27.04.2011                      23.Nisan, 5771                      Isru Chag; Tag 8 des Omer

Jemen:

Young Yemenis are skeptical students of human rights

Teacher faces uphill battle when freedom clashes with Islam, says "part of my job is to convince [students] something is wrong with our society.”

It’s a Sunday afternoon in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. Outside on the streets, tens of thousands are defying the government with calls for the president’s ouster and are met by gunfire, beatings and arrests. Inside classroom 41A on the campus of a private institute of higher education the atmosphere is quiet and studious. But it’s no less controversial in this traditional and deeply religious society.
The students are studying human rights. The course is the only one offered in Yemen and the issue is so divisive that the university has asked that its name not be mentioned. Today’s lesson is about non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Mogib Hassan, a teacher and human rights advocate, explains why they are important….