talibanization of Iraq

[greenman3610]

In the bad old days, Iraqis were killed for criticizing
Saddam Hussein.
Now they are killed for wearing shorts, eating falafels, or
selling ice.
--------------------------

In a bizarre example of Iraq's creeping "Talibanization," militants visited falafel vendors a couple of weeks ago, telling them to pack up their stalls by today or be killed.

The ultimatum seemed so bizarre that, at first, most laughed it off -- until two of them were fatally shot as they plied their trade.

<snip>

"I said I was just feeding the people, but they said there were no falafels in Muhammad the prophet's time, so we shouldn't have them either.
"I felt like telling them there were no Kalashnikovs in Muhammad's time either, but I wanted to keep my life."

<snip>

It is, however, just one of many Islamic edicts to hit Baghdad in recent weeks, prohibiting everything from the growing of goatee beards to the sale of mayonnaise -- because it is purportedly made in Israel.
Even the Arab addiction to cigarettes is being challenged, with insurgents declaring smoking bans in at least one Sunni district.
News of the latest strictures surfaced 10 days ago, when the coach of Iraq's tennis team and two players were fatally shot for wearing shorts. The killings, in Sunni-dominated west Baghdad, took place days after militants had distributed leaflets banning the wearing of shorts or T-shirts with English writing on them. They also forbade women to drive or travel on public transportation with men -- a rule that bus drivers have begun to enforce.



http://www.washtimes.com/world/20060603-101334-8512r.htm