Shabeelle Media Network (in Somali)

A rally in support of the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Mogadishu was today held at Mogadishu stadium after the Friday prayers.

The rally was attended by close to 10,000 people who came from different parts of the city and its surroundings and was meant to show support for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Mogadishu where they have been for the last two years.

Religious leaders who volunteered to address the conflict between insurgent groups in Somalia and officials of Islamic courts addressed the rally. The Chairman of the Committee of religious leaders who have volunteered to reconcile insurgent groups, Shaykh Bashir Ahmad Salad cautioned against giving the enemy of the Somali people another excuse for them to return to Mogadishu. He also cautioned insurgent groups against fighting amongst themselves.

Shaykh Nur Barood Gurxan who is the spokesman for Religious leaders who have volunteered to resolve the conflict among insurgents said Somali civilians need an Islamic Administration that will last and that they will all unite against any group that starts fighting in Mogadishu.

Shaykh Abdiqadir Ali Umar who is also in charge of internal affairs of the committee of Religious leaders resolving the conflict among insurgents said Somali’s should rule out any possibility of insurgent groups fighting each other, as they will adhere to the decisions made by the religious leaders.

The gathering was also addressed by the Chairman of the Hawiye Cultural and Unity Council, Muhammad Hasan Haad and others including the poet, Abshir Nur Farah alias Bacadle and Abdullahi Gure all of whom cautioned about renewed fighting in the capital.

The Atmosphere at the Mogadishu airport was different from what it has been in the last two years. This is the first rally to be held at the Mogadishu stadium since the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from the capital.