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Somalia: Islamists ban music broadcast and closed a radio station in Jowhar
Sat. September 09, 2006 12:53 pm. -
Mohamed Abdi Farah
(SomaliNet) Islamists have ordered on Saturday to close radio Jowhar in Jowhar, some 90 km (55 miles) north of the capital. This is a move that profoundly threatens the activities of the free media that was born in Somalia since the fall of former military regime in 1991.
Islamic officials in middle Shabelle region also banned radio stations to air all kind of love music besides magazine and news programs and country songs.
“We are here by announcing to suspend temporarily the work of the Radio Jowhar from 9:00 pm local time and forbid releasing all music which is a big crime according to the Islamic religion,” acting chairman of middle Shabelle region Sheikh Mohamed Mohamud Abdirahman said in statement issued today.
The radio is expected to operate in the next few days if it complies with the Islamic law, local official said. He said any one who violates the Islamic law would face punishments that includes fine, arrest and flogging.
Radio Jowhar is the only radio station that has been operating in Jowhar for the past five years.
The statement also describes any one who mislead the public into misconducts as some one who has acute cancer disease.
Also reports from Jowhar, the provincial town of middle Shabele region says the Islamists threatened some of journalists in the town.
The latest Islamist step is a beginning for tough pressure against all free media in south and central Somalia, Analysts say.
Islamic Courts seized control of Jowhar from former ruler Mohamed Dhere, one of defeated anti terror alliance in June 8 2006.
News Category: Somalia
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