The Khat came back!
Perhaps the most telling sign of Somalia’s
remarkable power shift is the rapid return to Mogadishu’s streets of the
leafy twigs known as ‘khat.’
Perhaps the most telling sign of Somalia’s remarkable power shift is the rapid return to Mogadishu’s streets of the leafy twigs known as ‘khat.’
Traditionally chewed by most Somali men, but outlawed since June by hard-line Islamists, the mild stimulant reappeared within hours of Mogadishu’s recapture by government forces last week.
Normally chewed in the afternoons and evenings, the leaf releases a mild stimulant, although users later feel down. It has a central place in Somali social gatherings, and gives a livelihood to traders and importers.
But bent on introducing sharia, Islamic law, the Islamists angered Somalis who are traditionally moderate Muslims after they formally banned the popular khat in November.
The movement also sparked protests in some towns after it introduced other hard-line practices such as closing cinemas, prohibiting smoking and some music, and enforcing dress codes.
Is this part of Coke’s secret recipe? Should it be?
Posted: Tue - January 2, 2007 at 03:22 PM