The decision of the Somali people

ANN: There are Muslim people who commit suicide bombings for their own reasons whatever they could be. How do you see these people? Do you see them as martyrs or criminals? Do you think if you find yourself in a critical position that you can resort to such action?

Sh. Sherif: I would rather not answer this.

ANN: Recently a Mogadishu court has allowed a 16-year-old teenage boy to kill the murderer of his father. The convict was tied to a tree and the boy was allowed to hack him to death. It is also reported that some courts have banned cinemas and theatres. This reminds the world of the Taliban regime. Have the courts really sanctioned such actions?

Sh. Sherif: Regarding the boy's issue, the court that passed the order is not under my authority. It is not one of the courts that fall under my authority. It said it belonged to the alliance [the Alliance for Restoration of Peace and Anti-Terrorism]. The Alliance also stated that the court belonged to them. We have suspicions that the objective of alliance by carrying out this action was politically motivated and that they have sent a request to America as a result of this. Therefore, this court claimed it belonged to the alliance and the alliance confirmed that it belonged to them. They have to answer for it.

ANN: Will you compel women to wear sharia sanctioned clothes or will the Somali woman be free to wear whatever she likes such as our traditional guntino and diric and go to the market as normal?

Sh. Sherif: People are Muslims but no one forces them now to do anything. It is a personal obligation and the person has to adhere to it by his own.

ANN: Recently Sheikh Hassan Al Turabi of Sudan said that he had no objection to a woman or Christian being president in Sudan. What is your position on this issue? Could a woman or a Somali Christian be a president for the country?

Sh. Sherif: You mean hypothetically if such a situation arises what would you have done? In fact the religious scholars say that it is not a preferable option. Therefore, I don't want to go into that now. I don't like to answer hypothetical questions. I will give an answer when the situation comes.

ANN: Are there women members in the Islamic Courts?

Sh. Sherif: What do you mean?

ANN: I mean, are there women in the staff of the courts such as judges?

Sh. Sherif: Even the men are struggling to do it. It is a difficult job, indeed.