Somaliland Judicial System: Shutdown the parallel, al-I’tisam courts run by the radical clerics
On Saturday, Sheikh Mohamed Arab led the Eid Aladha congregation prayer held at the public owned soccer stadium in southside Hargeisa. He said during the sermon the following disturbing statement: in Somaliland, “Lewdness was permitted; religion was banned”. In Somali, “Fusuqiina Waa la fasaxay; diintina Waa la mamnuucay”.
His intention of the inflammatory statements is propagating lies to stir up and agitate the peace and stability of the country. He is aiding and giving comfort to Somaliland enemies, including Al-shabaab. Sheik Arab broascasts daily a religious program from our Radio Hargeisa. Why is the government giving him a platform ?
We should expect the CID unit of the police or the prosecutor’s office, at minimum, to question this radical cleric who in the Somaliland government, according to him, is advocating for Lewdness to be permitted, and religion to be banned?
The agenda of the emboldened al-I’tisam militant group is bigger than taking running a parallel court or enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil—which is not only the most important Islamic duties, but it also one the basic tenets of Islam.
They have branches all over Somaliland towns and villages. They do not believe our constitution; they hate our system of government, our flag, and our country. They’re very determined to bring down Somaliland and takeover our government under the guise of protecting Islam or clan identity. They are waiting for the moment Somaliland collapses within.
al-I’tisam do run parallel, private courts, in the name of delivering Islamic justice The name of one of those courts is “Xafiiska shareecada ee Tawfiq”. The head of the court is Sheik Dirir, and sheik Arab, is one of his assistants. They charge a hefty fee of 18-20% of total inheritance assets, for their service of the distribution of the deceased individual’s assets. They are crooks who have been colluding with JSL courts.
For example, a case involving the distribution of the inheritance of a 2 million real estate located west of Hargeisa, ‘ Xafiiska Shareecada ee Tawfiq’ received a fee of $200,000 for that settlement. In fact, Sheik Dirir received more money than the actual beneficiaries got. This is in the public record of Hargeisa District Court.
As long as Sheik Dirir thinks that he is above our rules and regulations and belligerently ignores the directive from Somaliland Ministry of Region about the manner, how and when our citizens should perform Hajj, he should not do business in the country We know that the Saudi and the “Faqash” regimes have politicized the Hajj this year. Sheikh Dirir led a group of Somaliland pilgrims against the advise of our government. During the Hajj, the pilgrims have faced price gauging, lack of food, inadequate housing and other hardships because of his recklessness.
Consequently, we must shut down these parallel al-I’tisam courts, which are undermining our judicial system, the rule of law, and taking money away from orphans. Our probate courts can do the job.
We should not also give a public platform to give legitimacy for sheikh Dirir and other Al-Shabaab or al-I’tisam sympathizers. We should also stop sheikh Dirir and Skeikh Arab from using JSL radio or television medium until we know for sure that he believes Somaliland constitution, takes the oath of allegiance to Somaliland nation, and follows and respects the orders and the guidance from JSL authorities, to safeguard our nation.
They are using clan identity to cover up their misdeeds.
But the problem is the dithering of our elected leaders to take decisive action against the extreme clerics who are very determined to bring down the Somaliland state. We cannot go business as usual.
We are Muslim people, who do not monetize religion for their own selfish interest like Sheikh Dirir, Sheikh Arab and others. We earn our living like the way the followers of the prophet Muhammed used to do— hard work. These radical clerics have become monks and catholic priests, and they do not have anything in common with the way our prophet used to spread our peaceful religion.
However, if JSL fails to act against people like Sheik Dirir, Sheikh Arab and others, people will take the matter into our own hands. Political correctness, or the government cannot hold accountable to extreme elements because we will offend certain sub clans is pathetic. The law and order must prevail here.
We must stop them before their narrow Wahabi interpretation of Islam poison the rest of the country. We must also be vigilant and protect our freedom because Somaliland is under siege.
Ali -Guban Mohamed
Founder and Editor, Gubanmedia.com, an online source of news and commentary about the Horn of Africa.
