By C. J. De Mel, Jadetimes News
At least hundreds of face veils worn by Islamic women have been confiscated in the southern Somalia city of Kismayo in the recent wave of security reinforcement. The operation was announced by Police Chief Warsame Ahmed Gelle over state run television. He said the crackdown was intended to comb out would-be predator jihadists who are feared to be hiding behind the niqabs and who want to avoid detection.
The niqab ban enforcement has been made in the light of the raised fears of attacks after the deadly assault on one of the popular beachfronts in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, which led to the killing of dozens of people. Al-Shabab—a militant group linked to al-Qaeda, which has been fighting UN-backed Somali authorities for almost two decades, claimed responsibility for that attack. This very group has an effective presence due to the vast majority of southern and central Somalia, justifying these security measures.
Since last week, the police in Kismayo have been on the streets stopping every woman to make her remove her niqab. Those found wearing the veil are risked being taken to jail or fined. Chief Gelle said: Since in 2013, the Niqab ban for security reasons had not been enforced strictly.
The crackdown is particularly significant as Kismayo and its environs are among the very few areas where Somali authorities can enforce such measures, as al-Shabab controls large parts of the region under Jubaland state. The niqab - which covers the entire face except the eyes - is seen by many Muslim women to be a symbol of modesty. It also shows that 99% of the people in Somalia are Muslims, and a great proportion of the female populace wears the niqab, though the face is left open. However, more Somali females wear the hijab, which covers the hair but leaves the face open.
This is after niqab usage increased in the recent past since the enforcement was initiated. A few days ago, an attack in Mogadishu in which at least 37 people were confirmed dead and many others wounded, was a keen reminder of the security threat that a face can bring. Al-Shabab, which is a responsible group of the attack, said the real figure of the casualties was more than what the police had given. Military action has just been carried out in Jubaland region and police are much alarmed that an attack might be launched in response as several dozen jihadist fighters had been killed.
This move against niqabs in Kismayo is part of a wider strategy to temper security threats, prevent further activities from insurgent group al-Shabab, and protect the local population from further acts of violence.
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