Yemeni Community in Birmingham Marks 62nd Anniversary of the September Revolution

2 October 2024

The Yemeni community in Birmingham, UK, hosted a grand celebration on the evening of September 26th to mark the 62nd anniversary of the September 26 Revolution, which ended the oppressive reign of the Imamate and ushered in freedom for the Yemeni people. The event aimed to strengthen the national identity of the Yemeni diaspora in Britain and to emphasise the historical and emotional significance of this revolution in the hearts of Yemenis.

The event saw a large turnout, with members of the Yemeni community travelling from various cities across the UK to participate in what was the first such celebration in the city.

Among the attendees was the Yemeni Ambassador to the UK, Dr. Yassin Saeed Noman, who delivered a heartfelt speech underscoring the importance of the occasion. He noted that the September 26 Revolution is not merely a historical memory, but an enduring symbol of liberation from tyranny and a testament to the triumph of the people’s will.

Ambassador Noman stressed that commemorating the revolution serves as a reminder that it is not simply an event of the past, but a future-oriented project that provides hope and strength to confront present challenges. He expressed optimism, particularly towards the youth who attended, emphasising that, despite the hardships the Yemeni people have endured, they remain steadfast in their revolutionary spirit, determined to see their dreams of a free and stable nation realised.

Community leader: Sparking the Revolution’s Flame

The President of the Yemeni community in Birmingham, Ahmed Al-Bakri, highlighted that this event marked the second year in a row that such a celebration has taken place, following its initiation last year by a group of enthusiastic young volunteers. He noted that the “Flame of the Revolution,” lit in Birmingham, symbolises the rekindling of passion and national pride among the youth and expatriates. Al-Bakri also hinted that this flame will one day make its way to the capital, Sana’a, when the conditions are right.

Al-Bakri expressed his pride in the strong engagement shown by the children who participated in the event, particularly in the competitions which included painting and photography. He was delighted to see children aged between six and ten expressing their love for Yemen through their creative work.

Finale of Bonfires and Fireworks

The celebration culminated with the lighting of the “Revolution Flame” at Al-Amana Square in central Birmingham, in the presence of Ambassador Noman and a large crowd from the community. This was followed by a fireworks display, filling the atmosphere with a sense of national pride and belonging.

The September 26 Revolution remains a pivotal moment in Yemen’s history, a constant reminder of the Yemeni people’s resolve to break free from oppression, as poet Mohammad Mahmoud Al-Zubairi so eloquently captured in his iconic verses:

“From prison’s depths we proudly rise,
Like lions roused beneath the skies,
We walk where sharpened swords await,
And meet with death outside its gate.”

These lines encapsulate the spirit of the revolution—a spirit the Yemeni diaspora continues to nurture in the hearts of younger generations, renewing their commitment to the ongoing struggle for a free and independent Yemen.

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