אסלום בכח של יתומים בתימן: תגובת היהודים ודפוסי התנהגות של מוסלמים

Discusses the enforcement of the edict issued in 1921 by the Imam Yahya (1908-1948), according to which all Jewish orphan children in Yemen had to be converted to Islam, in accordance with the laws of the Muslim Zayda sect which were strictly observed by the Yemenite rulers. Large segments of the Yemenite population preferred to adopt a tolerant attitude towards the Jews, especially in the northern areas, where the tribes were able to maintain a large measure of independence from the Imam. However, in San'a and adjacent areas, the decree was strictly enforced, especially during the 1940s. This forced the Jews to rescue the orphans by means of adoption, hiding, escape to Aden, or arranging child marriages. Nevertheless, even the Imam was ready to relax the enforcement of his edict when support could be found in Muslim law.