By Hassan Yare MOGADISHU, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Somalia's interim government criticised the rival Islamic movement on Saturday for formally outlawing the popular stimulant leaf khat in Mogadishu and other parts of the country that are under its control. "The people of Mogadishu played a crucial role in removing warlords who led a reign of terror for the last 15 years, so they deserve better treatment from the Islamic courts," Information Minister Ali Ahmed Jama said. Initially praised for bringing order to Mogadishu, the Council of Somali Islamic Courts, as the religious movement is formally known, is now facing increasing popular disquiet. As well as the khat ban, which was formalised this week, other hardline practices such as closing cinemas, prohibiting smoking and some music and enforcing dress codes have worried many Somalis, who are traditionally moderate Muslims. Born out of sharia courts, the Islamic movement defeated Mogadishu's warlords in June after months of fighting, and proceeded to take control of much of southern Somalia. Its rise has challenged the aspirations of the government of President Abdullahi Yusuf to restore central rule for the first time since 1991. Some of the warlords were, in fact, ministers in the interim government until they were forced out. Khat chewing has a central place in Somali social gatherings, and gives a livelihood to traders and importers. "Many Somalis depend on it. It is not good for people to be mistreated now by being stopped from trading freely," Jama said. But Islamic courts council spokesman Abdirahim Ali Mudey said: "If the government really cares for the people as they say, then they should not have welcomed the warlords... "We know what the people want ... Khat is a health hazard and an anti-social drug that is bringing about poverty." Normally chewed in the afternoons and evenings, the leaf releases a mild stimulant, but then leaves users feeling down. It is widely chewed by young men in Somalia's many militias. Critics say the Islamic courts are a Taliban-like movement intent on imposing radical Islam on Somalia's 10 million people. Islamic leaders acknowledge wishing to see Somalia ruled by Islamic sharia law, but say their principal aim is to restore law and order after 15 years of anarchy. A new report to the U.N. Security Council says Eritrea is one of several countries providing arms to the Islamic movement, and that an estimated 2,000 Eritrean troops are in Somalia. An editorial in the government-owned Eritrea Profile on Saturday said the allegations were aimed at "tarnishing and changing the countenance of the movement created out of Somalis' internal political dynamism".
