Al-Shabaab Kills Somali Preacher and Followers Over Music

Somalia’s al-Shabaab continue to exact their special kind of barbaric Islamist punishment on those they believe are not following their kind of Islam.

Two attacks on the same day. A car bomb killing at least 6 and injuring more in Mogadishu. Apparently targeting soldiers there. The other attack was by two suicide bombers who killed an Islamic Imam along with 17 or more followers. Apparently the cleric was playing music during a religious ceremony.

Two suicide bombers exploded in front of the preacher’s residence, which is also a Sufi shrine, and then four gunmen stormed the building and opened fire, said Ahmed Awale, a police officer in Galkayo. At least 20 others were injured, he said.

Somali security forces responded and there was a battle with heavy gunfire in the building. Three attackers were killed in the shootout and one was captured alive, said Awale.

Somalia’s extremist rebels, al-Shabab, have claimed responsibility for the attack in Galkayo.

The attack killed Sheikh Abdiweli Ali Elmi, who has hundreds of followers and has been controversial because videos show him and his followers chanting religious poems with music, which some extremists say is not Islamic. Sheikh Elmi had defended his actions, saying music is not contrary to Islamic teachings.

Note of interest- This is the same country that Democratic member-elect of the U.S. house of representatives Ilhan Omar hails from. Not to say she has any affiliation with al-Shabaab. It’s just interesting she chooses to still wear an hijab.

Source: Miami Herald