The Muslim parents of 17-year-old Nurta Mohamed Farah are said to leave her 'shackled to a tree' during the day and imprisoned in a small, dark room at night – in a bid to make her renounce her faith. For more than a month now, Nurta has resolutely refused.
The family, who live in Bardher in the Gedo region of southern Somalia, tried initially to 'cure' their daughter by beating her and giving her medication a doctor had prescribed for 'mental illness'. Nurta has reportedly become 'very sick' as a result.
Nurta's family are said to recite long passages from the Koran to her twice a week in the belief that Islam's holy book can cure mental illness.'
Compass Direct news agency reports.