Mahmoud Rizq
The Muhamasheen issue in Yemen is one of the most complex issues in facing society. They suffer from injustice, persecution, and systematic racism. This paper focuses on the political, economic and cultural factors that impact the life of this group of Yemeni society, which are at the bottom of the class system. This has left them facing a lot of suffering and constant pain, despite the efforts of activists and human rights defenders to alleviate it. However, all these efforts remain ineffective as long as they do not turn into direct policies, programs and activities that target the life of this community, and work to raise its position within society towards full equality in both rights and duties.
The Nature of Political Factors Affecting the Current Situation of the Muhamasheen:
Yemen is currently experiencing a brutal war and a great division between its political components. This has resulted in political instability that severely affected the lives of all people in Yemeni society, included those with darker skin. Pressure on this group was more severe and harsh, due to the fact that they were originally living a difficult life and in extreme poverty even during the normal days that preceded the war. This war and its consequences only exacerbated those circumstances facing this group.
The war and the political crisis had a direct impact on the Muhamasheen. The halting of salaries which affected workers in the government sector, also affected Muhamasheen workers in the cleaning sector. Even though the pay they were originally given was low, it has now been cut off from them, making them face greater hunger and poverty. Most of them now live on support that comes from charitable organizations and associations operating in Yemen during the ongoing war.
As for those who work in small paying jobs such as shoe repairmen and porters, the prevailing deteriorating economic situation had a big impact on them, which were originally very low paying jobs to begin with and hardly enough to feed their children.
Many Muhamasheen fled from high risk areas and sought refuge in safer places, especially since the houses they lived in were dilapidated houses mostly made of car tires, stones and mud, with roofs made out of pieces of plastic. These houses do not protect them from the simplest dangers of nature, such as rain and wind, let alone war shells and battle fragments. This made many of them seek asylum in several crowded refugee camps in various governorates of Yemen.
The militias have also taken advantage of their miserable situation and carried out a wide campaign of recruitment in their midst, tempting them with money, and more often than not they yield to these temptations. In some cases, they are also known to use intimidation. During recruitment, the militias do not differentiate between adults and minors, everyone is welcome to join. This has led to the increase suffering of the families of the Muhamasheen recruits, and has put more pressure on them.
In light of the insecurity resulting from the ongoing fighting and war, and the lack of laws to protect them, many Muhamasheen suffered from discriminatory and racist acts. They have become the weakest link to which violations are practiced against, with rarely anyone to defend them in such circumstances.
Not to mention the devastating affect the war has had on their homes. A number of the areas they live in have been exposed to shelling and bombings, which led to the destruction of properties and homes, and the loss of life among them, in addition to many wounded and injured.
Since the country is contested by three major sides now, with each side controlling parts of the country, the Muhamasheen people have found themselves suffering in all of parts controlled by these sides. All three sides have one thing in common, which is racism and discrimination against Muhamasheen, with the discrimination against them varying in severity a little from one place to the other. I will talk focus briefly on three points regarding the suffering of the Muhamasheen, according to where they reside, and under what authority they live under.
The Suffering of Muhamasheen living in the territories controlled by the Houthi militia:
First, we should acknowledge that the Houthi movement is a religious movement based on racial foundations. It puts value on people according to their lineage. Therefore, it is only natural for the Muhamasheen to be in a socially dismal situation under the control of militias with such ideology. That is why there is no hope that their social situation will change under the control of a religious group with an ideology that legitimizes racism.
Despite this, they have recently shed great importance on the Muhamasheen, because they know that they are a neglected human reserve that could serve them in their fierce war against the people of Yemen. They are desperately seeking to recruit as many Muhamasheen as possible to push them into this war, especially that the Muhamasheen are known for having strong bodies. So, they intensified the courses they call “Educational Courses” among the Muhamasheen, and deceived them with good treatment, which deceived the Muhamasheen, seeing that they were not accustomed to respect and interest in them from any of the upper classes. This is why a large number of Muhamasheen joined the war under the banner of the Houthis, and unfortunately a large number of them were minors. Some educated Muhamasheen contributed to this, to whom the Houthis gave them some apparent privileges, such as calling them sheikhs over the Muhamasheen, and luring them with money, which made them dedicated to recruiting the largest number they could.
Also, one of the most important problems facing Muhamasheen living in areas under the rule of these militias is that they are still socially vulnerable. None of them can demand their legal rights given to them by the constitution when his opponent is from another classes. Especially if this opponent has friends in powerful places.
The Suffering of Muhamasheen Living in the Territories Controlled by the Transitional Council:
The most prominent issue facing Muhamasheen living in these areas is the accusation by individuals in the Transitional Council that they are traitors and agents of the former regime, and that they facilitated the Houthis and Saleh’s supporters’ entrance into the south, or accuse them of being sympathetic to the legitimate government.
