Arab youth in general face a challenging void, but the Yemeni case is uniquely severe due to the ongoing war since 2015. This war has led to the closure of many sports and cultural clubs, the suspension of recreational activities, and a sharp rise in unemployment. Consequently, many young Yemenis spend their time chewing khat, wandering the streets, or even joining combat fronts, increasing the risks of deviation, crime, and societal instability.

Young people in Yemen face monumental challenges due to this void. With youth making up 70% of the country’s population, statistics reveal that one-third of them are unemployed, creating a crisis that fuels feelings of frustration and despair.

This void often translates into negative behaviors that threaten societal stability, such as deviation, crime, extremism, and terrorism. It also weighs heavily on their mental health and hinders their ambition, leading to disorders like depression and anxiety.

A 2019 study on mental health in Yemen revealed alarming statistics:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 45% of Yemeni youth.
• Depression affects 27%, anxiety 25%, schizophrenia 18%, and phobias 4%.

The Trap of Idleness: Breeding Ground for Deviance, Crime, and Mental Illness

Social studies agree that the phenomenon of idleness among Yemeni youth is not just a fleeting issue but a trap leading to deviance, crime, and mental illnesses, threatening their future and that of their society. Idleness provides a fertile ground for deviant behaviors. Youth deprived of positive activities may resort to prohibited behaviors such as drug abuse, theft, assault, and moral corruption, jeopardizing societal cohesion.

Additionally, frustration and despair stemming from unemployment can push youth toward crime as a source of income or as a means of expressing anger. The void also serves as fertile soil for extremist ideologies. Young people lacking proper religious upbringing may fall prey to extremists who exploit their emotions and misguide them, potentially leading them to violent acts that threaten societal security.

Studies also highlight idleness as a major factor contributing to mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Feelings of boredom, loneliness, and hopelessness negatively impact mental health, potentially leading to destructive behaviors, including suicide.

Thus, the negative effects of idleness overshadow all aspects of young people's lives, from their mental health to their social behavior, hindering their progress toward success and development.

Mental Health Crisis in Yemen

According to reports by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) last year, Yemen suffers from a severe shortage of mental health services and resources:

• Seven million Yemenis required mental health care in 2024.
• There is only one psychiatrist for every 700,000 people, compared to the global standard of 40 psychiatrists per 100,000 people.
• Only 120,000 out of the seven million in need can access mental health services.
• At least one-third of Yemenis suffer from mental disorders.

Suicide Cases

UNFPA statistics also highlight an alarming spread of suicide cases in Yemen:

• More than 50 suicides or suicide attempts occurred in Houthi-controlled provinces in 2022.
• One suicide case every two days.
• Over five teachers committed suicide in Ibb Province in 2019.

These statistics emphasize the dire impact of Yemen's civil war and the void and unemployment among Yemeni youth, alongside the accompanying psychological and behavioral effects that threaten societal stability and future.

The Void and Youth Suffering

The war has caused the closure of many sports and cultural clubs, depriving youth of sports and activities that once filled their time positively.

Recreational activities such as cultural events, trips, and outings have also ceased, intensifying feelings of boredom and frustration.

The conflict has significantly increased unemployment rates, making it challenging for young people to find jobs that could productively occupy their time.

Almost all sports activities in Yemen have halted during the war, including leagues, football matches, and other games. For years, Yemen did not participate in any regional or international sports activities sine the eruption of war. The 2019–2020 season marked the first football league since sports activities stopped in 2014, following the Houthi takeover of Sana’a and the start of the war.

Undoubtedly, the suspension of sports activities since 2014 has had a profound impact on clubs and athletes, depriving them of training and match opportunities, leading to a decline in the country's sports standards.

Youth and Social Media

The misuse of social media, without ethical or value-based guidance, has led to a significant waste of time, the most precious human resource. Many young people have become mere consumers, neither benefiting themselves nor contributing to society.

A large segment of youth has retreated into isolation with these platforms, distancing themselves from societal issues. This detachment prevents them from engaging in the pressing issues of their community, depriving Yemen of a vital force in addressing its crises.

One specialized study noted that about 70% of Yemeni youth spend most of their time on social media, with no tangible benefits for themselves or society.

