Islamic Court Rules Woman Must Lose Lip

An Islamic court in northern Mogadishu cut off part of a woman’s lower lip as punishment for chewing an equal bit from another woman during a fight.

Raho Omar Mohamed, 25, was convicted of biting off part of Zeinab Abukar Haji Ali’s lip. The judges suggested forgiveness or compensation, but Abdi Ali Alasow, a member of the three-judge panel, insisted Mohamed lose part of her lower lip.

The judges, therefore, measured Miss Ali’s missing part, marked a similar portion on Miss Mohamed’s lip with a marker and cut it with a razor blade Friday.

Islamic courts, which enforce Muslim law, are increasingly dispensing justice in the East African nation, which has lacked a government since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.