Syrian rebels ban music and impose niqabs for women

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has banned music and forced women to wear niqabs in the Raqqah District of Syria. The organization is connected with Al Qaeda and took over the district on January 14, 2014, RIA Novosti reports.The rebel organization regards the district as the Raqqah Province of the Islamic Emirate. It has banned smoking, singing, loud conversations, operation of shops during prayers, appearance of women without husbands on the street at night. Ads were banned inside and outside shops.All locals are to visit mosques for prayers. Those caught evading the prayers will be punished according to Sharia law.Iraq started a mass counter-terrorism operation in the Al-Anbar Province, which is occupied by the organization. It has been ongoing for about a month.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has banned music and forced women to wear niqabs in the Raqqah District of Syria. The organization is connected with Al Qaeda and took over the district on January 14, 2014, RIA Novosti reports.

The rebel organization regards the district as the Raqqah Province of the Islamic Emirate. It has banned smoking, singing, loud conversations, operation of shops during prayers, appearance of women without husbands on the street at night. Ads were banned inside and outside shops.

All locals are to visit mosques for prayers. Those caught evading the prayers will be punished according to Sharia law.

Iraq started a mass counter-terrorism operation in the Al-Anbar Province, which is occupied by the organization. It has been ongoing for about a month.