Two die in protest over World Cup ban in Mogadishu

Religious courts shut cinema halls and barred residents of the Somali capital from watching the football World Cup, prompting scores of people to protest the ban in which two people were killed, court officials and residents said on Sunday. Gunmen loyal to the Joint Islamic Courts (JIC) cut electricity, cleared cinema halls and warned residents against watching the football tournament in areas they controlled, forcing a violent protest late on Saturday in which two people were killed, residents said. JIC deputy chairman Abdul Kadir Ali Omar said the tribunals would crack down on halls that defied the order to show western films and video, including the World Cup. “This is war against all people who show films that promote pornography, drug dealing and all forms of evil,” Mr Omar told AFP.”We shall not even allow the showing of the World Cup because they corrupt the morals of our children whom we endeavour to teach the Islamic way of life,” he added. Islamic courts officials said they were against some elements of World Cup, notably the advertisements for alcohol. Residents said gunmen were roaming in Sukahola and Huriwa neighbourhoods to ensure that the ban was enforced. Asian Media, Media News Daly

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