This blog has covered in detail how the Somali community in the Diaspora has struggled to engage with matters of complexity away from the influences of their homeland.
Considering how the improvisational theatre productions of the 1960s/70s/80s covered these matters at length, it is all the more worrying that the Somali community appears to have stagnated. There is a tragic inability to [a] logically analyse issues in detail and [b] find a consistent solution to a problem. This is confounded by the inability of Somalis in general to tackle these issues in their mother tounge.
The work of Xasan Ganey in the theatre production Waa Maadays Adduunyadu Dadkuna Wey Matelayaan is based on the popular poem of the same name; you can see excerpts of this work here, here and here. The live performances of the play took place in 1984, the topics discussed and the language used still resonates today. People quote sections of the work as examples of how the Somali language has appeared to have deterirorated over the last twenty five years.
The comparison between this work and the kind of stuff that passes for analysis these days is stark. You could write a PHd. thesis about how the standards have dropped when you consider the premise behind the Dhig ama Dhaqo film [click here for the full effect]. The drop in standards is also evident when you look at talk shows [click here to listen to a mess] and articles [click here for a poorly written piece] on topics like divorce.
The title of this blog post has a double meaning; for matters like divorce Somalis should consider the detailed analysis that has been illustrated in the culture by the society's intellectuals. For example, on divorce why not suggest that SHARAXII LATUMEY SHEEKAA KA DAMBEYSEY? There is a stunning lack of appreciation within the community, and possibly wider society, of the difference between the sacred and profane. These two spheres of our lives should be mutually exclusive; for example one should marry according to the traditions of their culture and the rituals of their religion. One should not marry on the basis of how someone looks, or how much money can be made or to cement a relationship between two people that has struggled along for a questionable period of time. Now it is one thing to understand, appreciate and act on the basis of one's understanding of their culture, religion and way of life. It is another to act on the kinds of whims and desires that are encouraged by a particular group who dress these matters up as being socially acceptable.
What is socially acceptable for Somalis in the UK and possible the Diaspora at large? Eeking out an existence on state benefits because having money is fundamental to our way of life. What is unacceptable? Well your child should go out and live in a hostel so that he/she can eventually be on the register for a home from the borough council. Should your child not want this and should he/she wish to entertain a life outside of benefit dependency than this is unacceptable. In this envrionment, a child is taught that this kind of wrong [lying and cheating to maintain the mirage of benefit dependency]to maintain a standard of living is right. Problem is that when you start telling your children lying and cheating is acceptable, then they will stray into other areas where this could be affirmed. The high levels of criminality within the Somali community are down to the lack of a coherent message being communicated by parents to their children as to what is acceptable and what is unacceptable in the public sphere of life.
It is frankly pathetic that prominent intellectuals in the secular liberal capitalist nations of the developed world decry the influeces of the commodification of the human soul and Somalis are still clinging onto the benefits of the system. This is not new though, you see Xasan Ganey, Axmed Sulimaan Bide, Sangub et al identified the flaws in the neo-liberal order over 25 years ago.
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Police arrest suspected Somali terrorists in Rotterdam
This is believed to be linked to an attempt to behead the controversial political figure Geert Wilders.
AFP - 25/12/2010
Twelve Somalis suspected of terrorist activities have been arrested in Rotterdam, Dutch officials said Saturday. The arrests were made after a tip-off by Dutch intelligence that the Somalis could commit attacks "in the near future". By News Wires (text) AFP - Twelve Somalis suspected of involvement in terrorist activities have been arrested in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands prosecution service said on Saturday.
A statement said the arrests were made late Friday following a tip-off by Dutch intelligence "that a number of Somalis wanted to commit a terrorist attack in the Netherlands in the near future".
The arrested Somalis were aged between 19 and 48, the statement said. Six lived in Rotterdam, five had no known address and one was a Danish resident.
A shop and four houses were searched in Rotterdam and two motel rooms in the southern town of Gilze-Rijen, but no weapons or explosives were found, prosecutors said.
The men "are being questioned," prosecution spokesman Wim de Bruin told AFP.
"They will be brought before a judge within three days to decide whether or not to keep them in custody."
De Bruin said more arrests were not on the cards "for now".
Dutch news agency ANP quoted the National Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism as saying the arrests did not warrant changing the country's terror threat level from "limited".
AFP - 25/12/2010
Twelve Somalis suspected of terrorist activities have been arrested in Rotterdam, Dutch officials said Saturday. The arrests were made after a tip-off by Dutch intelligence that the Somalis could commit attacks "in the near future". By News Wires (text) AFP - Twelve Somalis suspected of involvement in terrorist activities have been arrested in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands prosecution service said on Saturday.
A statement said the arrests were made late Friday following a tip-off by Dutch intelligence "that a number of Somalis wanted to commit a terrorist attack in the Netherlands in the near future".
