Mogadishu: Sunatimes- The Hizbul-Islam militia group has ordered media agencies in Somalia to not broadcast celebrations or mark the 50th anniversary of Somali National Independence Day.

The district officer of Hizbul-Islam in Mogadishu’s Banadir district, Maalim Hashi Mohamed Farah, has announced that his administration, which unfortunately controls most parts of where Mogadishu radio and television stations are based, will take action against any media agency that broadcasts or reports about the celebrations, which they have declared illegal and anti-Islamic.

Of all the radio and television stations based in Mogadishu only government run Radio Mogadishu and radio Bar-kulan, which is stationed in Nairobi, will cover the national celebrations being held in Mogadishu and different parts of the world.

Maalim Hashi has also warned Somali media against reporting or marking international days such as World Women’s Day, Children’s Day e.t.c. Maalim Hashi explained that Islamic religion does not allow Muslims to mark such events, which are usually celebrated by the non-Muslim world.

Associated Somali Journalists ASOJ Condemned the news order from Hisbul Islam also The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, led by President Sheriff Sheikh Ahmed, has condemned the new order from Hizbul-Islam.

The order from Maalim Hashi means that stations will not even air the national song let alone songs about the struggle for independence and other patriotic songs, as the earlier ban on music remains.

Radio Bar-kulan