Another study found that social media addiction has significantly altered societal behaviors among Yemeni youth. Traditions like visiting during occasions and cooperating in crises have dwindled, as many youth don’t care anymore of crises and disasters even affecting their relatives. Many now content to send text messages as their maximum form of participation.

The increasing free time among Yemeni youth is closely tied to the country's economic crises and the widespread tribal conflicts. Finding effective solutions is impossible without addressing the civil and tribal disputes that act as the root cause, as these conflicts exacerbate unemployment, crime, drug abuse, and, most critically, the erosion of values and religious principles among many young people.

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In a previous article, I discussed the key reasons why Arab youth are drawn to foreign dramas and music, highlighting that among the main causes are the Arab mind's fascination with foreign culture amidst a psychological defeat experienced by many in the Muslim community, the rebellious and independent nature of youth, their desire for uniqueness, the prevalence of international schools and private universities, and the lack of culturally compatible local productions.

In the following lines, I will address the primary consequences of teenagers' attachment to non-Arabic dramas and music, particularly Korean. The craze for non-Arabic series and music—especially what's known as "K-Pop"—is sweeping the world, including the Arab and Islamic world.

For those skeptical about considering it a phenomenon, visiting famous shopping centers would reveal gatherings of BTS fans around merchandise related to the Korean band, such as accessories, photos, and clothing.

According to a report attributed to "Spotify," one of the largest music streaming platforms globally, most listeners of Korean songs and specifically "K-Pop" between 2014 and 2020 came from the Middle East and North Africa, with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria ranking highest. Riyadh Season 2019 saw a BTS concert attended by over 60,000 people, mostly teenagers.

The issue is that many young people who listen to and watch Korean music are unaware of the cultural invasion risks to their identity, values, and beliefs. K-Pop taps into youth emotions, discussing issues directly affecting them, like bullying, friendship, relationships with parents, and love. Although these topics may seem positive on the surface, they’re presented through Korean cultural values, which share few commonalities with Arab-Islamic identity but differ significantly in many other aspects. This influence subtly infiltrates young minds, with every detail— from member selection, appearance, music, and carefully rehearsed dances to global fan interactions— meticulously crafted.

The negative consequences of listening to foreign, especially Korean, music are numerous. In terms of values and morals, K-Pop promotes atheism and moral decay amidst a weak awareness role by religious institutions in our countries. Nations that respect their culture, like China and Japan, have banned Korean music bands from entering because they understand the "soft power" effect on cultural identity.

From a psychological angle, K-Pop, according to mental health experts, consumes teenagers' emotions, creating a state of harmony that incites over-excitement, detaching them mentally from reality. This attachment either with or without sensory stimuli keeps them bonded to this music's impact. As the addiction grows, they display aggressive behaviors, becoming disoriented, unable to focus, and reluctant to engage with others.

K-Pop addicts often exhibit shyness, evident academic and social performance gaps, especially within family dynamics. They choose isolation, pulling away from a balanced life involving physical, social, and recreational activities.

Psychologists confirm that K-Pop music induces mental stress, potentially disrupting the central nervous system, leading to an inability to enhance self-capabilities or carry out daily tasks. This “loud” music genre can involuntarily heighten pain perception, blood pressure disturbances, and "musical tremors," making the brain unstable during and after listening. High frequencies cause brain wave fluctuations, making teenagers hyperactive, often prompting impulsive actions that might put their lives at risk, particularly during this critical transitional age.

An interesting observation about BTS is the challenge in identifying their gender; I initially assumed the members were female, only to discover they were male.

Simultaneously, a disturbing trend has emerged: many men now resort to cosmetic procedures to thicken or straighten hair, lighten skin, or refine nose or ear shapes, among other cosmetic alterations.

I worry that the essence of masculinity, as it originally was, may erode, especially as our male-dominated society trends towards effeminacy. Often, one struggles to distinguish between young men and women due to excessive softness, a decline fueled by a broad segment of artists and actors who serve as role models for many teenagers.

The problem here is if masculinity standards continue evolving as they are today, girls may naturally become repelled by men with traditional masculine features.