The arrested Somalis were aged between 19 and 48, the statement said. Six lived in Rotterdam, five had no known address and one was a Danish resident.
A shop and four houses were searched in Rotterdam and two motel rooms in the southern town of Gilze-Rijen, but no weapons or explosives were found, prosecutors said.
The men "are being questioned," prosecution spokesman Wim de Bruin told AFP.
"They will be brought before a judge within three days to decide whether or not to keep them in custody."
De Bruin said more arrests were not on the cards "for now".
Dutch news agency ANP quoted the National Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism as saying the arrests did not warrant changing the country's terror threat level from "limited".
Monday, 13 December 2010
Who would like to get involved in a research project??
"I am looking for two research assistants with the qualifications and experience necessary to carry out life history interviews with 40 Somali women living in Tower Hamlets and, where possible, additional discussion with family members. The interviews will be taped so assistants will be responsible for transcribing the interviews and translating into English if necessary. They will also work with me in organising the material for analytical purposes. We will be working closely with the Tower Hamlets Diversity Division so they will get an insight into the inside workings of a local government bureaucracy. Pay in £25 an hour for 10 weeks starting in early Jan including some training in interviewing techniques if necesary. Report has to be submitted by end March so we are working to a tight time line."
I would be grateful if you would circulate this email through your networks. Anyone interested should contact Naila directly (nk34@soas.ac.uk).
All the best, Anna
--
Dr Anna Lindley
Lecturer
Department of Development Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
University of London
http://www.soas.ac.uk/staff/staff51769.php
Recent book:
The Early Morning Phonecall: Somali Refugees' Remittances
http://www.berghahnbooks.com/title.php?rowtag=LindleyEarly
I would be grateful if you would circulate this email through your networks. Anyone interested should contact Naila directly (nk34@soas.ac.uk).
All the best, Anna
--
Dr Anna Lindley
Lecturer
Department of Development Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
University of London
http://www.soas.ac.uk/staff/staff51769.php
Recent book:
The Early Morning Phonecall: Somali Refugees' Remittances
http://www.berghahnbooks.com/title.php?rowtag=LindleyEarly
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Children's charities hit out at plans by London Councils to cut their funding
By Joe Lepper
Children & Young People Now
2 December 2010
Children and young people's charities in London have criticised plans by London Councils to cut their annual funding by £1.3m.
London Councils' grants committee is recommending that the London Borough Grants Scheme is cut by £16.8m, bringing the total pot to £9.8m.
The committee said money contributed by London boroughs to the scheme can be more effectively spent by the councils themselves.
Among the 200 charities and voluntary groups affected by the recommendation are 21 children and young people's organisations, which are set to lose combined annual funding of £1.3m.
The London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) and the Voluntary Sector Forum network said the cuts are disproportionate and will affect the poorest Londoners and most disadvantaged children.
The charity bodies want to see any "repatriated funds" ringfenced by councils for the charity sector.
Peter Lewis, chief executive officer of LVSC, said: "This programme serves some of the most disadvantaged Londoners. Leaders should not be retaining funds to fill potholes in their own boroughs."
London Councils’ leaders committee will vote on the recommendation when it meets on 14 December.
Grants committee chair Sir Steve Bullock said: "Members of the grants committee have recommended the continuation of a grants programme focusing on pan-London commissions within a set of agreed priorities.
"These include services, such as those to do with homelessness and domestic violence, where there is often no clear relationship with an individual borough."
He added that the committee has also recommended a "managed transition" period of three months from April next year for initiatives that do not meet its pan-London requirement.
He said: "This would allow boroughs more time to establish which services they should continue to fund and give them flexibility to decide what will work best in their own local areas."
However, Marie-Anne Diedhiou-Roy, organisational support officer at LVSC, said: "The cuts will affect the most disadvantaged children and young people in London for whom these funded services represent a real lifeline. At a time of cuts to public services, affecting youth services in particular, London Councils should be prioritising the funding for this programme because it makes economic and social sense."
Organisations that will be affected include Somali Youth Union in UK, Beatbullying and Barnardo's.
Children & Young People Now
2 December 2010
Children and young people's charities in London have criticised plans by London Councils to cut their annual funding by £1.3m.
London Councils' grants committee is recommending that the London Borough Grants Scheme is cut by £16.8m, bringing the total pot to £9.8m.
The committee said money contributed by London boroughs to the scheme can be more effectively spent by the councils themselves.
Among the 200 charities and voluntary groups affected by the recommendation are 21 children and young people's organisations, which are set to lose combined annual funding of £1.3m.
The London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) and the Voluntary Sector Forum network said the cuts are disproportionate and will affect the poorest Londoners and most disadvantaged children.
The charity bodies want to see any "repatriated funds" ringfenced by councils for the charity sector.
