Houthi militia replaces mosque preachers in Dhamar with loyalists, restricting freedom of religious expression.

Houthi Militia Bans Imams in Dhamar, Replaces Them with Loyalists

In a controversial move, the Houthi militia banned several mosque preachers from delivering Friday sermons in Dhamar province last Friday. The militia replaced these preachers with individuals loyal to their cause, sparking widespread discontent among local residents. This action coincided with the group’s observance of sectarian events, further intensifying community anger.

Targeting Mosques and Preachers

Local sources report that the Houthi militia launched a campaign targeting multiple mosques run by Salafi sheikhs. Among those barred from preaching were Sheikh Wahban bin Murshid Al-Mudhi, the imam of Al-Dhu Al-Nurain Mosque in Dhamar city, and Sheikh Abdullah Othman in the Al-Kharbi area, along with several other preachers. The militia’s decision to appoint loyalists in their place reflects an ongoing policy of exclusion and marginalization.

Houthi Directives for Exclusion

Sources indicate that the exclusion was ordered by Houthi leader Abu Hassan, the head of the Guidance Office in the province. This directive came during the group’s commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussein bin Ali, highlighting their use of religious occasions to bolster their authority. The community’s outrage led many residents to abandon mosques, opting to pray at home in protest against the imposition of sectarian preachers.

A History of Violations

Since their takeover in 2014, the Houthi militia has conducted extensive campaigns of harassment and intimidation against preachers and religious leaders in areas under their control. These campaigns aim to eliminate influential figures and transform places of worship into platforms for their sectarian rhetoric. Such violations demonstrate the militia’s efforts to dominate the religious and political landscape in the country.

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