Al-Shabaab Militants Ban Butchers in Mogadishu
Apr 4, 2010
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Hard-line Islamists ban and replace butchers who don't slaughter in accordance with Wahabi ideology
Somalia's al-Shabaab extremist group has prohibited butchers from doing their jobs in Mogadishu, accusing butchers of preparing meat in an unacceptable way not in accordance with strict Wahabi ideology.
Armed militants on trucks mounted with machine guns and others walking with sticks have ordered butchers not to slaughter animals and meat traders not to sell their meat, saying they are practicing their trade outside of religious law and that Al-Shabaab would create their own network of butchers and traders.
"You have to stop your illegal butchering, we will launch new legal ones soon," A masked militant who identified himself as Abu Qatada told traders yesterday. "We shall do this in the way our religion allows."
The militants have beliefs that meat not prepared with their hands is not suitable to be eaten according to Wahabi ideology.
"What al-Shabaab said shows a lack of understanding of our religion," Sheikh Abdirizaq Ahmed, the chairman of the local group of religious leaders, Ahlu Sunna Wal-Jaamaca, told Tiziano.
Somalia has been without central government since1991 after clan militias and warlords overthrew the dictatorial regime of Siad Barre and plunged into constant violence for the next 20 years.
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