Lower Shabelle Administration pardons nine inmates to honor Iddul Fitri

Nine prisoners have been pardoned by the administration of Lower Shabelle region on Thursday.

The spokesman for the administration, Daud Haji Irro said the amnesty was linked to The Idd festival, which was marked on 6th July after the end of Ramadan.

“I believe that young people should be in school, not in jail and the administration has asked that emphasis be placed on young persons and for petty non-violent offences and sentences of short duration, ” said Irro.

As official Muslim state Somali government pardons scores of prisoners mainly during major Islamic holidays.

The first day of the Eidul-Fitri celebration is on Wednesday marked in Somalia and in the Muslim world after thirty days of the holy Ramadan month.

Thousands of people came out to open-air venues on the outskirts of the restive Somali capital Mogadishu to take part in the mass prayers to celebrate the annual Muslim Eid Fitri festival.

Wearing their best clothes, Somali men, women and children gathered to listen to sermons given by local religious leaders.

During the festival, people are encouraged to forgive and wish each other a happy, peaceful and prosperous year.

Somali government officials have also taken part in mass prayers held in Isbahaysiga Mosque of the capital Mogadishu.

Families traditionally buy new clothes and prepare sweets to give out to relatives and neighbours while adults give money to the children.