Where wedding shots once meant something else entirely

The tradition of firing off automatic weapons at weddings has succumbed to a relatively new concept for Yemen: public safety.

By Haley Sweetland Edwards
Published: November 16, 2009 06:53 ET
Updated: November 17, 2009 07:05 ET

SANAA, Yemen — It's wedding season in Yemen and traditionally, that's meant three things: music, dancing and joyously firing an array of pistols, assault rifles, rocket-launchers, anti-aircraft mortars and grenade launchers into the air to celebrate the occasion.

But in the past few years, that last part has been nixed from the program.

In 2007, the Yemeni government...

Recent on Middle East:

Is Mahmoud Abbas really ready to quit this time?

Matt Beynon Rees - Israel and Palestine - November 20, 2009 16:27 ET

Worn out has-been or drama queen? Interpretations of the Palestinian president's threat to quit vary greatly.

On Location: Tel Aviv

Sara Sorcher - Israel and Palestine - November 20, 2009 06:36 ET

Israel's enemy within: A rising militancy from the Jewish settlements

Matt McAllester - Israel and Palestine - November 19, 2009 11:21 ET

Part 1: Jewish terror from the Biblical lands of Israel

Israel's enemy within: A community on the edge

Matt McAllester - Israel and Palestine - November 19, 2009 11:17 ET

Part 2: The West Bank settlement of Kfar Tapuach, home to many followers of Meir Kahane

Israel's enemy within: Palestinian militants gird for battle

Matt McAllester - Israel and Palestine - November 19, 2009 11:15 ET

Part 3: Tensions rise between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

Israel's enemy within: The "Hilltop Youth"

Matt McAllester - Israel and Palestine - November 19, 2009 11:10 ET

Part 4: Teenage Jewish boys claim West Bank hilltops as their own and prepare to defend them.

Lebanese discover their own backyard

Ben Gilbert - Lebanon - November 18, 2009 06:43 ET

An eco-tourism venture is opening up a whole new world for locals and foreigners alike.

Grave of Iran protester is desecrated

Iason Athanasiadis - Middle East - November 17, 2009 06:37 ET

Family charges Ahmadinejad regime is trying to erase memory of Neda Soltan.

Analysis: What is behind Saudi offensive in Yemen

Caryle Murphy - Saudi Arabia - November 15, 2009 14:26 ET

Fear of Iran is a key factor in Riyadh stepping up its military campaign against the Houthi rebels.

The four quarters of Jerusalem

Sara Sorcher and Jessica Griffin - Israel and Palestine - November 15, 2009 09:22 ET

Analysis: Passing of Iraq election law brings relief

Jane Arraf - Iraq - November 12, 2009 17:17 ET

U.S. officials made unwanted compromises, but can now turn their attention toward troop withdrawal.

Going to the beach, Iranian-style

Iran GlobalPost Correspondent - Middle East - November 10, 2009 17:43 ET

A few hours' drive from the capital of one of the Islamic world's most conservative countries, one can find a respite from the heat and society's strict rules — just ask the women in bikinis.

Fort Hood shootings have Jordan tie

Tom Peter - Jordan - November 9, 2009 19:52 ET

But Jordanians do not think Americans will stereotype them because the Fort Hood shooter's parents came from Jordan.

Economic crisis affects Lebanon de-mining

Don Duncan - Lebanon - November 9, 2009 08:55 ET

Funds that would go toward clearing a 205-square-kilometer danger zone have been diverted.

Opinion: Why sanctions aren't the answer for Iran

Joel Brinkley - Worldview - November 6, 2009 15:45 ET

America needs to understand that punitive measures aren't going to keep Iran in check. Not when Russia and China have a lot to lose.

Afghanistan: The fog of war

Finbarr O'Reilly - Afghanistan - November 5, 2009 10:51 ET

Video: Embedded with Canadian troops, photographer Finbarr O'Reilly captures the confusion and chaos of a worsening conflict.

Will the hajj be an incubator for swine flu?

Caryle Murphy - Saudi Arabia - November 4, 2009 16:32 ET

Millions walk, pray and eat together during the hajj. How Saudi Arabia is trying to minimize the swine flu risks.

