Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Supreme Political Council, criticized Western claims of advocating for women’s rights, describing them as part of a broader conspiracy to corrupt Muslim women and lead them towards the Western model of vulgarity.
He made these comments during the closing ceremony of the Women’s Center for Crafts and Handicrafts training program, which was held under the auspices of the Culture and Tourism Ministry in conjunction with the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary.
Al-Houthi highlighted that Islam honors and elevates women, differentiating between ‘freedom’ and ‘liberation’. He argued that while Islam guarantees freedom for women within legal boundaries, Western notions of liberation often involve restricting their freedom and commodifying them.
He praised Yemeni women for their role in societal development, stating, “Yemeni women are the backbone of the development process. Their extensive list of responsibilities makes them heroes of society. They are both the foundation and the school.
Al-Houthi expressed pride in Yemeni women’s modesty, faith, and preservation of their cultural identity, contrasting this with what he views as the vulgarity promoted by Western society. He emphasized the value of Yemeni women in nurturing children and instilling cultural and patriotic values.
Dr. Ali Al-Yafei, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, underscored the importance of developing a plan for craft products, linking them to marketing, and increasing production as part of the development process. He called for integration between men and women to promote and implement this plan.
Minister Al-Yafei instructed the Heritage and Cultural Development Fund and the Women’s Center for Crafts and Handicrafts to develop and submit this plan for approval. He stressed the need for continued support for training and rehabilitation programs, noting their role in improving the efficiency of Yemeni women and enhancing their income, which benefits families and society as a whole.
