Rome Meeting on Yemen Civilization and Culture

A meeting between the Italian-Arab association Assadakah, Welcome Association Italy (WAI), and H.E. Asmahan Abdulhameed Al Toqi, ambassador of the Republic of Yemen, whose main theme was the millennial history of Yemeni civilization, followed by the delivery of a plaque in recognition of the ambassador’s commitment, in the diplomatic, cultural, and humanitarian fields, as well as political was organized by the Assadakah News Agency.

The greeting of the national deputy secretary of Welcome Association Italy, Carlo Palumbo, was followed by the intervention of the journalist and writer Myriam Muhm, who introduced the speech of the guest of honor, and highlighted the events at the dawn of Yemen culture, famous among other things for the refined quality of incense, a resin used since ancient times to sanitize environments and to treat various pathologies, with recognized anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

In ancient times, frankincense, like myrrh, was a natural product in great demand, which allowed many populations who settled in the southernmost part of the Arabian peninsula to get in touch with other civilizations and organize trade in resources, with a considerable mutual cultural enrichment.

Yemeni land was the site of the oldest civilizations in the world, when the Semites settled the region, in the third millennium before the so-called Common Era. A series of kingdoms then flourished, notably occupying the valley of Bayhan, mentioned in the Bible and the Koran, led by Bilqis, the legendary queen of Sheba. Among the oldest buildings, the Ma’rib dam should be mentioned – one of the engineering marvels of the ancient world.

The Romans called these lands Arabia Felix, but the attempt to conquer them failed miserably. In the third century the Himjarites unified the country, but persecutions also began, including that against Christians, ordered by King Dhu Nuwas.

In 630 Islam spread and took hold in this region, which would characterize the history. However, after regaining full freedom, Yemen has struggled to find lasting peace. Be that as it may, the events of recent years are ending in a positive way, given that a process of reconciliation is underway between the various forces that make up the country.

We must remember the strong link between Yemen and Italy, which dates back to about a century and a half ago when Lorenzo Manzoni, nephew of the well-known Alessandro (the writer), arrived in Yemen as an explorer. It is not clear whether it was the reports written by Lorenzo Manzoni that stimulated those who many years later decided to send a team of Italian doctors to Yemen, led by Doctor Cesare Ansaldi. However, we know for sure that if Sana’a has been declared a world heritage city, it is most likely due to the intervention of Pier Paolo Pasolini, author of a famous documentary. To remember then the 103 mosques all built before the eleventh century.

However, Yemen is not only represented by its enchanting cities, but also by its natural beauties, including the islands, such as those of the Socotra archipelago.

The intervention of H.E. Al Toqi

 “First of all, a sincere thanks to the participants present for having dedicated their time. Journalist and expert on Arab affairs Myriam Muhm articulated the issue perfectly, for which I am deeply grateful.

I would add that Yemen is a country famous for its millenary history and historical-cultural heritage, among which we can mention one of the most significant monuments, which is the city of Shibam. This ancient site is considered one of the first models of civil organization, especially for the construction of what we now call skyscrapers.

Shibam, was and has kept its fame for magnificent buildings, such as the capital Sana’a, ranked among the oldest urban settlements in the world, together with Damascus and Aleppo in Syria. In the 7th and 8th centuries, the city turned into a center of culture and dissemination of Islam, and the old city has preserved the traditional religious and political heritage.

Also worth mentioning is the city of Zabid, a historic center that has an important archaeological site, as it was the capital of Yemen from the 13th to the 15th century and characterized by great importance in the Arab and Islamic world.

One cannot fail to mention the culture of Socotra, characterized by a great diversity in terms of the presence of corals, which build barriers that give nourishment and shelter to coastal fish and other marine organisms.

Among the ancient and most important civilizations of Yemen, there is undoubtedly that of Saba, one of the pillars of Yemeni history, of which Queen Balqis mentioned her story with many sacred books of Taura, in addition to the Koran.

“We Yemeni women are proud to have a government based on democracy,” concluded H.E. Al Toqi.