Somalia Town Officials Threaten Beheading For Failure To Obey Prayer Mandate

In Bulo Burto, a town in southern Somalia, Islamic Courts officials are announcing over loud speakers that people need to pray five times a day. Public places such as shops and tea houses must close during prayer times and no one should be on the streets. Sheik Hussein Barre Rage, the chairman of the town's Islamic court, told the Associated Press yesterday that anyone who does not follow this edict "will definitely be beheaded according to Islamic law." The decision is not binding in other towns. The Council of Islamic Courts has occupied most of southern Somalia since taking over Mogadishu in June. (See prior posting.)