Qudhac: Boowe aa kula tahay!!!

Aamin ina hooyoow!

Election-ka aan ka dhaceyn Ceeri oo kadhacaya Xudun waa mid sidee u eg toloow?

Kadib markii aan arkey baaqan kasoo baxay 'Odayaasha beesha (qabiil)' ee Sool iyo Sanaag; ayaan waxaan u kuur galey magacyada kusaxeexan baaqa and there it was my Father's names in the middle of this long names. Hada ayaan la hadley xaajigii and guess what this is an utter fabrication runtii. Wiilashan hargeysa ku jalabuteynaya waxa eydoonaan baad moodaa iney qorahayaan. _______________ Sophist, saaxiib, qabiilka magacaabidiis ka ilaali hee. [ September 24, 2005, 02:53: Message edited by: Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar ]

Baashi; always the wise one. The trouble with Awoowgey is that he is not firm enough. He is good at bantering but nothing further. But that does not mean we should sing for Faroole-- the guy has no leadership qualities or so I have heard. Yoonis? Where did you get that info from? I think it is just my like my silly assertion about the "Holly Trinity". Guys the road is ridden with qodxo; laakiin bal intaan qodxaxa loo gaarin gocondhadu yaaney cagaag-naanteena ka faa'iideysanin. Generale: Where have you been old boy? Walahi I lost my mobile thusly I could not contact you dude. Give me a call ASAP Insha Allah.

Then the Trinity will be complete !!!!Baashi are here with me old boy!!!

SOL Where Ideas have a HOME: This is on the spot painting of what SOL is; a place where ideas flourish. That is not only it's function as I got to know it intimately. One those lonely years in college surrounded by non-Somalis (that is a bad thing at all) this place was like a home. A shelter from alien ideas I explored at school. I found it people with similar background and swimming with me in the high waters of western education-- or some would argue its reverse impact. It is a hub that really helped me through those lonely days. Even know that I am in London ( a metropolis city that houses many thousands of Somalis) I am hooked to this place. Every lunch time while my colleagues rush to lunch; i get back quickly to my desk to browse through the ideas of my fellow sol brothers and sisters-- I know I seldom contribute these; something I am painfully aware of but time isn't permitting me to share my thoughts;;;;; or as I would like to believe I run out of ideas. Being an oldie (something my younger buddies will get to find out soon) means one has less energy and with that comes with less actions. I have many thoughts that occupy me but I seldom have the opportunity to share it with my fellow. Lest I digress; SOL is the heaven for the enlightened Somali young educated. We are indeed both challenged and entertained. Let us keep the fire and let us all be cheery by being members of this celebrated club.

A timely wedding indeed which took place in unlikely city; Mogadishu.. My congratulation to my good friend General duke whose wedding had taken place in Mogadishu on the 12/08/2005. May Allah make your home a fertile ground for spiritual well being; Arooskeena Aamiin, Umula wiil’le aamiin Ardayacade aamiin, oo ahaadeey aamiin Sophist

Nuune, inaad Afmaal kutahay Soomaliga waa ey iga qarsoneyd. Halkaas kasii wad qoraalkaaga maadhoow.

The chap has also authored a novel: The Yibir Of Las Burgabo! It is a good read I hear.# The Yibir of Las Burgabo By Mahmood Gaildon This is the story of a Yibir family in Somalia. In this novel, after an out-of-town trip on foot, Geeddi never returns home. Instead, his two children, Amina and Ali, are greeted with news of his death. His teenage daughter, Amina, assumes the role of parent to her nine-year-old brother. As Ali grows up he becomes an excellent student, but his private thoughts leave him frustrated and confused. He knows Yibirs are shunned by society, but doesn't understand why. This is the story of a boy searching for a role in a society determined to keep him out.

Apperently the author is Physicist by profession.

^^^Ouch

…………………………..and definitely an Accountant is on that lisst. Jokes aside. What the responder has in mind seems to be amiss in regards to what the author of this satirical piece intended. It was a parody upon not only on ‘Somali intellectuals’ but more so on the conceptualisation of intellectualism itself within the wider society. PhD from an Oxbridge college is not a licence of intellectualism—it might furnish you the ability to know great deal on subject you have researched. Intellect is god’s gift to humanity. Most of us are in possession of it in varying degrees. What education (that was the initial purpose) does is to cultivate those seeds and predispose you to become enlightened; regrettably modern higher education institutions have other purposes for their pupils and that is to make them robots who would be able to work efficiently at that vast factory we call INDUSTRY. This is why you have universities offering marketing degrees or Bachelor degrees that will make one become holiday expert! What obloquy on scholarship. Very few institutions pretend they still uphold such an ideal that is to produce intellectuals; but it just pretence. They at least ashamed of this modern disease; a disease caused by the dominance of economic Capitalism. Intellectuals are those rare breeds whose ideas stem from enlightened seeds of wisdom; they have broken the shackles of self-imposed tutelage. Anyhow, Our society needs such men; we need men who are not mentally capable but who are in possession of moral duty to formulate ideas that will predispose our society to come out of the gloomy chasm they found themselves in.

