Thursday July 25, 2024
Ahmed Suudi Ma'ow Deeyow, 30, was arrested by Banadir Regional Police for allegedly impersonating a woman, as part of an ongoing crackdown on behaviors deemed immoral by Somali cultural norms. (Photo supplied by Banadir Regional Police)
Mogadishu (HOL) — Police in the Banadir region arrested a man at the Hamarweyne District Station in Mogadishu for allegedly impersonating a woman, marking the latest incident in a broader crackdown on behaviour deemed immoral or contrary to Somali cultural norms.
Ahmed Suudi Ma'ow Deeyow, 30, was detained by officers from the General Division of the Banadir Regional Police. Deeyow is accused of altering his appearance to look like a woman, a behaviour that contradicts Somali cultural norms. A photograph taken at the Xamarweyne District Station shows him dressed in women's clothing and displaying female characteristics.
"The police investigation is ongoing, and he will be brought before the appropriate court," stated a report from the Banadir Regional Police Command.
The arrest is part of an intensified effort by Mogadishu police to target individuals engaged in activities considered immoral in Somalia's deeply conservative society. Recently, the police have focused on social media influencers and personalities who post content that violates Islamic values and Somali cultural norms.
In a similar case, Ashraf Ali Nur, 24, was arrested in early July for spreading immoral content on TikTok, causing controversy among Somali social media users. Another incident involved TikTok influencer Hanad Abdirahman Mohamed Gariraye, who was detained in late April for posting videos of himself in women's clothing, sparking public outrage. Additionally, a young couple, Faisa and Abbas, were arrested in late February for sharing an "indecent" video on social media, which led to a nationwide debate on social media ethics and acceptable online behaviour.
The Somali Police Force has stressed the importance of maintaining social order and community morals. "The Somali Police Force is dedicated to preventing any behaviour that undermines our noble Islamic religion and the good culture of the Somali people," read a statement from the police. Authorities have also urged Somali parents to monitor their children's activities to prevent them from engaging in immoral conduct.