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Lectures | Blog | Naseeha | موقع الشيخ أنور العولقي

# Meeting Somalia’s al-Shabab

August 1, 2009 - السبت 11 شعبان 1430 by admin
Filed under Media & Articles

21 Comments

SOURCE: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8133127.stm

By Andrew Harding
BBC News, Buale and Dusamareb

Southern Somalia is a dangerously unpredictable place.

We flew into the region, unsure what reception we could expect from the commanders of al-Shabab, the radical Islamist insurgent group, viewed by some as al-Qaeda’s proxy in the Horn of Africa.

Our plan was to stay overnight in a town called Wajid – until we learned that al-Shabab had just publicly beheaded three men in the area and shot dead a community leader.

We changed our schedule fast.

We were travelling with the United Nation’s World Food Programme, which, despite operating in one of the world’s most dangerous environments, is managing to feed some 3.5 million Somalis.

“It is very, very difficult,” said WFP’s deputy country director Denise Brown.

‘Pakistan militants’

Four of their staff have been killed since August last year.

“ We don’t oppress people and it’s peaceful here now ”
Al-Shabab commander

But she acknowledged “a level of pragmatism” in al-Shabab and “a recognition that humanitarian help is needed. We don’t negotiate [with them]. We discuss”.

We flew into Buale region, on the banks of the wide, green Juba river.

A senior al-Shabab commander agreed to talk to us on condition of anonymity.

Bearded and apparently jovial, he confirmed an influx of foreign jihadists to the region – many thought to be from Pakistan – and welcomed their presence.

“We’re all fighting for the same religion,” he said. “We know we are hated by the international community, but al-Shabab has its own structure and strict rules.

“We apply Sharia law to everyone. We don’t oppress people and [that's why] it’s peaceful here now.”

‘Sold out’

He bitterly condemned the head of Somalia’s transitional government, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who is clinging to power in Mogadishu, protected by more than 4,300 African Union troops.

“He is far from Islam,” he said. “He’s sold out his own religion.”

In Buale, no-one we spoke to was ready to criticise, or even discuss, al-Shabab, and its strict interpretation of Sharia law.

Local elders said there had been no amputations or stonings in the area, but politely told us it was best not to talk about politics.

Recent rains have eased some concerns about food shortages in Buale.

But further north, the United Nations is warning of yet another humanitarian emergency.

We flew to the central Somali region of Galgadud, and the drought-stricken town of Dusamareb, its population swelled by civilians fleeing the latest fighting in the capital, Mogadishu.

“ Al-Shabab are not even humans ”
Sheikh Omar Sharif Muhammad Government-allied Ahlu Sunna

Sitting with his family beside their makeshift tent in the dry plains outside town, Abdi Nasir said he had escaped from Mogadishu with no possessions and was now scraping a living by collecting and selling firewood.

“I’m waiting for change,” he said. “If there’s a proper government in Mogadishu, then I’ll go back, but right now I think things are just getting worse.”

Dusamareb is the headquarters of a moderate Sufi Islamic movement, Ahlu Sunnah, which is bitterly opposed to al-Shabab.

Significantly, Ahlu Sunnah has just signed a formal agreement to co-operate militarily with the embattled government in Mogadishu.

‘Somalia, wake up!’

Guarded by several dozen young fighters, Ahlu Sunnah’s chairman Sheikh Omar Sharif Muhammad said he hoped the alliance could defeat al-Shabab.

But it badly needed international help, he added.

Sheikh Omar denied receiving any support from neighbouring Ethiopia, which recently temporarily sent a small number of troops back across the border.

“Al-Shabab are not even humans,” said Sheikh Omar. “They’re desecrating our culture, and destroying our sovereignty and our religion.

“They’re very dangerous and must be driven out. They recruit young, innocent children to become suicide bombers. Islam does not allow that.”

Although Ahlu Sunnah’s “thousands” of fighters have had some success in blocking al-Shabab advances, the most likely scenario in the short term is probably a military stalemate.