The truth is that the Muhamasheen in the south are like any Yemeni component in general. There are some of them who believe in the unity of the state, and some who support the Transitional Council and its vision of independence. It is true that some of them have affiliations to these different sides, but it is injustice to judge the majority of them by the wrongdoings of some, and this is what happened in the South. Whereas the Transitional Council has harassed the Muhamasheen in Aden based on these accusations, and carried out numerous security campaigns against them, in which many were killed and wounded, and a number of them arrested, and had fabricated charges brought against them, while followers of the council made racist statements against them.
After the establishment and the strengthening of the Transitional Council, it was controlled by some fanatical fanatics from some areas of the south, which led to more suffering of the Muhamasheen. This was due to the fact that they promoted that the inhabitants of Aden, and particularly the Muhamasheen among them, were not indigenous, but rather came from the north, and to be more precise from Hodeida. This prompted a call from them and their supporters to expel the Muhamasheen and return them to where they came from. They have also faced accusations of betrayal and harsh social pressure.
There are also a number of Muhamasheen who were actually displaced by the war and came to the south from northern regions. They were also not spared this racist treatment. A number of transgressions were recorded against them, including the harassment of their women, the expulsion of a number of them, and verbal and physical attacks on some of them. This is in addition to the repeated calls for the expulsion of those remaining back to the north, regardless the fact that their return poses a real threat to their lives.
The suffering of Muhamasheen Living in the Territories Controlled by the legitimate Government:
We have previously mentioned that there is a common denominator in the suffering that Muhamasheen suffer in all parts of the country, and this is what Muhamasheen suffer from primarily in areas controlled by the legitimate government. They have always suffered persecution and aggression, with no one to fight for their rights.
As a frequent matter, there are always some influential people that expel Muhamasheen from areas in which they live in, under the pretext that they have proof of ownership of that land. However, more than often it is merely their influence and greed that aid them in taking the homes of those weak people.
The same can be said when violations against them affect their honor and material possessions, which are lost when the other party has influence and a high position in society. Several cases of murder and rape – some of which were of minors – were recorded, where some of the perpetrators were statesmen. However, their cases were lost, sometimes under threat or force, and sometimes by luring the victims with some money to silence them. Knowing that they will not get justice, they accept what offer they can get and close the case.
There are also displaced people in areas under the control of the legitimate government, whom have suffered from displacement. In some cases, charges of conspiracy and espionage for the Houthis are brought against some of them, and they are harshly punished without enough evidence to prove their guilt, due to the fact that the Muhamasheen are vulnerable and with no rights to speak of.
Societal Cultural Factors & How they Contribute to Increasing the Suffering of Muhamasheen during the Ongoing War:
Yemeni society is rife with widespread illiteracy, with many people in the country driven by inherited culture ideas that are filled with inhumane gaps, especially when dealing with marginalized social classes.
In Yemeni society, people are treated in many daily social transactions based on their status and class, with Muhamasheen being at the bottom of the list. This has made them vulnerable to unfair and unjust tribal and social customs, which has made their lives an unbearable hell.
Accordingly, the Muhamasheen were exposed during long historical stages, to various kinds of discrimination. There is an abundancy of studies and research papers conducted on their situation, with many examples and facts regarding their reality. The stories they tell also reflex this, and depict very precisely the kind of life they lead.
In this aspect, I will focus on three general axes, in which the discrimination was clear & severe towards Muhamasheen.
- One of the most important social sufferings facing Muhamasheen is that the upper classes of society can never under any circumstances consent to the marriage of one of their daughters with an individual of the Muhamasheen class. They view them as being inferior to them and thus would never agree to be associated with them. This widens the social rift between the two groups, and makes Muhamasheen feel that it oppresses and undermines their human dignity.
In the even that such a union occurs, in exceptional circumstances, many tribal societies apply severe and harsh punishments on both sides, sometimes amounting to murder or excommunicating the tribe who agreed to marry their daughter to a Muhamasheen individual. However, it’s worth noting that these customs have begun to slightly loosen, especially in some Yemeni cities.
- Another example in which Muhamasheen suffer from culture distinction prevalent among some tribes, is that Muhamasheen are not entitled to bear arms, nor to wear a Jambiya – the Yemeni dagger – and as it is known, Yemenis have a passion for carrying weapons, and the moral value it gives individuals. This has made Muhamasheen feel discriminated against and belittled, due to the fact that they were treated as inferior people.
