Alseyaha Monthly magazine - issue No. 14 December 2014
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foreword news
H.E. Khaled Bahah P r i m e Mi n i s t e r
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inaguration news
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2014
info@akramalgaolahi.com algaolahi@gmail.com
The story of tourism
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Neither the year 2014 was quoted from the book of “Kaleela and Demna” nor the tales of One Thousand and One Night, so that it could be included in the imagination list, but it was a realistic year that constituted a tourism leap of various phases and aspects, which was granted by God, support of the political leadership represented by Marshal Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi – President of the republic, leadership of the Ministry of Tourism, leadership of Yemen Tourism Promotion Board and their strong determination to create a tourism movement, and get out of both the surrender and subservience circle amid concerns at sometimes, and being a pledge of psychological traumas resulting from some acts that are exiled religiously, legally and morally at other times, which done by outlaw rogue groups trying to undermine the prestige of Yemen and its tourism, historical and humanity values, to change the year 2014 into an active year, full of domestic visits to provinces, meetings, events, festivals and touristic participations on both local and international sides. 44
Distinctively, it is the year of tourism, which proved that when the man’s will becomes true; he will be able to overcome all obstacles to achieve his goals. The unique determination flowing from the depth of the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Promotion Board, was able to remove a lot of obstacles and hampers, in addition to the strong determination of this leadership which has proved its ability of tourism crisis management, and creation of tourism demonstration against all aspects of inconvenience, to paint the real generous and Laughing face of Yemen, in all international tourism exhibitions, showing the nations of the world that Yemen is a country of wisdom, hospitality and welcome, and what is going through is just a indisposition suf fered as a result of a weak virus which can be eliminated entirely through intellectual vaccines and moderation for which Yemen was known in eastern and western parts of the globe, as opposite to what a handful of vindictive people are trying to create, not only this, but Yemen has a broad lap which is able to host the whole people of the world, as both the Yemeni people and generosity are
Akram Al-Gaolahi Ed i t o r i n Ch i e f
twins. This was the message that Yemen wanted to convey to the world through Sana’a 7th summer festival, which was held last August in the capital Sana’a, during the most dif ficult circumstances in our country. The tourism phenomenon created by the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Promotion Board in the year 2014 was not confined to a particular angle, as much as spreading its arms internally and externally, production and industry, and the tourism magazine - which is in your hands now - in addition to other publications is a part of that production. In this issue of Tourism Magazine, which we sought, in its all editions, to remind not define people, locally and internationally, with the tourism wealth of Yemen, in both Arabic and English languages, including many tourism files that start with the inaugural speech of H.E. the Minister of Tourism, followed by a detailed tourism news file of local and international events and participation, starting together this tourism trip, on the magic rug of Tourism Magazine, from Mahra province - the eastern gate of the Republic of Yemen and its myste-
rious city of “Yaroop” or as called “the city of the seven mosques”, which details remained vague for its people and a lot of readers until its mystery has been revealed by Tourism Magazine, which detects the historic and tourism heritage of this city, then our tourism exploration trip will be resumed towards Hadramaut province, staring from “turtles Home” at Sharma natural protected area, then “Haid Al-Juzail” - in the same province - and its touristic resort, which blends between tradition and modernity. Traveling pleasure and flying on the magic rug of Tourism Magazine is not boring at all, what made us move towards Hodeida province - the Bride of the Red Sea, and enjoy its touristic charm, heading to “Ma’afer” city in Ta’iz province, in an academic study which showed a historical argument between a living present and authentical past. The Green district’s city of Ibb; the capital of Yemen tourism, was a station in our trip with you, which forced us to spend a magical night in its ancient side, which is known as the “Ancient Ibb” and sipping a cup of Yemeni cof fee, which is one of the famous virtues by
which this ancient city was characterized, then we turn towards the capital Sana’a and stop in one of its entrances in order to visit the Zoo, which is the most prominent tourism parks, which contains many pets, predators, birds and rare reptiles, to pass, then, by the old city of Sana’a and wander in its markets, where stopped us an old famous profession of “Jambyas industry” - by which Yemenis got known - to have a story which its details are narrated by Tourism Magazine. Our trip is about to reach its end, so we have moved to the building of Yemen Tourism Promotion Board, where Eng. Fatima Al-Huraibi - Executive Director, has received us in her of fice for an important interview about tourism situation and obstacles that surround tourism in Yemen, in addition to local and international future plans for tourism promotion... Here … we have reached our last station in this issue, but for a short break, before we start the new trip of our next issue, God willing. We will be back after the break…
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content
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Chairman
Muammar Al-Iryani supervision
Essam Al-Sunaini
Eng. Fatima Al-Huraibi editor in chaif
Akram Al-Gawlahi
debuty editor in chaif
Saif Alsharjabi
editing and paraphrasing
Mohammed Al-Hindi
Editing Manager
Majed Al-Tamimmy secertary
Dalia Al-Sendy - Amal Al-Sayyadi
Advisor
Maeen Al-Sayyadi advertising
Fadhal Al-Roaieny
Graphic design
Najeeb Al-Najjar Published By Yemen Tourism Promotion Board-Ministry of Tourism Republic of Yemen Ministry of Tourism Yemen Tourism Promotion Board P.OBox 5607 Tel: +967 1 570824 Fax: +967 1 570823 magazine@yementourism.com www.yementourism.com
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Yemen participates in the 17th sessions of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism (AMCT) Tourism Minister meets the Secretary General of the Arab League Dr. Nabil Al-Arabi. At the Arab League headquarter in the Egyptian capital Cairo, the 17th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism was held during 26-28 Nov 2014, in which Yemen’s delegation was headed by H.E. Mr. Muammar Al-Iryani, Minister of Tourism. The meeting included a number of representatives of the Arab member states, and a number local Arab and international media organizations, UNWTO, the Arab Tourism Writers Union and Arab Tourism Organization. Minister Al-Iryani pointed to the importance and the role of these meetings in the activation of tourism to achieve integration among Arab countries in the tourism sector. He also pointed to the importance of simplifying dif ferent procedures of economical dimensions to support Arab tourism, which will be achieved through the creation of competitive capability of tourism activity. He stressed that the Arab Strategy should be in harmony between competition and integration among Arab countries by focusing on cooperation and integration fields, providing enough space for positive competition which will raise the level of quality and improve per formance in the tourism sector as a whole. Minister Al-Iryani stressed the importance of tourism to support the economy of Arab countries and promote their tourism destinations, in addition to enhance exchanging and dissemination 88
of tourism experiences in various countries of the Arab world. For her part, the Executive Director of Tourism Promotion Board, Eng. Fatima Al-Huraibi pointed to the importance of activating a lot of decisions regarding tourism af fairs of which Arab tourism strategy is the most important to achieve the development of the tourism sector, attract more tourism activity to the Arab region and increase the proportion of two-way tourism between Arab countries. A number of topics on the agenda of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism were discussed during the meeting, among which the enhancement of tourism security was the most important topic, by placing an initial study for a mechanism to enhance cooperation between tourism security agencies and authorities concerned with tourism, discussing the ways of enhancing Arab tourism insurance and producing of tourism awareness materials and programs that contribute in protecting tourism against risks. On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Al-Iryani discussed with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Dr. Nabil Al-Arabi ef forts to activate joint Arab action in Arab tourism fields, and during the meeting, Dr. AlArabi stressed on the continuation of the League’s support to Yemen during the transition phase, and welcomed the
formation of the new Yemeni government headed by Eng. Khaled Bahah, hoping that it will be able to lay the foundations of security and stability. He also praised the national ef forts of President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Prime Minister Eng. Bahah and all loyal Yemeni political forces to get out of the crisis experienced by the country, and meet the aspirations of the brotherly nation of Yemen. For his part, the Minister of Tourism briefed the Secretary General of the Arab League on the latest development in Yemen, the ef forts of the political leadership to exceed the challenges and dif ficulties faced by Yemen and the completion of the transition phase to get the country to safety and complete the drafting of the constitution, referendum and elections, as well as issues relating to the af fairs of tourism. He also explained that Yemen is facing a war on terrorism, which drains a lot of energy, security, and economic potentials. At the end of the meeting, Minister of Tourism expressed his thanks and appreciation for the ef forts exerted by the Arab League to stand with Yemen and supporting it to achieve the aspirations of Yemenis, security and stability. The meeting was attended by Yemen’s permanent representative to the Arab League Ambassador Mohammed AlHaisami and Deputy Minister of Tourism Dr. Essam Al-Sunaini.
Second meeting of Tourism Promotion Board members Tourism Minister Muammar Al-Iryani discussed with the US Ambassador in Sana’a Mr. Matthew H. Tueller, the cooperation prospects between the two countries in the field of tourism. During the meeting, Minister Al-Iryani appreciated the United States support for Yemen during the transitional phase, stressing that Yemen is going ahead to complete this important stage in the history of Yemen to build the civil state that sought by all the people of Yemen. The meeting has dealt with the impor-
tant tourism destinations, which the Ministry of Tourism is going to adopt through the next phase for the advancement of the tourism sector, as the ministry aspires to activate tourism and promotional work in the safe areas by providing the necessary infrastructure which is appropriate with the nature of these areas, as well as interest in religious tourism, tourism of diving and adventures and domestic tourism. On his part, the US Ambassador has assured his country’s readiness to sup-
port the Yemeni government’s plans to enhance the tourism sector, also he has reiterated his country’s support for the Yemeni government and the political leadership represented by President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi during the current phase, praising at the same time, the remarkable progress that Yemen has achieved in the current transition process, which made it a model for the transition through dialogue, culture of peace and partnership, and this is the true construction base of the new Ye-
Second meeting of Tourism Promotion Board members Members of Tourism Promotion Board have held their second meeting for the year 2014 in the capital Sana’a under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Kassim Sallam, former-Minister of Tourism/ former-
Chairman of the Board, where he said that the meeting has dealt with a number of tasks, notably the discussion of the implementation report of Tourism Promotion Board’s plan of the year
2014, budget of the fiscal year 2015, study of the estimated cost of Tourism Directory project and another study related to the production of a thirty episodes documentary tourism program, 9
news in addition to the support and development study of the park and swimming pool of “Hajar Saeed” area in Shibam Kawkaban directorate. During the meeting, members of the board have discussed the possibility of establishing a promotional project for Eco-tourism in Socotra archipelago, and preparation of a proposal to include Islamic-tourism in the program of Tourism Promotion Board. On the other hand, Eng. Fatima AlHuraibi - Executive Director of Tourism Promotion Board, has confirmed in a press statement that the board has a number of projects which it seeks to implement in Socotra Island, related to infrastructure and building of bathrooms and rest houses in the eight protected areas. Regarding the budget, Eng. Al-Huraibi reported that the budget covers the cost of Tourism Promotion Board exhibitions in addition to publications and souvenirs distributed in those exhibitions. Speaking about security aspect, Eng. Al-Huraibi emphasized on the point that security is outside the authority of Tourism Ministry, as it can do nothing regarding the deterioration of security, wishing at the same time that Ministry of Interior and all security authorities, to undertake their obligations in the field of security and maintain it, pointing out that the lawlessness transfers a negative image of Yemen, which we are trying to improve internationally. Eng. Al-Huraibi clarified that the Board is about to receive an Italian journalist, who is scheduled to visit Socotra Island in January 2015 to carry out a special press investigation, and the invitation is limited to one journalist only, but the Board will try to arrange with other journalists in the future. She stressed on that a lot of foreign journalists and 10
news writers want to visit Yemen, since it is the only region where four World Heritage sites are found, adding that the Tourism Promotion Board will prepare Fam- trips for them to some safe areas, wishing that they will convey a positive image about Yemen when they return back to their countries. This meeting was attended by Mr. Muhannad Al-Sayyani, Mr. Mohammed Baza, Mr. Mohammed Al-Nuzaili, Mr. Mohammed Ali Abu-Talib and Eng. Fatima Al-Huraibi - executive director of Tourism Promotion Board. During his meeting with the staf f of the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Promotion Board Minister Al-Iryani: We seek to take advantage of the potentials of tourism sector to overcome the economic challenges. H.E. Minister of Tourism, Mr. Muammar Al-Iryani stressed on the importance to take advantage from the energies, potentials and elements of tourism sector, including its institutional structure and staf f, converting them into economic value that can be relied upon in the contribution process to overcome the current economic challenges facing Yemen. He referred in his meeting with the leaders and staf f of the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Promotion Board, to the importance of tourism as an economical base that many countries in the world are depending on to develop their economies, pointing to the great historical, cultural and touristic heritage inventory that owned by Yemen. Minister Al-Iryani stressed on the importance that all staf f must bear their responsibilities and work within one team spirit as a family, where prevails the atmosphere of love, brotherhood, dedication, mutual respect and fair competition to provide the best product that serves and promotes tourism business, to be relied upon it for the
development of the national economy. He stressed also on the importance that the action plan for the coming year must reflect the decent level reached by the staf f, urging managers of departments to intensify their ef forts in order to create a new work environment compatible with the requirements of reality to achieve the ambition that we all seek in the coming period of time, pointing out that developing of tourism staf f abilities, skills and experiences is one of the main priorities on which the Ministry will work to include within the agenda of its concerns, which will contribute to serve both work of the Ministry and tourism business in the future, in addition to the formation of a special Committee to prepare the strategy of Tourism Ministry and rapidly present it to Ministers Council. Minister Al-Iryani emphasized the importance to cooperate with the National Hotel and Tourism Institute (NAHOTTI) to train and qualify the national staf f in order to enhance tourism work on both domestic and international levels, and create job opportunities and new perspectives that contribute to the advancement of society and reflect positively on Yemen and its people. At the end of the meeting, Minister AlIryani expressed his thanks and appreciation to the former Minister of Tourism Dr. Kassim Sallam, describing him as a great national man due to his prominent role in the success of tourism work in the past, wishing him all success. He also expressed the hope that the next phase will be dedicated to work, building and establishing, in addition to take advantage of others experiences to enhance tourism in Yemen, according to the important level which it represents on international tourism map as one of the leading tourism destinations in the world.
