The Role of Religion

[Demure]

What would be the role of religion in a Banadir Administration? I know many advocate for a strict Shariica application, and lately there is an overwhelming sense in all over Somalia that we need religion in all aspects of government.

Would a legislation fully based on Sharica Islamiyah function well for modern day Somalia? How do you see the role of religion?

[Warsan_Star_Muslimah]

As we are muslims it should play a significant role in our lives. Our Sharia Law would be similar to that of the country.

Modern day Somalia is in anarchy, so anything that can bring peace is a blessing. I see it as uniting factor, and Islam is a religion that emphasises botherhood.

Regarding the strict application and etc, I don't believe Sharia law is against women working, driving, learning and playing an important role in society. If a person is starving their not stealing in Islam. Sharia Law is not as simple as some make it look, person steals, grab them and chop their hand off There is a other factors that are taken into account, and the penalty of cutting the hand of might not be applied. Wallahu alim

Salaam

[Somaliman50]

No one from Banaadir opposes Sharicatul Islam, but groups like Alshabaab and their likes want to adopt a taliban-style system where sporting events are banned, women are cut off from society, militancy is promoted instead of education etc. That isn't the kind of law that would function well.

[Warsan_Star_Muslimah]

Demure; look at what this man said:

Among the best suggestions I’ve heard is to play to Somalia’s strengths as a fluid, decentralized society with local mechanisms to resolve conflicts. The foundation of order would be clan-based governments in villages, towns, and neighborhoods. These tiny fiefdoms could stack together to form district and regional governments. The last step would be uniting the regional governments in a loose national federation that coordinated, say, currency issues or antipiracy efforts, but did not sideline local leaders.

Western powers should do whatever they can to bring moderate Islamists into the transitional government while the transitional government still exists. Whether people like it or not, many Somalis see Islamic law as the answer. Maybe they’re not fond of the harsh form imposed by the Shabab, who have, on at least one occasion, stoned to death a teenage girl who had been raped (an Islamic court found her guilty of adultery). Still, there is an appetite for a certain degree of Islamic governance. That desire should not be confused with support for terrorism.

A more radical idea is to have the United Nations take over the government and administer Somalia with an East Timor-style mandate. Because Somalia has already been an independent country, this option might be too much for Somalis to stomach. To make it work, the United Nations would need to delegate authority to clan leaders who have measurable clout on the ground. Either way, the diplomats should be working with the moneylords more and the warlords less.

http://www.hiiraan.com/news2/2009/feb/s ... world.aspx

Salaam
p.s. Abakar Agree

[Somaliweyn]

Well, Banadir region's history has always been characterized by religion.

Banadir towns have produced fine Islamic scholars who have spread Islam to the whole of East African coast. Sh.Aweys Al Barwani is an example.

However, in the near future. Banadir should have a judiciary system based on the Sharia, but which is independent from the governing system.

There should be a division between the three powers: The judiciary, legislative and executive systems should be separated and all independent.

The judiciary system must be based on the Shareecada. The legislative system which consists of the parlament and other regional bodies that create laws should be independent from the judiciary and executive (government, city admins etc).

This may look western notions to many people, but when we think deep about their meanings and ponder on their benefits we will appreciate these notions.

For example, lets take an example of nowdays Somalia.

As all of you know M.Shabelle (or Hiiraan, Jubba, Gedo, you can take any region controlled by Islamists as an example) is now governed by ICU. They have created a regional administration which consists of their men, they have created judicial courts which consists of their men, and the mayor, regional governor/cabinet (in short the executive system) consists of their men.

Now in this situation where the judicial, executive and legislative systems are composed of the same men, how can we trust them to not abuse their power? When one of them commits a crime, how can we make sure he/she is brought to justice? We can't because the judge, the governor and the mayor all are from ONE faction which has the military power to crush anyone who dares to disagree.

That kind of ''Islamic government'' is nothing but a dictatorship and as human history has shown ''absolute power corrupts men'' and thus wadaado will not only abuse their absolute power but eventually bring harm to our beloved religion. The only way to have a truelly Islamic Law which is enforced by an INDEPENDENT judiciary system, is to have a separation of powers. Only by separating the judiciary system from the other systems can we bring to justice all those who are guilty of crimes, may they be mayors, governors, bankers, soldiers, or a common civilian.

Thats the way forward for New Banadir Administration.

[Somaliman50]

Somaliweyn is right, religion and customs has always been an integral part of Banaadir society. Even in history, Arab geographists like Ibn Said Al Maghribi as early as 1286 AD reffered to Mogadishu as Dar-el Islam. Not to mention Ibn Batutta's eyewitness report provides clear evidence of Islamic activities on the Banaadir coast, whose towns and cities were centres of urban Islamic bustles. Did you know that during those mediaval centuries, Muslim centres along the Banaadir coast placed so much importance on education that students from faraway places were provided lodging and food similar to what was provided at student hostels like the Riwaqs of Azhar. You should read on Dr Haji Mukhtar's input into 'The invention of Somalia' concerning Islam in Somali history, a very good insight.

[Demure]

I agree there should be a separation of powers within the government, for the Shariica to work well. I'm glad you all agree, there are many ppl who would argue that this model is western imitation, but it's the only way to ensure there is no abuse of power.

Abakar, Thanks, I will look up that book.

[eyes-only]

I don't really think religion is the problem since the majority of the people living in Xamar would prefer an Islamic rule.

I was having an interesting debate with a political figure a couple of months ago and he was leaning towards establishing a more clan based system. I was abhorred by some of his ideas. So I'm more worried about that than having a strict Islamic rule to be honest. Anyway, when it comes down to it all, what matters most is how they are all implemented and whether or not there's accountability. It is all well and good to have an Islamic administration, but how exactly would that work? Who decides which Islamic rules are implemented and how they're implemented? I liked what the Islamic Courts were doing with their establishment of the shuurah council so maybe something like that would work. In anycase, I believe that the new government should focus on establishing a stable and sustaibale administration for Banadir and the surrounding regions....the rest will follow.