January 10, 2007

Somali forces arrest seven religious Pakistanis

09 Jan.07 Mogadishu:

Government forces have incarcerated at least seven Pakistani men, who were preaching people praying in a mosque near the presidential palace of Villa Somalia where President Abdulahi Yusuf is staying currently. The religious men known as Tabliq (Preachers or missioners) always traveled to every part of the country to preach people about Islam.

Abdulkadir Abdi Dahir, a resident Hamar Jajab, where the incident took place, told Shabelle that residents suddenly rallied at the area to protest against the government forces who took the men in a car. “The police force have dispersed us and they told us they would investigate the men’s identity and motive in the country”, he said. Tabliq are known to be linked to no political group or particular religious organization. The government was not available for comments over the issue.

Posted on 10 January 2007 @ 12:25 GMT