Wa'alikumusalam

I'm not sure of that term, "akhad" and neither would I say describe their treatment as brutal. However, what I will say, is that like any country, including the U.S there is racism, maybe unlike other parts of the Arab (gulf) countries, but nonetheless it is still there. No one will say anything to you in public or in person, in your face, it maybe within themselves, so there is no physical harm as such or danger for you to worry about.

Just my observations.

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Walikum Alsalam,

First of all, Yemen welcomes you and your family. The question you asked is very sensitive and important. It is true that a type of racism exists. This is caused by ignorance and disobedience to Gods teaching, because we are taught in Islam that color, language, and race are irrelevant. Now, I want to assure you that it is not as bad as it might have been pictured to you in the media. No body will beat any body just because of there race, but there might be some hardships while you are trying to finish some paperwork or dealing with government agencies. However, there are many educated Yemenis who will respect you and treat you like you are at home. It is important to note, that some Yemenis themselves get the same racist treatment just because of the tribe or area they belong too. Finally, treatment varies in Yemen based on the place you live in. The northern part of Yemen tends to have more uneducated people and therefore racism increases (Sana'a), and the more south you go racism tends to evaporate.

If you have a good job opportunity in Sana'a, Aden, or Taiz, I advise you to take it. This should not be a problem at all, but I wanted to be as honest as possible with you to help minimize your culture shock.

Regards,

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00abuse

Wa-Al-Aikum-As-Salam. I am an American like you too, but I went to live and work in neighborhing Oman. May I ask you why would you go to a country which has just recently closed the American Embassy?

I really do not believe it is safe for two American women to go to Yemen right now.

I mean when I was living in Oman which has a good mix of west and east, I felt incredbily safe. As a woman you have a feeling of being protected by the local Omani men, which is a very nice feeling. For example, you
get invited to people's homes for dinner and you are treated very nicely. I also choose to wear the hijab and I think that really helped me get in the door of many Omani homes. The longer you stay there, the better it gets. BUT, they have an American Embassy in the country. I asked the Omani's if Yemen was safe to travel there. The Omani's shook their head. I knew of a Canadian lady who had been living in Oman for a couple of years and had made contacts with a local family who knew a Sheikh from Yemen...so she was provided extra protection when she went.

Look, there are wonderful people wherever you to in the world and there are nasty people too.

What I would do is contact someone from the Yemen consulate or embassy in the US and find out what the deal is there or try to go line and see if you can make contact with a Yemeni online and ask him what he thinks.

I have always had a sense of adventure, but Yemen and Oman are two totally different countries in their structure....Oman is part of the Gulf therefore, it is wealthy and educated and open to westerners...Yemen by contrast is very poor and not educated. Maybe it is me who needs to go back to and visit again. I miss it terribly even though I am not a Muslimah.

If you would like to keep in contact with me and have any more questions about my stay in Oman, feel free to mail me at Chiantihodu@yahoo.com.

Atarah Sarah Bar-Mazal

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