MOGADISHU, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The Union of the Islamic courts militiamen in Mogadishu have attacked Somalia's largest movie translating firm which translates the Indian movies into Somali language.

    Dozens of the Islamists gunmen Monday stormed into the buildingof Al-Fiqi studios in Hamarweyne district where the Indian movies are translated into Somali language for the local consumption, butat the time of the attack no official business was continuing, and crowds of bewildered people have watched the Islamic militias in their furious attack.

    The militias have then started confiscating equipment and othervaluables from the shocked people inside the studios. The chairman  of the studio, Abdihakim Mohamed Haji, has explained in his view how the Islamic militias were ruthless. "They threw some of our televisions throughout the windows of the second floor, other werejust smashed off with the butt of their guns," he said, adding that the Islamic militias have likewise collected millions of shillings and some hundreds of dollars and jewelry.

    The Islamic courts in Mogadishu always flex their muscles as they find out a power vacuum, and probably now is the time when the new government of Somalia is split in between Mogadishu and Jowhar.

    The Islamic militias have earlier in the month warned all residents of Mogadishu to observe the fasting during the month of Ramadan and that no violations would be tolerated, and as a result there's no single open restaurant or a tea-shop in Mogadishu for the public during the day time.

    The chairman of the Union of the Islamic courts, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who also spoke to the reporters Monday, has admitted that his militiamen have carried out the attack.

    "We've very proud that we closed down the biggest movie translating firm," he said, adding that these people have defied their orders.

    The Islamic courts recognize most of the entertainment such as listening to music, dancing, watching movies and others as satanic activities and therefore unlawful.

    Ahmed said his men have warned the people earlier and now it was time to substantiate their orders. "What's considered as harmful to the public will be destroyed," he said, making hopelessfor the more than 1,000 tapes of movies they confiscated.

    The Islamic courts militias are well known for their extreme measures when dealing with any case they see as against the religion. Lately, they have destroyed and dismantled the biggest hideouts of the drug dealers and burned to ashes consignments of drugs and home-made alcohol products. They have also destroyed thebiggest cell for the kidnappers of the unarmed or foreigners and the looters of the vehicles. Enditem