By Noah Arre

I had migrated to North America in the early eighties and soon graduated from an American university in 1984. I had also worked in the USA for many years.  But since I had always wanted my U.S. born children to learn more about Islam, my faith, I had often solicited jobs in the Middle East and fortunately, I got one in the UAE in the late nineties.  And because my job paid for our tickets, my family and I had traveled a lot.

So, naturally, we had tried different airlines. We had flown the European, the North American, the Asian, the Middle Eastern, the African and the Latin American airlines. And certainly, we had experienced the services of each and every airline most of which were always great.

Unfortunately, “for cost control purposes”, lately, many airlines are performing poor and may be soon failing. And it is absurd that leaders of organizations and international businesses, proponents of free trade, top customer service and respect of international trade laws are angry today and as a result, are pressuring their governments to restrict access to their markets and accusing others who perform better because they woo most customers.

For instance, I had recently flown from North America where I had settled years ago to the United Arab Emirates. And I was to change my flight three times using different airlines and in the process noticed strange new realities.

In the first leg of my flight which was due at 3:00 pm my home town local time, my flight was to take off from an airport in the deep south of the U.S. So, I asked my daughter to drop me at exactly 1:00pm and she did. However, call me naive if you may, but I am the kind of a person who does not use credit cards and what a coincidence! I had forgotten the only debit card I had, at home and had no time to call someone to bring it to me at the airport. So, I had to forget it and hope for the best!

At boarding time, another unexpected thing happened as the flight attendant at the exit gate announced “for those of you who are in zones 5 & 6, there is no space for your carry-on bags and we must load them too.”

Then, as soon as the airplane attained the desired altitude and the seat belt signs went off, the crew said “ladies and gentlemen, we will be in Philadelphia International Airport by 7:30pm Eastern Time and right now, we are happy to serve you soft drinks, tea and coffee and of course anyone interested to buy snacks, etc. etc., …. for $7.00 apiece is welcome. But please remember, we accept only major credit cards and the US dollar…..” And surprised for hearing that news, I whispered to myself “selling snacks, what a shame! What a difference a few years make!” So, I had the juice and ignored the rest.

The duration of our flight was three hours and by chance, I checked the sticker they gave me for my second luggage and was surprised to learn that it was different from the one they gave me for my other luggage. So, I requested for help and the crew advised me to check with their agent at Philadelphia Airport.

So, as soon as we landed, I had to rush and though I was at the rear of the plane, I was one of the first few people to exit the airplane. And one thing, Americans are known for, is courtesy because once they see you rush, all you have to say is “please excuse me!” And all will, because they understand you may have no time to waste!  That is an area which many people in this global village may have to learn from the great American public. It is one of the qualities I admire of them!

And as soon the plane parked, I walked out and asked the first counter attendant, “where is terminal F please?”And he said: “go through that double door, take left; go straight, then take the next left and go straight all the way; it is about a mile and a quarter altogether, from here, good luck!”

My dear readers, trust me, though I was carrying my lap-top which was relatively heavy, I had probably made to there in less than 10 minutes and fortunately, there were only two ladies at the counter though there was no agent as the counter was not  open for service.  And because I wanted to be the first, I requested the ladies to let me queue before them and they said “no problem; please go ahead.”

At 9:00pm Philadelphia time or just 50 minutes before our departure, a young guy came to the counter and assuming he was in for our service, I said, “sir, I have a problem could you check my bag stickers? The destination of one is at London Heathrow Airport and the other is checked to my final destination which is Abu Dhabi, UAE.” He checked both and said “you are right, something is wrong here; please be seated; we will call you!” He took them and showed them to his supervisor who apparently instructed him to go to the loading zone. That guy was my savior or else, my bag which had no lock, no label or tag would probably be lost forever!

So, I took a seat and fortunately soon, someone announced, “Mr. Noah Arre”, please come to counter number 23.” And of course, anxious, I went there and the young guy gave me both stickers and said; “please be assured that both bags are there to your final destination!” Thank goodness, that gave me a big relief!

In less than thirty minutes, we checked in and the plane took off. But as soon as the seat belt signs were turned off, the crew served us juices and that was followed by dinner which was a choice of either macaroni with cheese or chicken with rice. And my choice was the chicken with rice because for medical reasons, I do not eat fatty foods.

And now, my dear readers tell me, “what is the most delicious food you can ever have? Is it basmati rice with chicken? Lamb chops, steak or macaroni with cheese or what?” Friends, whatever your answer is, I know for sure that the most wholesome food you can ever have is the one you get when you are really hungry! And boy; I had swallowed everything they gave me in one go! In fact, I had licked the last bits and pieces in my plate and had even licked my fingers from top to bottom for one reason because I was really hungry and for the other it was too little. And then tilted my seat and slept!

The next morning, an hour or so before landing time at London Heathrow Airport, I woke up and there was, the crew serving water, tea, coffee or juices. Naturally, I took the juice and then a cup of coffee. But to my surprise, our whole breakfast was a tinny wrap (as big as my paw) of Danish which is of course rich in cheese and eggs both of which are off my limits and I had to say, “no, thank you!” And soon we landed.

At Heathrow International Airport, I had to zoom to catch my connection flight which was at terminal 4 where luckily a courtesy bus waiting took us to that terminal. But since it was too early, the Etihad Airlines counter was not manned and I had to loiter in the terminal areas for hours.

However, about 50 minutes before flight time, an announcement said “…. Passenger Mr. Noah Arre, please come to Etihad Airlines counter!” And when I did, a young lady in Etihad Airlines uniform enthusiastically said “hello Mr. Noah, how is your day?” And my answer was “I am doing fine, thanks.” And then she said “can I have your documents please?” And of course, I gave them. After she checked them, I asked “how many bags do I have checked to Abu Dhabi?” And she said “you have two bags sir; please go to gate number 10 to catch your flight to Abu Dhabi and have a pleasant flight.”

About thirty minutes later, a crew member said “ladies and gentlemen, please pick up the safety instructions and in the pocket in front of you and in case of emergency, follow the directions clearly marked while I am explaining. Kindly, know also we speak English, Arabic, Urdu, Chinese, French, Malay, etc, etc…..” And we took off.

But since I was really tired and hungry, I barely listened and was contemplating to sleep. And then suddenly I saw a young lady, in Etihad Airlines uniform, apparently from Eastern Europe, as per her accent, sitting up on the passage next to my aisle seat. Surprised and wondering as to why she was doing that, I looked at her and she softly said, “sir, what would you like to drink, water, juice, tea, coffee?” And I said “Can I have water, juice and tea?” And she said, “of course.” And in minutes, she brought all. And amazed of the swiftness of the service and courtesy at my disposal, I whispered to myself “why is America, the leader of all modern innovations, pioneer of courtesy, customer care and hospitality, falling behind?”

Then, just minutes later, an enthusiastic young Arab guy in Etihad Airlines uniform, came to me and asked “hello sir, what would you like to eat? We have lasagna, we have Moroccan lamb with basmati rice, we have grilled chicken with rice, we have macaroni with broccoli and cheese and we have…………” Impressed with the varieties in hand, I said “can I have the Moroccan lamb with basmati rice?” And his response was “why not sir, and what would you like to drink with it?”, he said. And my answer was “apple juice please.”

Minutes later, my whole table was full because in addition to my order, he gave me dark chocolate cake, my favorite and a fresh salad with olive oil dressing, a loaf of bread, a cup of water and soda! And surprisingly, as soon my table was cleared, another Etihad Airlines crew member asked me “would you like tea or coffee?” and I said “coffee please; could it be cappuccino?” and she said “why not sir!” And as soon as I had my coffee, I fell asleep possibly snoring in minutes! And now, tell me which other airline in this global village, cares its passengers this much and feeds them this good!

