Barran Press - Dhaif Allah Al-Sufi
As you pass by a school in the city of Taiz, it becomes immediately clear that the morning assembly plays a significant role in the lives of students. Revolutionary chants and national anthems are integral parts of the daily routine for thousands of attendees.
Each day, students gather for the morning assembly, singing songs of the September 26 Revolution, which they regard as a pivotal achievement in Yemen's history. They also highlight the sacrifices of early revolutionaries during the school broadcast, celebrating the journey toward national liberation, the establishment of the republic, and the achievement of national unity.
In light of the resurgence of imamate ideology represented by the Houthi group, the morning assembly has evolved into a daily expression of popular resistance against injustice and tyranny, transcending its traditional role.
Celebrating a Great Revolution
Ashwaq Al-Asbahi, a school celebrations trainer in Taiz, noted that since the beginning of the glorious month of September, there has been a collective eagerness to commemorate the great revolution. She emphasized the importance of instilling a sense of national pride and morale among students across all educational stages.
“We strive to instill the spirit of the September 26 Revolution in the hearts of these generations, who love their country and seek to elevate its status and confront both current and historical imamate ideologies,” Al-Asbahi stated.
A Stronghold Against Extremism
Teacher Salah Ghaleb expressed admiration for the exceptional national celebrations held in Taiz schools, particularly during the anniversary of the September 26 Revolution. He stressed the significance of cultivating national culture among Yemeni youth.
Ghaleb highlighted that the morning assembly now serves a purpose beyond physical activity and student discipline: “It has become a platform for national awareness during school celebrations of national occasions, which are documented and shared across media and social platforms for all Yemenis to celebrate together.”
Embodying National Values
Sam Al-Buhairi, the Public Relations Manager in Taiz, remarked that the morning assembly has fostered national values and Islamic teachings that reject the enslavement of individuals. He noted that students chant “God, then the homeland, then the revolution,” a phrase that rejects subservience and the ideologies of imamate.
He added that the assembly unifies national identity, promotes citizenship values, and combats extremist ideas, while also motivating students and instilling a sense of nationalism. “Students are raised on republican national values that they repeat each morning, ensuring that this generation will not succumb to imamate ideology,” Al-Buhairi concluded.
A Crucial Role in Republicanism
Journalist Sam Al-Buhairi highlighted the important role schools play in safeguarding the republican system. He noted that this role is as vital as that of the brave revolutionaries, forming a comprehensive link between schools, the military, the press, and radio in fostering awareness and resisting colonialism.
He asserted that the morning assembly is a fundamental pillar in cultivating awareness, stating, “It plays a crucial and significant role in shaping republican consciousness and instilling the values for which the revolution was fought.”
Furthermore, it serves to enhance national belonging and loyalty to the state and the republic while rejecting any attempts to impose imamate rule on the people.
Since the beginning of September this year, most schools in Taiz, which has faced a deadly blockade by the Houthi group for the past decade, have organized celebratory events commemorating the 62nd anniversary of the September 26, 1962, Revolution.
This revolution marked the end of imamate rule in Yemen, which had been characterized by oppression, isolation, and a legacy of hunger, ignorance, and disease. The revolution established a republican system based on freedom, democracy, and equal citizenship.
Since the establishment of the republic, the morning assembly has been a foundational component of Yemen's republican identity, serving as an essential means to promote national consciousness among students and the rising youth, thereby fostering a spirit of patriotism and allegiance to the republic.