Somalia’s insurgent group extremist group ordered radio stations in the restive capital Mogadishu to stop broadcasting music and called on broadcasters to avoid words like jihadist while referring to foreign fighters.

Ma’alin Hashi Mohammed Farah Hizbul Islam’s representative in Mogadishu gave an ultimatum of mid this month to comply with the order

“We are urging Radios to stop broadcasting music within 10 days, the stations that don’t comply with this directive will face consequences,” he told reporters in Mogadishu.

All Mogadishu-based radios will affect this directive. They should change their programming to an Islamic compliant one because we can’t accept listening of music in our country,” he added.

Ma’alin Hashi also issued a strong warning to all stations to cease from calling foreign fighters in Somalia as jihadists, saying foreigners are with the UN-backed government.

“We have Muhajirins not foreigners, you know that foreigners are with the government. They are Ugandans and Burundians called AMISOM. The station that describes Muhajirins as foreigners will be dealt with in accordance with the Islamic Sharia Law,” he warned.

He said the foreigners are in the country under their invitation and would even invite Al-Qaeda’s most wanted leader Osama Bin Laden.

“If we have chance we will invite Osama bin laden in Somalia. Everyone is free to come to Somalia,” he said.
However, a government spokesman said the insurgent group is weak and wants to use the order in publicity campaign to attract Al-Shabaab.

“The order is to oppress the media and would not be implemented because its meant to harass free press,” said Sheikh Abdirisaq Mohammed Qaylow.

GAROWE ONLINE