The duration of our flight was six hours and about two hours before our landing time, I woke up. And there was again the crew serving barbeque chicken snacks. But I was too full to have one and got only water.

Finally, at 12:45am, UAE time, we landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport and believe you me our luggage was already rolling at the carousel before we passed the immigration exit. And within minutes I collected one of my bags but could not locate the other.

Unfortunately, it was the same bag that was mislabeled before. But before I had any time to think, I saw a young boy in Etihad Airlines uniform holding a board with my name and he said “sir, are you the person on this board?” I said, “yes, why?” And he said “could you kindly come with me to Etihad Airlines office?” And I did!

At there, a young guy in Etihad Airlines uniform who seemed really concerned greeted me and said “hello sir, we know you are missing a bag and we are really sorry. Please forgive us. But we have found it and it is in our Heathrow office. We promise we will bring it to you at home. Please fill up this form and give us your contact number.”

Twenty four hours later, someone brought it requesting me to check if I am missing anything. My blackberry was there; my other mobile phone was there; my expensive prescription eye glass was there, all my ties were there; my shirts and pants were there. And fully satisfied, I filled up the form and gave it back saying “thank you and thanks Etihad Airlines. You will be always my choice provided…….” and gave the boy a tip!

By Noah Arre

Friends, now tell me which other airline treats its customers this good! And which other airline respects its passengers this great! And one thing is clear; I will fly this airline to USA but hope it will soon land at my home town.

Col Iyo Abaar – War & Drought

Col iyo Abaar, war and drought, were the historical enemies of the Somali people; the two disasters that played havoc with their nomadic life.

The fear of these combined calamities was so engraved in the Somali psyche that it manifests itself in their prayers; Ilaahow Col Iyo Abaarba Naga Hay (O’ God spare us from both war and drought). There was also no ills worse to invoke when cursing an enemy than to curse them with war and drought; Col iyo Abaari ku Qaadday or Col iyo Abaari Kula Tagtay are both curses that bid you to be taken away or snatched away by the twin terrors.

Nabad iyo Caano (Peace and Milk) was the antidote to Col iyo Abaar. And if the rainy season was exceptionally good and the pasture was abundant, then it was a time of Bashbash iyo Barwaaqo”; a time of splash and abundance or prosperity”.

For Somali nomads, therefore, Nabad iyo Caano was their best time, it was for them a time of Nimco Ilaah (God’s bounty). It was when both people and their livestock and in fact all plants and creatures on earth had Biyo iyo Baad (water and food). Without rain, Somalis live on dead earth.

When I met my wife for the first time many years ago, all she knew about Somalia other than a story she heard as a child about the Mad Mullah was that: “It was a dry land that came to life after rain.” Surprisingly, this was the first time in my life that I took note of my country described in such a graphic and indeed a realistic way. Sometimes, we need to see ourselves through the eyes of others.

It is no wonder that fatalism holds sway over the Somali people as their life hangs on the forces of nature and the Will of God, for who else but: “Allah sends down water from the sky and by it brings the dead earth back to life. (Surat an-Nahl, 65).

The Somali farmer can throw seeds to the ground, but he knows that without rain he should not expect to harvest them. If rain fails to come, then there is nothing he can do but look to the sky and pray. It was at a moment like this that a Somali farmer expressed his plight in the following biting lines:

“Illayn laguma doog dhabo hadhuud

Roob an kugu daadan

Cirka meel dushaada ah illayn

Dooxid lama gaadhid…”

Today, the Somali people, as in many times in the past, face the apocalyptic double hit of Col iyo Abaar.

Of the two, however, it is the Abaar that devastates the lives of the nomad. It is referred to as Abaar iyo Oodo Lulul, drought and tree shaking, as Somali nomads shake trees with their traditional hangools – a kind of a stick with a hook- to fall dry leaves for their livestock). One can run away from an enemy and avoid the areas of hostilities, but one cannot escape drought, particularly when it hits across traditional grazing areas. This is why the collective memory of the Somali people records the worst droughts that devastated the people through history.

Known by their telltale names that give graphic description of their catastrophic impacts on people’s lives and livelihood, some of the best memorized droughts include: Abaalees, the one that overran everyone and everywhere; Liqa iyo Qutura, the one that swallowed and stayed unyielding; Arbacadii, the one that started on the year that began on Wednesday; Xaaraamo Cune, the one during which people were forced to eat the inedible or legally prohibited food; Hawa Rida, the one that humiliated every proud person; and Jaahweyn, the one that stared at people in the face for a long time.

Also remembered are Maadh Gambiya, the one that devoured all wealth; Hayaan Dheer, the one that forced  people to travel long distances; Siigacase the one with red sandstorms; Jaan Ma Reeba, the one that didn’t spare a single shoe as even shoes were boiled and eaten for food;  Haarriya, the slow moving and grinding one; Bariis Guradkii, when the people were forced to eat rice which was an alien grain to the Somali people at the time; Sima, the equalizer as it made all people equal in misery and penury; Dooryaanle, the one that was characterized by the enormous quantity of worms it produced due to the enormous number of carcasses of dead animals around; and Daba Dheer, the long tailed – the never ending one.

When droughts last long and people and livestock perish, the only option the surviving people have is to seek refuge in a place which is mostly far and alien. In the old days the name for this torturous journey was Daaduun (escaping from famine and poverty). The word Qaxooti which is today’s parlance for refugees was used in the old days for people running from war and hostility but not from famine. Just like we see them doing today, the people on Daaduun would travel as far as their weak legs could take them, as far as their last drop of water could last them, and as far as the famished, haggard and malnourished children could make to the nearest graveyard or the nearest help whichever came first. But today, Somalis are running for Qax iyo Daaduun -both running from war and from drought’s famine).

Watching the news with my son and hearing that each day around 1500 people arrive in Kenya, he quipped: “Aabbo, if the Somalis leave the country in this rate and I know your population is small, I wonder, if anyone will remain in it.” He is a college student now and I remember addressing him in a poem I wrote when he was yet unborn telling him about the misery of the Somali people:

“…Insha Allaahu dhib yari iyo caafimaad

Waad ku soo dhalane

Ilmayohow la wada dhawraya

Bal an war kuu dhiibo

                   *

Hadday adiga nabadi kuu dhantahay

Dheregna aad hayso

Ood caalamkaba dhexdaa hooyadaa

Moodday dhummucdiisa

Adduunyada dhib baa joogta iyo

Dhiilo iyo ciile

Dhawrtay isku laayeen tolkay

Dhiigna loo qubaye

Waxa dhagarta loo galay anaan

Dhiilka la ii shubine

Gobannimadii loo dhaxay runtii

Gaalka lagu dhoofshay

Haweenkiiba kama dhaashadaan

Dhiilahaan lulaye

Dhul aan kuugu faaniyo ma lihi

Dhoobo iyo ciide

Dhagax buu Ilaahay ka dhigay

Ani dhankaygiiye

Dhawrkii bilood buu habeen

Dhibic ku tiixaaye

Dhuuni baan ka raadcaynayaa

Qooddi dhabarkiiye

Awr baaban weli dhaansadaa

Dhererka jiilaale

Dhallaankii harraad bay dhugteen

Dhabarka saarraaye

Ceelkii dhicirta weynaa beryahan

Looma dhaadhicine

Dadkaygii dhammaayo ma hadhin

Ruux ad dhugataaye

Iskadaa qabiil nin u dhintuu

Loogay dhirifkiiye

Dhilmaanyaaba weli laysa iyo

Dhaxanta dayreede…” (Laba Dhuux, 1989)

Since then the world has changed beyond recognition. The Berlin Wall fell, the Soviet Union had collapsed the cold war had come to an end; the information technology has made the world a global village. But even after two decades, just like the many decades before, the conditions remain the same for Africa. Nothing changes in Africa. It is either war, brother killing a brother, or drought, or both of them. Daaduun and Qaxooti all along. It is as if time stands still as I referred to it in the following stanzs:

“…Afrikay dhagax dixeed

Miyaad sidii dheri jajabay

Duleedka u dhooban tahay

Dharaartii soo baxdiyo

Habeenkii loo dhaxaba

Waqtigu ku dul dhereran yahay ?

