Arabian Minorities

This chapter addresses the minorities living in Yemen. There is a long tradition of migration between the Horn of Africa and Yemen. This cross-Red Sea migration has led to the prevalence of mixed households of Yemenis, Eritreans, Ethiopians, Djiboutians, and Somalis. Known as muwalladeen, or the birthed, these groups are subject to covert discrimination by those who do not view them as "pure Yemenis," despite legislation abolishing the country's traditional social hierarchy. Aside from the African refugees in Yemen, there is a small population of Jews currently living under government protection in Sana'a. The chapter then looks at how the Jews were treated by local ruling authorities; the role they played in Yemen's economy; why they left the country; and whether there is a connection between the Jewish Yemeni diaspora and Yemen. It also considers other religious minorities in Yemen.