Who's who in the Islamic Courts

The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) which now controls the Somali capital Mogadishu and much of the country's south, emerged out of a shari’ah courts system. The Union was founded by different Somali sub-clans in an attempt to ring a semblance of justice, law and order to the respective communities. The UIC - better known as "Maxkamadaha" - was formed in 2004, and has become a force to be reckoned with. Following four months of clashes in Mogadishu, the UIC defeated a coalition of warlords who had run the divided city over the last 16 years. Some of the key players in the UIC include: Shaykh Sharif Shaykh Ahmed, UIC Chairman Ahmed, in his early 40s, was born in the town of Jowhar, 90 km north of Mogadishu. He was educated in Mogadishu and received a law degree in Libya. He is a former lieutenant of faction leader Muhammad Dheere with whom he fell out in 2003. In the same year, Ahmed and others set up the SI SI (North Mogadishu) Islamic court to combat rampant crime in the poorest Mogadishu neighbourhoods. After parting ways with Muhammad Dheere, Ahmed became a schoolteacher in the city. He comes from a long line of religious leaders, and in 2004 became chairman of the group, now made up of 11 courts. Shaykh Abdulkadir Ali Omar, UIC Vice-Chairman Omar, also in his mid-40s, was born in Adado district, Galgaduud region, central Somalia. He grew up in Mogadishu where he completed his secondary education. He went on to study Islamic education under well-known Islamic scholars. In 2004, he became the head of one of the constituent courts of the UIC and was later appointed vice-chairman. Yusuf Muhammad Siyad, influential UIC member Siyad, also known as Indhacade, is in his mid-50s. He was an inspector in the Somali army faction based in the southern port town of Merka. Siyad was born in the village of Jeerow near the town of Qoryoley in southern Somalia, 120 km southwest of Mogadishu. He controls the agriculturally rich Lower Shabelle region. He is an influential figure in the UIC. He denies reports that he was involved in the recent fighting, but admits that he sympathises with the Islamic courts in Mogadishu. Shaykh Hassan Dahir Aweys, influential UIC member Aweys, is a former decorated senior army officer from central Somalia and the most outspoken of the UIC leaders. Although he does not hold a key position in the UIC, he is said to exercise a lot of influence. He is well versed in Islam even though he never studied under any known scholar. He is reputed to have taught himself. Aweys was one of the best-known commanders of the Al-itihad Al-islami, an Islamist group that was active in Somalia in the 1990s and has been accused by the US of having links with Islamic extremists. Mahamud Omar Adani, businessman and staunch UIC supporter Adani, in his early 40s, was born in Mogadishu. He runs the family business established by his elder brother Abukar, who is now in a wheel-chair. Mahamud's family are the main shareholders in the company that runs El-ma'an port, the only functional port in Mogadishu. His involvement with the courts has more to do with breaking the warlords' hold on the city and creating a freer business climate. He told IRIN that he supports the courts like most Somalis because he was fed up with their influence: "We could not work while the warlords were around."