Islam protects the soul, honour, wealth, religion and health. Whatever harms these is forbidden under Islamic law.
This also applies to the drug khat, a stimulant that is chewed frequently in Somalia. Its consumption has been on the increase among Somalis living in Finland.
This was the message at the lecture hall of Helsinki’s Pasila Library on Monday, at a seminar on intoxicants held by the Somali League in Finland in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. The topic was not limited to just this seminar. Plans are to produce a book on intoxicants, written by Abdirashid Awad Dirie, the treasurer of the Somali League.
He also takes up tobacco, illegal drugs, and the favourite intoxicant used by Finns - alcohol. Many Finns can guess the upshot of the message: it’s best not to get involved with any of them.
Not even khat, even though it is legal in Somalia. “What was permitted in Africa does not apply here”, noted Klaus Hindrén of the Helsinki police. “That which is done somewhere else has no bearing on Finland.”
“People must abstain from what is not good for them”, said Sugulle Mohamed Abdirazak of Helsinki’s Islam Centre.
Use and sale of alcohol are forbidden, because faith and alcohol are opposites. There were no modern drugs while Muhammad was alive, but “narcotic drugs are the mother of crime”, he pointed out.
“A large proportion of crimes are caused by drugs, because under the influence of drugs people easily do whatever pops into their heads”, he said. “Things which alter the mind are forbidden.”
Hindrén agreed with the message. “Tobacco is a poison, and alcohol is as well. Whenever you take alcohol or drugs, it affects your head. Say no to drugs.”
Khat is a completely forbidden plant. It is not permissible to import it or to grow it.
Nevertheless, demand seems to be growing. “Smuggling is no small business”, Hindrén said. Tonnes of khat is imported to Finland, and the users are no longer just older gentlemen. Young people and women, even housewives, are using it, the Somali League says. The league is fighting against the increase in the use of drugs.
“Two people have been jailed in Finland for importing khat. One was sentenced to three years and six months. Is there any sense to that?” Hindrén asks. “This is drug dealing.”
Under the criminal code, its is illegal to import, transport, possess, use or export the drug. “You have to understand that all of those are illegal in Finland.”
And it also applies to young people.