                   *

Waa kani dhiigii qulqulay

Haraha dhacadiida ee

Sidii durdur loo dhurtee

Miyaan ciiduba dhergeyn ?

                   *       

Miyaanuu ubad dhallaan

Dhirif li’i seexanayan ?

                   *

Awrtani dhoomaha sidee

Jiilaallada dheelidiyo

Miyaan dhaankuba degayn ?

                   *

Samada aan dheehdayeen

Quraanka u dheelmiyiyo

Miyaan ducaduba dhalayn ?… (Dhuxusha Ka Madoobiyaa, 1999)

Even long before that I was, like many of my country people, lamenting the centuries old misfortune of my country and Africa; a misfortune that has become an everlasting viscous circle where the agony and distress expressed in a poem stands vividly valid over nearly 30 years as the day it was penned down. It gives me no comfort to read the following poem Qiiro that I wrote in December 1984 and was listened by many people back then in audio cassettes to be shocked that the conditions stand the same.

“Qab-qabta waddankeena

Qalaanqalka taagan

Wanaagga la qoomay

Qiyaama jooga

Rasaasta qarxaysa

Qaxootiga daadsan

Abaarta la qiiqay

          *

Hooyada qaxarkeega

Ilmaha ka qandhaysan

Qareena u weyday

Ilmada ku qubaysa

          *

Odayga qulubkiisa

Dhulkuu qodanaayey

Hashuu u quminaayey

Abaari ka qaaday

          *

Carruurta qadoodi

Caloosha qarraadhay

Qorraxda duhurkiiya

Ku beer qadhqadhaysa

          *

Intuu qalbigoodu

Ka qoonsan lahaa

Miyuu shir qabiilo

Qalqaashay dadkaygu- (Qiiro, December 10, 1984). You can the full poem at my blog.

So is this the destiny of the Somali people, one may ask? To which I could give a resounding NO; simply because as Somalis we are not less than other human beings in the world. In fact the Somali people are a very industrious race with great resilience. Their survival skills and entrepreneurship are proverbial. We are not also less patriotic than any other race in the world. On the contrary, one can argue that the root cause of the current debacle of the Somali people is patriotism went awry. They are the victims of their own nationhood and their legitimate dream and struggle to unite their race in one state and under one flag. An unlucky nation in hostile surroundings, they found themselves like a lone wolf in an unfriendly environment and a world dumb to their cries for justice.

As frustration breeds desperation and helplessness, it is natural in such a situation for brothers-in-arms to turn against one another and descend into a macabre condition of absurd proportions. The situation turns hellish also when the nature itself plays its hand.

No one can doubt also the hospitality and the generosity of the Somali people, a character that is deep-rooted in their nomadic culture. One thing we Somalis lack however is a sense of community and cultural cohesiveness. Just like our nomadic life when families moved together, settled together, fought together, died together and survived together in bloodlines, we still do the same and segregate ourselves in bloodlines even when we migrated to distant lands.

Visit any metropolitan in the world such as Nairobi, Dubai, Riyadh, London, Amsterdam, Melbourne, Ottawa, Minneapolis and Washington D.C and it will take you no time to find where your clan members gather. You may stay as long as you wish and unless you deliberately go out of your way to search for old classmates and old friends who may not be related to you by blood, you may end up not seeing any Somali per se but your own clan members. We do this while we see other African brothers such as Ethiopians, Sudanese, Kenyans and others making their own communities despite their differences in ethnicity, culture, religion and language.

If our brothers from the Horn of Africa can do, there is no reason why we cannot also do it. But only if we learn that our short term political differences and interests should not impede our long term goals to prosper and work together as a community. Only then we will be able to feel our collective pain, we will be able to lean on each other, and by pooling the few bucks that each one of us can afford we can make a difference. One can easily fall, but to rise needs an effort and sometimes a help and I am sure as Somalis in the Diaspora, we have the capacity and I am sure the desire to do it, if we appeal to our sense of community and put our political differences aside.

Being in every corner of the world, I am sure as Somalis we are today stronger and more resourceful than we have been at earlier times. All we need is an organized effort to lift the misery of our people back home with the help of the international community. The misery is not eternal and the day will come when the media of the world will talk about our fortunes to the world instead of our misfortunes. And as I sang about the suffering of our nation, I also sang about my dreams of good days to come. And come they will if we all adopt and internalize the passion and optimism that exudes from the following stanzas of the following poem Walbahaarku Wuu Tegi ( the misery will go).  

“…Dalkaygow wallaahiye

Warwarkiyo waxyeeladu

Cidna lama walaaloo

Qofna weerka dhiilada

Wehel looma siiyoo

Kuma waaro ciilkee

Waxad wayda haysaba

Waagii dhowaayoo

Walaacani ku haystiyo

Walbahaarku wuu tegi.

                   *

Wallee maalin dhow waqal

Weelka loo dareershiyo

War caloosha deeqoo

Gaajada badh wiiqoo

Wadnaha ii qaboojiyo

Weedh aan ku diirsado

London waayirkeegani

Waxyigii ilaahiyo

Wada dhalashadeeniyo

Waayaha ka weyneen

Weligii go’ayn iyo

Waadaantan gaaladu

Waddankii ku dhaafteen

Galabtii wadaagniyo

Waayeelka hirarkiyo

Ababshaha wardoonkiyo

BBCiisdu way werin…” (Walbahaarku Wuu Tegi, 1999)

By: Bashir Goth

Email: bsogoth@yahoo.com

N/B At times like this it may also be healing to listen to the sad mother’s lullaby “Ha iga ooyine aamu

By Noah Arre

For the past thirty years and more, Somalis were in the wilderness thanks but no thanks to their uncompromising attachments to tribalism and their mercilessness toward one another. Of course, within that period, hundreds of thousands if not more, have perished; and hundreds of thousands more of their kids have died and continue to die of hunger, diseases and malnutrition.  And sorry, Somali mothers are no longer able to shed tears for losing their loved ones because their eyes have long ago gone dry. And the few sane fathers alive are overwhelmed by the multitude of problems that they have in their hands.

Today, despite the massive destruction, death and displacement, Somalia’s savagery, madness and mayhem has yet to end. And sorry, the whole world is perplexed by the enormity of the crimes committed by Somalis against their brethren despite being the sole homogeneous society of black Africa. It is sad that for Somalis, to be civil is to be pathetic and weak and to be savage and score points against others is might and power!

Call it luck, misfortune though I call it, however, that currently over half of a million Somalis live across the globe; of course many as refugees but many also as naturalized citizens and their children. And had it not been the remittances of these to their loved ones back home, most of those at home would have possibly years ago perished too.

On the Gadabursi front, as far as the Somali civil war is concerned, call it weakness, spinelessness or cowardice if you may, but the Gadabursis are one of the few Somali tribes that are relatively safe from the massive Somali civil war, death and destruction. And in my view, the sole reason was because, they remained calm and cautious and refused anger, hate or emotions decide their future and fate. To me that is smartness, not cowardice! And it is super intelligence, not damn idiocy!