Somali Intellectuals should be Fair! Ubah Abdi June 23, 2005 " Waxbase yaan harraadine Rabbaa haatuf noo diraye; Isagaa hiddaayada baxsha aan hiil ka sugayaaye; Haddii haatan waa wada harjade, la isla hiir-daayey; Ciduun baa hoggaankeenna qaban waana hawl culuse; In kastoy hannaan wax u waddiyo horumar loo aayo; Waad heybsataan dawladdee hubinba maysaane; Haadaa-qabiil bayna rogey aad ku hadafteene' 'Ninkani waa halyey yaase raba waana reer-hebele?' Wallee taa haddaynaan ka hadhin haakah odhan maayno! " By the great Poet Aadan Carab, 1917-2001 Somali intellectuals pontificate from behind computers, sitting in air-conditioned rooms and zipping cold drinks, they order the President and the prime minister of TFG of Somalia to move to Mogadishu , which is tantamount to asking the President and the Prime Minister to commit suicide. After these intellectuals finish their judgment, they sleep on feathery beds, and leave the difficult task for others to deal with. They do not contribute anything else but plain talk. Mogadishu Now The pontification that is coming from these so-called elites says, " Mogadishu 's status as the capital of Somalia is deeply engraved in the soul of all Somalis, a fact that is reiterated in the new Transitional Federal Charter. Moreover, any attempt to change this status, even temporarily, threatens to unravel the already fragile reconciliation process… [Therefore the government should move to Mogadishu ]" Whom are they kidding? Muqdisho waa tee? What is engrave in our psyche is the last image we have seen of Mogadishu, as we were fleeing from our homes, the sight of bloated corpses strewn over every streets like they were not human but a road kill, and gutted out buildings. Mogadishu that is engraved in our psyches is a place that even the dead are not exempt from looting, a place were the corpses and the human remains are deprived of their final resting place, a place that is not fit for habitation of sentient beings of flesh and blood with dignity. That my dear, is the Mogadishu that is engraved in our psyches. Nevertheless, no one is denying Mogadishu as Somalia 's capital city. It seems those who called themselves "Somali intellectuals" reached their decision emotionally rather than judiciously, they are also confusing the issue at hand. The government does not dispute Mogadishu as the capital city of Somalia and the public agrees, with the exception of the Secessionist group that wants to make Hargeysa a capital city of their own. Apart from the separatist minority group, overwhelmingly Somalis agree Mogadishu should remain the capital city of Somalia . The dispute stems from when the warlords who kept Mogadishu in the condition it is today and the "intellectuals" tell the rest of us the government should move to Mogadishu , without proving or backing their claim. What the uninformed Somalis do not understand is that facing enemies in Mogadishu is not the aim of this government, its aim is to heal the social wounds, to stabilize the country, to spread rule and order to the rest of the regions and to pave way for the future elected government of Somalia . The warlords oppose this and they want to keep the country in anarchic state where they are the kings, and continue to profit from the chaos. Therefore, they find faults for every issue and every suggestion the president brings forth. Since the Intellectuals open kangaroo courts for the government behind their computer, I decided to open my own court as well. In order to reach a judicious ruling, one needs to determine the arguments of the two sides of the government before blindly siding with one . These men in the government were caviling over two years how to set up a government, who is to be the President, the Somali constitution etc. At that time, the arbitrators were foreigners, however, now the Somali public should judge which group is right and which one is wrong, since I am a Somali I reach a judgment. After hearing the argument of both sides and weighted the merit of their cases, I gave a favorable ruling to the President and the Prime Minister of Somalia, because they had presented a better case than the Mogadishu warlords had. I reach this ruling by considering past and present performance: 1. The Prime Minster vs. opposing warlords et al, after considering that the warlords left Nairobi and moved to Mogadishu without the Prime Minster's consent which is a clear case of misconduct and blatant disregard of the standard behavior, the government expects from its members. It proves that the warlords committed blatant insubordination. I consider them stubborn, hotheads with tendency of disregarding the rules and regulations and they are in need of rehabilitation as their militias. As such, they are not fit to dictate where the government should move or should not move. Therefore, I am ruling in favor of The Prime Minster Ali Ghedi. He has the right to decide where his government should move, temporarily until the warlords disband their militia that controls the capital city of Somalia. 2. The case of The President vs. Opposing warlord et al, on who is not listening to reason and who is at fault of the breakdown of negotiation. After considering the fact that The President has proven himself that he is better negotiator when he united several Somali regions. He also proved he has the Midas touch when he turned these regions the most peaceful and prosperous area in Somalia after the collapsed of the central government. Some might tempt to argue "but the inhabitants of these regions are from one clan," they will be reminded so are the inhabitants of Mogadishu. Yet Mogadishu city even though one clan rules, it is divided into street zones, and after 14 years these Mogadishu warlords could not negotiated to united one puny city, let alone a many regions. As such, the Mogadishu warlords I considered them headstrong and unwilling to listen to reason, and if anyone is at fault here, they are most likely at fault, and the reason the talks breakdown is because of the warlord, therefore I am ruling in the favor of the President. 