Ibrahim al-Hamdi Way (Bronx)
Present name:None
Location:At the intersection of White Plains Road and Rhinelander Avenue
Honoree: Ibrahim al-Hamdi (1943-1977) became President of North Yemen when he seized power in a military coup in 1974. While in office, he embarked on ambitious economic development plans to help bring North Yemen closer to 20th century modernity. He cemented the central government's control, planned on ending tribal loyalty, and Yemen's medieval social stratification by proclaiming all Yemenis as equal. He also improved relations with Saudi Arabia. He made massive strides in modernisation, building up a modern healthcare and education system and significantly reducing poverty through the implementation of Socialist policies. He allocated 31 percent of North Yemen’s annual budget to education, including a free breakfast program for pupils in remote rural areas. His efforts to eradicate tribal loyalty (including in the military) and establish the rule of law in a country devastated by years of civil conflict were ground-breaking in the Arab world during the 1970s. He abolished the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (a body he believed was an obstacle to the country’s economic and social advancement) and established the Ministry of Local Administration. He also restructured the North Yemen army and raised the salaries of military and civilian personnel. During his rule, North Yemen witnessed remarkable economic growth, with the country’s GDP rising from 21.5 percent in 1974 to 56.1 percent in 1977. Its per capita income rose by 300 percent in the same period. Al-Hamdi was also planning to establish more democratic institutions in the country by founding what he called “popular conventions” to “prepare the groundwork for eventual elections.” He was assassinated in 1977. (Gjonaj)
LL:2022/54