From My Diaries in America Accompanied by a Businessman

Yemenat

Ahmed Saif Hashed

In a message from “Holda” to my friend Dr. Tareq Al-Amry, our organization is honored to invite Mr. Ahmed Saif Hashed to attend the conference in Washington. Mr. Ahmed may bring along two companions at our organization’s expense, provided that one of them speaks English. Following this, arrangements were made for the journey from New York to the conference hall.

During my trip to Washington, the first challenge I faced was meeting my companion, businessman Omar Al-Saadi. The idea of having a businessman as my companion, especially one holding American citizenship, was something I never imagined, even for a day in my past.

In Sana’a, all my companions have been simple, kind people throughout various phases and successive authorities, regardless of whether they supported me or faced repression. Tragically, one of them was murdered unjustly and violently.

My first companion was Adel Saleh Yahya, my wife’s brother. He was killed by a beating that led to his death during a time when Rashad Al-Alimi was the Minister of Interior. He was murdered by a gang linked to a ministry official, who was the head of the security and protection department. When justice eludes you due to an authority that prevents its pursuit, it leaves a wound in your heart, a pain and sigh that never fades.

The rest of my companions each experienced their share of assault and violence in one way or another: Fikri Mohammed Saeed, Khaled Al-Qurtab from Lahij, Khaled Al-Qahtani from Shar’ab, Ibrahim Al-Jalah from Raymah, Ammar Qardash from Aden, Marwan Al-Haj from Taiz, and others.

I interacted with my companions on equal terms. Our relationship was marked by love, without arrogance or a sense of hierarchy. I treated each of them with kindness and care, filled with warmth.

Those who accompany me