You’d think Somali would have bigger problems.  Really, Somalia does have bigger problems than codes of behavior, but try telling that to Islamic extremist group al-Shabab.  In al-Shabab-dominated Southern Somalia, militant Islamic forces control pretty much every aspect of life, aside from Somalia’s pirates.  In the town of Jowhar, Somalia, militants have banned handshakes between members of the opposite sex.

Men and women can’t even shake hands in Somalia.  A kissing ban is reasonable by comparison!  It makes Iran’s Islam-approved haircut guide look downright smart!  No shaking hands?  What are you supposed to do when you greet someone you know?  Headbutt?  Respect knuckles?  Moshpit of greeting?

I guess the people of Jowhar are used to living under oppression by now.  Jowhar and Southern Ethiopia have been controlled by Islamic militant groups for quite some time.  Ethiopia has not had a stable government since 1991; the UN-backed official government controls only the capital city and a few other assorted areas.

Tags: town bans mixed sex handshakes, handshakes between genders banned, handshakes banned, al-Shabab, Jowhar, Somalia, Jowhar bans handshakes, town controlled by islamic militants bans handshake, handshakes banned by al-Shabab, unusual laws, unusual rules, Islam

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