Al-Shabaab Warns Against Polls.. Somali rebel leader urges fight against democracy

Somali rebel leader urges fight against democracy

Sheikh Mukhtar Abdurahman Abu Zubayr, the Ameer (Supreme leader) of Al-Shabaab, the strongest radical Islamist group opposing the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia has condemned the practice of democracy and elections.
The sheikh pointed a finger at the presidential elections that are scheduled to take place in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. Sheikh Abu Zubayr indicated that both elections and democracy are copies from Christians and Jews, hence incompatible with Islam.
He said that they are both human crafted methods with no spiritual ingredients. "It is dangerous to run this world through human fashioned techniques," said Sheikh Abu Zubayr. He quoted several verses from the Koran (Muslims' holy book) and Somali poems to prove his point.
The sheikh called upon all Muslims to find peace and prosperity in Islam. "All Muslims must refrain from emulating Western ways," said Sheikh Abu Zubayr in his statement. In addition, the Al-Shabaab leader warned all Islamists in Somalia against deviation from Jihad and Sharia (Islamic) laws.
The message from Sheikh Abu Zubayr coincides with presidential elections to be held in Somaliland on June 26 and observers believe and his statements are designed to create fear. Although the Ameer of Al-Shabaab is largely based in Southern Somalia, he hails from Somaliland, arguably the most peaceful territory in Somalia.
Al-Shabaab strongly opposes the policies of the government in Somalia but it is accused to have links with terrorist groups, chiefly Al-qaeda led by Osama bin Laden
Islamist leaders
Sheikh Abu Zubayr and some other Islamist leaders in Somalia are in the US list of individuals supporting terrorist organizations. Meanwhile, a new row has erupted between Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed and Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharma'arke over formation of a new government.
The dispute erupted after the Premier handed over a new list of Cabinet Ministers to President Ahmed, which he rejected. "The president rejected the PM's list of cabinet ministers including those from Ahlu Sunnah on the grounds that he dislikes them," said an official who works in Mr Sharma'arke's office.
Premier Sharma'arke has reportedly said that some of the appointees Ahmed is rejecting, are capable of serving the country better. Attempts by newly elected speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden to reconcile the two leaders and broker agreement to form the government has been futile, according sources.