Saturday, December 19, 2009
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Al Qaeda-linked Islamist authorities in southern Somalia have ordered men to grow beards and shave off moustaches, officials and witnesses said on Saturday
In order to ensure the complete implementation of the Islamic sharia law in the region, we call upon all men to grow their beard and shave their moustache," Sheik Ibrahim from the Shebab group told reporters in Kismaio.
"Anybody found ignoring the rules or breaking it will be punished accordingly."
He said the order will be implemented in three days in the port town of Kismaio.
"People already started practicing the Sharia as the shebab ordered and with the new rules, every adult is keen to grow beard in order to avoid punishment", Mohamed Sakiin, a resident told AFP by phone.
"You must look like them otherwise you are likely to be in trouble", another witness said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Source: AFP