Information on threats against imams or sheikhs by clan leaders possibly because sheikhs' teachings on clan violence conflicted with the views of clan leaders since 1993 [SOM22381.E]

Limited information could be found on this subject among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

In a telephone interview on 22 November 1995, a professor of Somali history at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia stated that sometimes Islamic organizations and religious leaders have been able to bring a certain amount of order to a community with the introduction of Islamic law, usually as a result of a local political vacuum (ibid.). The source did not think sheikhs were singled out by clan leaders, but cautioned that the situation in the country is volatile and traditional forms of respect and order have deteriorated (ibid.).

The BBC reported in September 1995 that six imams were shot dead by unknown assailants in Mogadishu (12 Sept. 1995). No motive for the killings could be identified (ibid.).

In March 1995, Agence France Presse reported that armed militiamen attacked a southern Mogadishu building housing a sharia court in a bid to release a convicted colleague (15 Mar. 1995). However, the attempt failed when militiamen defending the building and "hundreds of civilians" repulsed the attackers (ibid.).

According to a Reuters report carried by the Horn of Africa Bulletin in early 1995, Sheikh Sharif Muhiddin, the head of the Mogadishu sharia court was attacked by unidentified gunmen (Jan.-Feb. 1995, 20). No one was injured in the attack, which prompted thousands in Mogadishu to demonstrate their support for the sharia court (ibid.).

Radio France Internationale reported that a leader of a fundamentalist Islamic organization threatened armed faction leaders with a holy war if they did not reach a conclusion to the current conflict (14 May 1995). Information on whether the leader followed up on his threat could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

For information on the political impact of Islam in Somalia, please consult pages 174-181 of The Price of Peace, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres. For additional information on the media reports cited above, please consult the attachments.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 15 March 1995. "Militiamen Attack Islamic Court in Mogadishu." (FBIS-AFR-95-051 16 Mar. 1995, pp. 4-5)

BBC World Service [London, in English]. 12 September 1995. "Six Imams Killed; Fighting Reported in Mogadishu." (FBIS-AFR-95-177 13 Sept. 1995, p. 6)

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. January-February 1995. Vol. 7, No. 1. "Somalis Protest Attack on Islamic Law Enforcer."

Professor of Somali history, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. 22 November 1995. Telephone interview.

Radio France Internationale [Paris, in French]. 14 May 1995. "Group Threatens 'Holy War'." (FBIS-AFR-95-094 16 May 1995, pp. 5-6)

Attachments


Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, in English]. 15 March 1995. "Militiamen Attack Islamic Court in Mogadishu." (FBIS-AFR-95-051 16 Mar. 1995, pp. 4-5)

BBC World Service [London, in English]. 12 September 1995. "Six Imams Killed; Fighting Reported in Mogadishu." (FBIS-AFR-95-177 13 Sept. 1995, p. 6)

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. January-February 1995. Vol. 7, No. 1. "Somalis Protest Attack on Islamic Law Enforcer," p. 20.

Radio France Internationale [Paris, in French]. 14 May 1995. "Group Threatens 'Holy War'." (FBIS-AFR-95-094 16 May 1995, pp. 5-6)