New Islamic Court opened in central Somalia

[Hassan6734]

New Islamic Court opened in central Somalia

31 Aug 31, 2008 - 4:13:46 PM

 

 

 

BELETWEIN, Somalia Aug 31 (Garowe Online) - A well-organized event attended by the business community, traditional elders and senior officials of the Islamic Courts movement was held Saturday in Bulo Burte, a district in Hiran region of central Somalia, Radio Garowe reported.

 

Sheikh Abdirahman Ibrahim, the Islamists' top leader in Hiran, opened the ceremony by saying that local officials were working to formally establish an Islamic Court in Bulo Burte for the first time since the Ethiopian invasion of December 2006.

 

"Somalis can overcome their problems only by adopting Islamic Law," Sheikh Abdirahman said.

 

Sheikh Abdullahi Filanwaa, chairman of the new Islamic Court in Bulo Burte, promised to fulfill his duties and urged the people to support the Court.

 

Several cases have already been filed with Bulo Burte's Islamic Court, with Islamist officials saying they will open new courts in "every district" of Hiran region.

 

Meanwhile, traditional elders in the regional capital Beletwein have been holding talks with Ethiopian army commanders in the town.

 

According to Da'ar Hersi Hoshow, the elders' council chair, the clan elders are requesting the Ethiopian army to withdraw from Beletwein in respectful observance of the Muslims' Holy Month of Ramadan.

 

Outside of Beletwein, Islamist guerrillas are in control of every town in Hiran region and many other parts of Somalia.

 

Source: Garowe Online