(25-12-23) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) — The Banadir Regional Police Command has categorically denied allegations of a government-enforced ban on face masks, turbans, hats, and face veils in Mogadishu, a senior police official said Monday. Mahdi Omar Mu’min, the Chief of Banadir Regional Police, in a statement released on social media, condemned what he termed as propaganda aimed at discrediting the security forces. “There is no truth in these reports. Our security agencies uphold the utmost respect for religious symbols and practices,” Mu’min stated.
This statement came amid growing concerns over recent actions by security personnel in the capital, where passengers in public vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, were reportedly asked to remove face coverings. The move sparked widespread indignation among the local populace, fuelling rumours of a formal ban.
Local news outlets in Mogadishu have further amplified the issue by broadcasting footage of citizens voicing their grievances over the army’s alleged measures.
In an attempt to clarify the situation, Mu’min urged residents to report any inappropriate conduct related to the non-existent order. “Our forces stand for the protection of religion and individual rights,” he affirmed. The police chief’s assurance aims to quell the rising disquiet in Mogadishu, reinforcing the government’s commitment to religious freedoms and cultural norms.
Halqabsi News