During the farewell ceremony organized by the Ministry of Tourism for Dr. Kassim Sallam – the former Minister of Tourism …
Minister Al-Iryani: Honoring ceremony is the less thing that we can offer to an important national personality like Dr. Kassim Sallam Ministry of Tourism has organized a farewell and honoring ceremony for Dr. Kassim Sallam - the former Minister of Tourism, in the presence of Deputy Ministers, leaders of the Ministry and staf f, in addition to the heads of Hotel and Tourism unions, representatives of tourism companies, tour agencies and other interested people in tourism field. During the ceremony, H.E. Muammar AlIryani - Minister of Tourism, said that this farewell ceremony comes in the honor and recognition of the role played by Dr. Kassim Sallam during the last stage, the achievements that he left on the level of tourism work during the difficult circumstances of Yemen, the phase of his excellent and prosperous role at the level of domestic tourism development and presenting Yemen decently in the international exhibitions and forums. Minister Al-Iryani also expressed that this honoring ceremony is the less thing that we can of fer to an important national personality like Dr. Kassim Sallam, wishing him all success in his coming duties. In his speech, Minister Al-Iryani has confirmed his intention to continue what his predecessor has started to-
wards the victory of tourism in Yemen, in a way that creates of it one of the most important economical resources of the country, which is an inexhaustible financial resource, pointing to the importance that everyone has to bear his responsibility for the success of the tourism work, including the creation of a base between citizens for social awareness, and motivate them to contribute ef fectively to enhance tourism development process in the country, as an integral part of tourism attraction system of Yemen. In return, Dr. Sallam praised the ef forts made by the Ministry of Tourism staf f, leaders, general managers and specialists who have worked hard and faithfully during his period in the Ministry. He noted that there are ambitious young men with visions and considerable experiences in the field of tourism, hailing their ambitions that enabled them to fulfill all their duties with confidence and success, stressing that the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Promotion Board were able to participate in most of the international tourism fairs and presented Yemen in a decent way, calling all staf f to support H.E. Muammar
Al-Iryani - Minister of Tourism, in his new duties. On his part, Dr. Kassim Sallam expressed his thanks to President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi - President of the Republic and Dr. Khalid Bahhah - Prime Minister, for their good choice of H.E. Minister Muammar Al-Iryani, saying that “he is a young man who has a vision and great experience due to his youth spirit that makes him able to per form his duties in confidence and success” On his part, Mr. Mutahar Taqi - Deputy Minister of Tourism for services and activities sector, talked about virtues and advantages of Dr. Kassim Sallam, and welcomed the Minister Muammar AlIryani, also Eng. Fatima Al-Huraibi - Executive Director of Tourism Promotion Board, pointed out that everyone has a great hope on Minister Al-Iryani to continue the process of tourism development. During the ceremony, Dr. Kassim Sallam - former Minister of Tourism, was granted a large number of shields and medals by the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Promotion Board, Yemenia Airways, the Yemeni Union for Tourism and the Yemeni Union for Hotels. 11
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A stature of aesthetic and civilization
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Distinguish, among other ancient cities, as a masterpiece of “Davinchi”, which imbued with history and dressed with the beauty cloak. When you overlook it, on a high plateau of “Riemann”, your hankering and curiosity accelerate - as your car ascends the plateau - when you see its houses compacted in front of you as pretty pieces Chess full of beauty. Ibb in brief: It is considered as one of the historical Islamic old cities, which dated back to the year 380 AH, during the reign “of Prince Abdullah Qahtan”. Its name is attributed to Prince “Ibbida Al-Himyari” or to the month of August - “Aab” in Arabic - due to its frequent rainfall and charm-
ing beauty of nature, and it was called also “Thajja” for the same reason. It was said also, that the name “Ibb” is taken from a Himyarite word, and named with the names of kings - as said historian “Mohammed Yahya AlHaddad” - such as “Aab Karb As’ad”. Historian “Yakoot Al-Hamawi” has mentioned in his book “Mu’jam Al-Buldan”Lexicon of countries, that it was named Ibb a according to a verse in the Holy Qur’an about fruits and grass. The ancient city of Ibb is dated back to the era of Himyarite state. It was a small village with a wall, and there are some archaeological sites such as the Himyarite palace of “Dar Al-Baidha”, then its fame became more after the fourth century AH. Islamic history books indicated 13
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places Egypt to Sana’a”, when he visited Ibb in an exploration trip in 1937 AD.
that it was attacked by Prince “Abdullah bin Qahtan” 380 AH, and “Sulaihy state” has left a lot of monuments that go back to ancient ages... In his book “Lisan Al-Arab”, “Ibn Mandor” was agreed with “Al-Hamawi” about the origin of the word “Ibb”, as it was taken from the word “Aab”, which means grass in Qur’an, as well as stated in the book “Kamoos Al-Munjed”, in 14
which mentioned that Ibb is a city in Yemen. For the name “Thajja” which mentioned by “Al-Hamadani” in his book “Sefat Jazeerat Al-Arab” – Description of Arabian Peninsula, it is believed that the ancestors called “Thajja” with the name Ibb, but the strongest opinion is that “Ibb” is a Himyarite city in origin, according to what “Nazih Mo’ayyad AlAdhm” has mentioned in his book “Journey in the Felix Land of Arabs from
Ibb is located at the western slope of “Riemann” mountain to the west of “Badan” directorate, on a squareshaped high hill, which described by Orientalists as a turquoise on a green rug. It is bordered by “Udayn “directorate from the west, “DiAssufal“directorate from the south, “Nadirah” directorate from the east, and “Yarim“directorate from the north. The Himyarite palace of “Dar Al-Baidha” is one of the archaeological sites of Ibb, which was a huge headquarter of which the most was collapsed, and its “Al-Baidha” name is relative to Princess “Al-Baidha” daughter of King “Shammar Yohar’ish”. Ibb was emerged in the Islamic era as an Islamic city. Judge “AlAkwa” has pointed out saying: ‘the city of Ibb was mentioned in the news and literature, only, at the end of the fourth century AH- tenth century AD, when it was attacked by Prince “Abdullah bin Qahtan”, around the year of 380 AH’. It was a walled village in the past, with only the wall and mosque as its archeological sites. The mosque is dated back to the reign of Islamic Caliph “Omar Ibn Al-Khattab”, who ordered this mosque to be constructing, and it is still called up to now “The Khattabi Mosque”. Ibb is characterized by its old architectural pattern of stones texture, which is similar to the dominant pattern of mountain cities. Its houses consist of several floors ranging mostly between 3-5 floors that decorated with circular windows covered with marble. As a result of its
geographical location on high hill at the foot of a mountain, it was not possible to design straight streets in it, which replaced by a series of stone stairs starting from the wall and gates of the city. It is considered as one of the most beautiful historical cities in Yemen because of its archaeological and historical monuments, of which many are still exist. It has been described by Judge “Ali Saleh Aburrijal” - one of the elders in the eleventh century AH / seventeenth century AD, as he gave of a long description which came in the same description sense of the traveler “Ameen Al-Raihani” who visited “Ibb” in 1342 AH / 1924 AD, when he described it as “a grip of pearls on a green rug” because of its whites houses that surrounded by a green nature. “Aburrijal” said that the place of the ancient city of Ibb was called “Thajja”, but this location was dif fered when “Al-Hamadani” - in the beginning of the fourth century AH / tenth century - stated it within several places saying that “Thajja” is a part of “Ta’kar” Mountain, located between “Nakhlan” and “Al-Sahool” areas, and the city of f “Ibb” was not mentioned in the books of “Al-Hamadani” as it was considered as one of the villages of “De Jibla” at that time. Ibb was mentioned by “Ibn Al-Mujawer” as a fortress, despite a mosque has been built in it by the Minister “Al-Hassan Salama” at the end of the fourth century AH/tenth century AD. It was known by the name of Ibb city 15
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during the reign of the “Sulayhi” Queen “Sayyeda Bint Ahmad” when she was living in “Jibla” city, and when she died in 532 AH/ 1138 AD, all what was under her authority of forts, ammunition and money, became under the authority of “Mansour Ibn Al-Fadl Ibn Abi Al-Barakat”, and when he grew old, “Al-Da’iy Mohammed Ibn Saba Ibn Abi Al-Saoud” has bought all the forts and cities from him in 546 AH/1151 AD, with an amount of one hundred thousand dinars, as said “Emara”, they were twenty-eight of forts and the cities, including “Jibla”, Ibb, “Ta’kar” and “Hab”. Then, the name of Ibb city was mentions along with the great earthquake that hit the city on Friday, 6th of Rabi’ 549 AH/ 21st May 1154 AD, in addition to many other areas in Yemen, and destroyed many forts and cities. Ibb city has got a great care by the “Rasoli” state, as the construction of the Great Mosque’s foreground was attributed to the Sultan “Asad Al-Din Muhammad Ibn Badr Al-Din Al-Hasan” son of the great Prince “Shamsuddin Ibn Ali Rasool” who died in 677 AH / 1278 AD, according to carved writing on the door of the western side of the mosque, also the “Asadiyya” school is attributed to the same Sultan, which documented by a writing that carved on a stone at the threshold of the school’s main entrance door located at the southern side of school. Ibb is considered as one of the most fertile parts of Yemen because of the quantity of its heavy rainfall during summer - between May and September - which is about 1500 mm per year. 16
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Walls and gates: When the Danish travelers “Niebuhr” visited Ibb in 1763 AD, he paid more attention for the description of its destroyed water canal, as well as “Ameen Al-Raihani”, who visited it in 1922 AD in his book Arab kings, and the Tunisian intellectual “Abdulaziz Thaalbi” in his
an intact Sleeping beauty throughout centuries book Yemeni trip, and “Ahmed Wasfi Zakariya” in his book My trip to Yemen 1936 … All of them stated that Ibb is located on a high place, surrounded by a wall and towers. Information said that the wall of the ancient Ibb city was extended to about one and half kilo meters, built of carved stones. There still remains of the last wall which was restored by Minister “Mohsen Ibn Ali AlHubaishi Al-Huraibi” and his brother Minister “Saleh” in the year 1120 AH / eighteenth century AD. The ancient city of Ibb, as any other important Islamic cities, has a wall that built of stones surrounding it from four
sides, along which high were distributed circular towers with small openings, which were used for escorting and providing an opportunity to explore the area outside the wall, and most of them are still exist in some of its parts like “Bab Al-Nasr”. Also, the wall helps water to run in the canals that located over it. The ancient city gates are “Bab AlNasr” which located in the eastern rib with a length of 429 meters, “Albab AlKabeer” which located in the western rib with a length of 425 meters, southern rib wall with a length of 313 meters, “Bab Sombul” of which remain only two high circular towers, “Bab AlRakizah” and the northern rib with a length of 283 meters. The only remaining gate of the ancient city is “Bab Al-Rakizah”, where a new gate was built in the south-west area, and the only remaining entrances are the entrances of “Bab Al-Nasr”, “Bab Sombul” and “Bab Al-Rakizah” of which the small gate still as it was, while the other two gates were removed. A fifth gate which known as the new gate “Bab Al-Jadeed” was added and its construction was attributed to “Yahya Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abbas Al-Shehari” who died in 1382 AH/ 1962 AD, and it was rebuilt but in a form of sculpture for the 5th Tourism Festival of Ibb city 2007. The famous water canal: The last presence of this famous old water canal was in the year 1963 AD, while its beautiful fence was the only
remaining part of it, through which there were several gates and circular guarding towers, as well as the under tunnels, in which there were corridors to bring food and water during the siege. Historical and archaeological sites: The Great Mosque: It is located on a high hill at the mid of the city, reached via stone stairs. Its construction dated back to the second decade of the first century AH, which was during the era of the second Caliph “Omar Ibn Al-Khattab”, and its name of “Omari Mosque” is attributed to him. This mosque has