Italy, the CIA and rendition

Michael Moran - Diplomacy - November 4, 2009 15:56 ET

Analysis: What Wednesday's stunning verdict in Rome means for the "War on Terror".

Tehran again sees protests and violence

Iason Athanasiadis - Middle East - November 4, 2009 10:10 ET

Anti-government protesters in Iran hijack a pro-government demonstration.

Global Blogs:

A Hysterical Blogger

Egyptian Chronicles - Egypt - November 20, 2009 19:05 ET

When Israel used to attack Gaza and the Egyptian regime  did not do what is supposed to do ,I expressed my views on this blog a and I was being called hysterical for 4 weeks ; it made me sad for while but I did not lose my faith and later I felt that I am doing the right...

American Cancer Debate and Impact on Saudi Arabia

American Bedu - Saudi Arabia - November 20, 2009 19:04 ET

The recent debate in America in which the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends women do not need annual mammograms for detection of breast cancer or breast anomalies until age 50 not only hurts millions of women in America but has tentacles which...

PA Police Arrest Journalist

Hiyam Noir, Author, "Palestine Free Voice" blog - Israel and Palestine - November 20, 2009 20:01 ET

ABBAS MILITIA ( thugs) IN ACTION 19 November, 2009 Palestinian Authority (PA) police have arrested Walid Suleiman, a Hebron-based journalist on suspicion of “inciting against the PA” and...

Yummy Sambusa

Jeddah Daily Photo Journal - Saudi Arabia - November 20, 2009 16:05 ET

One of my favorite foods here in Saudi Arabia is similar to an eggroll – it’s called Sambusa. They are usually stuffed with a ground meat mixture with onion and other flavorful spices. The outside can be made out of different types of dough and most often they are...

More illegal settlments in Jerusalem

The Staff, The Palestine Telegraph blog - Israel and Palestine - November 20, 2009 17:31 ET

West Bank, November 20, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) - An Israeli lawmaker reveals plans to build several thousand new houses around Jerusalem Al-Quds despite worldwide condemnation of Tel Aviv's relentless...

Fatah: 3rd intifada will not use armed struggle

Michael Loadenthal, Editor, The "From Occupied Palestine With Love" Blog - Israel and Palestine - November 20, 2009 08:27 ET

'Fatah officials warn of third Palestinian intifada'By Jack Khoury, Haaretz Correspondent20/11/2009Fatah had made a strategic decision to declare a third intifada against Israel, movement officials told Nazereth-based newspaper Hadith Anas, citing the failed peace talks as the...

Evacuate Gilo

The Muqata - Israel and Palestine - November 19, 2009 18:23 ET

As you all probably know, someone is putting up stuff on Obama's teleprompter that is making Him look like a complete ignoramus - not that He could be expected to know anything about Gilo - particularly if He only hears about it from the same group of people who also believe the...

First Fun(d) Raising event in photos

An ordinary Lebanese guy - Lebanon - November 20, 2009 06:02 ET

Unfortunately I was only able to attend the end of the Fun(d) Raising event at link on Wednesday, however I managed to get the following photos thanks to @Migheille, @NoisyThinking, and @Footnem who...

Naturalizing the Palestinians

Qifa Nabki - Lebanon - November 20, 2009 23:01 ET

There are few issues that provoke such a strong response among the Lebanese as the question of the Palestinian refugees’ future in Lebanon. Interestingly enough, unlike most other controversial...

Inside the Kingdom

Saudi Jeans - Saudi Arabia - November 19, 2009 11:16 ET

“The most important thing you need to know about Saudi Arabia is this: it is full of bizarre contradictions and stark contrasts, it basically lives on paradox.” This is something that I frequently tell to foreigners who come to our country and find it difficult to...

Middle East News

The depth, breadth and quality of our Middle East news reports are just a few of the reasons why GlobalPost has quickly become a premier resource for those who desire an uncommon look at this complex region. Our correspondents deliver balanced, powerful Middle Eastern news, analysis and perspective that adhere to the highest standards of journalism. Visit the following sections for country-specific reports:

Egypt news Israel and Palestine news Lebanon news
Iraq news Jordan news Saudi Arabia news

Middle Eastern News Online

GlobalPost combines intelligent Middle East news reporting with captivating video and photography to give readers a greater understanding of this region and the impact it has on their lives at home.