Peter Lewis, chief executive officer of LVSC, said: "This programme serves some of the most disadvantaged Londoners. Leaders should not be retaining funds to fill potholes in their own boroughs."
London Councils’ leaders committee will vote on the recommendation when it meets on 14 December.
Grants committee chair Sir Steve Bullock said: "Members of the grants committee have recommended the continuation of a grants programme focusing on pan-London commissions within a set of agreed priorities.
"These include services, such as those to do with homelessness and domestic violence, where there is often no clear relationship with an individual borough."
He added that the committee has also recommended a "managed transition" period of three months from April next year for initiatives that do not meet its pan-London requirement.
He said: "This would allow boroughs more time to establish which services they should continue to fund and give them flexibility to decide what will work best in their own local areas."
However, Marie-Anne Diedhiou-Roy, organisational support officer at LVSC, said: "The cuts will affect the most disadvantaged children and young people in London for whom these funded services represent a real lifeline. At a time of cuts to public services, affecting youth services in particular, London Councils should be prioritising the funding for this programme because it makes economic and social sense."
Organisations that will be affected include Somali Youth Union in UK, Beatbullying and Barnardo's.
UCL Somali Students Society Event: 17/12/2010
An excerpt from the film is accessible below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTxF7xzOgS8
The film will be shown at the Cruciform Building, UCL. Lecture Theatre 1. beginning at 5pm and finishing at 7pm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTxF7xzOgS8
The film will be shown at the Cruciform Building, UCL. Lecture Theatre 1. beginning at 5pm and finishing at 7pm.
This is the first time I have heard of this..
Somali Youth Helpline
Somali Youth Helpline is a voluntary organisation, established as a charity in March 2007. The organisation runs a bilingual helpline for counselling and confidential support for disaffected and vulnerable Somali youth ages 13 to 19.
It has the following services:
- Free telephone helpline - 0800 542 6855
- Office - (020) 0208 813 9155
- Email helpline - syhelpline@gmail.com
- Consultation and guidance sessions/workshops
- Referrals to appropriate organisations
- Advice on where to access services
- Opportunity for volunteer work in the community
Address: Resource Centre, Featherstone Terrace, Southall, Middlesex, UB2 5AL
For more information
Website: http://syhelpline.org.uk
Email: syhelpline@gmail.com
Helpline: 0800 542 6855
Office: (020) 8813 9155
Contact person: Zuhur Elmi
How to get there
Nearest station: Southall BR Buses H32, 105, 195, E5
For further information, click here
Undisclosed Muslim country 'paying for anti-piracy force in Somalia'
Donor nation has hired US security experts as advisors to Somali government, according to a report
Xan Rice guardian.co.uk, Thursday 2 December 2010 18.26 GMT
An undisclosed "Muslim nation" is funding a 1,000-strong, privately trained military force in northern Somalia and has hired a former CIA officer and a senior official from the Bush administration to advise the Somali government on security matters, according to a report.
The Associated Press said the "anti-piracy" force was receiving instruction in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region on the tip of Africa's horn that oil and gas exploration firms are interested in.
A separate force will be trained in the capital, Mogadishu, the news agency said, citing sources involved in the programme, which has reportedly cost many millions of dollars. A large convoy of pick-up trucks, small aircraft and armoured vehicles will support the troops.
The motivation of the donor country remains unknown, and UN experts have confirmed they are investigating whether there has been a violation of Somalia's arms embargo. The country has not had a functioning government since 1991, and Islamists who claim allegiance to al-Qaida are trying to gain overall control.
AP said the same country funding the security forces had hired Pierre Prosper, who was an ambassador at large for war crimes issues under George Bush from 2001-05, to advise the Somali government on legal issues related to security, anti-corruption and transparency. Prosper, who was also the diplomat responsible for engaging with countries whose citizens were held at Guantánamo Bay after the September 11 attacks, said he was being paid to do the job by "a Muslim nation", which he declined to name.
Fellow American Michael Shanklin, the CIA deputy chief of station in Mogadishu 20 years ago, told AP he was employed by the same country as "a security adviser and liaison to the Somali government".
The involvement of the two men is likely to be viewed with deep suspicion in Somalia, and is likely to be used by the Islamists for propaganda. Many Somalis are mistrustful of foreign meddling, and were angered by the US's decision to give money to a group of warlords in Mogadishu in 2006 then back the Ethiopian invasion a few months later.
AP named the private security company involved in training the troops as Saracen International, a Uganda-based firm headed by a South African former special forces soldier called Bill Pelser. In a November statement the Puntland government said Saracen had been hired to establish its "marine forces", while documents from the Somali presidency this year suggested the company had been hired to train the presidential guard in Mogadishu.