some additions and renovations during the Islamic period, which made it the fourth mosque in Yemen in terms of size, capacity and beauty, and is impossible now to identify the mosque established in the era of Caliph “Omar Ibn Al-Khattab”. The largest expansion of this mosque was carried out by “AlHussain Ibn Salama”, the Minister of “Ziyadi” State, within his work, which included the construction of many Yemeni mosques scattered from Hadramout until Mecca. However, we find that the construction of the present mosque is dated back to Prince “Asad Al-Din”, at the beginning of the era of the “Rasoli
state”. It was also renovated in the new era of “Taheriya” state by Sultan “Amer Ibn Abdulwahab” (894-923 AH), in addition to that, a restoration has took place in the last days of the first Ottomans reign, carried out by the minister “Hassan Pasha” in 996 AH, according to what found written on the “Qibla” wall. “Al-Jalalyah Al-Ulya” school: Located in the middle of the ancient city and its construction dates back to the ninth century AH. It was built by Sheikh “ Jalaluddin Muhammad Ibn Abi-Bakr Al-Serie”, according to what was written above the entrance to its praying area, as well as the minaret located at the 17
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places news and small polygon hull ends with a small entrance, while it crowned by a polygon dome. Ancient city of Ibb includes within its walls many religious schools like “Nadhariya” School, which is an ancient masterpiece dated back to middle of the eighth century AH/ fourth century AD, which was built by Prince “Jalaluddin Al-Nadhari” as a headquarter for him. There are also “Al-Jalalyah Al-Sofla” school, “Al-Mashanna” school, “Al-Sabban” school and “Al-Asadiya” school. Palaces: “Dar Al-Mulk” Palace, “Dar Al-firnaj” Palace, “Dar Al-Hamam” Palace, “Dar AlBaidha” Palace, “Dar Khan” Palace, “Dar Aqeel” Palace, “Dar Al-Daidaban” Palace, “Dar Munir” Palace and “Dar AlWasita” Palace. Markets: “Janabi” market, “Al-Milh” market, “AlTa’aam” market, “Al-Mi’tarh” Market, “Al-Lahm (meat)” market and “Al-Mazaina” market.
eastern side of the yard and considered as one of the most beautiful minarets in Yemen, which consists of a square base 18
and polygon hull decorated with geometric shapes made of gypsum and bricks, over which there is a balcony
Samaser (Large buildings): “Samsarat Al-Khan Al-A’la”, “Samsarat Al-San’ani”, “Samsarat Al-Khan Al-Asfal”, “Samsarat Khan Faris”, “Samsarat AlShauna” and “Samsarat Al-Jalalyah” The ancient city of Ibb also includes many other archaeological sites such as the public bathrooms, and the two schools of “Ben Shukar” and other religious monuments which distributed in over the city.
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Hudaida…
the jewel of the west coast
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The second major seaport after Aden, Hudaida is the largest and most important city in the Red Sea. It includes one of the most important centers of recycling industry in Yemen. As a city, Hudaida is characterized with a deep historical legacy. It is more like an open history book, but that deep historical dimension is almost vanished now, after the majestic civilization got blended with the recent civilization era of deep formations at the level of the rapid urban construction. This recent civilization presented Hudaida as a commercial seaport with special dimensions of time and place, as it geographically sprawls into the arms of that massive water body. As a province, Hudaida is characterized with its demographic diversity and considered as one of the fastest growing and developing cities during the four and half decades that followed the revolution, distinguished by its accurate urban growth. On the level of the coastal cities in Yemen, its coast has a good share as the largest and the most beautiful beach...
Hudaida is characterized - as a province- with an added value of demographic diversity of its inhabitants, and considered as one of the fastest cities in growing and development country during the four decades and a half that followed the revolution. It has been distinguished - during its lavish urban career - with an accurate urban growth. Its coast has a large share in the positioning as the largest and the most beautiful beach on the level of the coastal cities in the country...
mer coupled with high humidity ranging from 70 to 85m due to high evaporation rates, with average monthly temperature of maximum 37.5°c and minimum 19.6°c in summer, with a moderate climate during the winter of monthly average temperature of maximum 24°c and the 14 °c. The heat of summer is getting reduced by the rain of monsoon winds coming from the Indian Ocean, despite being a non-regular, with annual quantities ranging between 60 to 150 mm.
Location and transportation routes: Hudaida is located, almost, in the middle of the Red Sea coast on a distance of 226 km to the west from the capital Sana’a. It occupies an area stretching from “Ras Katheeb” in the north to “Madhar” village at south, and extended from the east to the desert of saf fron “Za’faran”. Hudaida climate is hot during the sum-
Hudaida has two modern international ports, Hudaida International Airport and Hudaida Seaport, which is one of the important modern seaports. There is a modern international overland route which links Hudaida with the coastal cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of which Jazan is the most important through “Al-Tiwal” overland border passage. Hudaida is linked with the rest of 21
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the cities and provinces of the country through a modern transportation network including main overland routes of Hudaida-Sana’a, Hudaida-Ta’iz and the international coastal overland route of Hudaida-Aden, which is the first strategic route linking all coastal cities of Yemen with each other, in both Red Sea and Arabian Sea, until “Sur fit” in Mahara province, which is the overland border passage with Sultanate of Oman. Origin and naming: Most likely references indicate that the history of the city of Hudaida is dated back to around the year 700 AH, which is the beginning of the eighth Islamic century - the fourth century AD. Regarding the naming of the city, there are two opinions included in the references that dealt with the city’s history, the first opinion attributes the city to the tribe of “Hudaid”, which is one of “Al-Ma’aziba” 22
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tribes, while the second opinion relating the origin of the name to a woman named “Hudaida”, says references that suggest this opinion, that this woman has owned a shop near the sea coast, where strangers and travelers get rest and sleep, then anglers, who owns boats, started to live near that shop and formed a small village which attributed to that woman. This small village was quickly evolved and its role was emerged, and considered in the early modern era as an important guidance station for ships, then widened and grew till it became a town and of “Bit Al-Faqih” seaports, which lies now on the south of the city of Hudaida, then grown and evolved and become one of the major seaports during the “Tahiri” state. Hudaida seaport played an important pivotal role in the Yemeni cof fee expor-
tation, along with “Al-Makha” seaport, which is located in the south of Hudaida and “Luhayya” seaport in the north of it. Hudaida importance as a commercial seaport and a large market became more and more during the eighteenth century, nineteenth century and early twentieth century, and shared influence of trade with the rest of Tihama’s coastal cities and even with the city of Aden. One of most prominent indicators of this commercial trend was the existence of commercial of fice for large international companies, as well as the existence of consulates of major states, which were looking after the interests of those countries and take care of their citizens residing in Hudaida. Among the most prominent indicators also demographic diversity of the society of the city, as a result of the stability of communities from Turkey and India, that had been associated with commercial and
economical interests in the city, as well as being a major transit route for pilgrims from India and East Asia, where some of them preferred to stay there after per forming pilgrimage for some reasons of which the few were obligatory, but the most were associated with economical benefits. Tourism site motivations: Hudaida is the capital of a province carrying the same name; this administrative status has provided the city of Hudaida with a number of features that enhance the city’s position and tourism status. Hudaida dominates the largest part of Tehama plain area, which is considered as the basket of basic food for the country, with regard to the existence of tens of valleys of which are the largest and most fertile. Moreover, the province of Hudaida contains a diversity of tourism product. It includes a long
beach of soft sands and crossed by deltas of large valleys, where natural environments of unique bio-diversity are shaped, especially the environments of mangroves. Hudaida has privacy through as it includes a group of wonder ful islands that hide environments which are rich with coral reefs, where abound in the warm waters of the coast of the province and the islands, of which Hunaish group of islands and “Kamaran” Island are the most important. That privacy extends to include a new type of tourism which is rural tourism or Eco-tourism, as it includes natural and marine protected areas, the most important is “Bura’” protected area, the declared cultural heritage protected area of “Zabeed”city , a nominated cultural heritage protected area at the city of “Luhayya” and a nominated natural and marine protected area which is man-
groves environment in the extended beach between “Medi” and “Luhayya”, as well as the wet area in the vicinity of Hudaida seaport, which constitute one of the important stations for migratory seabirds, in addition to the island of “Kamaran”, which is a microcosm of the Yemeni famous island of Socotra that located in the Indian Ocean. Hudaida city is characterized, also, with multi-cultures and open-minded population structure, as a result of occurred changes through the stages of development of the city. In the first phase of structure, the city relied on the surrounding tribes of Tehama who their lineage is related to the famous “Akka” tribe of which descended the tribes of “ Zu’al” , “Fishal”, “La’san”, “Al-Ma’aziba”, “Zaraneek”, “Al-Asha’irah” - which were the pioneers to Islam, including Sahaabi “Abdullah bin Qais” who known with the surname of “Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari” 23
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cities - and “Gaviq” to which the prince of AlAndalus, “Abdul-Rahman Al-Ghafiqi” is related, in addition to some other tribes like – “Al-Kah’ra”, “Al-Hashabir” , “AlWa’izat” and “Sulayl” ... etc. In the early stages of development, the city includes some minorities who preferred live in it instead of returning back to their countries of origin, where settled in it the rest of the Ottoman Turks, and one of the city’s old zones was named “ Turks zone” relating to them, also settled some of “Al-bainyan”- Indian traders, and a road in the ancient historical city named by their name “Sekkat Al-bainyan” , in addition to some Indians who come for pilgrimage to Mecca, and faced some dif ficulties such as insuf ficient hold of funds for their return, or death of a relative or lover prefers to stay next to him, and also a zone in the old city was named “The Indians zone” relating to them. After the Yemeni revolution took place in 26 September 1962, the Hudaida city experienced rapid growth, as many projects of development and services were implemented, and the seaport status was enhance as a main gateway on the coast of the Red Sea. Also many industrial facilities were built, which made of it one the most important centers of recycling industry in the country, and enhanced the growth opportunities of an active commercial movement in the city. There are many popular weekly markets and annual festivals held in the vicinity of the city, which are attractive activities and events that embody, along with the diversity of the tourism product, an important factor for the enhancement of Hudaida’s status as an attractive tourism destination. Landmarks of Hudaida’s tourism sight: Hudaida city is full of many substances that form the tourism product structure of Hudaida as a city of beach and seaport. Such substances are combined together to create of Hudaida an ideal
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tourism destination of multiple attractive elements, its details seem to be as integrated harmonious events as the following hierarchy context: The ancient city: one of the oldest sites in the modern city of Hudaida; dates back to the year 700 AH, and contains several historic buildings are and government facilities located of f the old seaport. Most of the old city’s buildings were constructed out of bricks that resist hot climatic conditions, and constitute the main features of the architectural style, which is similar to the ancient style in other seaports of the Red Sea coast. The old city buildings are characterized with their height which reached five floors sometimes, as characterized by their exquisite carved wooden ceilings on geometric shapes and beautiful wooden balconies. The ancient historical city of Hudaida which is in the inside
