MOGADISHU, Somalia Dec 26 (Garowe Online) - A Muslim Sufi group in Somalia says Al Shabaab insurgents are responsible for destroying graves revered by locals, Radio Garowe reports.

Sheikh Abdulkadir Somow, spokesman for Sufi group Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamee'a, told Friday a press conference in Mogadishu that Al Shabaab fighters destroyed the graves of Sheikh Nur Hussein and two of his sons.

"It is prohibited to bother a Muslim person, living or dead, in Islam," Sheikh Somow said.

Earlier Friday, Al Shabaab insurgents destroyed the graves in Jilib, a district in Middle Jubba region.

An unidentified fighter who spoke for the insurgents confirmed the report, adding: "We believe people were worshipping the dead…and so we destroyed the graves."

But Sheikh Somow urged restraint on the part of Sufi followers, while appealing to Al Shabaab to "stop destroying graves and mosques."

"Non-Somalis took part in the destruction of Sheikh Nur Hussein's  grave, according to locals," Sheikh Somow said.

It is the second time this month that Al Shabaab insurgents have been blamed for destroying graves revered by followers of the Sufi sect, a group with many supporters across Somalia.

Locals say relatives and supporters regularly pray at the graves of revered sheikshs, following centuries of mystical tradition that is prohibited under Islamic law.

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Source: Garowe Online