Houthi militias in Yemen, in preparation for observing the Prophet's Birthday, waged an extensive campaign for collecting illicit taxes from stores and businessmen. The Iran-backed group also imposed strict celebratory rituals to glorify its leader Abdul-Malik Badreddin al-Houthi on the occasion.

Houthis claim that their leader is a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Exploiting the religious occasion to collect funds, Houthis, within the short span of seven days, were able to collect nearly 300 million Yemeni rials (about half a million dollars), Sanaa-based sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

In the three first days of the campaign, Houthis arrested dozens of merchants and vendors who refused to pay the tariffs. The Iran-aligned militia intends to spend the money collected on holding celebrations and funding its war effort in Yemen.

For centuries, Yemenis have marked the Prophet’s Birthday away from politics and by holding spiritual gatherings at mosques. Houthis, however, are trying to change the way Yemenis celebrate the day by importing rituals from Iran.

The occasion is now being exploited to collect funds and recruit soldiers to battlefronts.

Owners of companies, institutions, schools, hospitals, restaurants and banks were forced to hang banners bearing slogans glorifying Houthis, Sanaa sources said.

Houthis have also distributed circulars with strict orders to companies, stores, banks, money exchangers, state institutions and public parks.

They threatened punishment and fines to those who violated the orders, sources added.

A number of citizens and merchants complained to Asharq Al-Awsat about Houthis drying up their resources after imposing harsh taxes, zakat, war effort royalties and fees for celebrating the Prophet’s Birthday.

Houthis, using the force of arms, forced car and motorbike owners to paint their vehicles green and white to mark the occasion.

This comes at a time Yemenis are suffering from dire poverty.

Ammar, a Yemeni taxi driver who only gave his first name, reported he was harassed on multiple Houthi checkpoints for refusing to paint his car green.