Awdalians, in the real world, using your emotions as your guide during difficult times is a recipe for disaster. And using your mind during such times is the only way you may be safe of any debacles you have in hand. And yes, panicking when it is between life and death is purely silly and mindlessness!

On the contrary, using your intelligence is what is necessary during such times because man is an intelligent animal. And it is only through the use of his mind that he had realized his dreams; it is also through the use of his creative mind that he had tamed the whole universe and uses toward innovations and successes!

Friends, for most Somalis, Awdal is civil, progressive and deserves to be copied. It is the birth place of the grand muftis’, the Somali balwo (songs), the wilwile, the xoogweyn, the dhaanto and the zeilici. And in short, it is the home of THAT COOL community whose intellect refuses to talk the talking and prefers to walk the walking. And don’t you forget that Awdal is also the pioneer of co-education and the self help schemes and that is why, today, Borama, the capital city of the region, is a university city known across the globe thanks to the foresight and sacrifices of its communities!

Unfortunately, of late, some of Awdal’s great qualities seem to be eroding and at stake as some people are employing tactics that are alien to Awdal. Friends, it has never been our culture to shout to achieve our goals. It has never been our culture to act as cry babies. And it is has never been our culture to be selfish and opportunistic and accordingly put our interests before equally suffering families and friends. Rather, we are known to be a fair community that teaches that quality to others hoping them to do likewise but often finds none and in the process is disappointed yet never gives up. We are known to be inclusive and we are known to be THAT COOL community that always takes the road less traveled by most.

So, today, we cannot afford to jeopardize those great qualities that Awdal stood for, preached and practiced for centuries. And we cannot afford to copy the mistakes of others especially at this time when all Somalis are possibly ready to recover from their long trauma and are willing to forget the past and forgive one another!

Friends, the frustrations of the young generation and hence their copying of what their counterparts are doing elsewhere is justified and understandable because naturally the youth lives in an ideal world where one loves to achieve his/her dreams at whatever cost. But the behavior of the old guard is meaningless and unjustified because education, age and experience should teach them to differentiate the right from the wrong.

Folks, as humans we can and should always differ on ideas and opinions or else we are no humans. And true it is the looking of things from different perspectives that progress is made. And true that as humans, we must explore and we must be creative. But we must also accommodate the views of others because that is how innovations begin, creativity is nurtured and results are produced!

Friends, without doubt, it is worth to learn from creation as there are countless similarities, differences and contrasts in nature. That is nature manifests itself in dualities that are contrasting and in the process that complement one another. The day for instance, is in direct contrast to the night. The heat and the cold exist in contrasting duality. And so do life and death. There is the male and female contrasting duality, the love and the hate contrasting duality, the health and the sickness contrasting duality, the scarcity and the abundance contrasting duality. And remarkably without these contrasts life would be meaningless, monotonous and boring. We need to differ on opinions because that is the spices of the whole life and the essence of living!

And in short, it is only through concessions, accommodation and respect of the views of others, that we gain more from one another! Is it not strange therefore, that we, Awdalians, call ourselves as intellectuals and yet fail to respect our different views? Is it not unfair that we distort the words of those who we disagree with by taking their statements out of their context with the intention of spreading ugly personality assassination stories about them?

Awdalians, let us come to the facts and ask: What does Awdal need?

And what can we, as its overseas people, do to help?

My fellow Awdalians, Awdal cries for:

1. Its overseas intellectuals to volunteer by teaching their communities back home what they have learned first-hand from the developed world so that their (people) lives improves.
2. Entrepreneurs who invest their mind, muscle and money and accordingly, exploit Awdal’s natural resources… the proven mineral resources, the livestock and agriculture potentials, the fishing industry, the IT technology, the trade industry etc.
3. The return of its brain: overseas Awdal community is awash with international caliber scholars in every field …the doctors; the engineers; the CPA’s; the scientists; the journalists; the diplomats; the water and sanitation professionals; the livestock experts; the lawyers and the world-class nurses etc.
4. Huge sacrifices in every field so that the Region catches up with its counterparts across the globe.
5. Winning the fight against poverty, ignorance, and against all the diseases that destroy its people
6. Overseas men and women who give hope to the youth whose future is bleak and as a result throw themselves into the unknown and die in the high seas of North Africa or the Red Sea.
7. Businessmen and women who come together and put together their resources and generate jobs for the community so that our people can earn their legitimate daily bread and once again lead a decent life.

But certainly, Awdal does not need any help from overseas Awdalians when it comes to politics because political decisions should remain in the hands of those who suffer and sacrifice and what road they take is certainly theirs to choose! And Awdal does not need empty political rhetorics from people who live thousands of miles away and know little of the lives and needs of its people.

By Noah Arre

Marka hore wasiirku oo xaq u leh inuu yimaad Awdal waxaa ka muuqata inaan lakala garan inuu socdaalkiisu ahaa mid gaar ah iyo mid rasmi ah.

Wuxuu socdaalku u eekaa mid gaar ah maadaamoo uu la kulmay jilib hoosaad ka mid ah jilibyada uugu yare e Awdal oo ah jilibkii uu ka soo jeeday Madaweynihii hore ee Somaliland.

Jilibkaas oo ayna xitaa wahelin jufooyinka kale ee ay isku beesha yihiin ee Makaahiil markuu kulan la yeeshay iyaa fajac ku dhacay qoomiyadahii kale ee Gobolka u badnaa oo kala ah Maxamad-Case iyo Habar Cafaan.

Markuu wasiirku dhamaystay shirkii jilib-hoosaadka uu la lahaa iyuu dalbaday inuu la kulmo labada suldaan ee Maxamad-case iyo Habar Cafaan oo si kulul gaashaanka uugu dhuftay iyagoo u sheegay inuuna soo marin wadadii masuul dawladeed.

Dadka siyaasada u dhuul daloola ee gobolka iyaa hoosta ka xariiqay sobobta keentay inuu wasiirku soo kaxaysan siyaasiin gobolka ka tirsan sida xildhibaanada laga soo doortay.

Waxaa la yaab leh sheekooyinka la xidhiidha badalaada xoghayaha dawlada hoose ee Booranma wax aka dhigay arin ay ku mashquusho wasaarada gudaha. Xilkaas oo ah xoghaya waa darajo aan qiimo lahayn waayo xoghayaha dawlad hoose sida sharciga ah waa nin hoos taga Maayarka magaalada oo ah inuu amar ka qaato.

Nasiib daro, magaalada Boorama oo ah magaalada qudha ee la maqlo xoghayaheega dawlada hoose waxay ku tusaysaa inaan maamulka si fiican u socon mar haddii xoghayaha dawlada hoose noqday jago ka awood weyn Maayarka. Dhaqankaasina wuxuu ka hadhay am aka soo jeedaa wakhtigii dawladii Rayaale oo Xoghayaha dawlada hoose ahaa nin toos ugu xidhan Marwadii Rayaale oo gaadhsiisay inuu Xoghayuhu ka awood weenaa Mayarka oo dhowr jeer xafiiska uu ka xidhay. Waa xaqiiqooyin dhacay. Sidaas iyaa keentay in dad han siyaasad ahaan hanyar ay xoogoogii saaraan jagada Xoghayaha dawlada hoose.

Haddiise wasaarada guduhu xoghayaha ay magacawdo u cadeyn lahayd inuu yahay shaqaale dawladeed oo hoos yimaad amarna ka qaata Mayarka iyo gudiga deggaanka arimadan oo kale ma dhaceen.

