On Mother’s Day, Abductees’ Mothers Association extends its respect and appreciation to the mothers of all abductees and arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared persons.
For five years, they have been struggling in an endless journey. Despite all challenges and obstacles, mothers have held on to their fighting spirit in all circumstances.
One can search the various events around the globe, and notice the exceptional efforts of many mothers who had great roles in times of conflicts and wars. Those mothers have been considered a symbol of liberty.
Today, we opt to present the efforts of the mothers of abductees and arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared persons in Yemen in order to held them high in the history of the nation and its heroes. In Sana’a, Aden, Alhudayda, Taiz, Ibb, Hajja, and Marib, mothers have held 253 peaceful protesting rallies despite the dangers of bombing, mines, poverty, and starvation.
They struggle with their lives without their abducted and forcibly disappeared sons. Their houses have been stormed, and they have been threatened and physically assaulted while their sons have been unlawfully snatched away from them. Since then, mother started their journey of searching for their sons and moving among prisons for years.
Yet, after finding their sons, they are not allowed to touch or hold them. Moreover, visits can be stopped based on the wardens’ mood, who usually interrogate mothers and punish abductees to emotionally hurt their mothers.
Many mothers have passed away while their wishes of releasing their sons could have been easily fulfilled, if only intentions were true and law was practiced. May their souls rest in peace, and may their patience and efforts be awarded in the hereafter.
Mother Fateema, 60 years old. She was often described as a strong woman, whom family members, males and females, turned to in hardships. She supported and guided them, and everyone took her advice. She had baked and sold Lahooh, a Yemeni type of light bread, until her sons grew up and asked her to rest at home. Her final word was her abducted son’s name, which carried all her failed wishes.
She died after ten months of searching for her son and fighting for his rights. He received the news of her death at prison.
Mother Aisha, 80 years old. A farmer who spent most of her life at fields. She was an exceptional member of Abductees’ Mothers Association. She amazed everyone with her kindness. She always distributed candy among children around her just to see them smile. She held on to the hope of her sons’ release and return.
After all, she always thought of him as her little baby. She died after one year of searching for her son and fighting for his rights. He received the news of her death at prison.
Mother Salema, 70 years old. She was well-known as being kindhearted and goodwill. She was also famous for her home-made dairy. She borrowed some money to obtain her son’s freedom despite her medical condition as she had an enlarged heart. Yet, she did not care for medical condition and focused all her attention and effort on her son’s freedom.
She died after eight months of searching for her son and fighting for his rights. He received the news of her death at prison.
Mother Aneesa, 50 years old. A friendly and sociable woman. She was known for her hospitality and her neighbors always praised her supportive and caring attitude. She was deprived of her son’s phone call, so she fell prey to anxiety. She was always calling “My son, God knows what happened to my son.” Her health deteriorated, and had a severe angina. She died after eight months of searching for her son and fighting for his rights. He received the news of her death at prison. Mother Layla, 54 years old.
A sympathetic woman, whose education was mainly self-taught. She perfected the skills of needlework and excelled at fashion design. Her final attempt to find her son was when an officer told her that he was held at military base in Aden.
Unfortunately, after visiting the base, she found out that the officer was only mocking her. Her heart could not take the disappointment and she passed away after ten days. She died after four years of fighting to uncover the fate of her forcibly disappeared son.
Mother Amena, 60 years old.
She was fond of taking care of and burning incense inside the mosque near her house. With the help of teenagers around her, she learned reading and writing. However, every time she was asked of her wants, she said “I only want to see my son once.”She often complained to her visitors “Did you see how they broke my hearts. It felt like my throat was slashed when they abducted him.” She died after two years of searching for her son and fighting for his rights.
He received the news of her death at prison.
Mother Halima, 75 years old. She a social worker and an artist who specialized in traditional handicrafts like making pottery and traditional baskets. She used her skills to support her family financially. Her only contact with her son was a five-minutes phone call. She was never allowed to see or visit him. She died after two years of searching for her son and fighting for his rights. He received the news of her death at prison.
Mother Mona, 43 years old. She was a strong woman, who only acquired her secondary education. She focused most of her efforts on social aid events. She had a medical condition, but doctors could not help out as her psychological health was deteriorating after her son’s disappearance.
All she thought of was her son who has asthma. She often said “I’m afraid I will pass away before I could see my son.” She died after three years of fighting to uncover the fate of her forcibly disappeared son.