Somali Kids Win Weapons, Religious Books in Koran Recital Contest

A Somali radio station run by the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militia is allegedly awarding rifles, bombs and religious books to three children in a Quran recital contest.

Andalus radio station announced Monday that the first prize winner in the contest received a rifle and $700, the second prize winner was awarded a rifle and $500, and the third prize winner received two bombs.

All three children also reportedly received religious books.

Ynet News adds:

Al-Shabab is battling Somalia's weak, UN-backed government. The militants have recently been weakened by famine in territory they control.

Somalia has been plagued by violence and religious extremism, with a leader of the country's Islamist insurgency threatening late last year to attack the United States.

"We tell the American President Barack Obama to embrace Islam before we come to his country," said Fuad Mohamed "Shongole" Qalaf.

And if Somali children are rewarded for their study of the Quran with weaponry and even more religious texts, this type of extremism could be perpetuated for years to come.