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In June 2019, the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, one of the world’s leading schools in international political studies, launched a project titled Youth Politics in the Middle East and North Africa under the Project on Middle East Political Science (POMEPS). The initiative organized a workshop on youth politics in Amman, Jordan, and some African countries, in collaboration with the Phoenix Center for Economic and Informatics Studies.

The papers and discussions at the workshop aimed to unpack the concept of “youth politics.” They explored questions like: What distinguishes the latest generation of youth from previous ones? How is youth activism evolving? What is their relationship with politics, public attitudes, and government policies? And, is it possible to generalize about the experience of being young and politically engaged in today’s Middle East?

Many Arab Youth Avoid Official Engagements and Turn to Social Networks

Youth in the Arab world represent a vital part of society, accounting for a significant portion of the population and seen as a primary driver of change and innovation. Roughly 60% of the Arab region’s population is under 30 years old, with half between the ages of 15 and 29. However, young people face numerous political and economic challenges in Arab countries, limiting their effective participation in public life and constraining their role in decision-making.

In light of these significant challenges, the recent study from the project highlighted several important findings:

1. Avoidance of Official Activities: Many young Arabs and Muslims avoid engagement in official activities, whether state-sponsored, opposition-affiliated, or related to civil society organizations, and instead incline towards social networks that requires careful monitoring. This informal engagement can be a double-edged sword: it allows for swift gains but may lead to disruptive policies quickly as well, though it does not easily translate into the realm of high politics.
2. Interest in New Issues: Youth are interested in examining new issues and learning from the failures of previous actors. For instance, they question: Did Hezbollah’s experiment fail? Will Hamas's combat capabilities determine the situation in Israel? They inquire about the efficacy of party and group formations in the coming years and whether the Arab world can continue without modern technology.

Youth Face Underrepresentation as Traditional Elites Dominate Most Political Systems

3. Adapting to New Realities: Young people's activism today is characterized by adaptation to current realities, whether virtual pressures, internal constraints, or challenges to authority. It is evident that controversial forms of politics are changing over time, as methods of resistance and strategies for participation are never fixed. New generations are aware of this dynamism, making them political in largely unexpected ways.
4. Quick and Specialized Education: Youth now lean towards rapid learning through training programs and specialized courses in technology and artificial intelligence, as well as other fields like business, modern languages, cybersecurity, and digital tracking.

Major Challenges

Beyond the paper’s findings, the main challenges facing Arab youth can be summarized as follows:

1. Political Exclusion: Youth suffer from underrepresentation, with traditional elites, old parties, and older figures dominating most political systems in the region. This marginalizes young voices, and even in countries where laws are enforced to support youth representation, such as allocating seats in parliaments, these initiatives are often superficial and rarely lead to substantial change.
2. Distrust Between Youth and Official Institutions: Studies indicate that young Arabs have a low level of trust in government and political institutions, stemming from corruption and political monopolies. Youth feel that institutions do not represent their interests and only serve the interests of certain elites.

In Some Arab Countries, Youth Suffer from Repression of Freedoms, Including Freedom of Expression, Assembly, and Creativity

3. Unemployment and Class Disparities: Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges facing Arab youth. According to World Bank statistics, youth unemployment in the Arab region is among the highest in the world. Class disparities also contribute to a sense of unequal opportunity, as local economies rely on natural resources such as oil and gas, creating powerful business elites and lower-income business classes.
4. Inadequate Education and Vocational Training: Educational systems in many Arab countries lack flexibility and fail to adapt to the demands of the modern global market. Education often focuses on theoretical and traditional disciplines, exacerbating unemployment and limiting the ability of youth to innovate and contribute to economic growth.
5. Authoritarianism and Restrictions on Freedoms: In some Arab countries, youth face repression of political and social freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly, and creativity. Some turn to storytelling or other forms of expression to escape from the grip of censorship.
6. Disengagement from Politics and Focus on Social Activities: As a result of these challenges, many young Arabs shift their focus towards social change rather than direct political engagement. They increasingly engage in volunteer initiatives and community projects to improve the everyday lives of citizens, steering clear of the formal political landscape, which they consider to lack legitimacy or effectiveness.

