An Islamist-backed radio station in Somalia has awarded assault rifles and hand grenades to the winners of a children's Koran recital competition. Andalus radio, which is run by the al-Shabaab militia, said on 19 Sep 2011 that the first prize was an AK-47 and 450 pounds. The runner-u received an AK-47 and 320 pounds, while the child who came third received two F1 hand grenades and 250 pounds. The three children also received religious books.
Al-Shabaab controls much of southern Somalia and is trying to overthrow the transitional government in Mogadishu. Designated a terrorist organisation by several western governments, the group has links to al-Qaida and practises an extreme version of Islam.
The report says that n certain areas the hard-line Islamist leaders have banned musical ringtones, films, football broadcasts, dancing at weddings and even shop signs written in English or Somali, rather than Arabic. Punishments include double amputations and stonings. Amnesty International says the rebels have also systematically recruited children under 15 to fight for them.
The Koran babbling contest has been running for three years and takes place after Ramadan. The two previous award ceremonies have occurred in Kismayo, an al-Shabaab stronghold on the far southern coast. In 2009, prizes included hand grenades, anti-tank mines and an AK-47.
The winners of that contest were between 17 and 20 years old, but the age of this year’s winners, who represented the towns of Elasha Biyaha, Kismayo and Mogadishu, are not known.
Photographs: amiirnuur.com
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