United Somali Republic
17-02-2006, 17:47
Mogadishu, Somalia
Although economically and politically a very radical and leftist-oriented nation, culturally and socially the United Somali Republic was quite conservative. This was not surprising, as over 99% of the population was Sunni Muslim, and most of them followed their religion very faithfully. This was a country where for many years "female genital mutilation" had been compulsory for all females, where women were required by law to dress conservatively, and where in general, be it in education, job, or other situations, women were held to be less equal than men.
In a move that caught the entire nation off guard, President Hussein Siad Barre announced, via presidential decree, that "Men and women are henceforth equal."
This has caused shockwaves of outrage to ripple through the community, and for days now riots had devastated Mogadishu. Angry mobs burned buildings and cars, tore down posters of President Siad Barre, and looted and beat police men and government workers.
Women have taken this decree with a grain of salt, believing that President Siad Barre's words would not translate into actions, and that they would still be treated as less than equal. They noted, for example, that the infibulation laws were untouched, and virtually nothing had been done by the President to reflect his decree.
Whether he meant it or not, it was controversial. Muslim scholars denounced the President and issued a fatwah. To which he responded by beheading the scholars, declaring martial law, and using Soviet and Chinese armor and tanks to kill on sight rioters.
Although economically and politically a very radical and leftist-oriented nation, culturally and socially the United Somali Republic was quite conservative. This was not surprising, as over 99% of the population was Sunni Muslim, and most of them followed their religion very faithfully. This was a country where for many years "female genital mutilation" had been compulsory for all females, where women were required by law to dress conservatively, and where in general, be it in education, job, or other situations, women were held to be less equal than men.
In a move that caught the entire nation off guard, President Hussein Siad Barre announced, via presidential decree, that "Men and women are henceforth equal."
This has caused shockwaves of outrage to ripple through the community, and for days now riots had devastated Mogadishu. Angry mobs burned buildings and cars, tore down posters of President Siad Barre, and looted and beat police men and government workers.
Women have taken this decree with a grain of salt, believing that President Siad Barre's words would not translate into actions, and that they would still be treated as less than equal. They noted, for example, that the infibulation laws were untouched, and virtually nothing had been done by the President to reflect his decree.
Whether he meant it or not, it was controversial. Muslim scholars denounced the President and issued a fatwah. To which he responded by beheading the scholars, declaring martial law, and using Soviet and Chinese armor and tanks to kill on sight rioters.