The Somali-speaking Centre of International PEN is deeply disturbed by the latest renewed attacks on Somali music, musicians and music-related events in Somalia.
On Friday 18 June 2008, Abdulkadir Adow Ali, a Somali musician, singer, actor and music composer was killed in Mogadishu. Three unidentified men armed with knives stabbed the late musician to death while he was heading to his home.
The identities of the murderers and their motives are still unknown. So far, the Somali government have made no investigation in respect of this case.The identities of the murderers and their motives are still unknown. So far, the Somali government have made no investigation in respect of this case.
On Saturday night 21 June 2008, attackers believed to belong to a radical Islamist group threw a hand-grenade at a cinema-hall in the capital Mogadishu. In this attack, one person died and four others were injured.
On Sunday night 22 June 2008, a similar attack using a hand-grenade was launched at another cinema-hall in Baidaba. More than ten boys of the local youths, who were watching films and music-related videos, were killed in the attack while another two died from their wounds at the hospital in the town.
On Sunday night 29 June 2008, militia from the Union of Islamic Courts reportedly attacked a traditional folklore-dancing event in Ceelgeelle, a rural village on the outskirts of Bal’ad town in the Middle Shabelle region, 30 kilometres north of the capital Mogadishu. In this attack, two of the nomad-dancers lost their lives.
All these acts of targeted attacks and atrocities are direct violations against the rights of the Somali artists to freedom of expression, as well as the Somali community’s choice to get access to their arts and enjoy their music.
Somali PEN strongly condemns these acts and calls on the groups and individuals committing such acts to immediately stop their campaign against music, arts and music lovers.
For further information, please contact us at
Somali PEN Free Expression Committee
Email: somalipen@gmail.com.
On Friday 18 June 2008, Abdulkadir Adow Ali, a Somali musician, singer, actor and music composer was killed in Mogadishu. Three unidentified men armed with knives stabbed the late musician to death while he was heading to his home.
The identities of the murderers and their motives are still unknown. So far, the Somali government have made no investigation in respect of this case.The identities of the murderers and their motives are still unknown. So far, the Somali government have made no investigation in respect of this case.
On Saturday night 21 June 2008, attackers believed to belong to a radical Islamist group threw a hand-grenade at a cinema-hall in the capital Mogadishu. In this attack, one person died and four others were injured.
On Sunday night 22 June 2008, a similar attack using a hand-grenade was launched at another cinema-hall in Baidaba. More than ten boys of the local youths, who were watching films and music-related videos, were killed in the attack while another two died from their wounds at the hospital in the town.
On Sunday night 29 June 2008, militia from the Union of Islamic Courts reportedly attacked a traditional folklore-dancing event in Ceelgeelle, a rural village on the outskirts of Bal’ad town in the Middle Shabelle region, 30 kilometres north of the capital Mogadishu. In this attack, two of the nomad-dancers lost their lives.
All these acts of targeted attacks and atrocities are direct violations against the rights of the Somali artists to freedom of expression, as well as the Somali community’s choice to get access to their arts and enjoy their music.
Somali PEN strongly condemns these acts and calls on the groups and individuals committing such acts to immediately stop their campaign against music, arts and music lovers.
For further information, please contact us at
Somali PEN Free Expression Committee
Email: somalipen@gmail.com.
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