WASAN FATTHI
COLLEGE OF ARTS
UNIVERSITY OF HODEIDAH
One can't help but say a word in the occasion of the First International Scientific Conference of Hodeidah University under the title "Zabid and its scientific and historical links with the Islamic and Arabic worlds".
A reader may regard the following lines as a personal reaction. This assumption may be true, but these lines - in a way or another - can reflect some sight of the conference and record some of its events even if they were written by an ordinary observer. Before and during the conference, every member of its staff was busy and working hard on preparing something and ensuring the success of its different functions and activities. The place was truly like a beehive.
Gathering and controlling the work was the fascinating zeal of Dean of the Faculty of Arts Dr. Khawlah Qaid, Dean of the Faculty of Education Dr. Ibraheem Al-Hujari, Dr. Radhwan Al-Shaibani and Mr. Ali Al-Zubaidi along with many others. Of course, above all was Dr. Qasem Bureh, the Director of Hodeidah University, President of the conference.
Dr. Bureh supported the conference both spiritually and materially. All organizers were determined to bring "Zabid dream" to reality. We must not forget Dr. Abdu Muresh who started the first steps of this conference. Thank God that their efforts were fruitful.
During the conference, many lectures and discussions were held by local, Arab and international experts on various topics on Zabid. As a matter of fact, these lectures were not only for historians. The event had something for everyone and all people enjoyed and benefited from this significant and historic event in Hodeidah.
Before the conference started, Zabid was- for many Yemenis and foreigners- merely a name which denotes an ancient city. After the conference, the excellent lectures which acquainted and sensitized people with different features of Zabid including its ancient monuments, architecture, schools, mosques, libraries, people's habits, religions, ... etc, made people realize the important role of Zabid in history.
Moreover, they became very enthusiastic to revive what has been neglected and obliterated in time. During the second day, attendants expressed keen interest in visiting Zabid and see what they heard about by their own naked eyes. They openly expressed their desire through their notes handed over to the speakers or by microphones which were provided in the hall to make their voices heard loud and clear.
The conference concluded its functions with a very nice visit to Zabid city. All the participants expressed their pleasure at that well-organized trip. They were roaming and discovering the great places in Zabid .For them, it was and will remain a wonderful ancient city forever. They visited the castle, the old minaret, Shabariq and Siham Gates, the great mosque, the old city, some famous houses and the market. Finally, they had their lunch at the Faculty of Education in Zabid.
During these visits and also during the breaks between lectures, hot drinks, refreshments and pastries were served all the time. It was clear that everybody was very much satisfied with the well-known generous hospitality of Yemenis.
Now that the conference is over, it gives me great pleasure to say that it has planted seeds to be fruited in future. I personally present my heartfelt congratulations to those who participated in the success of the conference, which was really a very fascinating gathering that we all needed very much.

BY ABDUH M. ASSABRI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
The problem of violence against women manifests itself in a terrifying array of forms throughout the world. The experience of violent intrusion - or the threat of such intrusion - is a common thread in the fabric of women's everyday life in societies around the world.
In this respect, an Arab training guide workshop focusing on violence against women was held by Oxfam GB-Yemen during December 20-24 at Hadda Hotel.
"I'm entrusted to train a number of civil society non-governmental organizations in Yemen to examine an Arab training guide in order to be implemented in the Arab region focusing on violence against women and domestic violence," Amal Mahmoud, a development expert and a trainer at the workshop told Yemen Times.
"I'd like to point out that violence against women is one of the issues that has been ignored by our communities for far too long...Violence generates violence. We in this case have to depend on civilized methods to tackle problems and their inevitable consequences."
Consequently, a great emphasis has been paid to take active and strong measures to limit the phenomenon of violence in general and violence against women in particular because the latter has raised concern by local and international observers who are amazed at the stunning silence of the communities towards this important issue.
"When we talk about violence, we don't refer to the physical violence only. We also focus on the factors behind preventing people from practicing their human rights that should be given to them regardless of their gender," Amal added.
This is the second workshop to set an experimental test procedure, which is to be released within the coming few days.
The first training workshop on the same issue was held two months ago. The guide has been prepared by Oxfam along with other civil organizations. Notes have been taken on this issue in accordance with test results of the first experiments carried out during the first workshop.
"The workshop aims at preparing local trainers that belong to participating organizations to be active in raising awareness on violence issues," she said.
The workshope curriculum was divided into two categories; the first related to the completion of the experimental guide test including the international charters dealing with human and women's rights. The second category concentrated on efficient training.
The Universal Human Right Declaration has given priority in the experimental guide test. It also dealt with woman's rights charters including putting an end to all forms of discrimination against women. "This also includes getting acquainted with international conferences dealing with women's issues with special emphasis on the latest women conference in Beijing," Amal concluded.