Somali Islamist group orders radio stations to stop broadcasting music within 10 days

Somali Islamist group bans music on radio stations

MOGADISHU, Somalia — A Somali extremist group is ordering radio stations to stop broadcasting music and has invited foreign fighters to the Horn of Africa nation.

Hizbul Islam’s Moalim Hashi Mohamed Farah says the group will file an Islamic lawsuit against radio stations that do not comply within 10 days. He said late Saturday the order affects all stations in the capital, including the state-run station. The group believes the airing of music is religiously forbidden.

He also offered to issue a Somali visa to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and described Ugandan peacekeepers as “infidels.”

Islamic insurgents control much of Mogadishu and have tried to topple the fragile government for three years. Somalia has not had an effective government for 18 years.