The third example: is related to the ritual of greeting people when they meet. Yemeni customs dictate that when meeting, men should kiss each other’s hand when shaking hands. However, when it comes to Muhamasheen shaking the hands of a tribal individual or Hashemite, then kissing the hand is only one sided. The Muhamasheen individual is expected to kiss the hand of the tribesman or Hashemite, and hasten to withdraw his hand without waiting for a return kiss to his hand, because the other will not do so. It cannot be said that this is the prevailing situation in general, for there are some people who completely reject the idea of merely shaking hands with any of the Muhamasheen, and if forced to do so, he will cover his hand with a handkerchief or a piece of cloth before doing so.
An important matter that must be pointed out here, is that these racist manifestations towards the Muhamasheen, which are a result of pre-Islamic customs and traditions, are affected by the awareness and education of both sides. In cities and regions where modern education is widespread, racist practices towards Muhamasheen are less, and even though there are still traces of it, their situation is clearly better due to community awareness. Likewise, the educational status of Muhamasheen has a clear impact on their suffering from racial discrimination. Most educated Muhamasheen have some kind of permanent racial immunity, even though some social customs remain, such as the issue of marriage and so forth.
The majority of the Muhamasheen suffer from illiteracy. This reflects negatively on their wellbeing, especially in the midst the current Corona Virus pandemic that has spread throughout the world. Due to the fact that this pandemic does not have a cure yet, and is rather dealt with through awareness and prevention methods, the majority of them do not have this awareness, and lack the means to obtain it, with no one to guide them on what is required of them to do in order to confront this vicious virus. Which is why this group was among the most affected by this virus in the country.
Their suffering has increased during this pandemic, due to their poor economic condition, and even though they might have learned the value of quarantine in such a health crisis, restricting them could be a death sentence for them because they could die of starvation. They struggle daily to meet their daily expenses and can never adhere to be quarantined. This makes them more vulnerable to the virus spreading quickly among them, which is what is actually happening.
The General Economic Situation of Muhamasheen & the Roles of the State, Organizations, & the Muhamasheen Community themselves in Addressing this Situation.
The Economic Situation of Muhamasheen:
As mentioned above, the social position of the Muhamasheen becomes clear to us, and that they occupy the lowest ranks of the social ladder in Yemeni society. They are a group that lacks all signs of strength. This gives us a clear picture of their economic situation. That is why it is unlikely that we will discuss their contributions in the fields of industry, trade or finance. Rather, the discussion will focus on their daily lives, the jobs they perform, and the nature of their living arrangements.
As for the jobs they perform, they work in serval different fields. These jobs all have one thing in common, in which society perceives them as despicable and shameful jobs. In cities, they clean the streets and sewers, jobs which are almost exclusively performed by this group. A large segment of them also work loading and unloading goods and materials as porters, and some of them work as shoemakers. In the countryside, they work as farmers for families who own agricultural lands, and some of them become barbers, singers, drummers, or butchers. It is clear from these professions, that they pay very low wages, and this gives us an overview of their low economic status, and that they are mired in extreme poverty.
The fact that they are in these professions is only due to the social reality imposed on them, and not of their own conviction. When taking a closer look, it becomes clear that they are not satisfied with this reality, especially since the return from these jobs is very low and does not cover their basic needs. This forces many Muhamasheen women to bear the burden of finding an additional job, in addition to their main jobs as housewives or cleaning workers. Many of them beg in streets, and some go out carrying small babies on their shoulders to get sympathy from people.
This does not mean that they are completely absent from the rest of the jobs in society. There are those who practice professions other than the ones mentioned above. However, unlike people from other groups, the Muhamasheen are often reluctant to look for other jobs due to fear of racial rejection, or the treatment that could await them purely on racial basis.
As for their housing, it is said that a person’s home reflects his financial position and stature. Muhamasheen dwellings are distinguished by two things, one of which is that they are shabby and often built of mud, worn wood, tires and plastic parts. Their situation forces them to live in these unfit dwellings for humans, even when it does not fulfill the basic purpose of a house, which protects its inhabitants from the ravages of nature. The second thing is that they live on the outskirts of cities. That they live on the outskirts of cities is something they are forced to do. It may not be a compulsion by force, but two basic factors make it as if it was so:
First: The Nature of their Lives. They live and move in groups as a life necessity. There are no vacant lands big enough in the cities that can accommodate them, and even if there were enough lands, they are unable to purchase or rent it.
Second: Is regarding society’s attitude towards them, as they are a group that does not enjoy social acceptance, and cannot live within a society that views them inferiorly, and avoids dealing with them. This is why they seem to favor settling down in empty areas.