Outside Sheikh Omar’s headquarters, a small crowd gathered to mark Somalia’s independence day.

Children, women and heavily-armed fighters all stood together under a dazzling blue sky.

“Somalia, wake up! Lean against each other,” they sang – some wistfully, others with cheerful determination.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/8133127.stm

Published: 2009/07/03 16:41:59 GMT

© BBC MMIX

Tags: shabab, Somalia

#### Comments

21 Responses to “Meeting Somalia’s al-Shabab”

2. Abu Tamoor says:
   August 1, 2009 - السبت 11 شعبان 1430 at 3:23 am

   May Allah protect those who DO NOT take the Jews and Christians as their awliyah. Allah huma mansurul mujahideen fi somal wa fi iraq wa fi afghanistan wa fi kulli makaan.

   Qur’an (5:51) – “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.”

   Qur’an (5:80) – “You will see many of them befriending those who disbelieve; certainly evil is that which their souls have sent before for them, that Allah became displeased with them and in chastisement shall they abide.” Those Muslims who befriend unbelievers will abide in hell.

   Qur’an (3:28) – “Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah…”

   Qur’an (3:118) – “O you who believe! do not take for intimate friends from among others than your own people, they do not fall short of inflicting loss upon you; they love what distresses you; vehement hatred has already appeared from out of their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater still; indeed, We have made the communications clear to you, if you will understand.”

   Qur’an (9:23) – “O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith. Whoso of you taketh them for friends, such are wrong-doers” Even family members are not to be taken as friends if they do not accept Islam.

3. umaar says:
   August 1, 2009 - السبت 11 شعبان 1430 at 3:49 am

   i want to jihad but my family will deny me if I ever do so, im thinking of doing it after I get a degree and i get a wife and a bit of money that ill spare to go to the land of jihad in sha Allah. its hard because they have been attacked by ”terrorist” for them and even witness some death within the family (Algerian war — 1994-5)

4. Hoor says:
   August 1, 2009 - السبت 11 شعبان 1430 at 3:53 am

   The Attributes of the Munaafiqeen:

   http://www.islam4uk.com/aqeedah/imaan/49-imaan/67-the-attributes-of-the-munaafiqeen

5. Faisal says:
   August 1, 2009 - السبت 11 شعبان 1430 at 6:20 am

   I can’t believe there are muslims that buy propoganda. Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of Islaam knows that whoever sides with crusaders is one of them, and has done khaa-inah (treason). May Al-Shabab defeat the Shareef Hizb, seeking to usurp power for his own cheap worldly gain

6. umaar says:
   August 2, 2009 - الأحد 12 شعبان 1430 at 1:01 am

   http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/7/10/1247231099907/British-soldiers-in-Afgha-001.jpg

7. M Lion says:
   August 3, 2009 - الاثنين 13 شعبان 1430 at 4:27 am

   Bismillahi Ar Rahman Al Raheem

   Subhan’Allah, Wal Hamdulillah, Wa la illaha illa Allah, Wallahu Akbar, Wa la hawla wa la quwata illa billahi alayhi al a’arim.

   Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmattullahi Wa Barakatu.

   Allah is perfect and any mistakes is from me.

   This is growing. And slowly is reaching to the west, without people knowing. People who follow these events see, people who follow dunya is sleeping and are in big danger.

   The clever one who are awake will move from the west and go seek the al taifa (the ones whom allah has guided).

   If the person lives in middleeast, do the same and find them (the guided once).

   That’s MY opinion, and whom ever don’t like this opinion, i disosociate myself from him or her.

   My allah make us among them(the guided once (Also the people of jannah)), united and for one And ONLY one purpose, Jihad fi sabil Allah.

   I don’t care what you might think of my words, you can’t even see me and if you could, So What! nor benefit me anything. Allah rewards and purnish, whom ever he wills.

   Allah, Please reward our brother: http://www.anwar-alawlaki.com/?p=175&cpage=1#comment-16181 with jannah.

