In Somalia, the simple act of saying “Salam Ailaikum” (peace be upon you) can send shivers down the spine of even the bravest person. The reason for this fear is the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, which has instilled a culture of terror and paranoia throughout the country in the name of Islam.
Al Shabaab emerged in the early 2000s as a militant offshoot of the Islamic Courts Union, which had briefly taken control of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. The group quickly gained a reputation for extreme violence, including beheadings, stonings, and amputations, all carried out in the name of enforcing its interpretation of Sharia law.
One of Al Shabaab’s tactics has been to target people who they perceive as not being devout enough in their practice of Islam. This has led to the group using religious phrases, such as “god is great” and “god willing,” as a litmus test for people’s loyalty to their cause.
Unfortunately, this has resulted in a situation where many ordinary Somalis are terrified of even uttering these everyday phrases. Al Shabaab’s brutal tactics have created a climate of fear where people are afraid to express their religious beliefs for fear of being labeled a “heretic” or “apostate.”
The consequences of being labeled a “heretic” by Al Shabaab are severe. The group has been known to carry out public executions of people accused of apostasy or blasphemy. They also frequently target religious leaders who do not subscribe to their extremist views.
In addition to its campaign of terror, Al Shabaab has also sought to exert control over the daily lives of Somalis. They have banned music, movies, and other forms of entertainment, as well as the use of certain types of clothing and hairstyles. They have even gone as far as to ban the chewing of khat, a popular narcotic plant that is widely used in the region.
As a result of all these restrictions, many Somalis are no longer sure what is considered “religious” and what is considered a “sin.” They live in a state of constant fear, never knowing when they might run afoul of Al-Shabaab’s ever-changing rules.
The situation in Somalia is a tragedy, and one that is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. Al Shabaabcontinues to wage its campaign of terror, and the government and international community have so far been unable to stop them.
In the meantime, ordinary Somalis must navigate the minefield of Al Shabaab’s extremist ideology, never knowing when their words or actions might result in deadly consequences. It is a sad state of affairs, and one that deserves the attention of the world’s leaders and human rights organisations.
Somali National News Agency