Reply #206: Traditionally Somalis practiced a moderate form of Islam however

[Hoping4Change]

in the 1990's Salafi ideology took hold. "This doctrine, an off-shoot of the Saudi Wahhabi school, seeks to promote a version of Islam that emphasises ritual purity. It frowns upon all forms of bid'a, or modern innovation, and it was in this context that UIC-aligned militiamen cracked down on cinemas showing World Cup football matches.

The Salafi ideology regards television and sports as lahw - vulgar past-times - and is both opposed to rationalism and virulently anti-modernist. Salafis favour a rigid and literal interpretation of Islamic texts and regard other Muslim sects as deviants. They teach against compromise and holy war is the pivot around which their beliefs revolve."

This recent shift to radical Islam in Somalia is critical to understanding this situation and why there are Somalis who don't not agree with this behaviour.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5381826.stm