Religious row over aid in Somalia

Islam is practised in most parts of Somalia

Thousands of Somalis have marched through streets in Mogadishu protesting at what they say is an attempt by aid agencies to spread Christianity.

Muslim scholars organised the protest following reports that school children were given gifts with Christian emblems alongside charitable aid.

The protestors set ablaze hundreds of cartons containing goods, some marked only as gifts from the "Swiss Church".

This is the first such charge against Western aid agencies in Somalia.

Somalia has had no central government since the ouster of President Siyad Barre 12 years ago, with rival factions fighting over its control.

'Missionary agencies'

The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the demonstrators condemned the gifts handed out by Christian aid agencies, which included Bibles, toys, books, pens and crucifixes.

"These are Christian missionaries working under the cloak of aid workers. The gifts were given to our children without our choice," Sheikh Nuur Baaruut, the chairman of the Muslim council told the protesters at Tarabuunka Square.

The protestors warned the aid agencies against using relief items to evangelise in Somalia.

Islam has a large following in most parts of Somalia.