But in a phone interview, Pelser told the Guardian claims of his company's involvement were "bullshit", and said he would take legal action against the media. "I have already given a statement to the UN security council on this. None of my assets are involved in Somalia. It must be another company called Saracen," he said.
Puntland is more stable than the rest of Somalia, but the creation of an "anti-piracy" force will raise questions. Senior members of the current administration are believed to have close links to some pirate groups, who have raked in millions in ransoms for foreign ships. Previous efforts to train a local navy have seen recruits "go off and become elite pirates themselves", according to a Somalia analyst in Nairobi, who asked not to be named.
Mohamed Farole, the son of Puntland president Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and a powerful figure in his own right, said the first 150 graduates completed a 13-week training course this week. He told AP they would be used to hunt pirates in the Galgala mountains. However, that area is not known as a major piracy hotspot. The main pirate bases fall outside Puntland.
But Galgala is the territory of a well-known weapons dealer and militia leader called Mohamed Said Atom. Accused of supplying arms to Somalia's main Islamist insurgent group al-Shabab, Atom has clashed with Puntland's administration before and complained about being excluded from energy exploration deals.
Xan Rice guardian.co.uk, Thursday 2 December 2010 18.26 GMT
An undisclosed "Muslim nation" is funding a 1,000-strong, privately trained military force in northern Somalia and has hired a former CIA officer and a senior official from the Bush administration to advise the Somali government on security matters, according to a report.
The Associated Press said the "anti-piracy" force was receiving instruction in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region on the tip of Africa's horn that oil and gas exploration firms are interested in.
A separate force will be trained in the capital, Mogadishu, the news agency said, citing sources involved in the programme, which has reportedly cost many millions of dollars. A large convoy of pick-up trucks, small aircraft and armoured vehicles will support the troops.
The motivation of the donor country remains unknown, and UN experts have confirmed they are investigating whether there has been a violation of Somalia's arms embargo. The country has not had a functioning government since 1991, and Islamists who claim allegiance to al-Qaida are trying to gain overall control.
AP said the same country funding the security forces had hired Pierre Prosper, who was an ambassador at large for war crimes issues under George Bush from 2001-05, to advise the Somali government on legal issues related to security, anti-corruption and transparency. Prosper, who was also the diplomat responsible for engaging with countries whose citizens were held at Guantánamo Bay after the September 11 attacks, said he was being paid to do the job by "a Muslim nation", which he declined to name.
Fellow American Michael Shanklin, the CIA deputy chief of station in Mogadishu 20 years ago, told AP he was employed by the same country as "a security adviser and liaison to the Somali government".
The involvement of the two men is likely to be viewed with deep suspicion in Somalia, and is likely to be used by the Islamists for propaganda. Many Somalis are mistrustful of foreign meddling, and were angered by the US's decision to give money to a group of warlords in Mogadishu in 2006 then back the Ethiopian invasion a few months later.
AP named the private security company involved in training the troops as Saracen International, a Uganda-based firm headed by a South African former special forces soldier called Bill Pelser. In a November statement the Puntland government said Saracen had been hired to establish its "marine forces", while documents from the Somali presidency this year suggested the company had been hired to train the presidential guard in Mogadishu.
But in a phone interview, Pelser told the Guardian claims of his company's involvement were "bullshit", and said he would take legal action against the media. "I have already given a statement to the UN security council on this. None of my assets are involved in Somalia. It must be another company called Saracen," he said.
Puntland is more stable than the rest of Somalia, but the creation of an "anti-piracy" force will raise questions. Senior members of the current administration are believed to have close links to some pirate groups, who have raked in millions in ransoms for foreign ships. Previous efforts to train a local navy have seen recruits "go off and become elite pirates themselves", according to a Somalia analyst in Nairobi, who asked not to be named.
Mohamed Farole, the son of Puntland president Abdirahman Mohamed Farole and a powerful figure in his own right, said the first 150 graduates completed a 13-week training course this week. He told AP they would be used to hunt pirates in the Galgala mountains. However, that area is not known as a major piracy hotspot. The main pirate bases fall outside Puntland.
But Galgala is the territory of a well-known weapons dealer and militia leader called Mohamed Said Atom. Accused of supplying arms to Somalia's main Islamist insurgent group al-Shabab, Atom has clashed with Puntland's administration before and complained about being excluded from energy exploration deals.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Your thoughts on this post would be most welcome......
It has been increasingly difficult for Somali Brothers and sisters to meet with a view to marriage. Due to the lack of such arenas, we felt it necessary to arrange such an event. It has become apparent that many Sisters are looking outside for marriage.(NOT THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT). Many have said that they feel there are no suitable and eligible Somali Brothers available. We DO NOT believe this to be the case and so, Insha’Allah, we hope that this event will dispel such negative perceptions.
Jazak Allah Khairun
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