In Somalia, militant Islamists have begun enforcing new laws in the areas they control that are challenging the views of many traditionally moderate Muslims in the country. The leader of al-Shabab militants in Somalia's Banadir region, which includes the capital Mogadishu, says all women living in towns and districts under al-Shabab control must now cover themselves completely or face severe punishment. Ali Mohamud Hussein says al-Shabab will not tolerate anyone who disobeys the order. Hussein says in the Koran, Allah orders all women to be covered from head-to-toe and that is why the law is being strictly enforced. Traditional Somali clothing for women consist of light, colorful fabrics that cover the head and are wrapped loosely around the body. But al-Shabab says the only acceptable clothing now is the black Islamic dresses known as abayas worn by women in countries such as Saudi Arabia. Al-Shabab is an al-Qaida-linked group that has been leading a bloody insurgency against Somalia's U.N.-backed government for more than two years. The group is a U.S. designated terrorist organization.Al-Shabab militants control vast areas of southern Somalia, including several major districts in the capital Mogadishu, and have imposed laws based on the ultra-conservative Wahabist version of Islam practiced in Saudi Arabia. Al-Shabab has stoned women accused of adultery and amputated limbs of suspected thieves. But Somalis say the militants have begun interpreting Islamic laws to levels that even many Saudis may consider harsh. Somali women in Mogadishu say al-Shabab has warned them that they would face punishment if they wore bras under their abayas because the group considers bras to be Western garments and un-Islamic. And in the port town of Marka, just south of Mogadishu, young al-Shabab fighters are reportedly rounding up men and women who have silver or gold teeth...more..http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-08-13-voa37.cfmGold Teeth Declared Un-Islamic
Al Shabaab bans women to wear bras
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