When you think of dangerous occupations, there are several that come to mind such as coal mining, scaffolding, or construction. Sadly in some parts of the world such as Somalia, being a comedian or a journalist is a pretty risky occupation as well.

A comedian who made fun of Al Qaida and the Somali Jihadist group Al Shebab was murdered in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet said:

“Gunmen assassinated a well-known comedian and musician who poked fun at Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents in the Somali capital Mogadishu, police and colleagues said Tuesday.

Warsame Shire Awale, a famous composer who had worked with Somalia’s national army band before joining Radio Kulmiye as a drama producer and comedian, was attacked by two gunmen late on Monday.

“Gunmen killed him… we are investigating the matter and the killers will be brought to justice,” police chief Ahmed Hassan Malin told reporters.”

I can’t say what surprised me most about this story, is it the murder or the fact that Somalia appears to have a police force?

The newspaper added:

“Two men armed with pistols shot and wounded him near his house in Waberi district, he died shortly after in hospital,” said Abdi Mohamed Haji, a colleague at Radio Kulmiye.

The killing, the latest in a string of attacks on media workers in Somalia, follows the murder of fellow comic Abdi Jeylani Malaq Marshale in August, who also worked at Kulmiye.

Press rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called 2012 the “deadliest year” on record for Somalia, surpassing 2009 when nine died.

At least 17 reporters have been killed this year in the war-ravaged country.

Several killings are blamed on Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents, but other murders are also believed to be linked to struggles within the multiple factions in power.”

Somalia really is the unlucky country. It has suffered natural disaster, conflict, economic collapse and now it gets a dose of bearded savagery.

Hat tip – http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

Link to original story

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/somali-comedian-who-poked-fun-at-islamists-shot-dead.aspx?pageID=238&nID=33536&NewsCatID=356