Women Journalists without Chains (WJWC) in an NGO which serves to protect the rights and freedoms of journalists unfairly prosecuted for releasing certain stories to the public. Well...they strive to help the journalists whom they agree with. The Zeytun students got to meet with the staff of this NGO and proceeded to ask questions regarding recent events and how the actions of WJWC coincided.
Recently, a man was prosecuted for publishing comics that portrayed Islam in a very unattractive and insulting way. While these comics may have held content that was offensive and uncalled for, the fact remains that he was prosecuted for exercising freedom of speech, a right this NGO says they strive to preserve. When questioned as to whether WJWC would have defended this individual or done what they could to help him, they replied, "no." They believe (along with the government and many other institutions in Yemen) that somehow these comics violated the rights of those who believe in Islam.
Another student asked if they would defend an individual who wrote on the topic of homosexuality in Yemen and again, they replied with, "no." According to their interpretation of the Qu’ran, homosexuality is forbidden and since homosexuality is not an issue in Yemen like it is in the west (according to this organization), it's best to neglect it altogether since doing otherwise would make the issue more relevant than it actually is.
For reference, many Yemenis and Arabs in other countries as well do not think homosexuality exists in their country or in the Middle East. I realize it is not necessary to add this next statement, but I have a few friends from Yemen and other Middle Eastern areas that are gay, though they would never reveal this to their families and Arab peers, just to clear up any discrepancies.
While I’m sure the Dutch students were taken aback by this meeting and perhaps didn’t think it was useful, I will respectfully disagree. This is how things work in Yemen and whether or not they are ideal, they are the reality. To me, trying to understand a culture, its system and its politics means viewing it from every angle, even if you don’t necessary like what you see.
Recently, a man was prosecuted for publishing comics that portrayed Islam in a very unattractive and insulting way. While these comics may have held content that was offensive and uncalled for, the fact remains that he was prosecuted for exercising freedom of speech, a right this NGO says they strive to preserve. When questioned as to whether WJWC would have defended this individual or done what they could to help him, they replied, "no." They believe (along with the government and many other institutions in Yemen) that somehow these comics violated the rights of those who believe in Islam.
Another student asked if they would defend an individual who wrote on the topic of homosexuality in Yemen and again, they replied with, "no." According to their interpretation of the Qu’ran, homosexuality is forbidden and since homosexuality is not an issue in Yemen like it is in the west (according to this organization), it's best to neglect it altogether since doing otherwise would make the issue more relevant than it actually is.
For reference, many Yemenis and Arabs in other countries as well do not think homosexuality exists in their country or in the Middle East. I realize it is not necessary to add this next statement, but I have a few friends from Yemen and other Middle Eastern areas that are gay, though they would never reveal this to their families and Arab peers, just to clear up any discrepancies.
While I’m sure the Dutch students were taken aback by this meeting and perhaps didn’t think it was useful, I will respectfully disagree. This is how things work in Yemen and whether or not they are ideal, they are the reality. To me, trying to understand a culture, its system and its politics means viewing it from every angle, even if you don’t necessary like what you see.
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