15. Samosas in Somalia
In 2011, Somalia’s al-Shabaab militants banned samosas, citing their triangular shape as resembling the Christian Holy Trinity. The group announced the prohibition via loudspeakers in areas under their control, declaring the snack “too Western.” Residents were warned against cooking, buying, or eating samosas, known locally as sambusas. This ban reflects al-Shabaab’s strict interpretation of Islamic law and its efforts to eliminate perceived foreign influences (upi.com).