fence area, still keeps the character of unique traditional architectural, as some of the buildings are still in good condition despite their age which is more than 200 years, even random restoration of some buildings and distortion of their traditional architectural character is started through buildings demolition to be reconstructed according to modern architectural style. The ancient historic city was, until recently, surrounded by a fence of four gates (Bab) which are: “Bab Mushrif”and“ Bab Al-Nakheel” in the east, “ Bab Al-Sitr” in the north and “ Bab Al-Yemen” in the south, but the fence has been completely destroyed except “Bab Mushrif” and its overlooking defense tower. This fence was built by “Sharif, Hamoud Al-Khairati” in 1222 AH, while “Bab Mushrif” and its defense tower were built by”Sharif, Al-Husain Al-Khairati”
during his control of the city in the year 1256 AH. The defense tower consists of two floors, which built out of bricks and clay, and its walls are coated - from both internal and external sides- with white gypsum, and is currently using as a headquarter of police department ... and still mosques, buildings and the old market with its lanes and passages inside the ancient historical city, embody the nature of life in the very dif ferent circumstances and how the city’s people live in the past. The seaport: The old seaport of Hudaida was located in the west of the ancient historical city inside the fence, in front of the currently Museum of Hudaida, and was consisted of two waves barriers and a small pier, and two miles away from the seaport were anchored commercial sailing ships of various sizes, where small boats take the loads of those ships to the harbor’s pier, then
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goods got to be transferred to the customs building by porters. In 1911, the Ottomans proceeded to build a seaport in “Ras Katheeb” area, which is located at a distance of 17 km to the north of the old seaport, and in 1912 the Italian Navy started to shell this seaport with cannons which stopped the work. During the period 1958-1961, the Soviet Union built a large modern seaport in an area at a distance of 5 km to the north of the old port, which is the seaport-based until today. The port to provide all the necessary facilities for commercial vessels, operating in the seaport a number of shipping companies specialized in loading, unloading and insurance services. The recent seaport of Hudaida is linked with floating seaport of “Ras Katheeb”, which is distinguished of its location beside the waiting area of merchant ships; therefore they could enter and exit to and from the seaport easily dur26
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ing day and night. These two seaports of Hudaida and “Ras Katheeb” are linked together with an asphalted road of 12 km length. Hudaida Beach (The Corniche): starts from the extension of “Ras Katheeb” at north till “Mandhar” village to the south, and it is called the Corniche, which has become a haven for residents and visitors of Hudaida city, especially during summer, where residents and visitors go to stroll and walk on the beach for relaxation and to enjoy the pure and fresh sea breeze. The Corniche is considered one of the most recent projects in Hudaida city in which work starts since the beginning of the eighties of the last century, which is paving a length of more than ten kilometers of the beach till become separated from the sea only by a small distance of sand area. Along the beach there are several cafes, children modern entertainment cities and chairs with
umbrellas for people to sit and rest along the beach with an appropriate lighting. Construction of modern specifications and superb engineering is still going on to expand the beach to the north, where buildings bear the characteristics of the chalets have been built, and rented to those wishing to invest and provide tourism services for visitors of the beach. The expansion towards the south took the forms of parks and wide squares where ceremonies and celebrations of national occasions could be per formed. Because of this beach, Hudaida has got the title “Bride of the Red Sea”. This beach as well as the beauty of its design, is an appropriate place to do short funny cruises for families on boats equipped for this purpose. Journeys on those boats might become longer to reach the nearby islands to the west and to the north-west and south-west
coasts of Hudaida, where ideal diving sites are available all the year, in an environment of coral reefs with adornment fish, turtles, and various types dolphins. The Great Mosque: it is located inside the fence of ancient historical city, as one of the famous mosques in the city. It was built in the year 1111 AH, by a woman called “Fatima Bint Ahmad AlZarrak”. She was the daughter of a merchant who came to Hudaida from Oman. This mosque has got several expansions by some of wealthy people in city, most notably, was Hamdoun Al-Jowaid, who has expanded the mosque from the east in the year 1255, and Sheikh Mohammed Dahman Ba Dwylan, who expanded the back side of the mosque of enough space to contain five additional rows, that were higher than the rows at the front, and he built also the minaret and bathrooms. In 1370 the
government has reform its ceilings and lift them to be at the level with the front rows. Later on, it was it totally destroyed except the old services portions, and then rebuilt. Corniche Castle: previously, it was called the Southern Castle; it was built during the first presence of Ottoman in Yemen (946 - 1046 AH) - (1538 - 1635 AD), among several castles and forts that were built in Hudaida. The outstanding location of the city has granted it a strategic defensive the importance, as the first defensive line of Yemen. Most of these castles and forts were bombarded by Italian and British battleships, of which, the Corniche Castle is the only remained. This castle is located on a high hill facing the sea, at a distance of approximately one kilometer south of the old sea port. It is one of the distinguished historical and tourism sites in the city. It was built of burned bricks, clay, white
gypsum and wooden roof. It was fortified from inside and outside, and was used as a prison by the Ottomans and then the Imams. It has maintained its military architectural character for several centuries until exposed to distortion, then it was destroyed and rebuilt in the same style architecture traditional unique. City Museum: a building which constructed - like any other important buildings in the city - of bricks and clay, and its internal and external walls are coated with white gypsum. It consists of two floors covered with beautiful wooden balconies from the outside, according to the prevailing construction style of the ancient historical city inside the fence. The first floor consists of entrance, four rooms and a large store, while the second floor is consisting of seven rooms, bathroom, kitchen, and the middle room, where a dome shaped roof rises above this second floor. As27
cities cending from the first floor to the second floor is achieved via a wooden staircase in two sides. The museum contains also sections for numerous archaeological findings that belong to both ancient historical ages and contemporary Islamic ages, in addition to the popular heritage which characterizes the city of Hudaida. Water tanks (Madabbat): “Al-Madab” is a civilized monument of a unique engineering by which characterizes Hudaida among other cities of Yemen. There are ten Water tanks (Madabbat) spread in most of the old zones located at “Bab Mushrif”, “Al-Siddikiah” district, “Al-Hawak” upper zone, “Al-Hawak” down zone, “Al-Mitrak” district, hospital zone, “Al-Ordhi” zone, “Dar Al-Nasr” zone, “AlMakam Al-Sharif” zone and “Dar AlNozha” zone. Those Water tanks “Madabbat” has been built to conserve the light salted waters that came from “Al-Halia” area which located in a distance of three kilometers to the north-east of the old city, where water bails out from a well that flows through the underground vaults to those “Madabbat”. And the “Madab” is a carved cavity in underground which could be reached through a staircase built of solid stone, where there is water basin in the bottom of the cavity, and in the bottom of the basin there are coral reefs that brought from the sea, and above the pelvis there is dome which built of brick and clay. Due to the development and modernization factors that have occurred in public life, including the delivery of water to homes through governmental and private water projects, “Madabbat” have lost their importance and became forgotten and neglected nowadays. Fishing harbor and auction market: it is located to the south of the old seaport
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news a distance of 1.5 km, and of fers dif ferent types of fish from shores and islands of the Red Sea, which are with various amazing shapes, in addition to the active movement of brokers and their costumes, which reflect the special attract i o n of this market and make visitors - residents or non-residents - enjoy the vision of the city. Presenting capacity of tourism in Hudaida: Various categories of tourists from Yemen, Saudi Arabia and other neighboring countries are visiting the city of Hudaida, in addition to those European tourists, whom ships stop their voyages in the seaports of Hudaida, and they start short touristic trips for just a day or three days and return back to their ships at evening to spend the night there. They used to visit the ancient historical city of Hudaida, fish auction market or head sometimes towards the outskirts of Hudaida to visit Zabeed historical city, and in their they back they stop to visit the market and famous town of “Beit Al-Faqih”, “Ma’arras” market in “Al-Zuhra” town or join a visit to the natural protected area of “Bura’” and the mountains of “Haraz”. Families market constitutes a larger category of the population especially in holidays, where families search for fun and entertainment and the involvement of their children in particular activities that they can enjoy together. Also the people of Hudaida, who works in other areas, come to visit Hudaida during the Eid vacation, weekends, summer vacations, visiting friends and relatives or attending weddings, in addition to business tourism resulting from the active commercial seaport of Hudaida. Hudaida constitutes a cross point for
travelers to and from Saudi Arabia, also it attracts many categories of tourists who want to practice sailing to the islands, and categories of tourists who have a special interest in ecotourism to watch endemic and migratory birds in addition to rare turtles that settled in some beaches of Hudaida as their homelands. Hudaida attracts youths and foreign residents to enjoy adventure tourism of water sports especially diving, underwater swimming, water cycling, wind sur f, riding of sailing boat and fishing, which is one of the developing sports in Yemen. Infrastructure: Tourism in Hudaida moving generally towards domestic tourism and regional tourism represented by those arrivals from neighboring countries. Hudaida suf fers a lot through seasonal times, which was clarified thorough the given explanations from owners of hotels and accommodation facilities, that the occupancy rates are high in holidays, weekends. It is in winter months when tourism reaches its highest occupancy rates due to the good weather in the city, and all hotels and apartments become full, and some tourists get compelled to spend some nights in the Corniche or in their cars due to lack of rooms. The city has more than 50 hotels, spread over various classification categories of four-star down to one-star hotels. There are three hotels of four-star, including “Taj Awsan hotel” in Sana’a Street, and about eleven hotels of three-star, including “Al-Fakhama Center hotel” in Corniche Road, “Ambassador Hotel” and “Bristol hotel” in Sana’a Street, “Hudaida hotel” in port Street and “Corniche hotel” which is located in the Corniche Road.
Sana’a Zoo... The hard raising cost in an environment dominated by captivating nature
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As a natural tourism promising field, I was surprised to see the wonder ful regularity and integrated coordination in Sana’a Zoo, when I thought that the negligence is still - as usual - the of ficial feature in the zoo, but I have a strong desire to see this diversified gathering of animals, which came out from my certainty that humans are eager to discover more about these creatures that sharing our lives and planet. As the first natural and biological Zoo in Yemen, it will be able to anyone to feel optimism and believe that Yemen is still a fertile ground, which is full of qualified 30
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people. We have seen a lot of environmental and engineering steps carried out by Mr. “Azhar Al-Nofaili” - the new appointed director of the Zoo. Such steps will establish for a leading tourism value, which we have read its details in the faces of the staf f, workers, and visitors, and even through the behaviors of animals themselves. Kings of the jungle with a lot of other animals are no more pale and silent. We can now talk about a new tourism destination with a high level of organizing, responsibility and ethics. This is the true amazing environment for those trapped animals behind iron bars.