   Ameen, Insha’Allah

   Unit O Brothers and Sisters, because in Jannah we will be united and be like ONE heart.

   Final words; Allah I leave my trust and future in your hands, and may you guide me and my familie and have mercy upon us. Without you we are nothing ya Allah and without you WE are sertantly with the losers on the last day.

   Give us good in dunya and in the hereafter and Please ya Allah save us from hellfire.

   We need you ya Allah and you don’t need anything from us.

   Please Ya Allah, you the most high and great.

   Allah give your messengar Mohammad (saw) al fasila, insha’Allah.

   And Allah knows best and all good is from Allah.

   Ameen.

8. Abu Adam says:
   August 4, 2009 - الثلاثاء 14 شعبان 1430 at 3:59 am

   @umaar, why would you wait for the ridha of your family and wait for to having a wife to go for jihad? just go now, and just directly marry the women of paradise in jannah, before syubhats and barriers afflict you, such as your wife, your house, your belongings, your career, and many others.

9. Muhammad says:
   August 16, 2009 - الأحد 26 شعبان 1430 at 5:58 pm

   @umaar lol…brother it might be too late by then to go to jihad…It is easier to go while you’re young wifeless and moneyless…once you get the taste of wealth and wife and children trust me going to Jihad will become very difficult. If you really want to do it…do it now its the best time you won’t have wife or kids or money to worry about…but once those three come into your life…it’ll be a different story.

10. Abo Albaraa says:
    August 18, 2009 - الثلاثاء 28 شعبان 1430 at 9:16 am

    Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah,

    Alhamdulillah, i love the Mujahideen in my heart and ask Allah SWT to support them, unite them and give them victory. But what I was curious about is that i have heard that the Mujahideen in Somalia are sending little children to go do Martyrdom Operations, and I have heard it also from some Somali brothers. I do not know if it is true or a lie, but if it is true, isn’t it a major sin? Didn’t the Prophet PBUH prevent the children from fighting until they have reached a certain age?

11. Rashad says:
    August 18, 2009 - الثلاثاء 28 شعبان 1430 at 9:51 am

    The Sufis all singing together. Is that not enough to prove their deviation from Islam? What does it say in hadith about singing and hypocrisy?

    This reminds me a lot of my meetings with Sufi Turks when I first entered Islam. I had to teach myself to unlearn, purposely forget, and block-out almost everything they’ve ever said to me. The Sufis are the “dangerous” ones.
    You should enter into a discussion with a Muslim convert who has taken Sufi friends; you can clearly witness the passive results of relentless brainwashing. I know Muslim converts who think it’s wrong to fight for their religion, defend their families, and defend their property!

    Anytime I start to have doubts, I only need to think of Sufis spinning around and chanting to realize who is not following the Sunnah and who has fallen off of the Straight Path.

    May Allah (subhannah wa t’ala) protect us and Al-Shabab from their evil intentions and misguidance.

    -Rashad (slave of Allah)

12. aaaaa says:
    August 18, 2009 - الثلاثاء 28 شعبان 1430 at 5:04 pm

    umar.. why would you make a child orphan? think of your futer child?

13. aaaaa says:
    August 18, 2009 - الثلاثاء 28 شعبان 1430 at 5:05 pm

    orphan as in dad-less

14. somaliman says:
    August 18, 2009 - الثلاثاء 28 شعبان 1430 at 10:58 pm

    Alshabab r the only true mujahideen in somalia and also group called Hizbul islam. but their is warlords who called themselves Ahlu sunna wal jamea just to mislead the ppl , ethopia give them weapons and money, as you all know when ethopia been defeated they changed the plan to use some somalian traitors,and uganda and burundian troops are protecting sharif ahmed who is the biggest traitor.most of somalian admire alshabab but america and europe dont want somalia to become and islamic estate. but INSHA ALLAH somalia and muslim world will become an islamic estates

