A significant number of preachers in Sanaâa and other citizens heavily criticized the ministry of culture and tourism for allowing what they called âindecent actsâ in celebration of the title of Sanaâa as the Arab Cultural Capital for 2004.
| Preachers. Yeah. That kinda fits with Arab culture, especially the capital of Arab culture... |
They have accused the ministry of allowing unethical practices in bringing foreign musical and dance groups from Europe and elsewhere to celebrate the capital in a time the âcity needs to go back to the ethics of Islam and Sharia and abandon any immoral Western behaviors.â
| "The 7th century beckons! Let us swarm like lemmings to those thrilling days of yesteryear!" |
The celebrations started last Wednesday in Sanaâa to officially announce the proclamation of Sanaa as the Arab Cultural Capital 2004, amid expectations of various cultural and theatrical activities throughout 2004. Some hardliner preachers claimed that such practices have no relation to Arab culture, but are âimported values from the West that do not conform to our realities and tradition.â
| "We do not have titties in Yemen! Period. Now, make them go away!" |
Furthermore, many of the preachers reemphasized their usual accusations against the USA and other countries for supporting the festivities, which they claim are a step to destroy the countryâs Islamic heritage and ideology. âThey have started by hinting to changing our curricula, now they have moved to culture,â one of the preachers said.
| "Those women... They're naked under all those clothes, you know. God told me, in a dream..." |
It is noteworthy that mosque preachers have some significant influence on Yemeni citizens, especially as they consider them their guides who cannot go wrong, since they base their views on the Islamic Sharia.
| Yep. They're all infallible... |
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