Al Shabab declares plastic bags to be unislamic, bans their use in jihadi-controlled Somali territory

Al Shabab (previously) is an Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group whose use of child soldiers, brutal murder, and attacks targeted at civilians have allowed them to carve out a jihadi-controlled territory in Somalia.

In addition to the group's edicts against moderate forms of Islam and all forms of secularism, they have declared a ban on the use of plastic bags, which "pose a serious threat to the well-being of humans and animals alike," according to a communique published on, a semi-official state organ for the terrorist-controlled territory.


"I heard they banned plastic bags via social media," Mr. Ali said in an interview. "I see it as a good decision, but they must ask themselves: Why do they also ban humanitarian workers from operating in Shabab-controlled areas?"

He added, "I don't know why sanitation, and the health of the environment, is important but not the health workers."

Al Qaeda-Backed Terrorist Group Has a New Target: Plastic Bags [Rukmini Callimachi/NY Times]

(via Naked Capitalism)