15. pango says:
    August 24, 2009 - الاثنين 05 رمضان 1430 at 11:29 am

    aasalam allaikum
    just from somalia with our bros the mujahiidin yani wallahi things are good and the best part is thet the jihad in soalia is spreding to its neihboring countries ALLAHAMDULLAHI YANI TO THE MANY YOUTH ESPECIALLY FROM ALL AREAS OF KENYA WHO HAVE JOINED THE JIHADI MOVEMENT. IN SOMALIA. MY MSG IS IF YOU CANT JOIN AS PLZ PRAY FOR AS WE NEED YUORE DUAS , AND TO LET YOU KNOW IS THAT THE GRATEST ENEMY OF JIHAD IN SOMALI IS KENYA LED BY THE MURTAD MINISTER OF DEFENCE YUSUF HAJI AND HIS SON ALSO A MURTAD NURDIN HAJI WHO IS ALSO THE ASSASNTANT DIRECTOR OF THE INTELIGENCE IN KENYA WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH HIS SISTER HILLARY CLINTON . INFACT THIS FAMILY OWNS A RADIO STATION KNOWN AS RADIO SALAM IN KENYAN COASTAL TOWN OF MOMBASA THAT IS SPONSERD BY THE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN KENYA , SO WHEN YOURE MAKING DUA PLZ DNT FORGET TOASK ALLAH TO DESTROY THEM AND INSHAALAH THEY WILL MEET THE SWORD OF THE MUJAHIDIN . TO THE BRO UMAR MEN IF YOU HAVENT MARIED PLZ ITS BETER 4 U TO GO 1ST TO THE LAND OF JIHAD WATCH IT WILL BE A FITNAH 4 U. ALLAHU AKBAR

16. soldier of allah says:
    September 8, 2009 - الثلاثاء 19 رمضان 1430 at 1:27 pm

    Assalamualaikum..

    MASHAALLAH…AL-SHABAB IS DUING THIER DUTY IN A PERFECT MANNER…THEY ARE NOT LIKE THE ISLAMIC COURTS HEADED BY MR. SHAREEF….

    BROTHERS…SEE HOW THE ULAMA OF THIS UMMAH RESPOND TO THIS…NONE IS THERE TO GIVE NASEEHA OR ISLAMIC TEACHINGS TO THE YOUNG MUJAHIDEEN WHO FIGHT FOR ISLAM AND TO ESTABLISH SHARIAH…

    MAY ALLAH GUIDE THEM TO THE VICTORY…

17. Abu layla says:
    September 9, 2009 - الأربعاء 20 رمضان 1430 at 3:13 pm

    Asalam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

    “Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth glorifies Allah.
    And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” surah 61:1

    “O You who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment.” 61:10

    “That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad ), and that you strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know!” 61:11

    Allah may have given them a piece of this Dunya, but He promised the Believer the promise of Akhirah where Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwelling in Gardens of ‘Adn – Eternity ['Adn (Edn) Paradise], that is indeed the great success. AMEEN

18. Adam says:
    October 3, 2009 - السبت 15 شوال 1430 at 7:47 am

    Salamu alaykum …few weeks a go a write a comment and look like it was delete..and the comment was a bout seeking away to jihad ..it looks like some poeple fear more gov than allah subhan allah i will leave on the hand of allah i will find a way ..or will do the jihad by my self praying allah will accept me as a shaheed..wa asalamu alaykum.

