By ABDULKADIR KHALIF, NATION Correspondent
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sheikh Aweys stated that unity of all Islamists is a must if they are to defeat their common enemy.
Al-Shabaab and Hizbu Islam have been opposing the TFG. Their fighters have kept up attacks on the peacekeepers serving The African Union Mission in Somalia, Amisom.
However, the movements kept a loose alliance, but differ in their approaches that, on many occasions, caused friction between them.
“Unity of all Islamists is a most,” shouted Sheikh Aweys as he spoke at the end of a three-day seminar in Mogadishu. “We must renounce selfishness and superiority,” he added.
In February, the former deputy leader of Hizbu Islam, Sheikh Hassan Abdullahi Hersi alias Sheikh Hassan Turki, joined Al-Shabaab, a move which frustrated Sheikh Aweys.
Al-Shabaab leaders were invited to the wrapping up of the workshop but failed to show up. “It is an indication that the two movements are only allied in the fighting against the government but differ in their objectives,” said one source who refused to be named.
Meanwhile, the information office of Hizbu Islam in Afgoye town, 30 km southwest of Mogadishu, has issued further instructions to the media.
In a decree signed by Hizbu Islam’s Governor in Afgoye town, Abdikarim Musse Omar, the office ordered all reporters to start their reporting with the name of Allah. The Journalists are also required to present their reports to the movement’s Information office in the district for control before dispatching them.
“Any reporter that fails to meet the terms of the order will face punishments in accordance with the Sharia laws,” warned the decree.
The order was issued as three reporters working for media houses in Mogadishu, detained in Afgoye town by Hizbu Islammilitia on Wednesday were released. The freed reporters denied any wrongdoings as claimed by the Islamist authority and expressed surprise on the new orders.