The Arab World Will Not Achieve Real Progress Unless Youth Are Integrated as Active Partners in Building the Future

Empowering youth in the Arab world is a major challenge for the region. Without enhancing their participation in political and economic life, unemployment rates will continue to rise, and frustration among younger generations will persist. This requires finding effective solutions and comprehensive reforms in the political, economic, and educational sectors, with youth at the heart of these reforms through encouraging genuine political representation, supporting innovation, and promoting social justice.

Empowering youth is not solely the responsibility of the state; it is a shared effort that requires cooperation between governments, the private sector, and civil society organizations. The Arab world will not achieve real progress unless youth are integrated as active partners in building the future, especially since new generations place little trust in official projects managed by Arab governments.

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Since the Arab states gave up on liberating Palestine in the mid-1960s, various resistance movements with different ideological and intellectual perspectives have borne the burden of liberation. Consequently, youth have become more involved in these movements, more engaged with the Palestinian cause, and more aware of the reality and danger of the Zionist project. Since that time, young people's blood has been the most shed, and they have suffered the most in various prisons, especially in the prisons of the Zionist occupation.

Before the “Al-Aqsa Flood” on October 7, 2023, interest in the Palestinian cause was waning among many young Arabs. Many believed that the Zionist army was invincible and that achieving a victory over it, or even delivering painful blows, was impossible. They thought normalization with the Zionist entity was the only option for Palestinians and Arabs, and that there was no escape from submitting and accepting the existence and superiority of “Israel.”

However, the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation had a significant impact on Palestinian and Arab youth. The events revived the Palestinian cause and brought back the tragedy of the 1948 Arab Nakba. This time, the Palestinian response was entirely different. Hundreds of thousands of Gazans rejected Zionist displacement plans, clinging to their existence in Palestine even if borders were opened and countries welcomed them.

Many opinion polls indicate that the Gaza war has had a significant impact on both Palestinian and Arab youth. In the West Bank, the majority supported the resistance project led by Hamas, while support for peaceful and normalization projects with “Israel” pursued by the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, declined. This support for Hamas transcends party and factional commitments, favoring the resistance project.

A poll conducted on December 13, 2023, by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research showed an increase in support for Hamas in the West Bank. 85% of those surveyed supported Hamas's surprise attack on “Israel” on October 7, 2023, while only 10% supported the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, and 7% supported Mahmoud Abbas.

This poll reveals the presence and deep-rootedness of the resistance project within the Palestinian society across all factions and forces, especially among youth. Young people believe that normalization has not improved Palestinians' living conditions or deepened their sense of security and hope for a better life. Instead, it has led to increased settlements that consume land and confine Palestinians to small, fragmented areas unsuitable for life or development, let alone establishing an independent state. Therefore, the “Al-Aqsa Flood” and the Gaza war have shifted Palestinian youth from accepting the logic of normalization to embracing the horizon of resistance, increasing youth support for the resistance project and their involvement in its current.

Anyone following the impact of the Gaza war among youth in the West Bank will notice that resistance has become a youth option. Hence, “Israeli” incursions into cities, villages, and camps in the West Bank, their siege, and the arrest and killing of young people have not ceased. The number of martyrs has exceeded 370 Palestinians, while the number of detainees has surpassed 6,200 since the “Al-Aqsa Flood.” These Zionist crimes in the West Bank undoubtedly create a strong barrier against normalization projects and a lasting memory of the brutal reality of the Zionist occupation, weakening the security apparatus of the Authority in Ramallah in suppressing youth anger against the ongoing war of genocide in Gaza.

At the Arab youth level, despite the apparent calm in Arab capitals, the “Al-Aqsa Flood” and the Gaza war have revived the Palestinian cause in the hearts of many young Arabs. This awakening has prevented those known as the “Arab Likud” or “Arab Zionists” from having a media presence opposing the resistance project or supporting “Israel.” Some normalization advocates have even expressed regret for supporting normalization with “Israel.” For instance, Dr. Osama Al-Ghazali Harb apologized, writing in the Cairo newspaper “Al-Ahram”: “I apologize for my good faith in the 'Israelis,' who have revealed a vile, criminal racist spirit. I apologize to the martyrs of Gaza, and to every Palestinian child, woman, and man... I apologize.”