Sobobta keentay in xilkii laga qaado Xoghayihii aan wali badalkiisii laysku haysto waa isagoo garan waayay inuu Maayarku xakumo iyo in Kale. Xoghayuhu wuxuu isku qaatay nin siyaasiya sida Maayarka markaasuu arimo siyaasad khuseeya faraha la galay. Ka la soo wadaana haddii loo sheegi waayo inuuna ahayn siyaasi ee uu yahay shaqaale dawladeed oo shaqo ku lahayn wax siyaasada waxaa laga yaabaa inuu halkii kuwii hore ka miso oo si dhakhso ah iskaga hor yimaadaan ninka madaxa u ah oo ah Maayarka Magaalada.

Maamul xumadaas iyo nidaam daradaas laga dhaxlay maamulkii hore waxay u eegtahay inuu Gaboose xalinteedii barbar maray hadduuna sii xumayn waayo arintu waxay gaadhay xurguf siyaasadeed, mana ahayn inay halkaa gaadho.

Si loo daweeyo arintan sii foolxumaanaysa waxaa loo baahan yahay in arimada siyaasadeed ee Gobolka looga dambeeyo siyaasiintiisa sida Madaxweyne ku xigeenka iyo wasiirada ka soo jeeda.

Ali Muxumad

Boorame

Idhanka (Dallas)- 07/02/2011- Waxaynu beryahan dambe waararka ku maqalnaa xadhiga “cable” ka badda hoostiisa mara. Waxaan idiin soo bandhigaynaa maqaal wax idiinka ifin doona mashruucaas iyo arimada la xidhiidha een dadka wali murug kaga jiro.

Maqaalkani waxaan ugu talo galay inuu fikirad kooban idinka siiyo mashruuca “Cable Fiber Optic” waxaanan ugu horayn eegaynaa isbadalka xawliga ku socda ee is gaadhsiinta, waxaan raacin doona faalo isha ku haysa isgaadhsiinta hadda la isticmaalo, tan casriga ah iyo halka la hiigsanaayo iyo siday dawlada Somaliland u maaraysay mashruucaas waxaanan ku soo gabagabay doonaa walaaca laga muujinaayo sida loo maareeyay mashruucaas isaga ah.

Isbadal xawli leh

Laga bilaabo burburkii Somalia, Isgaadhsiinta Telefonada iyo Internetkuba horumar weyn oo la qiyaasi karin ayey ku talaabsadeen. Xirfadda (Technology) oo sanadba sanadka ka dambeeya sii casriyoobeysa, una saamaxeysa in xawligu kordho, sicirkiina (cost) hoos u dhaco iyo ta ugu mihimsan oo ah in xayiraad la’aan sharciyaysan (lack of regulation) ku shaqeeyan shirkadaha ganacsi ee isgaadhsiintu waana tan sahashay in agabka isgaadsiintu aad uga horumaro agabyada kale.

Markii la arkey baahida dadku u qabaan iney la xidhiidhan dadkooda dibadda iyo gudaahaba, ayaa Shirkado badan bilaaben iney maalgashi ku sameeyaan isgaadhsiintii iyagoo sii batay. Ilaa iyo sanadkii 90kii, Isticmaalka isgaadhsiintu waxay kor u kacdaye 10 jibaar. Haddi markii hore Telefonka guriga uun baahidu ku koobnayd waxaa ku soo biirey Wireless (Mobile) iyo Internetka. Taasina waxay ummadii gaadhsiisay horumar dhaqaale, ganacsi, bulsho, waxbarasho, saxaafadeed iyo mid siyaasadeedba. Noloshii dadka iyuu isbadal weyni ku dhacay.
Iyadoo intaas oo horumar ah lagaadhey 20kii sanadood ee la soo dhaafey, haddana markaad u eegto addunyadda horay u martay, Isgaadhsiinta Somalia/Somalilandba weli aad by u hooseysaa. Hoos u dhacaana waxa sababey farsamada hada la isticmaalo oo aan awood u lahayn Koboc (Scalabilty) Xawli,(Speed) Mug(Bandwidth) iyo qiimaha oo weli aad u sareeya(Cost).

Jabuuti dhinaceega horumar iyay ka gaadhay marka loo eego Soomalia laakiin wali waxaa jira sixirka oo aad iyo aad u sareeya sobobtoo ah hal shirkadeed oo dawliya iyaa maamusha isgaadhsiinta. Jabuuti waxay isticmaashaa shan “cable system” oo aduunka ku xidha oo kale ah SeaMeWe3, Aden-Djibouti, Eassy, Seacom, EIG ( 3.84 terabits per second) . Taas iyaa u sahashay iney Jabuuti noqoto goob u sii qaybisa ama ay ku talaalmaan dalaka jaarka ah sida Itoobiya oo baahi weyn u qabta isgaadhsiinta casriga ah. Nassib daraduse waa shirkada qudha ee Djibouti Telecom oo “monopoly” ku haysata isgaadhsiinta oo tafaariiq ahaan uga ganacsata iyaan dadka reer Jabuuti u suurta gelin iney qiimo jaban ku helaan adeegaas oo casri ah balse qaali ah.

Farsamada (technology) dhulka soomalida hadda isticmaalaan.

Satatelitka (VSAT): Xirfaddani waxay adeegsata, dish yar ( Balac -2 meter) oo dhulka yaala xidhiidhna la leh Satelitka cirka meera (Geo Stationary). Addeegan VSAT waxa aalaba isticmaala, Meheraddaha yaryar, waxabarashada fog (Distance learning) iyo Haayadaha Caalmiga ee wadanka Jooga. Xirfadani oo kale waxa xaddida, quwada oo yar, qiimaha oo badan iyo isgaadhsinta oon xawli ahayn (propogation delay)

Microwave: Xirfaddani waa mid isticmaasha laba saxan (dish) oo iska soo horjeeda oo la saarey buuraha iyo meelaha dhaadheer si loo helo “signal” isku beegan oo quwad leh. Waa farsamo isgaadhsinta lagu tebiyo laguna gaadhisiyo meelaha fog-fog. “Microwave” ku dhibaatoyinka horyaala ee xaddidaa waxa ka mid ah –Roobab da’a, shucaaca cadceeda, dabeylaha iyo waxa alle wixii ku beegma signalka u dhexeeya labada dish. Qiimo ahaana wuu ka qaalisan yahay” VSAT”ga.

Microwave Tower

Labadaa xirfadood een kor ku xuseyba waxay leeyhin xad (Limitations) mark la eego sidii loo horumarin lahaa isgaadhsiinta casriga ah.

Hadaba maxaa Cusub oo badelaaya Technology-gaa hore ?

Akhristow waxan u maleynayaa inaad maqashey “Fiber Optic” . Waa farsamo cusub oo la adeegsanayo Quraarada(Glass) oo laga dhigey Miiq-duneed dhumicdeeduna leegtahay tinta aadamaha (Tiny strands of Glass). Qaruuradaas tinta la dhumuc ah iyaa lagu shidey aalada laydka leh ee “LAYSAR”ka loo yaqaano. Laydhkaa iyo Quraradaa ayaa la raacineyaa wixii war (data) ah.” Fiber Optic” gu wuxu awood u leeyahay inuu markiiba qaado “Information” laxaad leh isagoo gaadhsiineya Jiid dheer. Xirfadani waa mid jaban (Less cost), cimiladuna saameyn ku lahayn, si dhib yarna loo dhiso karo.

