Houthis blocked a tribute ceremony that was scheduled to take place in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, to honor young Yemeni singer Lama Qais after she won The Voice Kids, cancelling the event just hours before it was due to begin.
The hotel hosting the ceremony reportedly received a warning from Houthi officials, prompting its last-minute cancellation. Although the event was exclusively for women, the group said it conflicted with what it calls the “Faith Identity.”
The incident has renewed criticism of restrictions on artistic and cultural activities in Houthi-controlled areas. A celebration of a young Yemeni talent who brought pride to her country instead became another example of ideology taking precedence over art and culture.
