Somalia: Religious War on Games

Two people were reported killed on Tuesday when Islamic Alliance militiamen began raiding theatres and expelling audiences. This was done as a result of Sharia Law taking effect in Somalia.

The two people were killed in the central town of Dusa Mareb. They were among a group watching World Cup 2006 (soccer's biggest tournement) in a local cinema. The militiamen fired into the group when they began protesting against the ban. The ban is in place, say the militiamen, because western films are evil, and the World Cup is sponsored by the selling of alcohol.

According to Chinadaily.com "Islamic militiamen have killed two people in central Somalia after opening fire in a cinema where people were watching a banned World Cup match.
Sources said the shooting, which also left several people injured, occurred late Tuesday when soccer fans barred by Islamists from watching the semi-final match between Germany and Italy protested at the ban.
Militia loyal to the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts (SCIC), who seized control of parts of Somalia last month, reportedly killed the cinema owner and a young girl."



As you can see, the World Cup is indeed a tournement in which the whole world is represented. This schedule is comprised of those 24 teams that have qualified for the finals in Germany. At the qualifying stages there were 198 nations competing to reach these finals. Among the finalists are several Islamic nations, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Iran.



The Islamic militias have taken control of Somalia. At first these militias were welcomed by the population, who were growing weary of the constant struggles between warlords. The Islamic Alliance at least offered some sort of stability and security. But now they are killing people for watching football and going to the cinema.

Is this what religion is about? How can it be right to force one's beliefs on others at the point of a gun? Why do priests and clerics set themselves up to govern and to judge the lives of all people?

Government must be guided by ethics and morals to retain legitimacy, but this does not mean surrendering governmental, judicial, or military power to priests and clerics simply because they say they represent God himself.

Even democratic governments are in danger these days of surrendering power to religious fanatics who are guided not by ethics and morality, but a severe conviction to a particular religious ideology.