Yemen : Houthis Exploit Mosque Minarets for Financial Gain

Local reports have revealed that Houthi militias in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have been leasing mosque minarets to commercial companies specializing in internet services, generating monthly revenues to fund their activities.
Sources indicate that Houthis have installed broadcasting equipment for internet networks atop minarets in several districts, including Al-Tahrir, Shu'aub, Al-Safia, and Bani Al-Harith, under the pretext of improving service quality and connection speed.
According to reports, the group's so-called “Mosques Sector” within the Endowment Authority has signed agreements allowing businesses to rent mosque minarets for monthly fees ranging between $100 and $250 per site. This practice has sparked public outrage, with many condemning it as a blatant violation of the sanctity of religious sites and an unethical commercialization of places of worship.
Further investigations reveal that this move is part of broader efforts by the militias to generate financial returns, including leasing school rooftops and government buildings to install solar panel systems for private businesses, which are then taxed by the group for additional income.
In response, citizens and activists have called for urgent action to halt these practices, emphasizing the need to protect religious institutions from commercial exploitation. Rights organizations have also been urged to intervene and prevent such violations, ensuring that mosques remain dedicated solely to religious and community purposes.
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