I think that I chose the correct word. Events that took place even as long as a century ago are still having an effect to this day. There are also counties like Iran and Saudi Arabia who are actively exporting their distorted versions of Islam.
Have you seen the latest news out of Somalia?
Militia claims capture of Somalia's capital
Updated Mon. Jun. 5 2006 11:27 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
An Islamic militia says it has captured Somalia's capital from the alliance of warlords that have controlled Mogadishu for the past 15 years.
The Islamic Courts Union appeared to be in control of the capital, expanding on territory they have gained in a recent surge of violence that has killed about 350 people since February.
Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, told the AFP news agency this is a "new era for Mogadishu."
"The Joint Islamic Courts are not interested in a continuation of hostilities and will fully implement peace and security after the change has been made by the victory of the people with the support of Allah," Ahmed said in a statement broadcast over local radio stations.
The warlords are reportedly fleeing Mogadishu, as are civilians, who frequently get caught in the cross-fire.
The alliance of warlords have controlled Mogadishu since 1991, when they overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. They are widely believed to be supported by the United States.
The most recent bout of fighting began earlier this year when the warlords, who had divided the capital into rival fiefdoms, united to battle the Islamic Courts, who they accuse of having links to al Qaeda.
The Islamic Courts deny this, and say their goal is to restore Sharia law in the city. They have also long said the warlords were being backed by the CIA.
Washington has not said whether it has backed the warlords, and has stressed its commitment to the transitional government, operating in Baidoa, 225 kilometres northwest of Mogadishu.
According to the BBC website, Interim Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi fired four warlords who had been serving as ministers in his government.
Calls for the warlords to step down had been intensifying as violence in Mogadishu began to rise last month. But the warlords refused, so they were let go.
Ghedi also reportedly said he is ready to begin dialogue with the militias.
With files from The Associated Press
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...0605/20060605/