Jacaylbaro Posted April 15, 2010 MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Islamist rebels warned private radio stations to stop playing music in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu, while at least 11 people were killed in fighting, residents in the south of country said on Wednesday. A fragile western backed government controls just a few blocks in the capital, while militant Islamist groups, some linked to al Qaeda, control large swathes of southern and central Somalia. The rebels want to impose a harsh version of sharia law on the anarchic nation on the Horn of Africa, and the threat to radio stations in Mogadishu demonstrated their growing reach. Hizbul Islam -- which is allied with al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebels -- had given a 10-day ultimatum to Mogadishu's radio stations, a media rights group said. ad_icon "We could do nothing else but obey the order," said Mohamed Barre Fiyore, director of Danan, a radio station in the capital. He said his station was using the sound of crowing of roosters, traffic and recitation of traditional poems instead of music to link programmes. Similar actions had been taken elsewhere outside the capital, and the Islamists routinely ban what they call social vices like music or women not wearing veils. "No music and no jingles made all our favorite programmes monotonous. I don't listen to the radio anymore. There is no interest. Pop music was my favorite and I am left without music now," said Asha Salad, an 18 year old in the capital. Last week, al Shabaab said they had taken the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) off the air in regions they controlled because it spread Christian propaganda. It also took action against the U.S.-funded Voice of America. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
