All praise be to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and his Companions.
I have read the article published in Al-Siyasah magazine in 24/7/1404 A.H. in its issue no. 5644 written by the Chairman of San`a University, Mr. `Abdul `Aziz. In the article, he claimed that separating male and female students is against Shari`ah (Islamic law).
And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance
O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women)
"I am not leaving behind me any trial more harmful to men than women."
"Indeed, this world is sweet and green (alluring). Allah makes you succeed one another in it so that He may see how you act. So beware of this world and beware of women, for the first trial for the People of Israel was through women."
Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ): "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allâh
And We have not sent you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind
"The best of men's rows (in prayers) is the first row and the worst is the last; and the best of woman's rows is the last and the worst is the first."
Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.
My answer to this claim is that it is true, but women used to stay at the end of the Masjid while observing Hijab and avoiding all means leading to Fitnah. At the other hand, men were in the front.
I advise the Chairman of San`a University to fear Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), make Tawbah (repentance to Allah) and return to the Truth. Doing so shows a knowledge seeker's virtuousness and desire to follow the Truth.
Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, his Companions and those who follow him righteously until the Day of Resurrection.