The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) threatened Yemen to write off Old Sana'a from its World Heritage list after it was found the state had systematically failed to preserve the archaeological integrity of many buildings, allowing them to fall into decrepitude.
With its history stretching back over 2500 years, Sana'a is associated with the civilization of the Bible and the Quran.

UNESCO described Sana'a as "an outstanding example of a homogeneous architectural ensemble reflecting the spatial characteristics of the early years of Islam, the city in its landscape has an extraordinary artistic and pictorial quality. Its many-storied buildings represent an outstanding response to defensive needs in providing spacious living quarters for the maximum number of residents within defensible city walls. The buildings demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship in the use of local materials and techniques."

However, a lack of funding, mis-management and 2011 uprising meant Yemen officials were not able to maintain Old Sana'a to UNESCO' standard.

11th century old dwellings were modified by owners as they found hard to accommodate their growing family, often failing to comply with the authorities' construction guidelines.

Harsh weather also is said to have put a strain on the integrity of some buildings, which left uncheck could lead to total collapse.

The Ministry of Finance has apologized for the delay in funding, saying it will endeavor to address all immediate threat to the old city, pointing however that UNESCO failed to adequately fulfill its funding duty toward Yemen. The ministry added it had notified Gulf officials of the severity of the situation and that aid would be allocated promptly.

UNESCO demanded Yemen to provide a full report on Old Sana'a and Zabib, another protected site and address all irregularities.

Yemen Post Staff

Comment:
Yemen is a poor country going through a difficult political transition. It has no money for such demands. If UNESCO would provide the funds for the upkeep (directly, not giving the funds to the government because then we'll see nice villa houses popping up in other areas rather than maintained mud mansions) that might be an idea.

Second idea - open the visa restrictions and let the tourists flood back into Old Sana'a spending lavishly on what they think is a cheap trip.

Not Forgotten

A very long time has elapsed since the last post. This was due largely to the dispersal of those who promised to contribute.

I think it is important however to let people know what is going on in the streets and with the people, and encourage the ummah to unite especially now as we are facing challenges bigger than ever all over the Muslim world.

Yemen sees this week the convening of the national dialogue, which most people I have spoken to say is just a process to look democratic and to shut up the outsiders. It has been lampooned by the satirists, and when you look around you cant blame them.

Political types have said to me that the opposition agreed to conduct the revolution peacefully and not resort to fighting in order to not spill the blood of the Yemeni people, but to many, the reasons for the peaceful plan was for the leaders who supported the opposition to maintain their lifestyles, and to not spill their own blood.

The situation is akin to hitting one's head against the wall. There is no improvement or forward vision and the bulk of the population continue in the feudal system ignorantly.

Corruption is so entrenched that those practicing common corrupt practices don't even see that what they are doing is corrupt. I have even found some of the corrupt practices in the law, particularly the appointment of family members in government positions. Seriously, it is written in law. So how do we root out the corruption?

Return to the RULE OF ALLAH. And that very well may involve a brawl!