Abdul-Malek al-Houthi, leader of the Houthis, a group of Shia rebel whose zone of influence extends over three of Yemen northern provinces -- Hajjah, Sa'ada and al-Jawf -- condemned in a address on Thursday President Abdo Rabbo Hadi's refusal to allow Zaidi Muslims to perform a ceremony in the honor of the prophet of Islam - al Mouled al-Nabawi (birthday of the prophet)
Islamic tradition established Prophet Mohammed was born on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal - lunar calendar -
There is a difference in opinion in between Sunnis and Shiites as to whether the event should be celebrated as a religious event, Sunnis claiming that since the prophet had not felt the need to mark the day so should not they. Shiites on the contrary felt
That although not practices in early Islam, the remembrance of the Prophet's birthday through religious festival, recitation of the Quran and congregational prayers is a good innovation.
Al-Houthi also urged Sana'a government to take into account his faction's demands in regards to Yemen coming National Dialogue. On several occasions since the establishment of Yemen's transitional period, the Houthis have formerly demanded an apology from the government for the abuses and human rights violations they allege the military committed during the Sa'ada war - 2004 - under deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh.