In the West there is a fear of Islamic terrorism, triggered in the most part, and rightly so by two New York skyscrapers being brought down by hijacked civilian airliners, Sep. 11 2001, and subsequent attacks in Europe. This has led to Muslims being dehumanized. Islamaphobia as it is termed, is currently at an all time high.
Take Britain, for instance. The terrorists who attacked three London underground trains simultaneously on July 7 2005 wanted to bring down the British government and for Britain to become an Islamic state ruled by Sharia law. To the British people, who are used to having freedom of choice, the thought of Britain being ruled with the strict behavioural codes and punishments associated with Sharia law is a scary thought. I know, because it instilled fear in me, until I began talking about these matters with Muslims.
Abdallah, who commented on one of my articles on the Somali crisis at Desicritics.org (comment #7) told me:
"Honestly as a Muslim and one who knows and understands the Sharia law very well there is nothing oppressive or unjust about it, however, what is oppressive and unjust is having a handful of tribal-based-military-styled-self-serving-ignorant-misdirected so called mullahs take oath to up hold the laws of Islam that they really don't practice in their own houses!Introduction of Sharia Laws goes further than someone pushing it down people's throat, it needs preparations, and has to be on whole hearted consent. In a sense it most be voted on and everyone participate, not by some fools [Union of Islamic Courts] who thought they had the whole country under their thumb."
It suddenly occurred to me, Sharia law doesn't scare Muslims, because good Muslims live by strict behavioural and religious codes anyway, such as no alcohol or sex before marriage, and only eating a certain type of meat, etc.
Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts has been branded as an extremist group by the West. Some hard-liners within the group deserve the title. However the courts have also been the victim of the one-size-fits-all War on Terror branding and are labelled as an Al Qaeda affiliate. Now, I don't know whether or not the group has or is harbouring Al Qaeda terrorists, as has been alleged by the U.S.. What I do know is that, now, while they are employing similar insurgent tactics as Al Qaeda (in Iraq) and other groups in Iraq, there is one key difference: they are not targeting civilians.
Article comments
1 - Rooble
Starting from the moment that Ethiopia invaded Somalia the country will never enjoy a full peace and could be affected other areas in the horn. The ICU were too extremists but not all of them. Sh. Sharif, Prof. Addow and others were modarate leaders and could create a possitive environment that can be the benefit for all. Adam Airo, Sh. Hasan Aweys and others (Al-Shabab group) were too extremists and would never accept but their mentalities. The late group had most of the armed islamists and could post a threat even to the moderate leaders.
For the moment, the TFG is installed in the capital by the Ethiopian forces backed by the US support. The TFG doesn't want to open any dialogue with the defeated ICU, Ethiopia also has the same idea. This can make the situation even worse. The ICU members don't have anywhere to go, this means they have to fight by any meanings then they will either dye fighting or they continue their struggle. That is not good for the region at all. It is not time for the TFG to open a negotiation with the ICU leaders so that the current thread can be reduced. The Europian Union is trying to impose this idea but the TFG is still stick on their decision.
Now the ICU is using another trick which is the clan issue. This is bringing the old warlords to the scene.
For the moment, Somalia will still remain chaos and any efforts will not change the situation.
2 - alia farah ali
Islam is not a person. It is a faith. The UICs should understand that. We're all Muslims and Somalis. I have not edorsed anybody to be make my faith a political party. Let them choose a name for their party.
On the other hand, who represent the Mortor launcher in Mogadishu, that the TFG or other parties could talk to? Where are they? ....on the run?
3 - professays
I reckon the recent developments in Somalia is the beginning of creation the Great Ethiopia which will emrace the territiries of modern Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan and probably some other countries.