The real beginning: I have felt in my first meeting with Mr. Al-Nofaili, that there were many things troubling him. He is not happy and talks with deep sorrow about the circumstances surrounding his work in the Zoo, in addition to the dif ficulties which aborting his nice project and steps of development. As many other of ficials, Mr. Al-Nofaili is looking forward to create a national work environment free of drawbacks and obstacles that try to thwart every beautiful scheme. In his modest of fice, which is located over a high hill, he spoke about his be-
ginnings in the Zoo, his administrative system and the dif ficulties that he seeks to solve as they are necessary for the zoo to take its decent natural position. He was not comfortable with what is happening, because he realizes how dif ficult it is to interact and work in a corrupted environment. Despite all that, he smiled at us and tried to appear as an optimistic of ficial who doesn’t care of any obstacles. He presented his development visions of the zoo, which is paralyzed because of the
with such attention as now and was not the appearance of animals as it is now, just a look at those animals, in the past, will get you feel that they are starving and look miserable as those who are spending their punishment period in a prison, even that the intent of the existence of such magnificent and majestic creatures extracted forcibly from their wilderness natural environments is for entertainment and educational purposes. I do not want to prejudice against anyone, but – as a
their high positions, they thought for a moment that the management of this Zoo is similar to a political position, perhaps for this reason it has been more like an abandoned field in which animals are locked. I don’t blame, here, anyone of being unsuccessful in managing such an important zoo, because, it is presumably, the selection of managing staf f should be subjected to scientific standards as specialists in this field. Specialty here is an important condition which must be available to
solid and unfair administrative routine, although he talked about the positive role and outstanding interaction shown by Mr. Abdul Qadir Hilal - Mayor of the Capital Secretariat of Sana’a. Nothing has been achieved except some reforms that we hope to be completed without any obstacles, thus speaks Mr. Al-Nofaili, and goes on, we have started some development plans to find suitable environments for animals and their living styles, and this requires patience, but if this achieved, you will see a dif ferent charming natural look. Frankly, the zoo was not concerned
specialist in environment - I feel the presence of a kind of attention which I hope not be faced by strides retardant, and it is worthy of the new administration of the Zoo to maintain all balances to ensure its success.
manage a zoo like this. I testify that the current management of the Zoo is on a good and promised specialization degree. No doubt that they will succeed in their choices of development in order to achieve two important aspects which are Environment and Tourism. I think, now, the Zoo is about to be one of the most important national tourism facilities in the capital Sana’a.
It was a dif ficult beginning, as what I have been told by Mr. Al-Nofaili. I imagine now - upon my modest environmental knowledge - that the former-administrations were unable to manage this place, they didn’t dif ferentiate perhaps as a kind of ignorance - between managing a zoo and maintaining
A first step: Said Mr. Al-Nofaili: “We have started to create a website for the zoo with the help of Mr. Akram Algaolahi, editor in 31
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Chief of Tourism Magazine, in addition of creating accounts on multiple social networking, and this step will give the zoo more space to define itself through supporting the website with all information either in Arabic or English, and we seek, through this step, to take advantage of all criticism and notes that visitors will place in the website, which, in my opinion, will help us to move in the right path”. He said also: “As a second step we seek to take advantage of school trips, so that we can convert them from recreational to educational trips, informing children about the right vision in dealing with animals as an important national treasure “, and perhaps, this is the optimum way to know this unique natural heritage, which will help in promoting domestic tourism and achieving social awareness, through children, about the importance of both animals and wildlife, and creates a relationship
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between man and environment in order to maintain animals whether in the wild or inside locked iron cages.
would be happy if the zoo contained within its walls such a mixture of distinctive animals, because this will make it a major tourism destination and an important station for visitors.
Divisions of the Zoo: Roaming inside the zoo, which covers an area of about 3200 square meters, we can say that it consists of five sections, most notably is the predators section which include lions, tigers, hyenas, wolves and leopards as well as lynx, which is a species of wild cats predators, then the sections of reptiles, pets, birds in addition to the naughty section of monkeys.
Promotional plan: Mr. Al-Nofaili said, I think there is, so far, a shortcoming in promoting this zoo, but the steps of creating a website and marketing through private media companies via posters are with a great concern now. Really, it is too late action, but he went on emphasizing the importance of this matter in the coming days.
It is true that the Zoo lacks a lot of animals like zebra, elephant, giraf fe, bear, rhino and the outstanding Asian leopard, but this does not diminish its importance, and I asked the zoo director whether he has a plan to bring such animals, and his answer was yes, but such a step needs time and support, and personally. Like many others, I
Improvement and development plans: According to Mr. Al-Nofaili: “There is an integrated study in collaboration with the Sab’een directorate regarding the development and improvement of the zoo, and we have started the implementation of its first stage, which are green sur faces, graphics formats and aesthetic shapes for children, then
comes the removal of all malformations, according to a plan in which we seek to create a natural site compatible with the aesthetic of the place and stems of the environment itself “. As what I have seen, the development plan has already started, the four green sur faces came now as the first step, but Mr. Al-Nofaili asserts that in spite of his pleasure of this beginning, there are some obvious drawbacks. Those green sur faces – as he thinks - need a modern irrigation system to ensure their sustainability and preservation, but at the present time - according to him – the zoo does not have such technology and the irrigation done by the traditional way, which is not in line with the development plan. Central encouragement: The zoo director trusts Mr. Abdul Qadir Hilal - Mayor of the Capital Secretariat of Sana’a and Mr. Essam Jum’an - former deputy of municipal sector, as they
were the most encouraging persons for the idea of developing this zoo. Despite the fact that the income of the zoo is weak comparing to what accomplished, the largest percentage goes to Cleaning and Improvement Fund, and this may not correlate with any future development plans, but this has not create any confusion as long as there is a green light of administrative settlement which is the first step of success. Mini protected areas: The development includes a plan which seeks to find mini protected areas, which is a nice idea to develop the zoo and convert it to be not just rooms and cages but to create miniature multiple environments, and the idea is to make animals live within a climate of relatively consistent with the natural environment of origin, in addition to build artificial water falls to provide adequate moisture, especially in summer time.
Natural touch in reptiles section: Many significant natural improvements are taking place in reptiles section. The snakes, normally, like to live in crevices, caves and dark places which is their natural habitats, this administration seeks now to create this environment among improvements of the zoo, which will make this section an interested one for all visitors in the future instead of seeing those snakes inert and twisted on themselves as if they were dead. According to the improvement plan, they will be able of climbing and emerging naturally as if they are living in their original wild and dark environment, and in return, there will be widescreen to see them in the middle of the dark. The entrance of the section will be decorated naturally, in addition to a special cage for owls which will be added to the upper side of this section to create a feeling for visitors as if they are already engaged in a real adventure in the cave.
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Haid Al-Juzail … magic and beauty
A masterpiece neither of Davinchi nor of Picasso ... It is a mixture blending between the divine magic, beauty and Yemeni creativity ... A poem on which rhythm, sings the Hadrami Dan … So, it deserved to be a unique masterpiece that man created of clay and straw over mountains.
H
aid Al-Juzai is a marvelous village sits with majestic and confidence on the sur face of a clif f. The word “Haid” in Yemen is a name 34
which indicates the area that located over a mountain, which is unreachable from three sides, while the third represents the only road to it, while the word “Al-Juzail” means the strong thing. It is believed that this name has come from the people trust of the security of the place which is high enough to avoid water floods, in addition to the hardness of the rocky clif f and the absolute safety feeling of people while conflicts and attacks between them and other tribes. So, they have started to build their houses on the sur face of this
rocky clif f, which is located at the middle of a high hill in a valley between two huge mountains from the right and left, where two valleys met in front of the village, creating a green surroundings. Flat green fields seem to be smiling at the faces of its people and visitors. Ecstatic houses are impacted together like biscuits inside a golden bowl laid on a round table ... agricultural fields are bunched and palm trees look as if they are dancing on the murmur tunes of the flowing water in those two valleys of “Akron” and “Maraah”, which
narrates a tale of a charming village and good people of sweet hearts like the honey of Daw’an Valley. A village made of clay:
Located at the left bank of Daw’an Valley, Haid Al-Juzail village consists of about twenty houses that belong to the same family members of Al-Amoudi. Engineers were able to build its magnificent multi-floors houses of clay that mixed with straw and trunks of trees, which are inexpensive and abundance in the region, which enable houses to
face rain and storms and live for so many years, particularly with continuous maintenance existence. Such construction materials are manufactured in palms basins in the valleys and then brought to the heights by animals. External sides of those homes are coated with gypsum which gives them a bright and shiny color, in addition to the strength and long life. Charming nature:
Opposite to the village, there is a wonder ful resort known as “Khailat
Buqshan”, which owned by a Hadrami dealer called Buqshan, and we will talk later - in this issue - about its natural beauty, fascinating architecture and traditional belongings. The most beautiful valleys of Yemen:
Once you arrive to the resort area, all your travel tiredness will be vanished when you hear those great Hadrami songs at the reception of the resort, which will give you a great feeling of joy as if the nature is greeting you. There you will enjoy one of the most beautiful 35
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survey and wellknown valleys of Yemen. It is “Daw’an” valley, which is famous with its “Daw’ani” honey. It is located in the northwest of Hadramout province, and could be reached by car from Mukalla, which is the capital city of the province, in less than an hour and a half. Daw’an valley is divided into two parts of right and left, where scattered on their banks a number of historical and touristic cities and villages, which constitute - with their clay houses decorated with colors - the specialty of the Yemeni architecture about which some studies were devoted.
decorated with high palms and fruit trees, in addition to the marvelous touristic and historical phase. As the joy of tourism requires abundant touristic facilities consistent with such unique places, there overlooks a resort on a high mountain opposite to “Haid Al-Juzail” village which is “Khailat Buqshan” resort. The charm of this amazing village is not limited to its location, but also to the flowing water from the left and right valleys, as if it is an island amid the wild, where the slope and the rock on which homes have been built are surrounded by water at once.
One of the richest regions in the world: Because the sur face of the rocky clif f is not flat in the middle, houses of “Haid Al-Juzail” village have been constructed in a semi-circular shape at the edge of the rock, and with a height of four floors in some of them. Such architectural specialty has proved, with no doubt, that Yemen is one of the richest regions in the world of clay architecture, especially in the area of “Daw’an” valley, which is the richest area in Yemen of clay houses that last for a long time if they are restored and not abandoned, which contributes to preserve the architecture legacy of Yemen. According to Professor Magda Al-Dumlogi - a researcher in the “Daw’ani” architecture, Yemen retains so much of authentic and unique architectural heritage through those houses, which have retained their functions, design, specialty and consideration for the surrounding environment and climate.
The resort ... civilization and modernity:
Returning back to the resort, it seems to be a unique masterpiece of unique features and specialty in which the Hadrami architecture style has been taken into consideration. It is built of clay mixed with another substance called “Karif”, which is of the same color like the earth, so you cannot distinguish between the both colors of the building and the nature of the land. The resort is classified as a historical legacy that gives you a solemn impression when you see the tradition, ways of life and the warmth of Arabian hospitality of the old Hadrami style, which is clear in the furniture and reception method. The resort covers a large open area of
twenty-four chalets with large suites that spread on the top of the valley at an altitude of 185 feet, which grants it a special feature; when the temperature reaches its peak above forty 40°C, the temperature of the resort, as well as the plateau of Daw’an valley, is only 20°C without moisture. There are also reception lounges, dining rooms, gallery for old crafts, modern domestic and international telecommunication services, satellite TV and Internet service during the twenty-four hours, in addition to the laundry, and other facilities that located on a total area of 125 thousand square meters.
Lost paradise:
Luster of the beauty is getting dressier and splendor due to three features that God has granted to this village which are two valleys and two green banks 36
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protected areas
Sharma protected area … Home of turtles...
B
Protected area… time and place:
Ras Sharma, Ras Ba-Gashawh, Gosai’er and Shasr Al-Karn. It is located between the longitude of 55-14 and 45-14, latitude of 12-50 and 55-49, about 120 km away from the city of Mukalla, and visitor can reach it through the asphalt road branching from the main route, which connects the city of Mukalla with Sayhut.
This protected area is located to the east of the “Dees” District in Hadramout province, on the Arabian Sea. It occupies a geographical extension length of 55 km, which overlooks many of the coastal areas, most notably Jathmon,
Going through the history of this protected area, we will find it mentioned in the writings of some geographical scientists of the Middle Ages, and perhaps the most prominent is what mentioned
iological worlds have brilliantly made the place where turtles are part of this component; it came amid a geological scene full of changes and transitions, those that accompany the march of Earth for millions of years ago.
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by Al-Idrisi that “Sharma and Lasa” were the ancient names of She’hr city, but those names were changed to become as what they are today. Kingdom of turtles:
Who wants to know something about those will known slow creatures, he should go directly to this protected area in which turtles have settled thousands of years ago. This protected area is like a small Kingdom founded by those coming turtles from surrounding sees. Turtles are great creatures that remained over a long time as a mystery
baf fles scientist of nature and biologists, especially since these strange marine creatures nesting only in their native homeland, even they are thousands of miles away from their native geographical place. According to scientists, these creatures don’t matter how far their migration is, they will get back to their native homeland, including their young turtles. The reason for that is embodied to their possessing of remote sensing technique and its capability to catch the smell of algae and some species of coastal trees.
