Security security raids the prophet’s birthday gathering, Iranian Embassy criticizes move

Somali security forces have raided a prophet Mohammad birthday ceremony organized by Imamu-khumayni relief organization, forcing out high Somali government officials including minister, several MPs and Iranian diplomats to leave.

Somali security forces made several arrests including  an Iranian embassy staff of Somali nationality  and a number newly married young couples who attended the ceremony to receive money and households supply from Imamu Khumayni relief Organization.

Speaking to Goobjoog News, Iran Embassy’s Chargé d’affaires Javad Dehghan Latfabadi confirmed the incident saying that the security forces mistreated some of his colleagues.

“Unfortunately we heard that government banned Chrismas celebration but we did not know Mowlid Nabbi (The prophet’s birthday) ….. what happened today is not even good for Somali Government  because minister and some of MPs  were there,  you need to respect your country’s officials”  said Chargé d’affaires

Meanwhile Somali government did not commend the incident or said what was the motives of the crackdown.

Shia spreading concern

Some religious scholars in the country warned Imamu-Khumanyni Relief Organization to be working under the disguise of relief to spread the Shia teachings in the country but Iranian Embassy dismissed the claim.

“ Imamu khumayni is not allowed to talk on religious affairs or political affairs. it is just here for humanitarian assistance” “ the workers of this organizations rarely speak English or Arabic and when they come here they stay indoors and hotels and they can’t spread Shiat”

Iran is one of the view countries that maintains physical embassy in the country but faces challenges from local religious groups who suspect spreading shia teachings in the country and the Arab gulf countries headed by Saudi-Arabia which do not want to  see Iranian influence come to the Horn of Africa.