YemenOnline- July 15,2008 (Exclusive)- This morning, Apollo Exhibition Grounds in Sana’a, owned by Hameed Al Ahmar, the ambitious Shaykh, businessman, Member of Parliament, top Islah leader and vocal opponent of President Saleh, were venue for the “Inaugural Al Fadheelah (Virtue) Meeting of the Ulema, Shaykhs and Notables of Yemen”. Shaykh Abdul Majeed Al Zandani presided over the gathering of six thousand delegates and supporters of the yet-to-be-licensed Vice and Virtue Commission that has already started its activity in Sana’a Aden and Hodiedah by raiding restaurants and harassing beach visitors, see (www.yemenonline.info/news-813.html ).The enthusiastic audience, in their signature beards and short Thawbs,  applauded and raised both hands  when Zandani asked for a show of hands in support of continued war till  victory against Al- Houthi rebels of Sadah, as well as for the establishment of branches across the country for the Vice and Virtue Commission.During the meeting a statement by the “Ulema of Yemen” demanded complete segregation of the sexes, banning women from travel without a male escort, banning public concerts and dancing of women, and the participation of women in mixed workshops and conferences. They especially cited a dance show in which male and female dancers held hands.In the press conference that followed, Yemenonline asked Zandani how he would reconcile these demands with Yemen’s obligations under international agreements to protect the rights of women. “We let others commit adultery with our women! By God we shall starve to death instead!” he cried in response. Zandani claimed that past activities of the Vice and Virtue Police were the private initiative of zealous Muslims, not directed by his proposed Commission. The proposed Commission will offer advice to law enforcement agencies, he added.A more ominous position was expressed by Shaykh Hamoud al Tharehi, who has come to national prominence a few years ago in connection to a pyramid scheme called “Al Mungheth”. Shortly after a journalist pointed out that one of the most vocal critics of the proposed Commission is brigadier Yahya Saleh, Commander of the Central Security Organization (CSO) and nephew to the President, Tharehi first apologized for having called journalists “Addicts”, then declared that the proposed Commission will target organizations and prominent individuals who encourage vice and brothels and against whom law enforcement agencies stand helpless. In its weekly meeting, the Council of Ministers issued a statement indicating that “no private entity has the right to curtail the rights of the people.