By Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar
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Mogadishu, Oct 27 (Kashmir Watch): Masked militias belonging to the Islamist rebel group Hesbal Islam (Islamic party) which is fighting in Somalia on Tuesday jailed more than 14 Somali football players in the south western city of Luq, an Islamist commander confirmed.According to a resident in the city who demanded anonymity because of security reasons masked gun men on a battle wagon surrounded a small play ground outside the city and arrested the young footballers who are now being held at the city’s custody.
Hezbal Islam’s militia commander in the city of Luq Sheik Hassan Al Iraqi told reporters late on Tuesday that his men arrested the football players accusing them of breaking what he described as an Islamic law.
“The Islamic religion doesn’t allow to waste time with playing a ball and something like that so we have arrested them and they will be in the custody until they are taught the Islamic law| the militant commander stated.
“We are calling parents to register their children at Islamic schools, we cannot allow playing balls and whoever is found of playing will be dealt with in accordance with the Islamic law” Sheik Hassan Al Iraqi added.
Also on Tuesday the militants arrested over 80 young Somali men and women because of they did not wear what the Islamists described “Islamic dress”.
In the year 2006 Islamic courts union banned playing sports in south-central regions including the lawless capital Mogadishu which were under their control at that time.
During their six-month long control the militants also killed dozens of world cup football viewers and arrested hundreds of football fans including sports journalists.
Source: Kashmir Watch, Oct 27, 2009