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Houthis celebrate birth of Prophet Muhammad

The Houthis, an armed opposition group in northern Yemen which the government launched six wars against in nine years, recently publicised the intention to stage an unprecedented public celebration of the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday on January 24.

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Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
A sign bearing the words "Prophet of God" near Sana(***)s Change Square on January 18
By Luke Somers
Published On 25 Jan 2013
Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
Tens of thousands of Houthis descended on a large, desolate site in the Hazia area of the Yemeni capital adjoining empty lots on one side and a mountain range on the other to hold the public celebration
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Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
A boy carries his father(***)s AK-47 assault rifle as they move towards the site of Thursday(***)s large-scale Houthi gathering
Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
A week before the public celebration, a man at Sana’s Change Square sells Houthi memorabilia underneath a large banner featuring the movement(***)s controversial slogan, "God is great, Death to America, Death to Israel, Damn the Jews, Victory to Islam." Now plastered and painted in public view throughout the capital city, the slogan was nowhere near as visible there only a year ago
Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
Houthis have in recent times developed into a potent political and media force. The group’s organisation was on display in the form of tightly-controlled checkpoints at the entrance to Thursday’s celebration
Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
The decision by Houthis to hold a public celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday was a departure from tradition in Sana’a, where the day has generally been observed by citizens in mosques or homes
Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
Thursday(***)s Houthi celebration was held a relatively short distance from the site of a US drone strike which took place the day before
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Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
A Houthi follower prays before various pieces of artwork bearing slogans and symbols directly concerned with the northern group(***)s stances
Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
A message from Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the group(***)s leader, was conveyed to the thousands in attendance on Thursday using a large video screen. Al-Houthi spoke out against what he claimed was a refusal by Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Yemeni president to sanction a public show of devotion to the Prophet Muhammad
Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
Said, who stated that he held US citizenship, said as he exited the site of the gathering that there were "a lot of misconceptions about Houthi ideas". While he said that he himself was not a Houthi, he estimated that "about 95 per cent"? of those present at the gathering were
Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
Among the thousands who departed by foot from Thursday(***)s gathering, a man named Mohammed Hussein said January 24 was a day "for the Prophet, for all Muslims, and not just Houthis"
Houthis mark birth of Prophet Muhammad
The Houthi population, long-viewed as a war- and poverty stricken people, sometimes seen as victims and at others as aggressors, are expected to have a prominent presence at Yemen(***)s planned National Dialogue Conference, which has the backing of the UN and a number of Western nations

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