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 Torsten Christiansen Without ever stating his business, he promised to do; true to his word, he returned an hour later, only minutes before I arrived. This guest, who turned out to be an extra-ordinary character, was welcomed in the office by a senior executive of the newspaper at my request. I heard that someone had come by looking for me, but didn’t expect anything out of the ordinary, as visitors drop by the office fairly regularly. As chief editor, I am often called upon to receive and initiate them into the workings of our twice-weekly newspaper. Expecting nothing out of the ordinary, I telephoned my colleague Fakhri al-Arashi on my way back to the Observer after lunch, to find out just who this guy was, and what he might want. Al-Arashi’s answer quickened the pace of my driving. I drove like a man possessed, even though I was already quite near to the office, in order to maximize the time I could spend with this man. He was not my teacher, nor an old friend or family member of mine; he was not even a person I had met before. However, he had nonetheless become someone quite to my family and me, and his influence was felt not only in my home life, but in my professional life as well. His name is Torsten Christiansen. Has any one heard of him? Mr. Christiansen is a Danish citizen and a Christian, as he described himself in his email to Yemen Observer back in March. Concerned about my situation, vis-à-vis my ongoing legal troubles, he wrote to me inquiring about the status of my case and offering solidarity and both moral and financial support. “I wrote an e-mail concerning Mr. Mohammed al-Asaadi. Now I have written a note to be posted on your website or elsewhere. I still want to support you economically by paying (an undisclosed amount) to you. Please mail me an account number for transferring the money. I hope to be able to visit Yemen this year as part of the ongoing cooperation between Red Crescent of Yemen and Red Cross of Denmark. In case I get no other opportunity I will try to deliver the money myself.” Mr. Christiansen, who retired in October of this year from many years as an industrial worker, was just one of the many people communicating with the newspaper and with myself personally, expressing their support and solidarity. I immediately replied to his kind email with much thanks and gratitude. Seven months after writing that email, Mr. Christiansen was able to make his ten-year-old dream of visiting Yemen come true. But his visit turned out to be much more than a mere vacation – it was inspired by a rather more significant purpose – at least as far as my family and I are concerned. Upon arriving at the office, needless to say, I was elated to finally meet this long-appreciated, but unanticipated friend. He offered me kind words of understanding and support and then, in keeping with a commitment made long before, which could so easily have been recanted in the interim, he handed me a white envelope. “Well, this is what I promised to give to you, Mohammed,” he said, with a smile that seemed to emanate from his whole being. “I am happy that I could make it here to see you and give you this.” I recalled that in his email he had expressed an intention to support me financially, and when he placed that envelope in my hand, I knew that his intention had been transmuted into action. In the midst of this incredibly touching and thoughtful exchange, my attention was drawn away momentarily, thinking about the monetary support offered by my Muslim brothers in Yemen including Ministry of Information officials, prosecutors and Sheikh Abdul-Majid al-Zindani. What an Irony! Through the Sheikh’s tireless efforts, he managed to amass YR five million to prosecute my colleagues at Al-Rai Al-A’am, Al-Hurriyah newspapers and myself. What intolerant brothers I have got! This man before me was neither a Muslim nor an Arab – he was not even a casual acquaintance, yet he showed me the depth of his humanity and generosity, against which my countrymen appeared vindictive and unforgiving. “We need to talk with each other, not fight against each other,” Torsten said in all earnestness and sincerity. “I have several Muslim friends,” he wrote in his March letter to the newspaper. "I am sorry about the strong forces in Denmark [and their confrontation] with Islamic human beings and Islamic values." Torsten’s brand of Christianity transcended dogmatic ideas that pit religious traditions against each other. Finding no contradiction in recognizing and integrating universal truths into his faith, he embraced and expanded upon the ubiquitous anthem of Islamic civilization. “To me Allahu Akbar means: God is greater than human activity and human understanding. God doesn’t care about humans acting in his name. “In my point of view, Mr. Mohammed al-Asaadi has said exactly that in the Yemen Observer. I think he has defended the values of Islam in a much better way than the people talking about killing those responsible for the cartoons,” he said in his March note. Twenty-one private prosecutors were commissioned by Sheikh al-Zindani, president of the Islamic Al-Iman University, to convict me in court of ridiculing the prophet (PBUH). The sheikh turned down all mediators who volunteered to speak on my behalf about my good will and innocence. What a brotherhood! I stood silent for a while, on the verge of tears standing face to face with my guest who had crossed all those miles to come and see me and show me that his support for me, for my family and for my newspaper was real, and tangible, and practical. I kept thanking him profusely with all the expressions of gratitude I had ever learnt. “Your coming here, carrying this envelope to support me, is worth more than millions of dollars,” I said. “I am greatly indebted to you, Mr. Torsten.” I tried to explain to my guest that our situation at the newspaper is much improved now and that we have come back even stronger. “We are also doing okay, financially,” I added, hoping to convince him to take the money back and give it to charity. With emotion and apprehension in his voice, he refused, saying, “I am afraid. You may need yet it. Your trial is not over. You might be taken again to prison and your family will be in need.” This man in his early sixties, recently retired and on a fixed income, is concerned about my family and their situation should I be sentenced to jail. “I am an industrial worker and have not a lot of money to support,” he said, as if to say he was sorry that it couldn’t be more. I had to accept this gift, not out of concern for my own situation, but out of respect for the spirit in which it was given. This is my brother in humanity. His are the kind of words that people long to hear. I had to introduce Mr. Christiansen to the chairman of the house, Mr. Faris Sanabani, who is always busy and often a difficult one to catch. Mr. Sanabani was impressed by the determination and sincerity of this guy. He gave him a hero’s welcome and presented him with variety of our publications, replica products, T-shirts, paraphernalia and more. And he did not feel that was enough. We offered to pay his hotel bill, but it was already taken care of by the Red Cross. We invited him and his eleven colleagues for a dinner reception, but their harried itinerary couldn’t accommodate it. They left Sana’a next morning en route to Taiz and then on to Aden. I was promised by their group coordinator that they would contact me upon their arrival from Aden to Sana’a but, again, this was not to be. They arrived at the Sana’a airport from Aden directly. I shared Torsten’s story with my family and friends. It was published in local print and online newspapers. The envelope contains a Moleskine Notebook, and some cash.
I later gave the envelope to my wife after telling her and my two daughters (Kholud, 6 and Asma, 4) this unforgettable story. My third daughter is too young to comprehend the story.  I made my wife promise not to use the money unless I am convicted and jailed. She was a bit disappointed at this, but I had to stress to her that “this money is meant for you to use while I am behind bars.” 
I made my wife promise not to use the money unless I am convicted and jailed. She was a bit disappointed at this, but I had to stress to her that “this money is meant for you to use while I am behind bars.” In our hearts, she and I felt the money would be locked away in a safe forever. However, my colleague Kamal al-Olufi, editor of Al-Rai Al-A’am, was sentenced last week to one year in prison and his newspaper was shut down in a case similar to mine. I had to rethink the situation and advised my wife to spend Torsten’s gift on my daughters’ education for part of the year I may spend in jail. Thank you Torsten for your kindness, and please forgive us for the shameful condition that the Yemeni press is forced to operate in, which inspired it.
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