Sharma protected area is characterized by two types of turtles, a green turtle (Chelonio Mydas) and hawkish beak turtles (Eretmochelys Imbricat), which is one of the rare species and endangered on a global level and has been included in the lists of the International Convention (CITES) which prohibits trading with endangered species. Proliferation and settling method of turtles in this protected area emerges through the coral reefs environments of Sharma shore. We- as specialist in environment - realize clearly what those
coral reefs mean for turtles. Coral environment attracts many small fish, crustaceans and microorganisms, and therefore in the eyes of turtles it is a fertile place which is rich with food. For those who want their visits to this protected area to be scientific and touristic at the same time, they have to know more about the secrets of those distinguished turtles. From a scientific point of view, turtles lay their eggs in the warm sand, where the female lays between 20-30 eggs and leaves back to the sea, then sand holds the incubating 39
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protected areas eas of nesting have got af fected by human expansion, and this protected area constitutes a remaining legacy for the survival of these creatures, as long as man does not inter fere to change its natural features. There is a natural stock to establish a fantastic eco-tourism, if it properly exploited, and all violate reasons of this important economic tributary get stopped. There is a touristic road connecting this protected area with the close city of “Shihr”, in which life colors are mixed like rainbow colors in the sky. Varieties of cultural and folkloric arts add to it an aesthetically impressing character. In this city, hot natural therapeutic springs get erupt, which help to heal many diseases as a target for health tourism sought by many. But this city is needy for advanced infrastructure including hotels, roads and parks, which restore
task which lasts for 50 days before the eggs start to hatch. Young turtles start digging up their paths to get out of the sand, which is usually done, by the majority, during the night to escape from birds, hermit crabs, stray dogs and from man himself. They head directly, by instinct, to the sea in large groups, which has baf fled biologists, however that only 10% of them get to survive, and can maintain the survival of their species from extinction. Millions of years ago, turtles have been the main feature of this place, which means that we are forced humanly and morally to keep them survive, as man has the lion’s share in the elimination of their habitat through his raking of nesting places, and stealing their eggs under the justification of the popular tradition that they bring strength and health 40
to human body. Turtles came to this universe millions of years ago, and scientists believed that turtle wasthe only creature who survived the great extinction, and majority of scientists classified it within the family of dinosaurs that became extinct by about 60 million years ago. It was, exceptionally, able to survive until today, may be its amphibious nature has a great role in that, which enabled it to hide itself deeply in water upon the natural massacre at that time. Green tourism:
Eco-tourism is a type of tourism which our country aspires. Sharma protected area is a life model for such type of tourism, where you can read the green details that overlooked above the flat geographical distance sprawling on the banks of the water. What a beautiful
the pulse and luster of tourism. Sharma protected area is a touristic tributary which needs a suitable preparation away from natural damage. It needs to be known by whole world not just by us, and if UNESCO has sought to include it within the unique natural and cultural sites, we must work on this, and prepare to revitalize tourism in it and ensure its durability. Migratory birds:
Sharma protected area constitutes an appropriate place for migratory birds as an important station in their long journey’s program. For biologists, this place is very important … Do you know why? Firstly, because this protected area is located within the boundaries of geographic isolation, which forces migratory birds to stop at this place due to its biological and natural importance, and
secondly: because the rocky formations had provided them with an important environment for stability, and a better chance to capture their preys of small fish which buf feted by the waves on the beach, in addition to the scattering of many coral islands of f the coast of this protected area, and thirdly: because of the coral reefs extensions with their content of fish and coastal plants diversity, which provide them with important factors of stability, such as food and nesting. Although this area has been of ficially announced as a domestic natural protected area in 2001, but it has not received any profound study and classification, which made us unable to show any classification details of biological aspects, and I figured this as a deliberated neglect done by authorities.
feeling that visitor will have in this protected area. The scattered coral reefs along the continental shelf of this protected area has made it an appropriate place for diving tourism, this type of tourism, which the Ministry of Tourism wants to support but has not been achieved. Perhaps those rocky formations on the shore, which have been formed by sea waves, added a rare smile on the place, when you have a look at a sea bird picking up its prey and return back to devour it over those rocky outcrops; you will feel a great pleasure, even though it is a scene of death. The protected area enjoys a white and smooth sandy beach of 70 meters in width and 500 meters in length, where the turtles nest. It is like a garden containing this rare and endangered type of green turtles, especially after many ar41
news discoveries
discoveries “Yaroob” seaport and region, or socalled “Seven Mosques”, are related administratively to Ghaida district in Mahra province. This area which overlooks the Arabian Sea has become today not more than ruins of the past, due to the destruction that happened to it in an unknown period of history. Near of the city, there located a historical old cemetery known as “Bin Lawakid”, is located to a side, which is considered as a tourism site.
Yaroob ... The city of the seven mosques
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It is “Khihon Valley” from which the seven mosques area could be reached. It could be reached also from “Mong” area, and the name “Mong” seems to be derived or inspired by the Chinese language. Yaroob Seaport has been mentioned by the great historian and traveler “Patlimos” in his writings dur-
ing his travels. As we approach the place a high bright white dome looms, which is located on a hill over the ruins of what was called the historical city of Yaroob “the seven mosques”. We have tried to figure out the real reason that led to the destruction and disappearance of this city from the cosmic map, but we did find any realistic historical details, and all stories that provided an explanation for this, were with a clear legendary trend. There is a secret buried in the ruins of this city. Some stories said that it had suf fered a foreign invasion in a historical period does not seem to be close. According to what is handed down from old parents and grandparents, this city exposed for the invasion of Portuguese in the fifteenth century in what is known as exploratory trips, which was launched from Europe
in search of gold in the east. The beginning of the Portuguese invasion: Many stories were narrated about the reason for the destruction of Yaroob city (seven mosques), but none of them has proved definitively the existence of any historical fact, alone ruins will remain as a living witness confirms the destruction enormity for which this area was exposed. The name Yaroob or “the seven mosques”, is a religious label that emerged from the presence of many ancient touristic monuments of religious characters that collapsed and faded away due to historical or natural acts, both in my estimation are possible, as long as this port is about 20 km far from Ghaida city, the capital of Mahra province, it has been faded from the his-
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torical memory without any materialized details in the folds of history. With reference to the history books and what has been written in them about Portuguese exploration journeys, it becomes clear that the Portuguese discovery of the Cape of Good Hope in 1497 and their arrival to India in 1498 was the beginning of a new era. Since their arrival to India, Portuguese began to impose their control over the Indian Ocean and monopoly of the East Trade. They worked on the destruction of Arab ships that were transporting this trade from India to the Arabian Gulf or the Red Sea, and in order to strengthen their control over these navigation paths, they occupied the Yemen island of Socotra in 1506 and the islands of Hallaniat “Korea Moria”, then headed towards the southern shores of the Arabian Peninsula, where they seized on “Qalhat” and “Kiryat” and burned the ships in both. They have burned all moored ships in Muscat seaport, which has been under the Portuguese blockade and fell after considerable resistance.
Hadramout and burned five ships, were anchored in it, and destroyed everything that was on the docks of goods and shipments, as a result of Portuguese prevention of the Arab traders’ ships of any commercial activity, so Portuguese stressed the on this matter and tightened their grip on the sea, helped by the developed weapons and military navigation means, and stipulate Arab traders to get their approval to practice any commercial activity, especially when Portuguese felt that Arab traders rival them in trade with Eastern India. It has been known historically that Yemenis were in control of trade routes between East and West.
People’s refusal of Portugal: It is clear that the Portuguese domination on the southern shores of the Arabian Peninsula has last - by force - for more than a hundred years, and it seems that the Portuguese had tried to impose their control on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula, including Yaroob area and seaport which located on the Arabian Sea, but the people of the region have refused to undergo for the Portuguese or pay them fines or annual royalties, and this explains what has happened in the city, which - according to people narrations in the region - was destroyed as a result of this rejection and resistance. It seems that what happened in the year 1523 when some ships of the Portuguese fleet raided Shi’hr seaport in
City of the seven mosques: People of Yaroob are too proud of their region, as it did not surrender to any occupation or invasion, and the devastation view shows definitively its long resistance. Mohammed Ahmed Saleh - a youth of the village, who tried to collect everything that has been said about the destruction of the city of Yaroob like stories and news, he considered that the site itself is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites of tourism in Mahra province, which embodies the heroic role of its people and their historical rejection and resistance of invaders.
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Yaroob position and importance: Yaroob was known as an urban city and important trading seaport, and its label as the “area of the seven mosques” indicates the religious role of this city in spreading Islam in the East, and in a distance, not far from it, established the modern village of Yaroob which inhabited by a lot of authentic families of literary, cultural, scientific and jurisprudence.
Multiple stories: Mr. Muhammad provides two narrated
stories mentions in one of them: that one of the people of Yaroob, who works on Fish Trade, was in India during his business there. He met an old woman and exchanged talk with her. She asked him about Yaroob area, which got him astonished, and surprised of her welcoming him as a one who came from this archaeological area. She assured him that she had lift Yaroob with her father a long time ago, since she was not older than six years, and described that area, as if it is in front of her eyes. She described it as a seaport and a big city of the seven mosques and seven domes. Then she told him about the story of the destruction of the city, and the invasion that ravaged and killed a lot of its people, while some of them got able to escape, and she was one of them with her father. They settled in India, circulating this story, generation after generation. The other story about the causes of the destruction of Yaroob “Seven Mosques” is narrated by Mr. Muhammad Jabaz who mentioned that the ancient Yemen State of Awsan has destroyed the entire city of Yaroob, when its people refused to pay taxes, and I believe that this view is very weak, and that the first opinion is more closer to the truth. Turtle throws fire: Another story tried to provide an adequate explanation of the devastation that hit the city of Yaroob, but this time, legendary theme dominates the construction of the story. It was narrated by the people in the region that a strange creature appeared on the opposite coast of Yaroob area, which was nearly looked like a turtle. It approached towards the beach and began throwing fire, which destroyed the entire city. Here it seems largely a symbolic legend, recalling “turtle” to the Portuguese fleet, which flooded the city with a barrage of fire ejected from catapults.
fect on it, and if we want to understand the relationship between those sectors and tourism, we have to know the structure of tourism sector at first. There are four factors should be available to get tourism sector flourished and become one of the economical pillars in any country. It is nearly to be a mathematical equation like this: Tourism constituents + infrastructure + social awareness + stable security
Who is responsible for tourism sector? By Mohammed Abdulkarim AbuTaleb If you ask anyone from the public about which governmental sector is responsible for tourism, spontaneously, the answer will be Ministry of Tourism. This is the expected answer, even from a person in a country of which the tourism sector doesn’t represent any part of the economy, not like our country Yemen. Tourism sector in our country is nearly to be misunderstood as a part of economy, if not the first source of it. It will take a long time to explain what I mean, which is not our main subject here. But if you asked the same question to anyone from a country that its economy depends on tourism as the first economical source like France, Spain, Egypt or Tunisia, the answer will be longer and dif ferent. The answer will be that tourism sector is the responsibility of all Ministries with no exception. Actually, besides Ministry of Tourism, we find that Ministries of Interior, Foreign Af fairs, Transportation, Environment, Culture, Archeology and Education are all responsible for tourism sector as they have a great ef-
First factor, tourism constituents, which are too much in our country, and if we want to count, there will be a need for uncountable books. Second factor, infrastructure, which comes in a form of hotels, restaurants, transportation means by land, sea and air, professional tourism programs and other infrastructures and services which should be built and prepared. Third factor, social awareness, which is very important to be raised, on both moral and humanitarian sides, that reflects the true personality of citizens towards tourists. But whether those three factors came in hand, the fourth factor remains the important one. Stable security is the key factor and basis, which is not only for the flourishing of tourism sector, but also for the flourishing of other economical sectors. If a comparison carried out between how the first three factors have been fifteen or twenty years ago and now, we will find a great improvement. Many recent luxury hotels and restaurants were built, it became easier to reach all tourism destinations by land and the aviation movement became better domestically and internationally. But if we compare the number of coming tourists – not those who come for business or visiting their relatives – we will find it incomparable, even with the improvement of those three factors. We can
say that the number of coming tourists is almost zero … Why? And what is the thing that we are missing nowadays while it was available in the past? It is the stable security which is the basis of everything, but tourism sector still be the most af fected one, as it is the first demand for those coming tourists. Here we find those tourism flourishing factors, especially stable security, are not only the responsibility of Ministry of Tourism. It is the responsibility of all government sectors, and tourism sector will stay retrogressive until the government starts thinking about tourism as a great economical sector, which means that Ministry of Tourism will stay weak without cooperation of other related ministries. Tweets long. When I have started working in tourism field, more than twelve years ago, all Yemen was open for tourism traf fic except Sa’da and Al-Jaw f provinces, but after a period of time and because of tribal kidnappings and security failure, security escorts for tourists have been imposed on some roads of Marib, Shabwa, Abyan and Hadramout provinces, and after the transformation of these tribal kidnappings to criminal attacks that claimed lives of dozens of tourists in these provinces, they all have been permanently deleted from the programs of tourism, and gradually, kidnappings became af fecting tourists in every Yemeni province, which makes security escort became necessary for every tourist who wants to leave the capital Sana’a. In overnight, all Yemeni provinces have been deleted from touristic programs map, and Socotra province has became the only safe place for tourism in Yemen, but visiting of Socotra Island is conditioned to not stop anywhere else in Yemen, including not leaving Sana’a International Airport. Finally, I can only say: may God save Yemen and its people. 45 45
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interview news
Promotion is an integrated and coordinated work through which we seek to convey tourism message in a better way.
