Shaking Hands

On January 8, 2011, Somalia took another leap backwards.

In Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, militants associated with Al Qaeda decided to ban unrelated men and women from shaking hands, speaking, or walking together in public. Violators of this newly implemented policy could be imprisoned, whipped, and in some cases, executed. Residents of Mogadishu feel victimized and have discovered a newfound fear of communication in general. One man said, "I've started ignoring the greetings of the women I know to avoid punishment...I feel like I'm under arrest."

However, it's unfortunate, yet true, that this recent law is not nearly as detrimental as many of the others. The insurgents have essentially banned women from working in public, forcing them to either sell goods in the marketplace to make money (which is illegal, and punishable by execution), or to remain at home to watch their children starve. Furthermore, some Al Qaeda-linked gunmen roam the streets and buses, searching solely for improperly dressed women, or women travelling alone, just to find easy targets of violence. The clothing that the Islamists require of the women is not only uncomfortably modest, but expensive as well; many women must stay at home to avoid being seen without the robes.

The Islamists have also banned the cinema, music, and bras because they are “un-Islamic.” They now also insist that men grow their beards, but shave their mustaches. These unnecessary and unethical restrictions on human rights, freedom of speech, and equality are pushing Somalia further towards complete destruction. African Union peacekeepers and the UN must rethink their strategies and act quickly, before Al Shabab and Al Qaeda take over the entire nation.