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More than 25,000 pilgrims are currently in Mecca, Saudi Arabia for performing the fifth pillar of Islam. Officials at the Ministry of Endowments and Guidance said that the number of Yemeni pilgrims has doubled this year compared to 2001. Saudi Arabia is expecting a record number of pilgrims, exceeding 2 million, with the peak being February 21st. On the other hand, Yemenia Airways successfully completed transporting pilgrims to Maka, as it operated a special flight between Sana'a and Jeddah along with the already scheduled flights. "17,555 pilgrims were flown by Yemenia this year from Taiz, Sana'a, Aden airports to the holy land," Nabeel al-Faqeh, Marketing Director of Yemenia said. He also pointed out that Yemenia sent a working team to Saudi Arabia to facilitate their return to Yemen after completing the Haj duties. AMMAN The New Media and Change in the World Arab World" conference will kick off in Amman, Jordan on Feb. 27 and will continue for three days. Mohammed Hatem al-Qadhi, senior editor at the Yemen Times will take part in the event. He will present a research paper on the "constraints of Media Drive in Yemen". He said the paper will discuss three main constraints, the Yemeni media is going through; freedom, legal, and professional. The event which is supported by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation aims at opening up a regional debate on the state of new media in the Arab World. It will focus on the distribution of satellite television and internet in the Arab World and analyze their effects on society through research reports and broad discussions. The event is designed to produce tangible results in terms of setting up a non-profile and independent organizations in the Arab World. The Yemen Times is the only participant from Yemen. Sheikh Abdulah bin Hussein al-Ahmar, Parliament Speaker, called on Arab and Islamic leaders to take practical steps to support the Palestinian people on their struggle in the Holy Land. Sheikh Abdulah bin Hussein al-Ahmar said, at the opening day of al-Quds Trustees Council 's meeting in Beirut, that "defending al-Quds is the duty of all Muslims and the Intifada should be supported." The Parliament Speaker stressed the importance of Arabic and Islamic media in supporting the Palestinian issue and disclosing the atrocities perpetrated against the defenseless Palestinians. "Countering the false propaganda spread by the Israel-sponsored international media should be one of the priorities of the Arabic and Islamic media," he added. HODEIDAH Fishers here went on strike last week due to the hike of fees imposed under the pretext of exporting, which is estimated at USD 15 thousands. Fishing boat owners say the taxing will result in dire consequences such as unemployment and the loss of fishing capital investment. This fee comes after a republican decree stipulated two percent of fish exports are to be taxed. During the Greater Bairam, Yemeni livestock markets saw a huge flood of livestock from the neighboring countries. Despite the flooded market, there were a great consumer demand, and prices rose accordingly. Minister of Interior, Dr. Rashid al-Aleemi, received US Ambassador to Yemen Edmund Hull at the Police Officers Club in Sana'a, recently. Issues of bilateral cooperation and means to enhance them were discussed during the meeting. The minister had continuously been working on implementing major reforms in the education sector, including eliminating corruption and increasing the quality of education throughout the country, especially in rural areas. ADEN The US government donated eight trucks and other de-mining equipment to the National Mine Action Committee to be used for de-mining operations in Aden. US Ambassador to Yemen Edmund J. Hull said that cooperation between Yemen and the US in this humanitarian program will continue. He pointed out that the US government will again support Yemen's de-mining program with a substantial donation. "These funds will assist Yemen's government in standing up the seventh de-mining campaign and adding an additional 80 personnel to the program," he added. |
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