Video games banned by Somalia insurgent group
Video games banned by Somalia insurgent group
Somalia insurgent group, Hezb al-Islam, has banned video games in areas under its control and promised to punish those who flout the ban.
The Islamist group, headed by cleric Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, believe that playing video games destroys the social traditions of Somalia. As statement from the organisation made last week said: "Starting two days after this statement's date of issue, all video-game playing centres in the areas under Hezb al-Islam control should be closed and playing video games will be prohibited”.
Hezb al-Islam control heavily populated areas in and around Mogadishu. Many of the inhabitants have fled fighting in the centre of Mogadishu. Video games provide vital distraction and enjoyment in the area, especially for children and teenage boys. "Young boys used to like coming here for entertainment after school but it looks like this is now a thing of the past," said Ali Hidig, a game centre owner, in a village outside of Mogadishu.
This is the latest clamp down in an area which has already seen a ban on watching films on DVD.
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