Eng. Fatima Al-Huraibi
Executive Director of Tourism Promotion Board
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Seems optimistic despite all circumstances that surrounding the march of Yemen during the last decade, continues her career with an amazing optimism and persistence with no care about any obstacles that can be hampered her of achieving all her ambitions. Moved between media, politics and tourism, but in the midst of all these movements, she could be found always in the forefront. She was known through her gorgeous overlooking on television as an announcer of news bulletin in English. Early in her life, she became a professional English speaker which enabled her to occupy a niche in the time when Yemeni women were stuck in the old customs and traditions. She participated in the political process through the elections of local councils, where she won deservedly and provided an excellent example of women’s leadership, although she remains closer to the tourism action, because she believed that it is the best way to introduce Yemen to the world. In this interview with Tourism Magazine, Eng. Fatima Al-Huraibi - Executive Director of Tourism Promotion Board will talk about some tourism issues and the reflection of current political situation on tourism, highlighting the most prominent hinders of tourism process in Yemen and the achieved success of Yemen Tourism Promotion Board.
As one of tourism leaders in the country, how do you evaluate tourism situation from a governmental point of view?
Tourism is a part of economy and one of its main pillars of which most of the countries pay a special attention, but here, we find that the government does not give any importance for it, which is a negative index indicates how marginal sector is tourism to the authorities of ficials in the country, and it is obvious through the governmental failure to adopt a budget for Tourism Promotion Board, in addition to the tiny budget of Tourism Ministry, which is not enough to achieve the targets for which it was established, so it is always in deficit and needs the support of Tourism Promotion Board, and I think, here, that the lack of governmental budget to the board is a clear indication of a lack of tourism awareness among of ficials of the importance of tourism, despite the fact that national duty necessitates the need to support and supply it with adequate resources and budgets, as an important resource for the national economy and industry in itself. Shall we conclude, from this, that the Tourism Promotion Board is obliged to provide financial support to the
Ministry of Tourism?
Yes, because we are the promotion tool of tourism, so the Board is trying its best to provide a good tourism promotion, which requires us to work in an integrated and coordinated system that the board seeks to support the Ministry to carry out its tasks per fectly, and our target at the end is to highlight the image of tourism in Yemen as required. How do you see tourism work of in the current security conditions, and is there any plan covered by the Ministry and the Board in collaboration with the security sectors?
In the current security conditions, it is very dif ficult to work in tourism, because we cannot achieve the targets that we aspire to, and there were several procedures in this regard that we have made in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior in the past before the crisis of 2011, as a committee was formed including Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Promotion Board, Ministry of Interior and tourism police department, resulted in the establishment of an operations room in the Ministry of Tourism, through which this committee was able to find rapid and radical solutions to the problems that tourists faced such as kidnappings. Also, we have compelled tourism agen47
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interview tribution of budget and staf f. This way, every region will get its share of tourism promotion and services, which we must do to serve tourism and tourist as well as Yemeni citizens. Does the Ministry of Tourism or Tourism Promotion Board have a plan to face such potential changes at the level of tourism in the regions?
Certainly there is a plan, even though it was not formulated on its final, but there is a working sheet prepared by the Ministers Council included the ministry’s plan in the regions. Tourism promotion plans for Yemen focused mainly on the international markets especially Europe, despite the lack of income in the past few years ... Why is this approach?
cies to add tracking devices to their vehicles, which enabled us to know the fate of any vehicle carrying tourists in case of being hijacked, to retrieve it and set free the kidnapped tourists as soon as possible. As a new experience, what are your expectations for tourism future in Yemen in the light of a federal state?
Under the federal state, I think that there will be a branch of the Ministry of Tourism in each region, and there must be branches for Tourism Promotion Board as well, so that the Board could per form its duties in all regions, and there should be also justice in the dis48
Europeans are well known of their passion for eco-tourism, nature and archaeological areas which are available in Yemen, where foreign tourists especially Europeans can find all what they want, so it must be introduced to them. The problem is not with the European tourists, but with their own countries, that are warning and prevent them of visiting Yemen as unsecure destination, and I have a great hope that tourism in Yemen will get flourished, and delegations of thousands of tourists from various countries whether Europeans, Asians or Arabs, will visit it when reconciliation takes place and Yemen become again a safe and secure destination. It seems that there are no achieved tangible advantages of Promoting Yemen in Europe at all?
Of course there is a good advantage of Promoting Yemen in Europe, which is represented in the current promotion of Socotra archipelago as a totally safe and secure destination, as there are no warnings by governments to their nationals not to visit it.
What is your future vision about this archipelago as the main tourism destination in Yemen?
Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Promotion Board are currently focusing their duties to improve tourism services in the archipelago of Socotra, so we have begun - as a first step - in training tourism staf f of the island. We have trained more than forty persons at the National Hotel and Tourism Institute (NAHOTTI), and there were three groups that have been trained in the fields of nutrition, tourism guides and human resources, and we hope - after they return back to Socotra - that they will improve the quality of tourism services in the island, and train the rest of the staf f as well, and our plan includes the training of a staf f group from Socotra every year. What about the infrastructure on the island?
Regarding the infrastructure, there is a plan to create rest houses and bathrooms in all natural preserved areas on the island, estimated at eight sites, and there is also a plan by the government and Socotra Governorate to rehabilitate and develop both the airport and seaport of Socotra. It is too hard for local people to visit Socotra Island because of the high cost of flight tickets, why there is no intend by the Ministry and Tourism Promotion Board to adopt a plan in this regard? And why there is no joint program with domestic airlines to reduce the cost of their flight tickets in order to achieve the desired domestic tourism?
The problem is that the prices of flight tickets to Socotra Island are determined by the domestic airlines themselves, and some of ficial letters were sent to them in this regard, but in the future there will be a joint plan between us and one of the two domestic airlines; Yemenia Airways or Felix Airlines, so there will be special rates for Yemeni
citizens dif fer from those prices paid by foreign visitors or residents. Current applied prices of flight tickets are higher than the purchasing capacity of the Yemeni citizens, and we will try to solve this problem even through a governmental financial support to Yemenia Airways or Felix Airlines in order to get them reduce their flight tickets prices. This way, flight tickets will be at the reach of the Yemeni citizens, which will enable them to visit Socotra Island in the future. Development of domestic tourism is considered as the main base of tourism work in general ... Do you feel that there is a defect in Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Promotion Board role to support and encourage domestic tourism in Yemen?
We can say that there are some shortcomings but there is an excuse too. The main roads between the provinces are unsafe in terms of “interruptions” and “kidnappings”, and domestic tourism will not be able to thrive within such circumstances, but in the future, when such unhealthy phenomena gets vanished, we can compel tourism agencies, transportation companies, restaurants and hotels to grant a price discount for local people who want to move from one province to another for the purpose of tourism, especially in holiday seasons, in a form of special tourism program, because the purchasing capacity of the Yemeni citizen is low. Also we will compel schools, universities and ministries to establish domestic tourism programs for students and staf f to the provinces, and such tourism programs will reach all categories of society. “Know your country” was a great awareness programs which is no more arranged especially in the last two years … why?
“Know your country” was a limited pro-
gram only for journalists, of whom we have sent groups to visit Socotra Island and several other provinces, and write in their newspapers and magazines about dif ferent tourism sites of Yemen. Now, we want “Know your country” program to be not only for journalists but for all other categories in the society such as families, students, employees and every individual, as they all have the right to know their homeland through domestic tourism. Politics sector is very important and if it is good other sectors will be good too ... What is your point of view regarding the relationship between politics and tourism, and what is the impact of this aspect on tourism sector?
The impact is significant, of course, and as you said, the political situation is up to every sector in the country, and tourism is one of the af fected sectors by political decision. If there will be rational and good decisions regarding tourism promotion, this will benefit tourism, but if the decision-makers awareness still absent, tourism sector will not get any benefit at all. Do you believe in the need of tourism awareness among the political work leaders in the country?
Yes of course. We can raise the level of their tourism awareness through the advertisements in television or newspapers, but it is too dif ficult to gather them in a tourism awareness course. I think it will be great if we conduct awareness visits or arrange tours for decision-makers to Socotra Island and other provinces, which will enable us to raise the level of their tourism awareness. Do you feel good about tourism situation in Yemen at the present time?
No, because Yemen is globally considered as a distinctive and unique tourism treasure, which deserves to be
visited by thousands of tourists, but it doesn’t get what it deserve now due to the low number of coming tourists, which make us dissatisfied with the current situation of tourism in Yemen. Annual consultative meetings of tourism work leaders is considered as a review basis of what has been achieved, to know all the imbalances and to address all the problems, but the outputs of those meetings are not implemented .. What is your comment on this?
I think such meetings are useful for us to identify the problems that provinces are facing and who is the outstanding person in his ef forts. For example, in 49
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this year, we found that Tourism Of fice in Ta’iz province has per formed many tourism activities, while the rest of the of fices just per formed the half. This pushes the rest of the provinces to take advantage of the good per formance and work similarly, and I think this is the real benefit of such meetings. Sana’a 7th Summer Festival 2014 was an extraordinary national event which - in spite of the surrounding circumstances - proved that Yemen is still fertile ground of its nation who loves life and peace... How do you see this?
For Tourism Ministry and Promotion Board, Sana’a summer festival was a kind of a challenge, because of what was happening in Sana’a. There were calls for unrest and demonstrations in the north of Sana’a, which were right demands from my point of view. At the same time, organizing of this festival allowed people to forget their problems, their fear of what was happening in the north of Sana’a and also their agony of increasing prices of fuels, and this is what I have been told by a lot of women and men. We have created an outlet for 50
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people to escape from the reality and problems in which they live. Intensive arrangements and preparations carried out by Tourism Ministry and Promotion Board for this festival … Did you expect this festival to be successful, since the circumstances that surrounded its arrangements were not promising at all?
We were surprised by the level of demand for this festival and how all its activities have won the admiration of audience. Also, we were surprised by the great response of all the provinces; they did not delay or hesitate to participate in the festival. There was a significant satisfaction of both levels of participations and demand, which exceeded all our expectations. How do you evaluate the experience of this festival in comparison with previous festivals, and what is the basic message that you want to convey, through this festival, to the people of Yemen and the world?
It was a very good experience that should be repeated in the coming years with the same participation pattern of
all provinces in the festival, where all participants are arriving and leaving at the same time. And we hope that - God willing - the security and stability will be dominated in the coming years. Also, we hope that all foreign teams, especially Europeans, will not apologize of participating in the festival as what happened in this year. Do the Tourism Ministry and Promotion Board are settled only for organizing Sana’a Summer Festival every year, or is there a plan to organize other festivals within the map of tourism festivals organized by them?
