Christopher Holton [Vice President for Administration, Marketing & Development, Center for Security Policy]: "The imposition of Sharia in Somalia will not bring about stability, unless of course by stability one means the kind of "stability" that came about when the Taliban ascended to power in Afghanistan at the turn of the century. Like Somalia, Afghanistan was also a failed state at the time with warring factions locked in a years-long struggle. But the Taliban brought Sharia with them along with a whole new series of troubles for Afghanistan. The same is likely to be true in Somalia, where, incidentally, Al Qaeda appears to be setting up a new stronghold.

The blooming of Sharia is not only an undesirable outcome, it is also the early warning sign of more trouble ahead. Sharia is always followed by violence and oppression. Violence is sometimes quelled through oppression (such as in Saudi Arabia) and in other places (such as Afghanistan) violence remains.

Sharia is the main goal of jihadists, such as Al Qaeda, and any deal to allow it in Somalia will almost assuredly benefit the growing Al Qaeda influence there. We have already seen the havoc that Al Qaeda can cause from inside a failed state. In my opinion, the growing influence of Al Qaeda in Somalia and the specter of Sharia arising at the same time is no coincidence because it is Al Qaeda which will benefit the most.

Here is some of what Al Qaeda has to say about Sharia…

From Osama Bin Laden:

"Regarding which shared understandings, exactly, is it possible that we agree with the immoral West?…What commonalities, if our foundations contradict, rendering useless the shared extremities – if they even exist? For practically everything valued by the immoral West is condemned under Sharia law. As for this atmosphere of shared understandings, what evidence is there for Muslims to strive for this? What did the Prophet, the Companions after him, and the righteous forebears do? Did they wage jihad against the infidels, attacking them all over the earth, in order to place them under the suzerainty of Islam in great humility and submission? Or did they send messages to discover "shared understandings" between themselves and the infidels in order that they may reach an understanding whereby universal peace, security, and natural relations would spread – in such a satanic manner as this? The Sharia provides a true and just path, securing Muslims, and providing peace to the world.

…Offensive Jihadis (are) an established and basic tenet of this religion. It is a religious duty rejected only by the most deluded. So how can they call off this religious obligation [Offensive Jihad], while imploring the West to understandings and talks "under the umbrella of justice, morality, and rights?" The essence of all this comes from right inside the halls of the United Nations, instead of the Divine foundations that are built upon hating the infidels, repudiating them with tongue and teeth till they embrace Islam or pay the jizya [tribute] with willing submission and humility…. Muslims, and especially the learned among them, should spread Sharia Law to the world – that and nothing else. Not laws under the "umbrella of justice, morality, and rights" as understood by the masses. No, the Sharia of Islam is the foundation.

They say that our Sharia does not impose our particular beliefs upon others; this is a false assertion. For it is, in fact, part of our religion to impose our particular beliefs upon others.

Thus whoever refuses the principle of terror[ism] against the enemy also refuses the commandment of Allah the Exalted, the Most High, and His Sharia."

And from Ayman al-Zawahiri:

"The Sharia has forbidden us from taking infidels as confidants, inducting them into our secrets.

The Sharia forbids us from appointing infidels to important posts.

The Sharia forbids us from adopting or praising the beliefs and views of the infidels.

The Sharia forbids us from assisting infidels against Muslims; even the one who is coerced has no excuse to fight under the banner of the infidels.

The Sharia commands us to battle infidels. As for waging jihad against those infidels who have usurped the lands of Islam, this is a duty considered second only to faith, by ulemaic consensus.

The Sharia does not accept the excuses made by the hypocrites – that they befriend the infidels because they fear the vicissitudes of time.

We are duty bound by the Sharia to help Muslims overcome infidels."