The people who read against Sihr

In these centers numerous Sheikhs (Islamic scholars) are usually available to treat visitors who attend on a usual basis. These patients are taken into a room and verses of the Quran are read on them, hoping that the sickness and problem go away. On average, each patient is given thirty minutes of reading time, and according to locals, the black magic loses its powers by 3-4 days. In most occasions the Sheikh starts with asking the Jin to leave the soul of the person. If he refuses to, the Sheikh than reads numerous verses of the Quran until the Jin begs him to stop. “It takes a lot of courage and patience to read on people who are affected. However, most of the times we win, and they end up leaving the body of the victim”, Sheikh Badr Nasser, a resident of Sana’a who says that he reads on more than 70 victims daily.

What happens to victims while being read on

Watching patients being read on could be a scary scene for many to bear. In the beginning the victim acts normal, but with the continuation of the reading, the victims start screaming and beg the Sheikh to stop his reading of verses of the Holy Quran. This happens for a short period of time, as the Sheikh refuses to stop reading until the Jin leaves the body of the victim and vows not return. During these procedures Sheikhs claim that the Jin talks to them using the mouth of the victim. “They lie again and again. They always vow to come out, but rarely do they respect their word”, said Sheikh Badr.

Taking a sheikhs view on why it is so wide spread

We asked Sheikh Badr Nasser on why this crisis is so wide spread in Yemen and he replied, “ The spread of black magic in Yemen could be for two main reason illiteracy, and revenge. Illiteracy because people don’t realize what they are really doing. Also revenge due to it being the main reason for people to turn to such violent and destructive actions that could destroy the future of many families.”

“If you look carefully most black magic cases in Yemen are in rural areas. That means places were illiteracy and revenge is very high”.

He added “ In most poor and illiterate countries black magic could be seen. Countries like India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, are just a short list of the tens of countries suffering greatly from this phenomenon”. 

There are a number or medicines that are given to patients who seek treatment from black magic. The natural herb medicines that are given are:

· Honey - Herbs - Olive oil - Specific tapes - Cleansed water

··From a religious point of view

In the light of the above definition, Islam considers magic to be an act of blasphemy. Thus, the Holy Quran says:

"Suleiman did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved teaching men magic" (2:102)

In an authentic saying, the Prophet of Islam  Mohammed (peace be upon him) said: Whoever goes to a fortune teller (a soothe sayer) or a diviner and believes him, has, in fact, disbelieved in what has been revealed to Muhammad. Islam condemns magic- even what is called the horoscope or luck or reading one's palm to foretell the future is also prohibited in Islam. This is based on the belief that no one knows the future or the unseen except God almighty. That is why the Quran asserts that even Muhammad does not know the unseen.

Concerning this, Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) says:

"If I had the knowledge of the unseen, I should have secured abundance for myself, and no evil would have touched me"

Its belief by the people

When asking people if they believe in it or not, answers vary in different forms. Some say that they believe that it exists, and evidence for it could be seen when visiting centers where it is treated. Others believe that it is a mental thing, and that no such thing is possible. 

The destruction of families

Problems that occur due to black magic go into the thousands according to Shiekh Safwan. Cases of divorce that occur due to black magic have also risen as couples are not patient enough to wait until being cured from the sickness that could be healed in hours and could stay up to years in a person. 

The women on the street with rocks

In most major cities around the capital, one would notice old women in the streets claiming to be fortune tellers while using beads, shells, rocks and other material. They are usually located in crowded areas like Qat shops, busy streets, or even cafeterias. When sitting on the street curb, locals tend to gather around them and see what they have to say. The charges for this service is usually simple and varies for 20-100 YR. according to Sami Al-Mansoor, who tried it a couple of times he says “it seems like they are guessing and don’t know what they are doing. Only sometimes do they get the answers correctly.” 

Locals tend to ask these magicians out of curiosity, even though they feel that they do not have the knowledge. However feel different as they claim that they ask street magicians about everything they do, resulting in them being addicted to them.

Who visits them? Foreign countries

According to magicians and locals who attend their places, they claim that foreigners from numerous Arab countries visit magicians on a yearly basis or when a certain problem erupts. The magicians give them priority in their services, while in return taking huge amounts of money. Citizens from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Emirates, and Egypt among others are the most usual visitors of magicians in Yemen according to a female magician in the capital Sana’a who asked to remain anonymous. “They come with sick relatives and ask us to cure them. On the other hand, we try our best to please our foreign customers more than the local ones, for they have gone through greater troubles and risk”

Ao’bali the most famous

From all the famous Black Magicians in Yemen over the last twenty years, Ao'bali of Rada'a was the most famous of all, and died in the mid nimieties leaving behind nationwide fame that made him remembered today. Customers would come from all over the world including the United States, Europe, and the Gulf in search for their need from A'obali. According to Mohammed Nagi al-Ahwal, a store owner in Rada'a whose shop in near the complex where A'obali treats with black magic, the place would always be crowded, and it would be easily noticed that the rich people are the ones that crowd his place more than the poor. He claims that it made it clearer when many new models of Mercedes and Land Cruisers were parked outside the premises at all times. "People would come to him from everywhere. What is hard for me to understand is why so much people are interested in his magic, when Quran and modern medicine is available to serve all the people."

In my estimation, 80 is the average number of customers that can be seen visiting A'obali's complex, which is now run by family and close friends, and customers range from all age groups, sex, and nationalities."

Most visitors are women:

According to al-Ahwal, the most common visitors are women, even though they sometimes come accompanied with the males of their families. However, those who are treated from black magic are most likely to be women than men. On the other hand, women are also the most common visitors for attempting to put the black magic spell on other people. They believe that it is the easiest way to hurt someone for a long period of time, and without directly knowing who is responsible for the black magic.

Women would sell their jewelry in order to pay for the services according to Ahwal who on numerous occasions bought gold rings from women who visit A'obali and needed to pay their debts for the services they were provided.

Why they go their

A small number of people tend to believe that magicians have the power to solve all their problems; therefore they go hoping that their needs are found. Citizens of rural areas are more often visitors and some are even seen at the door steps of magicians on a monthly basis. According to Sheikh Safwan Mohammed, a local preacher in the capital, they resort to magicians instead of god due to their weak faith. “If they had faith they would have turned to Allah and not magicians. They do not understand that magicians will only make the matter worse.”