Mogadishu, Somalia, September 21, 2006 – The powerful Islamists controlling the capital of Somalia Mogadishu and other key parts of south and central the country have announced on Thursday that it would be forbidden the sale of the khat drug leaves in the daylight during the holy Ramadan month which is two days in time. It is mostly consumed in Somalia that imported from neighbor country Kenya.

Sheikh Abdillahi Hussein, the head of social affairs and regions relation of Islamic Courts told the reporters in Mogadishu that from the beginning of the coming Ramadan month, the Islamists banned the sale and chewing of the narcotic leaves of khat.

“Since the holy month of Ramadan is coming nearer, we have decided to ban the trade of khat in areas under the control of Islamic Courts in south and central Somalia,” Sheik said adding “also it would be proscribed the opening of restaurants and bars,”

Sheikh Abdillahi stressed it was Islamic obligation to stop selling, chewing, eating and drinking from the people during the Ramadan and it would be illegal to do so.

“Any one who violates the new law would face punishments including arresting and we are telling all the Khat dealers to avoid its trading in the Ramadan month,” he said. “The non-fasters will be punished,”

He declined whether the Islamists suspend the import of khat from Kenya

Meanwhile, the head of information department of Islamic Courts Sheikh Abdirahin Ali Mudey said on Thursday that demonstrations will be staged in all Islamist controlling areas in Somalia against the foreign interference in the country on Friday

Sheik Ali Mudey said supporters of Islamic courts will turn out and protest of African peace keepers in Somalia after Friday prayer tomorrow.

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