“On Saturday militants killed two people as they attacked a house where people were watching a game.
Militant group Hizbul-Islam also arrested 10 others at the house north-east of the capital Mogadishu where fans were watching the game between Argentina and Nigeria.” -Somali militants threaten world cup TV viewers, 6/14/2010
(click here to read more http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/africa/10307512.stm)
It has been deemed as “un-Islamic” and a waste of time and money to watch sports publicly or to involve oneself in any types of entertainment. Only a few families are able to afford satellite television, therefore making public places their only outlet of watching the games.
The Al-Shabaab, the Islamic insurgency group, has been quickly gaining great coverage in Somalia including the capital Mogadishu. They have been active for no more than 5 years and are having a powerful grip of the region instilling fear with their harsh Sharia laws (the sacred law of Islam). It is the Al-Shabaab that has declared Universal TV as an “enemy of Islam” because they broadcast photos of the prophet Muhammad.
There are several detestable conflicts in Somalia. The most known tension lies between the TFG (Transitional Federal Government) and the Al-Shabaab. The TFG is the current internationally recognized form of government of Somalia. But there has even been conflicts between the Somali army and police. At least seven were killed last Saturday when the police decided to intervene with Somalian soldiers who were stealing cars. Imagine that. The people you would ideally look to for security or protection is so out of control, so corrupt, and take advantage of their authority with every chance they get. According to ‘The Good News about Injustice’ by Gary Haugen, this is not an uncommon thing. Even I have witnessed Cambodian policemen or designated ‘officials’ taking bribes without hesitation or demanding payment from lower-class citizens.
The TFG has been known to be on the brink of collapse but is still being substantially supported financially and armed by American tax dollars.
Twelve year old Awil in the red and black is not a child soldier for the rebels. He is actually representing the TFG. Child soldiers being as young as 9 years old represent the TFG. Somalia is notorious for taking children off the soccer fields and recruiting them to the army. They are known to be one of the most persistent violators of sending children off to war putting them on same list as the Lord’s Resistance Army. There has been some initiative to demobilize child soldiers now but imagine 12 year old Awil in the battle against the police. Obligated to protect his country and region but confused when he is battling against his seemingly own team? And with child soldiers, where do you even begin to think of the “innocence of a child”? (click here to read more http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/world/africa/14somalia.html?hp)
If your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119:92
