SEVERAL months ago, I wrote an article about the statement issued by Hizbul Islam - a Somali opposition Islamist group - entitled “Underwear...Haram or Halal?”  This article got the highest hits on the Internet as it attracted a large number of readers all over the world due to the controversial title.  Some extremists raised doubts on the truthfulness of the article, describing the topic as irrational and impossible.

Another Islamist group in Somalia, the Al-Shabab, has banned the use of bra among women as it allegedly gives men a wrong impression on the size of women’s breasts; hence, it is considered cheating!

We give to the Salafists, which always sympathize with Al-Shabab, the recent statement of self-styled officer for the capital After underwear  region of the opposition Hizbul Islam Group Moalem Hashi Mohamed Farah.

At a press conference in Mogadishu, Farah announced that Hizbul Islam Group has imposed a ban on playing music and songs.  He said the group has instructed radio stations to stop playing music and songs after the 10-day grace period as these are not part of Islam.  “We give the public 10 days to prepare for the implementation of the decision,” he asserted.

Meanwhile in a statement published in Al-Sharq Al-Awsat daily on April 5, Farah declared, “Hizbul Islam welcomes foreign fighters to join ‘jihad’ (holy war) in Somalia.”  He affirmed his group is ready to receive al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to the country.

We give the ‘Islamic pearl’ to those who believe that such groups know different forms of freedom - expression, selection and personal.  For these groups, freedom is defined according to their closed and rigorous way of thinking.  If Hizbul Islam is an opposition group fighting the legitimate government and acting with such arrogance, what would be the situation in case they take over the leadership of Somalia?  Somalis are suffering due to childish and funny decisions and statements.

Why did he invite Osama bin Laden to Somalia, knowing that the latter is wanted by secret intelligence agencies around the world?  We cannot see any logic behind this invitation unless it is a call for the destruction of what remains in a country that has lost everything!

Email: alialbaghli@hotmail.com