Fiber optic cable

Hadaba Dawladaha Geeska iyo Beriga Africa oo ka koban 16 wadan (92%) iyo duinida Caalamka ee kale (8%) ayaa Sanadkii 2003 di ku heeshiyey in isgaadhsiintooda wadanadaas lagu xidho tan adduunka horumarey iyadoo la adegsanaayo “Fiber optc cable” ee Badda hoostiisa mara. Mashruucas oo magaciisa la yidhaado (East African Submarine Cable System (EASSY)) dheererkiisu wuxuu gaadhayaa 9,900km, Kaaso isku xidhaaya Port Sudan(Sudan) ilaa Mtuniz (South Africa).

“Cable”kan waxaa la sheegay inuu yeelan doono 8 xarumood (stations) oo lagu talo galay in isgaadhsiintaa looga gudbiyo wadanada intood kale. Waxayna kala yihiin (Maputo (Mozambique), Toliary (Madagascar), Dar-Es-Salaam (Tanzania), Zanzibar (Tanzania), Mombasa (Kenya), Mogadishu ( )Somalia, Djibouti (Djibout Rep) iyo Massawa (Eritrea).
“ Cable”kan waxa lagu qiyaasey inuu walwaali doono Mug (Bandwidth) leeg 1Tera Bit/sec= 1 million Megabit/sec. Sida la sheegey Wadano ka tirsan isbahaysigan ay bilaabey iney adeegan cable isticmaalaan sanadkii la soo dhafey 2010, dabayaaqadiisi , halka kuwo kalena (Somalia) ay weli u dhiman tahay iney stationkiiba sameystaan.

Dariiqa EASSY Cable

Soomalida iyo Mashruuca EASSY iyo Sidii Soomaliland u maaraysay
Sidaan qaybta hore ku caddeeyey, Qorshihii hore ee EASSY , Berbera (Somaliland) kuma jirin goobaha stationada laga sameynaayo, Xamarbana doorashada heshay. Shirkada La yidhaaho DALKOM oo xirfad u leh isqaadhsiinta Koonfur Somalia ayaa la siiyey koontaraagii sameynta iyo maamulida Stationka Xamar. Maadama Xamar noqotey goob dagaal,DALKOM way u soorto geliweydey qorshihii Xamar, waxayna mashruucii ula timid Somaliland si ay wax ula qabtaan, stationkiina loogu soo wareejin lahaa Berbera.

Arrinkaas DALKOM wadatay, Dowladii Somaliland wey ka biyo diiday,waxayna u soo bandhigeen in Sationkana la keeno Berbera, DALKOM na Ka baxdo meesha oo wax shaqo ah ku yeelan. Arrinkaas DALKOM uma cuntamin, waxayna ku adkeysatay iney la noqoto mashruucaasi.

Xaalku marku halkaa maraayo, waxa golihii ku soo biirey shirkad laga leeyahay Dalka Jabuuti oo la yidhaa SOMCABLE—Dadka Qaarkoodna tuhusan yihiin in dad dawlada Jabuuti ka tirsan qayb libaax ku leeyahay shirkadaas, qaybta kalena nin la yidhaahdo Maxamad Aw Siciid leeyahay, ninkaas oo jinsiyada Jabuutina haysta isagoo dalkaas degay dhowr iyo siddeetanaadkii.

Shirkadani SOMCABLE oo hadaba keenta isgadhsiinta “Microwave” ka ka keentan Jabuuti, waxay u soo bandhigtey Dowladii Somaliland ee Madaxweye Rayaale hindise cusub oo ah iney Station ka EASSY ku leedahay Jabuuti Ka soo jiidan Cable kale oo ka madaxbanaan Dalcom, Berberana ka Furaan station SomCable gaar u leedhahy.

Fikradaas, Madexweyne Rayaale mabda’ahaan ma diidin laakiin kuma calool fayoobaan qaabka shirkadu u rabtay iney gaar u yeelato hantida. Wuxuna ka doorbiday oo uu soo jeediyay hindise heeshiis oo ah saamii qaybsi dawladu iyo SomCable yeeshaan. Warar xoogogaal ihi waxay xaqiijiyeen in Madexweyne Rayaale Kula gorgortamey SomCable (50%-50%), taladaas waxaa ganafka ku dhuftay Maxamad Aw Siciid oo ka soo horjeestey, gorgortankiina halkaa ayuu ku dumey. Is afgarasho la’antaa iyaa loo aaneeyaa iney ka mid tahay sobobihii u weynaa ee guuldaradii Rayaale ka raacday doorasadii madaxweynenimada ee kal hore ka dhacadey Somaliland, Kadib markii, Ina Aw Siciid oo degan ahaan ka soo Jeeda Somaliland ku qaadey olole ka dhan ahaa Rayaale.
Doorashadii Silaanyo madaxeynaha ku noqdey ka bacadi , Hindisihii SOMCABLE iyo Somaliland Ididillo cusub ayuu yeeshay. Madaxweyne Silaanyo, wuxuu goostey in kontaraagii “cable” ka ay gebi ahaanba (exclusive) SOMCABLE yeelato. Hayeeshee lama oga saamiga ay Somaliland ku yeelaneyso mashruucaas. Waxaan waliba la ogayn in dawladu ama dad dawlada ka tirsan ay ku leeyihiin saami qarsoon iyo in kale. Si kastaba ha ahaatee go’ankaas madaxweynuhu iyo Somaliland ka soo maan guuray wuxu kiciyey tuhun iyo isweydiimo.

Maxaa xigi doona heshiiska dawlada iyo SomCable?

Arrimada dadka reer Somaliland isweydiineyaan waxaa ka mid ah:
1. Mida hore, waa fikrada ah maadamoo dawladaha Afrikada Beri ee Ku jira Qorshaha EASSY mid kastaba yeelatay goob Station, maxaa u diiday in Somaliland raadiso qaybtii ay ku lahayd Somalia, uulana gorgortami weydey EASSY si Berbara u noqoto goob ( Station) gaar ah, dabadeedna “Cable” ka toos looga soo qaadi waayay dhuunta badda cas marta halka Jabuuti la hoostagayo?

2. Midda labaad ee runtii jawaab dhab ah u baahani,waxay tahay labadan su’aalood: Maxaa kontaraagaa SOMCABLE keliya loo siiyey, looguna ogolaan waayey in shirkadaha kale ee Somaliland jiraa, awoodana u leh, iney ka qeyb galaan tartankaa (Contract Bid)? Ma haboonaan lahayd in ka dib markii la tartansiiyo shirkadahaa, la gudoonisin lahaa tii ku guuleysata, kadib markey buuxiyan shurudaha dawlada ka rabtey ?

3. Waliba waxay dadweynuhu hoosta ka xariiqaan sida dahsoon ee arintan loo maareeyay. Waxaa lays waydiineya sobobta dawladu uugu khasbi weyday SomCable iney dhaqan cadaaladeed muujiso si dadweynaha gobolada kala duwan ee dalku saami ugu yeelan lahaayeen shirkad dawladu “Monopoly” u saamaxayso. Maxaase laga yeeli doonaa boqolaalkii shaqaale ama mulkiile eek a ganacsan jirey isgaadhsiinta?

Waa hubaal in adeega Isgaadhsiintu hore u maraayo marka la soo jiido “Cable”ka, Isticmaalkiisuna bilaabmo marka laga eego dhinca farsamada, quwada, iyo kalsoonida. Hayeeshe u ogolaanshaha loo ogolaaday hal shirkad iney faraha ku hayso awoodi isgaadhisimeed ee wadanka oo idil waxay Keeni doonta “Monopoly”. Shirkadihii yaryaraa ee hadda jirayna iney suuqa ka saarto iyaa wax la hubo ah. Sicirkii iyo tartankii ka dhexeeyay shirkadaha yaryar si ay u soo jiitan macaamishooduna iyaa iyaduna meesha ka baxaysa. Haddi lagu adkeysto in SOMCABLE yeelato adeeg “fiber optic” waxaa haboon iney noqoto shirkad Jimlad (Wholesaler) ah, haddiise ay ku soo biirto Tafaariq (Retailer) waxaa laga yaabaa iney shirkado badani suuqa ka baxaan. Halistuna waxa weeyi in sida Jabuuti ka jirta in qiimuhu kor u kaco mar haddii SomCable noqoto “Monopoly”.

