Ibb.. a complete absence of the cultural and literary scene and the presence of faith identity and death
English - Sunday 05 September 2021 الساعة 10:50 am
Ibb, NewsYemen, private:
All manifestations of literary events, poetry evenings, and seminars have disappeared within the Ibb Governorate, which is controlled by the Houthi militia, the arm of Iran in Yemen.
This comes as an extension of the approach taken by the group as a path to stop everything related to the development of society and to invoke the culture of death and jihad and what it calls in its alphabets the "faith identity".
The conflict is intense between the group and some of the literary and cultural leaders and activists, but the Iranian arm is trying to impose a different reality and spread the ideas of Shiism and the lieutenant of Hussein al-Houthi, the founder of the group.
Tourism and fear
The Green Brigade or the capital of tourism, this is how the city of Ibb was known before the culture of death invaded it, changing its features, looting its lands and the spread of armed groups everywhere.
Malik Muhammad, an expatriate, says, “Ibb remains our indispensable tourist destination, despite the fear that surrounds it, but there are many factors that still push us to it whenever we visit home.”
He added, I noticed many things that had changed after more than 3 years in exile, and I found that there is an entire generation going towards normalization with the militia's ideas and embracing it sharply and frighteningly, full of intolerance and isolation.
And he concluded, for more than two months I have been following, and I may hear news about a poetic or intellectual event like the one I attended in Taiz, Ibb and Sana’a, but nothing of that happened.
Drought years
It is not the habit of Ibb to complain about the drought, which is the one that does not stop rain, neither in summer nor in winter, but there is drought in artistic activities such as theater, poetry and singing.
What is now consecrated are religious occasions related to Ras al-Hussein, Ashura, al-Ghadir or "wilayah" day, and the Prophet's birthday, which is used to mobilize and plunder merchants and the province's revenue.
Ibb, like other governorates, is following instructions from supervisors, in which everything related to people's awareness of their rights and duties is prohibited and analyzed, and the culture of "loyalty and disavowal" is evoked by the particular master.
Secret activities
The circles of religious culture associated with absolute loyalty to the leader of the group expanded, considering that he was an extension of the thread of prophecy and the family of the house, in addition to endearing the jihad against the Jews and Christians.
Abdullah Ahmed, a former officer, a graduate of the Police College, states that he was instructed some time ago to take cultural courses, and we had to follow the leadership’s desire for many considerations.
He adds, I thought that there would be reciting poems and evoking the possible from the cultural scene, but I was surprised by a wide screen that broadcasts the repeated speeches of Abdul Malik and Hussein his brother around the clock, interspersed with sermons and instructions for people who appear on us and have nothing to do with life or religion.
And he concluded: The cry alone was present in a closed hall in which about 30 people or less were not allowed to speak or respond to anyone, as for those present as if the birds were on their heads.
The university is the last stronghold
The university is a final stronghold, and the group seeks with all forms of intimidation and encouragement to make it a copy of the Husseiniyas and to mobilize students with historical and social issues that have nothing to do with the curriculum and do not serve the social fabric.
Not to mention allowing a group of students to prevent any cultural or artistic activity, pursue female students, impose certain instructions and not allow them to hold any celebration.
