Unforgettable Personality, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf [Archives:2000/24/Focus]

Living in the hearts of patriotic people, Abdul Aziz worked for a better tomorrow for his society, enhancing the values of democracy and human rights in Yemen. He was a pioneer in this field. He devoted his life to supporting democracy and issues of human rights. Throughout his lifetime, he did his best to develop the awareness of people so that the supreme values of democracy and human rights might take root.
He is the martyr of Yemen’s press and democracy. He was a man ahead of his time. Founding Yemen Times, he launched a daring war against corruption and the corrupt who exploit potentials of the country for their own interest. Disclosing human rights violations, he stood trial many times. However, he used to possess an unwavering determination and nothing daunted him.
However, without any prior notice, he left us for good. But his ideas and values are still alive in the hearts and conscience of the people. It is he who created a motive and determination in the intellectuals of our society to struggle and fight for democracy, for freedom of expression, for social equity, “for comforting the afflicted and afflict the comfort”. Therefore, he will never die as long as these people live. He was loved and admired by all. Even the corrupt who hated him, admired him. All the people whom he stood by and supported in hard times will never forget him. He was a generation by himself. He was a very courageous kind of person, full of enthusiasm and ambitions. It is impossible to find one like him or to replace him.
A year has passed since he left us. However, we still and will remember him. His newspaper, Yemen Times, is a great homage to him. We all have confidence in his son Mr. Walid to follow the steps of his father and continue to sponsor human rights and democracy no matter what obstacles he may face. We are sure that the newspaper will have the same objectives of the late Dr, Abdul Aziz Al-Saqqaf, to raise the awareness of people to democracy and human rights. Yemen Times is and will be the ambassador of Yemen to the outside world and the voice of the voiceless so as to achieve democracy and social equity. It will also be the bridge between Yemen and other countries. We all do support and pin high hopes on it.
Mohamed Noman

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