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19 April 2009 Mogadishu — Somalia's parliament
has unanimously endorsed the Sharia Law to be ruled
with the country, deputy speaker said on Saturday.
Parliamentarians say they hope the vote Saturday
will help drain support from Islamist insurgents
fighting against the new government. Implementation of
the Islamic Sharia has been one of their key demands.
The deputy speaker of the Somali parliament Osman
Elmi Boqore, said 343 parliamentarians attended the
meeting and they all voted for the Sharia enforcement.
"343 parliamentarians attended in the meeting and
they have unanimously endorsed the proposal. No one
has rejected or abstained the voting for the proposal
of the Islamic law and Somalia has an Islamic
government now," said Osman Elmi Boqore, who chaired
Saturday's meeting.
Members from the Somali Islamic clerics and clan
elders were present in the meeting. The cabinet
ministers of the Somali government had previously
approved implementation the Islamic Law.
The Somali Cleric's Association has welcomed the
decision of the parliament. The deputy chairman of the
Somali Cleric's Association Osman Ibrahim Ahmed who
was present at the session has warmly welcomed the
approval of the parliament.
One of the Islamist rebels, Hizbul Islam, hailed
the decision of the legislature.
Mohamed Hassan Amey, the leader of the group
described the decision as a good chance that Somalia
got it now and called for the Somali clerics to
encourage the people to support the approval of the
parliament.
"I am very glad to hear that the parliament
accepted the implementation of the Islamic Sharia,"
said Mohamed Hassan Amey.
Another wing of Hizbul Islam still opposes the
government, but there is no word from this group yet. |