Somalia: Puntland officials dismiss Shia doctrine claims

GARDO, Somalia, December 29, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Officials in Somalia’s Northeastern State of Puntland have dismissed as baseless reports by National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) of Shia indoctrination in Gardo on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

Karkaar regional administration and Gardo mayor Abdi Saed labeled NISA report ‘ungrounded propaganda’, threatening those responsible for its spread with legal action.

In attendance at Gardo meeting were also clan elders and community leaders.

They denied that shady NGOs indoctrinate people with racist religious ideologies.

Somalia has cracked down on Iranian networks allegedly involved in spread of Shia Islam in the traditionally Sunni nation.

Shiite power Iran—believed to be introducing Shia sects in Africa-- has sought to gain foothold in the East African country with a pledge of scholarships for Somali authorities. 

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GAROWE ONLINE