(Medeshi)- Our sources from Hargeisa have reported that the old Hageisa
officers club is soon to be re-opened with a pub - spirits and
beer sales counters with a dance stage . The club has originally been
built by the British during colonial era and was accessible only on
membership basis .
It was later changed into military officers club with
limited access to the civilians by the socialist military government of
Siyad Barre after the 1969 military take over . Lodging areas were also
added during the early 1980s after the Somali tourist agency was given
the lease to run the club.
 |
| Vintage Hargeisa club 1966 (Flicker ) |
After secession from Somalia , Hargeisa club was turned into a hotel and
leased to the private agencies by the Somaliland government.
Religious leaders in Somaliland will object to the opening of a dance
hall in the country let alone opening a pub. The only dance hall that
had existed for months was located at Ming Sing near Hargeisa club but
was attacked on several occasions by religious leaders with the help of
the local police. The hall was eventually closed by the management of
Ming Sing restaurant after continuous harassment and night raids .
Alcohol is prohibited in Somaliland although it is sold by smugglers
through the out country in the black market . Most of the black market
alcohol comes from Ethiopia while some legally come from Djibouti for
NGOs , diplomatic missions and the elites.
 |
| Hargeisa club attachment in its original condition (Flicker) |
Our sources have reported alcohol selling points next to Hargeisa main
police station , Darooraha and the Sha’ab area. Police often ignore
the illegal dealers with in the capital because of clan protection but
clients taking away alcohol from the illegal sales points often get
caught and are imprisoned for the minimum of 6 months. Those who can
afford get home delivery through mobile taxi services while some travel
to the Ethiopian side of Wajaale 40 minutes away from Hargeisa for
weekend socialising and beer drinking.
 |
| Hargeisa club - the main hall (Flicker) |
However it may come , it is obvious that opening Hargeisa club with
alcohol services is a distant future regardless of the rumour of it's
opening. Alcohol and non Islam religious propagation in Somaliland is
currently a crime offence in the country unless new rules are introduced
to change that. A case that is currently ongoing at Hargeisa courts
against
3 Ethiopians accused of spreading Christianity
in Somaliland reflects on how Somaliland will not tolerate any one
trying to spread other than Islam in the country . Anything similar
could anger the religious leaders throughout the country .
Source: http://www.medeshivalley.com/2013/05/somaliland-hargeisa-club-to-re-open.html#comment-form
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