19. Adam says:
    October 3, 2009 - السبت 15 شوال 1430 at 7:48 am

    awaiting moderation FEAR ALLAH YA ABD ALLAH

20. Abu Mujahid Atharee says:
    October 7, 2009 - الأربعاء 19 شوال 1430 at 9:59 pm

    Asalamu alaykum warahamtullah,
    Alhamdulilahi rabil aalamiin wasalatu wasalamu alla ashrafil anbiyaa wal mursaliin
    Firstly, I remind myself and everyone to fear Allah as he ought to be feared.
    Secondly, I say that we must be aware of what is going on in Somalia before speaking about it. Why is it that people who are away from the country are proclaiming jihaad in Somalia and the somalian people in the country are wishing no one fights in their country. I say that obviously people on this forum and other places who claim jihad in Somalia, either have no knowledge of the religion and rulings of jihad or they have no awareness of the muslim country of Somalia.Somalia has one of the highes percentages of muslims and a kaafir cannot be seen easily walking the streets of any city in somalia. There are masjids in every corner and around many places walhamdulilah. There are learning institutions where they teach the quran and sunnah alla fahami salafu salah. Where are the kuffar to be fought? Who is eligible in proclaiming takfir on the somali people? Who gave any of you all the right and status of knowledge to make takfir of the president(whom i greatly dislike from the begining when he was with uic courts till now), the followers of the president, and anyone associated with the governement? let me make it easier what are the conditions of making takfir and who is eligible to do it and what are the things that take you out of islam? I see very prevalent in this website many people making takfir of people and claiming jihad in a place where you can hear adaan in every corner. Do you not fear that your claim of takfir will not return back to you if indeed that person is not a kaffir? I say we must seek the knowledge of islam, act upon it, call to it and be patient with what we have been afflicted on. I advise myself and everyone to be careful of what they say for indeed we will be held accountable for our statements.Jihad is never between muslims it is against the kuffar and in somalia the jihad has been waged on muslims and I have seen myself. This is called fitnah fighting between muslims can never be called jihad whilst they are still in the fold of islam.
    We should learn the pillars,conditions,obligations of this jihad we claim before speaking about what we have no knowledge of.
    barakaallahu fiikum
    asalamu alaykum

21. MUSLIMAH says:
    October 10, 2009 - السبت 22 شوال 1430 at 10:33 am

    BISMILLAH

    SUBAHANALLAH BROTHER ‘Abu Mujahid Atharee’ COULDNT OF SAID IT ANY BETTER THEN YOUSELF, I ADVISE ALL MUSLIMS AND ME BEING THE FIRST, THAT WE SHOULDNT SPEAK WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE AND SUBHANALLAH KNOW YOUR DEEN B4 U MAKE A STATEMENT AND INFACT AN ACTION SUCH AS GREAT AS THIS………HAVE YOU EVEN HEARD THE COMMENTS THE ‘ULMA HAVE MADE ON THIS TOPIC…….. AND PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE VERSES OF ALLAH TO JUSTIFY YOUR ACTIONS WHEN IT IS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT……AND MAY ALLAH 4GIVE ME ASWELL AS YOU ALL FOR ANY MISTAKES OR COMMENT AND ACTOIN THAT I HAVE MADE 2 DISPLEASE ALLAH WHETHER IT B PAST OR PRESENT. AMEEN…..

22. Abdi from somalia says:
    October 12, 2009 - الاثنين 24 شوال 1430 at 7:53 pm

    In the name of Allah swt i call on all the faithful to open their eyes to the fact that al-shabaab are indeed khawarij

    Those who Went Out”, al-shabaab were embracing various interest with other parties, while initially supporting the establishment of sharia in somalia, later rejected it. They first emerged during the Ethiopian occupation, and are distinct from the Sunnis.

    The Kharijites insisted on the right to revolt against presidnt Sheikh shariff who deviated from the example of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad and the first two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar. From this essentially political position, the Kharijites developed a variety of theological and legal doctrines that further set them apart from both the somali population and other islamic groups in somalia.

    Oh my dear brothers as your brother in islam i call on you to open your eyes and not support these violent groups who are far way from the principles of our deen.

    Islam is unity yet these Kharijites are intent on diving and destroying a whole country for their own political ends.

    Oh brothers do not shame yourselfs, for you may be asked by the almighty, as to why you supported a group that made the lives of a people of war torn nation even harder.
    Oh brothers fear Allah and learn the deen.

    3.5 million somalis are on the verge of famine, its truley sad that none of you will even comment to discuss about that.

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