Somali forces ban, burn Muslim women's veils

Source: Reuters

MOGADISHU, May 9 (Reuters) - Somali security forces are seizing and even burning Muslim women's veils to stop Islamist insurgents from disguising themselves for attacks, authorities and witnesses said on Wednesday.

The crackdown on veils is a highly symbolic turnaround for Mogadishu after Islamist leaders, who controlled the city in the second half of 2006, had instructed women to wear them.

"Every policeman and government soldier has orders to confiscate veils from veiled women," senior police officer Ali Nur told Reuters in Mogadishu, saying various recent attacks had been carried out by people in disguise.

"Some of the remnants of the Islamic Courts have been caught wearing veils. During the war, these remnants, pretending to be women, killed so many government troops."

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L09542850.htm

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Source: BBC News

Last Updated: Wednesday, 9 May 2007, 12:47 GMT 13:47 UK

Anger at Somali face veil burning

Two hand grenades have gone off in the Somali capital, Mogadishu,
where government soldiers were confiscating and burning face veils
worn by women.

A BBC correspondent says one woman was injured in the explosions
at a junction near the city's main Bakara market.

Eyewitnesses say soldiers were ordering women in burkas to remove
their face veils on Tuesday, but the operation was later stopped
by their superiors.

-snip-

Correspondents say traditionally Somali women tend to just cover
their heads, but in recent years burkas - which cover the entire
face and body - and niqabs - a veil for the face that leaves the
area around the eyes clear - have become more popular.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6638841.stm