Si kastaba ha ahaatee, Dawlada Silaanyo & SOMCABLE mashruucoogaasi waxaad moodaa inuu tabantaabo guul ah ku socda. Goor aan fogeyna la arkidoone cawaqib xumadda ka dhalan doonta go’anka dawladu la gaadhey SOMCABLE, cawaaqib xumadaas oo keeni kara dhibaatooyin siyaasad-dhaqaale oo mug leh.

Abdi Aye

Dallas, TX

Tixraac:Wadhafnews
__________
1. EASSY project Summary
2. Understanding the regional undersea cable system – small globe solution

Guddiga Dabagalka Xuquuqda Aadanaha Soomaaliyeed (SHARMOC)     

 Ref: Sharmoc30110010    

 Date: 06 February 2011

Ujeeddo: War Saxaafadeed

Guddiga Dabagalka Xuquuqda Aadanaha Soomaaliyeed (Sharmoc) oo Cambaareeyey Afduubka Xildhibaanada Baarlamanku ku Sameeyeen Hanaanka Demuquraadiyadda Somalia

Guddiga Dabagalka Xuquuqda Aadanaha Soomaaliyeed ee (Sharmoc) Waxa uu si weyn u Cambaareynayaa Talaabadii Mudanayaasha Baarlamaka KMG ah ee Somalia ay isugu kordhiyeen waqtigii jiritaankooda, taasoo ah Afduub barer ah iyo dhabar jab lagula kacay Hanaankii Dastuuriga ahaa ee sanadihii lasoo dhaafay ay Dowladda KMG ah ay kula tacaamulaysay Beesha Caalamka.

Talaabada ay ku dhaqaaqeen Mudanayaasha Baarlamanka KMG ah ee Somalia oo markoodii horaba ahaa kuwa aan ku dhisnayn hananaan Democracy ah ayaa waxa uu muujinayaa wejiga aan wanaagsanayn ee ay lasoo baxayaan, kaasoo ah ku xadgudubka Dastuurka KMG ah ee Somalia, Afduubka Rabitaanka Shacabka Soomaaaliyeed oo in muddo ahba sugayey in ay arkaan Baarlaman Soomaaaliyeed oo loosoo doorto si Demoqradi ah isla markaana waafaqsan Xeerarka Dalka iyo kuwa Caalamiga ah.

Arrintan Afduubka ah ayaa dhalin karta Khatar ah in kaligiis talisnimadii Dalku ku baaba’ay ay dib usoo laabato, sidoo kalana waxaay dhalin kartaa in dalka ay ka dhacaan banana baxyo loogasoo horjeedo Arrintan sida khaldan ay mudanayaashu u meel marsadeen, kuwii oo aan metelin shacabka maanta dhibaatada ba’ani aay ku haysato Dalka Daafihiisa una dhimanayaan Baad iyo Biya la’aan.

Guddiga Dabagalka Xuquuqda Aadanaha Soomaaaliyeed ee SHARMOC waxa uu ka dalbanayaaa Mudanayaasha Baarlamanku in ay dib uga laabtaan talaabadii sharci darada ahayd ee ay ku dhaqaaqeen, taas bedelkeedana ay ixtiraamaan waqtiga u qoran Dowladda KMG ah ee Somalia kaasoo ah in ay dhamaan xilka banaaayeen qaybaha kala duwan ee Dowladdu 21-ka Bisha August 2011, dabadeedna ay u daayaan aayaha Somalia shacabka Soomaaliyeed ee Muslimka ah.

Sidoo kale Guddiga Dabagalka Xuquuqda Aadanaha Soomaaaliyeed ee (SHARMOC) waxaa uu ka dalbanaayaa Beesha Caalamka gaar ahaan UN, EU, AL, AU, IGAD iyo dhaamaan dalalka daaneeya Arrimaha Somalia in ay joojiyaan dhaqaalaha ay siiyaan Dowladda KMG ah ee Somalia qaybeheeda kala duwan, taa bedelkeedanaa ay u weeciyaan dhaqaalahaas Shacabka Soomaaliyeed ee tabaalaysan.

Waxaa kaloo Guddiga Xuquuqda Aadanaha Soomaaliyeed ee (SHARMOC) ay ka dalbanayaaan Gudo iyo dibadba in shacabka Soomaaliyeed gaar ahaan Ururada Bulshada rayidka, Aqoonyahanada, Ardada Jaamacadaha iyo Qaybaha kala duwan ee Bulshado ay ka dhiidhiyaan falkaan ay 550 manexe ay doonayaan in ay kusii haytaan aayaha Shacabka Soomaaliyeed, iyadoo Guddigu ugu baaqayo dhamaaan qaybaha aan soo sheegnay in ay marsiiyaan Mudanayaasha ka gudbay Xayndaabkii loogu talagalaay in ay marsiiyaan Waddadii ay Shacabka Reer Tunis iyo Masar u bilaabeen Umadaha Gobalka tusaana in aanay ahayn umad ay aayahooda Afduuban karaan 550 Manaxayaal ah.

Ugu dambaayn Guddiga Dabagalka Xuquuqda Aadanaha Soomaaliyeed ee (SHARMOC) waxa uu ugu baaqayaa dhamaan Golayaasha Baarlamaka, Madaxtooyada iyo Xukuumadda KMG ah ee Somalia in ay ixtiraamaaan rabitaanka Umadda Soomaaliyeed dibna u eegaan xuquuqda Asaasiga ah ee Dastuurka Dalka siinayo Shacabka Soomaaliyeed.

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Wabillaahi Towfiiq

Nadia Hagi Hassan

Guddiga Dabagalka Xuquuqda Aadanaha Soomaliyeed (SHARMOC)

Mogadishu,Somalia

Email: sharmoc@yahoo.co.uk,sharmoc@gmail.com

Hussien Mohamed Yusuf
E-mail: hussien2363@hotmail.com

The suspension of the popular Universal TV by Somaliland Minister of Information is a classic example of an outsider eagerly yearning to close the door behind him once he entered his coveted palace. Abdillahi Geeljire was barking loud a long time from the outside of the government palace, dreaming one day that his barking would be rewarded. Now, that his dream has come true and that his thirst for power has been satisfied, he wants to close the door behind him. How can he allow anyone else snarl at him or at his government? 

It is an irony of sorts that Abdillahi Geeljire has been given his cabinet post as a reward for the caustic and biased propaganda that he used to write against Rayale’s government. People say that he used to be close to former President Rayale and when things went awry between them, he decided to wage a smear campaign against the previous government under the guise of being an opposition.

But now he feels the heat and because he knows the power of the media as it served him well, he is panicking that the same weapon might be used to unseat him and his government. This is why he has no qualms about kicking the ladder that brought him to the top lest others use it for the same purpose.

His accusation of Universal TV that it was harming the national interest is also another cliché often used by dictators and chicken-hearted politicians who don’t like anyone turning the light on the little things they do in the dark.

One thing that Mr. Geeljire is not aware of or maybe he is but decides to ignore is that using the false cloak of defending the national interest in axing and silencing the media is laughable to say the least. This is the language of yesteryears when the innocent masses were doped and enslaved on empty slogans. In the age of the internet and 24/hour news, only an un-savvy stooge would marshal such a feeble justification to gag a media channel.

