The day the music died: Somali Islamists ban songs

[April 20, 2010]  MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) -- Somali radio stations have stopped broadcasting music following an order from Islamist insurgents who say songs are un-Islamic.

Somalia has a tradition of music and most residents greeted the ban with dismay. The edict is the latest unpopular order from Islamists, who have also banned bras, musical ringtones and movies.

Abdulahi Yasin Jama at Tusmo broadcasting says stations had no choice but to comply with the order, which came into force Tuesday. Only one government-controlled station is defying the ban.

The Islamists frequently assassinate those who defy them or carry out Shariah-based punishments like amputating limbs.

The ban on music echoes rules enforced by Afghanistan's hardline Taliban regime in the late 1990s.

[Associated Press]

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