and harassment at the hand of militias in cities and areas under their control,” he said.

At the end of last month, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said that 10,000 cases of violence against women were reported in Yemen in 2016.

During a seminar titled “The Situation of Women and Children during the Armed Conflict in Yemen,” held on the occasion of the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council, hosted recently by the UN in Geneva, Yemeni women activists highlighted the terrible violations committed by the militias against Yemeni women.

Journalist Bushra Al-Amri said that Yemeni women journalists suffered attacks, especially those who condemned the practices of the coup militia, which undermine rights and freedoms, particularly of journalists.

Wessam Basandouh said that the rights of many women were violated, whether by torture or kidnapping, over and above the tragedy of having to face bombing of their residential areas and assassinations.

The Human Rights Information and Training Center in Yemen said that 459 women were killed and 1,281 were injured between September 2014 and March 30, 2016.

In the same period, 647 children were killed and 1,822 were injured in attacks committed by Houthi and militants loyal to ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

In its report to the plenary session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the center stressed that women and children have been subjected to serious violations by the Houthi militia and Saleh loyalists.

The center also reported that children form one third of the fighters in Yemen, and that the Houthi and Saleh militias recruited 72 percent of the documented cases of children pushed to fight.


Saudi Roads Authority launches ‘mobile sites’ service for pilgrims during bus breakdowns on Hijra Road

Updated 5 sec ago
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Saudi Roads Authority launches ‘mobile sites’ service for pilgrims during bus breakdowns on Hijra Road

RIYADH: The Roads General Authority has launched a “mobile sites” service for pilgrims on the Hijra Road in the event their buses break down.

The service is intended to ensure the highest levels of comfort and safety for pilgrims when traveling between Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The launch was attended by the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.

This initiative is being implemented on the Hijra Expressway (Makkah-Madinah) and is available around the clock during Hajj season. It can accommodate approximately 40 pilgrims and is equipped with air-conditioning units, rest areas, restrooms, cold beverages, and hospitality meals.

 


Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry expands digital outreach with daily religious programming during Hajj season

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance is delivering religious programming to serve pilgrims.
Updated 1 min 53 sec ago
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Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry expands digital outreach with daily religious programming during Hajj season

  • Digital media forms the cornerstone of the ministry’s contemporary outreach strategy, SPA said

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has intensified its digital broadcasting output throughout the current Hajj season, delivering comprehensive religious programming to serve pilgrims and global Muslim audiences via its official YouTube channel.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry’s digital strategy features four daily lectures in three distinct programs: “Barnamaj Dahawi” (Religious Program), “Khayr Al-Ayyam” (Best of Days) and the fourth iteration of “Hajj Talk,” with broadcasts continuing through 13/12/1446 AH (June 9, 2025).

“Religious Program” episodes are broadcast twice daily at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., while “Best of Days” airs at 4 p.m. The flagship “Hajj Talk” program concludes the daily schedule at 6 p.m. This systematic approach shows the ministry’s commitment to harnessing contemporary digital platforms, aligning with technological progress while amplifying the reach and impact of Islamic messaging. The live streaming format enables real-time engagement with audiences domestic and international audiences.

The daily programming addresses themes relevant to the pilgrimage season, including detailed explanations of Hajj purposes and legal rulings, the spiritual significance of righteous deeds during the days of Dhul-Hijjah, and proper conduct during sacred rituals.

“Hajj Talk” distinguishes itself by focusing on prophetic values, delivered through modern presentation methods while extracting practical guidance from the Prophet Mohammed’s pilgrimage example.

According to SPA, digital media forms the cornerstone of the ministry’s contemporary outreach strategy, supporting its broader mission to promote religious moderation and ensure universal access to authentic Islamic content. It allows pilgrims and viewers worldwide to access religious guidance regardless of location or time constraints.

 


Students from Islamic University of Madinah to guide pilgrims in Hajj animal sacrifice

Updated 28 min 15 sec ago
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Students from Islamic University of Madinah to guide pilgrims in Hajj animal sacrifice

  • Saudi Arabia’s Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi was established in 1983

MADINAH: Muslim students from the Islamic University of Madinah in the Hejaz Region are participating in the Hajj rituals of Hady and Adahi by offering guidance on animal sacrifice this weekend.

Some 300 students representing 40 nationalities will take part in the annual sacrifice of animals through Saudi Arabia’s Project for Utilization of Hady and Adahi.

Students will educate and guide pilgrims, ensuring adherence to the Prophet’s Sunnah during the performance of the rituals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The project was established in 1983 to carry on the Hady and Adahi rituals on behalf of any Muslim, and supervise the use of Hajj meat and its distribution to the destitute.

During pilgrimage, which concludes this year on Monday, June 9, pilgrims are required to sacrifice an animal in a ritual called Hady.

Adahi is a voluntary sacrifice for non-pilgrim Muslims which takes place on the day of Eid Al-Adha.

In collaboration with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, the student initiative aims to supervise the rituals according to Islamic law, the SPA added.


Saudi Arabia provides more than 91,000 healthcare services to pilgrims in run-up to Hajj

The Medical Services Center in Mina continues its efforts as part of final preparations for the 2025 Hajj season. (MoH)
Updated 30 min 22 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia provides more than 91,000 healthcare services to pilgrims in run-up to Hajj

  • 51,938 pilgrims treated at health centers, 22,486 emergency cases handled , and outpatient care provided for 1,069 people
  • Surgeons carry out 16 open-heart surgeries and 145 cardiac catheterizations; 44 cases of heat exhaustion treated

RIYADH: The Saudi healthcare system continues to operate at full capacity during the 2025 Hajj season and has so far provided more than 91,000 health services to pilgrims, official statistics reveal.

As of June 2, health providers had treated 51,938 pilgrims at health centers, handled 22,486 emergency cases, and provided outpatient care for 1,069 people. A total of 4,119 pilgrims were admitted to hospitals, 1,973 of whom required intensive care.

Surgeons successfully carried out 16 open-heart surgeries and 145 cardiac catheterizations, the figures show. In addition, 44 cases of heat exhaustion were treated.

Saudi healthcare authorities said they remain committed to safeguarding the well-being of pilgrims during their spiritual journeys, through the coordinated efforts of healthcare providers to deliver high-quality and efficient medical care.

This aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Health Sector Transformation Program and the Guests of Allah Service Program, as part Saudi Vision 2030, which aim to provide pilgrims with a safe and medically supported environment that meets international health standards, they added.


Saudi scouts survey pilgrims’ accommodation in Mina

Updated 02 June 2025
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Saudi scouts survey pilgrims’ accommodation in Mina

  • The survey is part of the Ministry of Sport's efforts to support pilgrims and guide those who are lost

MAKKAH: A total of 800 members of the Ministry of Sports’ scouting team began surveying pilgrims’ accommodation in Mina on Monday.

The surveys include collecting field information about pilgrims’ housing, landmarks, pedestrian paths and the headquarters of government agencies taking part in serving pilgrims.

It is part of the ministry’s efforts to support pilgrims and guide those who are lost, in cooperation with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The Ministry of Sports has five scout camps in Mina, located in Al-Mu’aisam 1-2, Al-Rabwa, Wadi Muhsar and the Operations Camp.

A preparatory course for the scouts was also held before their departure to Mina.

The four-day program aimed to prepare them to serve the guests of God, focusing on areas including teamwork, leadership and crowd management.

Thousands of volunteers every year assist the pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah, which sees about 2 million worshipers visit over the five days.

Volunteers work to support healthcare, provide meals, manage crowds and assist with transport.