In a survey conducted by the Washington Institute between November 14, 2023, and January 6, 2024, involving a thousand Saudis, 95% supported what Hamas did on October 7, 2023. 91% of them viewed the Gaza war as a victory for Palestinians despite the destruction and loss of life. 96% opposed normalization with “Israel” and called for severing diplomatic, commercial, and economic ties with “Israel.” According to this survey, Hamas enjoys unprecedented support in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. For example, in Lebanon, 8 out of 10 Lebanese have a positive view of Hamas, indicating that support for Hamas and the resistance project extends beyond sectarian boundaries.

Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim youth have played a prominent role in “humanizing” the war on Gaza and transforming it into a humanitarian tragedy that necessitates intervention to stop the barbaric genocide that “Israel” is perpetrating in Gaza. The significant efforts of youth have presented a different narrative of the war on Gaza, gaining wide global acceptance and support. This has been evident in the demonstrations flooding Western capitals, narrowing the grip on the “Israeli” and Western narrative about the war on Gaza. Youth efforts have been clear on social media platforms, providing extensive information and videos, exposing the Palestinian plight and rights. For instance, over 50 million posts appeared on the “X” platform during the first two days of the war on Gaza. Despite billionaire Elon Musk's visit to “Israel,” millions of posts condemned “Israel,” prompting the platform's administration to launch a campaign to close many influential pro-Palestinian accounts after threats from the European Commission. Hashtags supporting the Palestinian cause garnered millions of views; for example, the hashtag “#Palestine” received 40.3 billion views on “TikTok,” and the hashtag “NotJustNumbers,” which tells the stories of martyrs in Gaza, achieved wide reach.

These efforts by youth on social media have significantly changed the stance toward the Palestinian cause in most Arab countries, especially among youth. This has been confirmed by “Foreign Affairs” magazine, stating that after the Gaza war, “Israel” is less popular, having changed Arab perspectives.

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The heroic martyr Muhammad Salah, the Egyptian soldier who carried out a heroic operation in June 2023 near the Al-Auja crossing that separates Egypt's Sinai from occupied Palestine, has opened the floodgates for the free people and heroes of the Ummah. This call to action is not limited to Egypt alone but extends to all Arab and Islamic countries, urging them to carry out heroic acts that we yearn for in response to the terrorism of the Zionist occupation. It is a call to defend Islamic sanctities and stand against the Zionists wherever they are found until the occupation is expelled from Palestine, the Arab Islamic land usurped by Zionist gangs who seized it after committing massacres against its Palestinian people, and continue to perpetrate this killing and terrorism to this day.

Muhammad Salah, the Egyptian hero who has captured the hearts of Arab youth, sent a message through his heroic operation: Nothing is impossible, and silence on the crimes of the occupation is unacceptable. There can be no tolerance for the usurpation of the land, and no obstacle, no matter how great, can stand in the way of Arab youth defending their land, people, and religion. Even if facing a fascist regime collaborating with the occupation, all paths remain open, requiring only willpower, faith in Allah, planning, training, and organization to achieve the goal. Ultimately, we will reach what we aspire to.

Muhammad Salah lives up to his name, for he is Muhammad, a follower of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), adhering to a faith that does not accept humiliation or silence in the face of injustice. He embodies righteousness for himself, his people, his Ummah, and his religion. Muhammad Salah became a living model, inspiring all who see in him an Arab Muslim hero to follow his path, despite the rough and difficult road. Yet, this road will be overcome by the free and proud willpower that believes in Allah's victory.

So, come forth, youth of the Ummah, and walk the path of the Egyptian hero, and those who followed. Show us what will warm our hearts, and be like Muhammad Salah, Salman Khater, and all the free souls.

We ask Allah to see from you what will help us, as a Palestinian people, achieve our deeply-rooted aspirations. You are the free ones who, together with the Palestinians, will liberate Palestine and cleanse its land of the occupation. Unite and be the hallmark of this phase we are living in and a beacon of hope for the coming stages.

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