It is worth noting that their settling on the outskirts of cities does not make it safer for them. In most cases, they do not own this land. As soon as cities expand and approach their homes, the landowners hasten to expel them from it, and they have no option but to comply. If they refuse, force is often used against them, including in some cases setting fire to their houses. and he may even set fire to those houses, with little to no indifferent to the people living there.
The State’s Role in Addressing the Dire Situation of the Muhamasheen:
In the past, the state did not take many serious steps in order to change the economic situation of the Muhamasheen. Although undoubtedly, their situation has improved since the establishment of the Republic. However, their financial situation remains shadowed with poverty. There was a state sponsored social security project, which was supposed to target the poorest segment of society, which undoubtedly included the Muhamasheen. However, due to governmental corruption, almost none of the benefits of this project reached them, and that which did were merely crumbs. With the outbreak of the ongoing war, Muhamasheen were deprived of even these crumbs.
The Role of Charities in Alleviating the Dire Situation of the Muhamasheen:
Many charitable institutions are found in governorates across Yemen that carry out relief work targeting the poor in society, and this group benefited from their work. This included foodstuffs, medical grants, seasonal activities such as Ramadan food baskets, feeding the fasting, or Eid livestock sacrifice projects.
This alleviated some of the economic burden on them, even though it was often not continuous and intermittent. However, some of them faced problems in obtaining this aid. Most of these charities are run by Islamists, and in many cases, they set a condition for distributing this aid, where they would have to adhere to the rituals of Islam. However, due to the high illiteracy rate among Muhamasheen, they do not always practice correct Islamic rituals, and are thus deprived of that aid.
The Role of International Organizations Operating during Wartime in Alleviating Harsh Economic Conditions
A number of international organizations are currently working in Yemen, in light of these tragic conditions. Many of them have good and tangible efforts to alleviate the suffering of citizens, whether with in-kind assistance, or medical and curative services. Muhamasheen had a share of that assistance, and as a matter of fact, many of them live solely on the aid and services provided by these organizations.
Some Muhamasheen Leaders Initiatives to Reduce the Burden on their fellow Muhamasheen by Establishing Charitable Societies or Requesting Initiatives by Good-Willed People
Admirable individual efforts by some Muhamasheen leaders were able to set up cooperative societies, or to communicated with existing charitable institutions or charitable individuals, in order to relief and educate the Muhamasheen community. This had a positive effect on the reality of the Muhamasheen, who benefited greatly from it. Although these initiatives are few, they are in need of encouragement and support in order to reproduce them.
A Vision for Viable Political & Economic Solutions:
It could be argued that the political, economic and social solutions are many and complex, and it would be difficult to define them precisely here. However, we should mention the main points that could aid in healing the societal rift, and will accelerate the pace of integration, and alleviate the suffering of Muhamasheen. Most of this falls on the shoulders of the state, as it is the only capable entity that can accelerating the pace of ending or reducing racism:
- Among the most prominent of these solutions is issuing clear and deterrent laws that criminalize racism in all its forms, starting from verbal bullying to physical attacks.
- Paying more attention to their education. From a tangible reality, we have seen that education is the closest way to integration, and to change society’s perception of the educated and accepting them to a large extent. This requires awareness among them of the importance of education, establishing schools in their areas, and facilitating the difficulties that many families face in educating their children. It also requires the keenness of educational personnel in schools where Muhamasheen students study to be able to combat bullying, seeing that bullying is one of the main reasons that leads Muhamasheen youths to abandon learning.
- Involving Muhamasheen in the political process and hiring them in governmental jobs, and choosing competent individuals as members of Parliament and ministers of the state, because there are educated elites among them who are able to assume such responsibilities. There must also be a mechanism that takes into account their social status, so that for example they have reserved seats in parliament as a minority. Because in the current situation the country is in, it is impossible for one of them to be chosen, not to mention the tribal and other influencers that will not be satisfied with nominating a person of the Muhamasheen in the electoral districts. This matter is easier in the government and administrative positions of the state. Most importantly, is that the decision-makers have the determination to find solutions.
- Establishing suitable housing for them. The greatest problem that Muhamasheen face is the problem of finding suitable homes fit for human life, and there are many constraints for this problem. Most notably, they cannot own land in cities due to their poverty. Therefore, the state must study this issue seriously and come up with real solutions to this crisis. One of the most important human rights is to be able to live in a home worthy of their human dignity.
- Paying more attention to their economic situation, by providing them with suitable job opportunities, and facilitating the work of relief institutions and encouraging them to work in their midst. Facilitating the enrollment of young people in vocational training and sending them into the labor market, instead of being a large segment of the population whose energies are wasted.
- Fighting racist ideas, whether by chasing racist movements and criminalizing them, or by undertaking various cultural activities that call for the acceptance of others, and help fight this heinous crime.