Another fact that Mr. Geeljire and his ilk have to know is that a voice suppressed is always more powerful than a voice expressed; simply because once emotions are expressed they are ventilated, easing up tensions, but once you suppress emotions and opinions, they build up until they explode. So if Universal TV says little unfavorable things about Somaliland and your government, let it go because that is the safety valve for the simmering anger of the people. It purifies the air, mitigates the swelling anger, and makes the government eyes even sharper to see a little bit of reality.

It was Thomas Jefferson who once said “The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure.”

It is through this spirit that even the American President couldn’t do anything when some idiotic person announced that he would burn the holy Quran even to the disgust and derision of the government and the public at large and the grave damage that this person’s action would have done to the American national interest. But freedom of speech is enshrined in the American constitution as the First Amendment and no one even the president can stop anyone from exercising their right to express their opinion freely.

The First Amendment is a beautiful and powerful statement that guarantees citizens their inalienable rights to speak their mind. It is a piece that empowers the individual and humbles the president and the government; a piece that you need not only to read and reread, Mr. Minister, but one that you have to hang it up in your office to remind yourself and all your visitors how much you care about the freedom of speech and how much you aspire to see Somaliland to have such values enshrined in its constitution.

In my opinion and maybe many others, being hostile to the media never brings positive results. On the contrary it results only in damaging the country’s reputation and portraying its democracy as a joke. Remember, it was the tide of the media that brought your party to the government seat. We can therefore tolerate if you buy some reporters and broadcasters as your employees as you already did, but we cannot allow you to get away with a wholesale emasculation of the media. Remember even Queen Arrawelo couldn’t get away with such action and instead of one Oday Biiqe and one Ilyuub watching over her actions, we have today many Oday Biiqe’s and hundreds of Ilyuubs watching over your actions and that of your government. Therefore, suspending TV stations and banning newspapers will only heighten our watchful vigil and incite us more to turn many more lights on your impropriety.

Bashir Goth

Email: bsogoth@yahoo.com

Bashir Goth, Washington D.C, Sept. 07, 2010.

It is more than 30 years since the people of Borama started their long journey for the building of the Borama-Dilla Road.  They started their bidding in the early 1980s when the construction of the tarmac road coming from Hargeisa was abandoned at Dilla. Ever since, the elders of Awdal have tirelessly raised the issue with every government delegation and every NGO that came to the region. Now after almost 30-odd years, the people have realized that an external assistance was not forthcoming and the only way they could build the road was to rely on their community’s resources and effort.

Having that in mind, it was inspiring for me to read a similar story in the pages of the Washington Post where the community of Fairfax County, Virginia in the United States, had to wait for 50 years for the construction of a road. I just happened to open the pages of the paper’s Sunday edition on Sept. 6, 2010 to read the following title:

After 50 years, Fairfax County Parkway finally heads toward the finish line

As I delved deeper into the story with great interest I was amazed by the resemblance of the history of the two roads despite the difference between the two communities in terms of wealth and civilization. The Fairfax Country Parkway was built in pieces just like the Borama-Dilla Road is being built now, mile by mile.

“The funding has been so uneven over the years, and as a result it got built in pieces,” said Rep. Gerry E. Connolly, who served as a Fairfax County commissioner for 14 years before being elected to Congress in 2008.

Just as the Awdal community found the government to be an unreliable financial supporter and had to rely instead on local money, the Fairfax County community also found the state to be a non-reliable funding partner and had to resort to local community for support.

“The state wasn’t a reliable funding partner, and an unusual percentage of the project got funded by local dollars,” Connolly said.

The comparison, however, has a more bitter taste for the Fairfax County community as their County happens to be the most prosperous county in one of the most prosperous states in America, while the Borama-Dilla Road is located in one of the poorest regions in Africa. Therefore, while the progress of the Fairfax Country Road was hampered by government bureaucracy, the delay of the Borama-Dilla Road was partly due to lack of resources and partly due to lack of proper appropriation of the government’s meager resources.   

“It has taken seven Virginia governors and the better part of four decades to complete a 35-mile roadway in the most prosperous county in one of the most prosperous states in the country,” said Bob Chase, executive director of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance. “That’s relevant in terms of how complicated and difficult it is to advance critically needed transportation projects in Northern Virginia.”

As the Fairfax Road nears its end, the community there has already started dreaming of a brighter future where metro services should come to the area.  

“Metro has got to be a part of our future,” Connolly said. “It’s got to come down I-66 to Gainesville, it’s got to come down I-95 to Potomac Mills and we’ve got to have light rail down the Richmond highway corridor.

Maybe it is time for Awdal people as well to start planning for the post road period, a period where they have to dream of a new dawn of larger highways and even train or metro systems connecting the different parts of the region. But as Connolly urged the Fairfax County community for patience by saying: “These things are critical projects for the future…but these things take time. You can’t just do them overnight.” I may also caution the people of Awdal that with patience and perseverance that you will prevail. So fellow Awdalites, stay the course and know that you are not alone in your struggle for development as you share history with one of the richest counties and states in America.

Email: bsogoth@yahoo.com

Waxa la galay wakhtigii dadka la midayn lahaa, dalkana hore u markiisa loogu dadaali lahaa,arrintaana waxa samayni kara xisbiga talada waddanka la wareegay gaarahaan  madaxweyne ahmed mohamed mohamoud (siiraanyo) kuna dadaalo sidii uu uga gudbi lahaa meesha waxba uguma annaan iman iyo dawladdii hore ayaa dayn lagu lahaa iyo tanaa jirta, wassiiradiisuna ay sidoo kale ku dadaalaan, sababtoo ah Dekeddii berbara waa halkeedii caawimooyinkii adduunkuna waaba sidoodii iyo si ka sii rajo fiican,meelaha ay waddanka wax ka soo galaan meelahaa ayaa ugu horreeya marka dawlad dhan walba ka dhisan ayaad la wareegtaye hoggaanka si fiican u hay, waxa kale oo aad ogaataa cabashooyinka meelo dalka ka mid ah laga muujiyay in aanay ahayn wax la dhayalsan karo, waxaa dibadda dumarka iyo caruurta u soo saarayna ay tahay durba caddaalad darro lagaa dhan-dhamiyay adiga madaxweyne ahaan. taasina aanay ahayn middii aad citiraaf dalkan ugu dooni lahaydeen adiga iyo dawladdaada tayada fiicani, waxa kale oo aad ogaataan adiga iyo xisbigaaga kulmiyeba in adduunku dhegaha iyo indhahaba ku hayo dareenka dadwaynaha somaliland meel kastaba ha joogaane from lawyo caddo illaa sool meesha ugu shishaysa, citiraafkuna maaha uun midka ay doonayaan siyaasiyiinta oo kali ahi, waxa ka mudan midka dadwaynu ay doonayaan.  shacbigana lama cabudhin karo wixii ay xaq-u leeyihiin way sheegan karaan.

shacbigana waxa laga rabaa inay wixii dhibaato u keenaya ay ka fogaadaan, oo aanay ka hoos bixin  odayaasha iyo culimada magaalada, 
odayaasha iyo cidii umadda taladoodu ka go,daana  dadka xaqooda ha u raadiyaan,  ninkii xaqqa ummadiisa aan raadin karin ama aan ku dhawaaqi karinna xilka ha iskaga dhiibo cid kale,

Qorayaasha websiteskana waxan ka codsanayaa inay inay wixii ummadda  aan faa,iido u lahayn aanay soo qorin,weliba websiteska waar ka mid ahi dhibaatooyinka in badan ayay mas,uul ka yihiin,    allahayoow sidii roon.

From Abdirahman Barre