Yemeni Jews and Muslims talk at the village of Kharef, 50 miles, 80 kilometers, north of the capital Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. Photograph by Mohammad al-Qadhi, AP

Complete Story of Jewish Liya’s Islam, Divorce and Marriage

Yemen Post, July 26, 2009

Over the recent period, the issues of Jewish minority have been hitting the titles in media outlets and their news is widely covered at local and international levels.

These news stories range from “Ninawa” embracing Islam and getting married to “Hani Saran”, forced migration of “Al Salem Jews” from Sa’ada and granting them apartments in the Sana’a Tourism City after being threatened by Houthis, killing incident of Masha Ya’aish at the hands of a former military pilot to the two-time marriage of “Liya” bint Sa’eed in a week and later her elopement with her Muslim husband to the nearby Arhab tribe and later on to the Al-Souk Al-Jadid in Amran’s Kharef area.

The road to Kharef

The New Souk, the administrative center of Kharef district, is some 150 to the north of the capital Sana’a. It is also to the east of Raydah, famous for being a center for Jews; however, there are more Jews in Al-Souk Al-Jadid and Al-Karasa’ah Village than in Raydah.

When in Al-Souk Al-Jadid and asking about somebody or looking like a stranger, any person could ask you if you are looking for a magician. There are a lot of Jewish and Muslim magicians there.

Based on the tribal norms dominant in Hashed, on the third day of the marriage, the wife’s relatives pay a visit to her husband’s house and bring her some gifts.

The third day for Liya was attended by tribes from Arhab, who consider her their new relative after she had left her family and sought their help. They were also responsible for marrying her to Abdul Rahman.

Unlike other third days, this third day was different and warm. The attendees were tribes from Kharef and Arhab who became relatives and Liya was the link between them.

The tribesmen were on high alert with victory signs drawn on their faces. There were also many of Sheikh Aref Mujali’s bodyguards armed with RPJs. Speaking about the marriage contract, Mujali says that it took place before 200 armed tribesmen (Gharam).

Fleeing to Arhab

One week from Liya’s marriage to Harun in the Tourism City, Abdul Rahman was having an appointment with Liya, after they had agreed on the time before.

The plan was successful and Liya managed to get out the city despite the fact that nobody is allowed to enter or leave the city only after presenting his/her ID. Both Liya and Abdul Rahman headed to Arhab where the marriage rituals were announced. This was preceded by annulling Liya’s previous marriage contract and validating a new marriage contract after she had embraced Islam. It is said that she was forced to marry her fellow Jew Harun.

Abdul Rahman, 20, is a secondary school certificate holder and he works in his father’s farm. Below are questions asked to him on how his marriage with Liya.

• How did you know Liya?

– Liya’s family was living in Al-Karsa’ah village and we were neighbors. I know her since her birth and I love her.

• When did you tell her about marriage?

– Five years ago. Before that, I told her about Islam too.

• How was your family’s reaction towards this marriage?

– They supported me and all of them agreed.

• Did you realize that you will face problems when undertaking such an adventure and are you ready to bear the consequences?

– I expected such problems and I am ready to face them.

• Now, Liya has started a new life and got detached from her past. Will you be faithful to her?

– I took her because I know I am fit for her.

• But problems might take place especially due to cultural differences?

– There is no such a difference.

• If problems arise, will you leave her and what will your family do?

– Never. My family will stand by her.

• How did her marriage in Sana’a take place?

– She was forced by her family to marry, and marriage preparations were made quickly. There were also tight security measures.

• How did she manage to elope with you?

– I took her from the Tourism City after we had agreed about the meeting time on the phone. I waited for her at the city’s gate. She got married on Tuesday and I took her the next Tuesday. She did not allow her former husband to break her virginity. She came to me at about 10 pm and I took her to Arhab.

• Were you afraid when you arrived in Sheikh Aref Mujali’s house in Arhab?

-No, never.

•Have you changed her name?

-Her name is still Liya. She wants her name and an older man interfered and said that her name is nice and need not to be changed.

• Did Liya study?

-No.

Sheikh Mujali: we consulted religious scholars and followed the legal measures.

Details

Mujali is the son of a famous sheikh in Arhab and he took over his tribe leadership following his father’s death. We interviewed him as he is now Liya’s supporter and he was the one who validated her marriage contract.

• What made you adopt this issue?

– We have the honor to adopt such issues. We have acted according to laws and Sharee’ah. We consulted religious scholars. Liya embraced Islam and we bought her everything for marriage and got her married. She is now one of the tribe’s daughters. All Arhab tribes stood by us and the same holds true for Jihm, Mareb and Hadramout tribes.

•If another girl elopes and comes to you and wants to get married to her lover after being forced by her family to marry another one, will you act in the same manner?

– It depends. If she is wronged and the Sharee’ah is in her side, we will certainly stand by her.

• These issues attract the public, but there are cases in which no body moves. What if a wronged of another sort comes asking for your protection e.g. journalists and civil society activists?

– Insha’allah we will back them.

• Can I consider it a call for fellow journalists to go to Arhab once they are wronged?

– Yes. This call is in name of all Arhab Sheikhs and in my name too.

• What will you do with Liya after you have turned to be the sole supporter?

– Liya has become one of us. We attended her third day and this is what we do with our daughters. I have agreed with my brothers to consider Liya as one of us. She will also be given inheritance like any other daughter of Sheikh Saleh Mujali. We have six sisters and she will be the seventh.

Liya’s father: I wish she did this earlier

For his part, Liya’s father wished his daughter did this earlier and noted he does not know how the incident happened. “We handed the bride to her husband and we did a big marriage ceremony and it was attended by the Foreign Minister (perhaps he means Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Rashad Al-Alimi). The husband and his father are responsible,” he said.

“Why did she marry today? Why didn’t she declare Islam before her marriage to Harun? We should have avoided losses and gold pieces that went with her,” questioned Liya’s father.

Teacher Nabil Al-Rajawi, a mosque orator and head of the zone, pointed out that he was contacted by some Jews after Liya eloped and left her former husband’s house. He added that he is working to return the gold pieces to the former husband, stressing Liya was not forced or kidnapped by her new husband.

Shama’ah: previous experience

“Amat Asalam” is a Jewish lady who decided two decades and a half to leave her religion and family. She changed her name after she had embraced Islam and got married to Bashir Mahaseeb.

Over this period, Bashir and Amat Asalam’s marriage resulted in three children, Ibrahim, Omar and Rowa, and it is natural that their life is not trouble free; however, she stresses she will never leave Islam whatever the problems are.