Yes, there is a plan to organize such a festival in several provinces like Aden, Ta’iz, Hudaida and any other capable provinces but with dif ferent names, or incorporate it into other festivals like Aden Water Tanks Festival which organized annually in October. Do the Tourism Ministry and Promotion Board intend to participate in Aden Water Tanks Festival for this year ... and how?
No, we will of fer them a financial support only, along the line of approved annual support for such provinces
festivals like Al-Balda (town) festival in Mukalla, King As’ad Al-Kamil festival in Dhamar and others. Some complicated circumstance are surrounding Yemen nowadays … Do you think it will pass through the bottleneck?
Current situation in Yemen is not normal, but with God willing and the wisdom of Yemenis, we will overcome such situation and reach the safe way as well as what happened in previous crises … do not forget that “Faith is Yemeni and wisdom is Yemeni too”. Whatever circumstances get cruel and plots get intensified, Yemen will remain the country of wisdom through ages. For you, politics is a life way... Can you tell us more about this experience?
My first experience in the political field was when I won the local councils elections, and became the head of the local council of “Tahreer” directorate at the capital Secretariat of Sana’a during the years from 2001 to 2006. Eng. Fatima Al-Huraibi has beginnings
and memories that there is no space here to list its details … but we are eager - in Tourism Magazine - to know some of them as an inspiration for a life experience?
I began my career as an agriculture engineer in the Ministry of Agriculture, and due to my study in the United States which made me fluent in English; I worked - part time - for Sana’a Radio and Yemen TV as an English language announcer from 1994 up to the year 2011. During that time I was working as the General Manager of tourism of fice in the secretariat capital of Sana’a, but in 2011, I have resigned from media and got myself free to work in tourism field. As an ex-media person and current tourism leader, how do you evaluate Tourism Magazine in conveying its entrusted message as a pillar of tourism information?
There is no doubt that the per formance of Tourism Magazine is good and wonder ful, and I hope to continue, not only with the same, but with a better quality. From my point of view, and with respect to its per formance and conveying its entrusted message, I can say that it
has distinctively succeeded, since all its subjects are devoted to tourism and got written by some tourism experts. At the end, what would you like to convey to the Tourism Magazine and staff?
First of all, I would like to thank H.E. Dr. Kassim Sallam - the former Minister of Tourism - the former Chairman of Tourism Promotion Board for his permanent support and encouragement during the period that he spent in working with us, he was an inspiration source to all of us at all times, interactive with any new duties or obligations in tourism, and now we hope that the Ministry and Tourism Promotion Board will achieve more rising steps under the leadership of H.E. Mr. Muammar Al-Iryani – the recent Minister of Tourism - Chairman of Tourism Promotion Board, wishing him success in all his duties. Also, I would like to thank all people in tourism field, and I wish all success for the staf f of Tourism Magazine, led by Mr. Akram Al-Gaolahi, in their press duties for the sake of our country and tourism.
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handicraft news
interview simply by (CITES) convention in 1997. According to Reuters news agency, the trading value of rhino horns raised to about 65 thousand dollars per kilogram in 2012 to become more expensive than gold. South Africa is considered as the home of more than twenty thousand of rhinos which is about 90% of all the rhinos in Africa, and those rhinos are facing the risk of extinction there. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Environment that “ if the illegal hunting continues at the same pace, it could lead to rhinos extinction within almost ten years “. prices inflation:
Increasing demand for this raw material in Yemen and some other countries has doubled the level of illegal hunting dramatically since 2007, when the wealthy class in China, Vietnam and Thailand began to spend more on rhino horns for purposes that related to traditional medicine, but Jambyas’ industry in Yemen has headed to dif ferent alternatives for rhino horns, including ibex horns, Indian cow horns and wood, but they are neither with the same quality nor the same interest of rhino horns, which led prices of Jambyas that made
of rhino horns to reach astronomical sums. The only solution to save this industry from extinction is to allow few quantities of rhino horns to enter Yemen, as what happens in many other countries, such as India and China. The history of Jambyas industry in Yemen is dated back to about 6000 years ago, as some discovered ancient monument and images showed kings of Himyar and Sheba states wearing “Jambyas”, which is still one of the components of traditional dress in many areas of Yemen. For Yemenis, it is an ornament for men and symbol of virility, power and social status. It is also a weapon for self-defense at critical times and a key element in the Yemeni folk dance, or so-called “Baraa’”.
Jambya consists of four parts: The handle, which the craftsman cuts and sculpture from the rhino horns in a (T) shape, with the addition of artistic touches through decorating it with pieces of gold, silver or precious stones. The lower part of the Jambya is the “blade”, which is a piece of highgloss and sharpness steel which is being hit and polished very carefully. The mouthpiece, which is a rectangular metal frame, surrounds the connecting area of the blade with the handle. The blade is being saved in a wooden box called (Jafl), made of Tunb wood covered with decorated skin, called later the “Aseeb”, and fixed on the belt, which is the fourth part of the Jambya. The belt is made of goatskin decorated with ornaments in addition to silver and gold carvings.
Gifts for tourists:
In addition to Yemenis pride of it, Jambya is of a great stature among visitors to Yemen, and sometimes buying it is the main objective of their visit to Yemen. So it has become the best gift to their families upon their return back to their country. The salt market in the old city of Sana’a is one of the most important dynamic and vibrant centers of Jambyas trade and industry in Yemen.
Waiting for the decision:
Many parts of Yemen are famous of Jambyas industry, which has been able - throughout history - to attract many of the artisans and craftsmen, and they are about ten thousand employees who are threatened by the danger of unemployment as long as the state didn’t take an action regarding the decision that bans the import of rhino horns.
Rhino
The Secret of Yemeni the Jambya (Dagger) By: Omar Al-Hayyani. atural heritage industries and handicrafts are facing the danger of extinction in many Arab countries due to the lack of skilled manpower or demand, but manufacturing of Daggers “Jambyas” in Yemen is facing
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a problem of a special nature, which is the scarcity of necessary raw material for such industry, which is primarily found in the rhino horns. This problem emerged when a decree was issued by Ministers Council
in 2002 which prevents importing of endangered animals, including rhinos, and criminalizes trading in them, as an implementation of Yemen commitment when it joined the agreements of regulating trade in endangered species to maintain wild Fauna and Flora, known 53
studies
studies and forts that formed advanced military sites which overlooked the trade routes and cities markets.
Maafer
An authentic history of a neglected present
By: Sami Sharaf Al-Shehab Archeological Researcher
A
s the life fountain and beating heart of Hujariya directorate; Maafer embodies an authentic history and rapid proceeding present of regular urbanization. It does not look happy today about those steps which have took it away from its real historical heritage, although it is forming - along with the rest of Hujariya’s four districts - a source of qualified manpower that spread all over Yemen. It is located in the southwest corner of Yemen, approaching to Bab Al-Mandeb strain and the coastline of the Red Sea, and in a middle place between the valleys and mountains, which provides it with the necessary natural conditions for life and stability. It is connected from the west with Tehama area and its coastline that extends to the north besides the Red Sea, and it is also connected with Sarat Mountains, as a part of them. This strategic location has made of it a link of commercial land transportation between the coasts of the Indian Ocean and East Africa, and between the banks of the Euphrates in Iraq and the Mediterranean coast in Sham and Egypt areas. Although the region remained outside the circle of historical and archaeological research for a long period of time, the recent few archaeological studies, carried out by number of archaeological researchers, indicated that the region has witnessed a remarkable human activity and significant prosperous urbanization, of which there was a 54
great role in creating the civilized image of the southern Arabian Peninsula “Ancient Yemen”. Studies that carried out in the early nineties of the last century by Whelan Whalen , Scott Schatte, Barth Chauhan, Ross and Galb, have shown the importance of this part of Yemen that contains the oldest site of human settlement, which is dated back to the ancient Stone Age. Because of its strategic location, Maafer was one of the most important stations of transition between Yemen and Africa, and probably one of the oldest areas reached by man after his moving from Africa to the Arabian Peninsula across the strain of Bab Al-Mandab. An old history page:
For its historical role, studies that carried out by Al-Kadasi and Al-Ghouri, have shown that Maafer had a strong presence in many of the essential events, which af fected clearly in the creation of Ancient Yemen’s civilized image since the beginning of the first millennium BC, on a lower estimation. As a conclusion of these studies, a number of important facts were found, which worth more investigation by researchers and those who are interested in the field of archaeological and historical studies. It was clear that Maafer region had expandable borders covered all south-western area of Yemen with its dif ferent names of today, not limited only, in terms of geography, on what is known today as Ta’iz governorate, as a study had confirmed that the region was extended to cover the current
southwestern part of Yemen with all its names and administrative divisions of “Ta’iz and parts of the of Lahj and Dalea’ governorates in the Middle, part of Ibb governorate in North and part of Hudaida governorate in the west”. This region has witnessed an early human activity which resulted of many archaeological sites among which the oldest is dated back to the Paleolithic age; also the region has been af fected directly by the climatic conditions of the Arabian Peninsula in the late Pleistocene and Holocene ages. The archaeological record of Maafer has been af fected by these climatic and environmental conditions, which caused the destruction and erosion of many sites of prehistoric times especially the early ones. Such sites have been adversely af fected by the successive activities of settlement presented in the form of building late human settlements, fields and agricultural terraces on those prehistoric archaeological sites.
Window to a civilization that didn’t last for long:
Considered as one of the oldest areas of ancient Yemen, Maafer was contributed for the creation of active commercial relations with African Land, and from it rushed the oldest Yemeni immigrants towards Africa “Abyssinia”, carrying with them the experiences of civilization and urbanization by which active commercial settlements were founded, and most of their names were attributed to the places and regions of their Yemeni founders. Foundation of those commercial and agricultural settlements was the first nucleus of Axum state in Ethiopia; as those immigrants were carrying with them all their intellectual and religious knowledge, living systems and experiences in various fields of life. The recent archaeological researches conducted by German experts in “Abyssinia” have shown the presence of an active authentic southern Arab culture of Shiba, with a great deal of urbanization and civilization
since the late of the second millennium BC, on a lower estimation. These facts are considered as an important scientific event that changed a lot of concepts, as was believed among researchers until recently, that the Yemeni migrations toward Abyssinia were in the tenth century BC, so the last results brought to time a new dimension, which confirms the old migrations of Yemenis to “Abyssinia” and it was a migration of people with a great deal of leading experiences, civilization and urbanization, who founded their settlements according to the prevailed intellectual, cultural and architectural visions in their original homeland of Ancient Yemen. Not only was the presence of Maaferians in Abyssinia, but also expanded to reach Tanzania, and the author of the book “circling around the Eritrean Sea” has referred in his book to the existence of political influence of the governor of Maafer region on Tanzania. Beginning of Enlightenment:
According to what we have read in history books, Maafer was and still a center of civilization and urbanization, its people are the carriers of Enlighten-
ment and civilization’s torches since ancient times, the best proof to that is not only the mentioned above, but also it was one of the early Yemeni tribes that believed in Islam and in our prophet Mohammed peace be upon him, which was in the eighth year of Hijra after the Battle of Tabuk. There was a special respect for Maafer and its people in the heart of our prophet Mohammed. And as what has been mentioned in the book of “Musnad Ahmad” that our prophet peace be upon him said to Abu Sufyan ibn Harb who cursed the people of Maafer in his council, {Do not curse them (Maafer), they are part me and I am part of them}… Narrated by: Ahmad and Tabarani, and was approved by Haithami that this speech as a true. During the phase of Islamic expansion outside the Arabian Peninsula, Maafer’s men of Yemen were those who carried torches of light and guidance to the different areas of the world. They were at the forefront of the opening armies to Iraq, Persia, Egypt, Morocco and India, and many of them have participated in the establishing plans of the important Arab-Islamic cities like Kow fa, Basra, Fustat and Kairawan.
It was clear from the study and analysis of historical sources in which Maafer was mentioned, that it sought to achieve autonomy from the central state since the past, taking advantage of its geographical location in the southwestern part of Yemen and its overlooking on the west coast, as well as its close location to African mainland. Maafer was of a great military and economic power in the early first millennium BC, with a lot of cities, castles 55