3. About who is breaking the agreement: The opposing warlords are in violation of the reconciliation agreement when they started war inside Somalia ! If anyone is threatening to unravel the already fragile reconciliation process, it is the Mogadishu warlords. In this case, I am ruling against the warlords for breaking the agreement of reconciliation between Somali clans. 4.About the foreign troop deployment: The warlords want their militia to protect this government, and the President's contention is that the government is not going to become a guest to the clan-base militia in Mogadishu . In this case, the ruling is in favor of the President's camp. Mogadishu warlords and their militia have played host to Abdiqasim's Government and that government failed to take root in Mogadishu let alone the rest of the country. Thus, the warlords had proven that they are incompetent, and cannot protect a government. Therefore, the President's proposal and creative idea of introducing neutral third party into the mix is more practicable and more welcoming than the warlord's suggestion, which sounds blatant extortion and blackmail. Until the government sets up and trains Somali military and police force from the 18 regions of Somalia , which should not take more than a year, the NEUTRAL foreign troops should come inside Somalia , to protect the government from the terrorist groups that are trying to assassinate the members of the government. The President and the Prime Minster are trying to prevent the collapse of yet another foreign formed government of Somalia . Why is it so hard for the elites who live in the developed world to understand that, moving yet another foreign formed government to Mogadishu is not a good idea. In the developed word, if there is a problem, what they do is try to find a workable solution. Let us take some small problem for example, let us say there were couple of accident at a certain four-way intersection, obviously stop signs are not enough, they install traffic light, the accident which accords at that intersection is reduced drastically . Let us go back to our predicament, three government were brought to Mogadishu, all three of them withered and died in Mogadishu; the warlords who made that possible are the same warlords who are arguing this government should also be brought to Mogadishu, that is not workable solution. There must be more creative and workable solution out there. First move the government to another location, until Mogadishu is safe, once that is done then move the government to Mogadishu , genius huh! That is exactly what the President and the Prime Minster proposed. The warlords suggest they are trying to stabilize the city, the movement and the disarming of the militia has started, and we will see if that bears fruition, in the mean time, let the government move where they might be. Let us not forget, in Mogadishu there are twenty thousand armed militias, and the warlords move one thousand men to camps without disarming them that is hardly solving the Mogadishu problem. The Diaspora Somali communities, instead of exhorting the government to move to Mogadishu, let us raise funds for the government coffers, let the government form nationally own police and military, and let us help this Police and or military. As I said, the military should come from all regions of Somalia . Instead of giving this government orders or empty support, let us support them monetarily; this will eliminate the long-term need for foreign troops. It will also signal to the rest of world that this time we are serious, when they sees us helping ourselves, the donor countries will follow and will help. We must help build stable government first, in order to build later roads, housing, schools, hospitals, and other much-needed infrastructure. After all that building, If fight has left on us, we will fight each other with ballots and not bullets when we are going to elect a democratic and just government in four short years. Why can't the elites envision that world, a world without conflict and guns? Somalis living in a world of leisure and 80-degree climate, picnicking on the seashores of Mogadishu , Marka, Kismayo, Bossaso, etc. Camel's milk, everywhere one looks, one sees the sights of regally smiling, diric-clad beauties sashaying with dignity at the streets of Somalia , and confidently children playing outside with their own kind, without fear of pedophiles. Aren't we tired of living foreign lands? Hold that vision, and work towards that goal. Let us for once be an asset for our country, let us for once put our money where our mouth is and help build a lasting government. On June 13, 2005, I helplessly read the case about Nuradin Abdi, which was on Columbus dispatch. According to his Attorney, Nuradiin was falsely accused of being a terrorist without evidence, and he was denied due process and United States violated his human rights. His case reminded me living in foreign lands, we are all easy prey including these so call Elites. We are one step away from being the next Nurardiin Abdi, because we are from a Muslim country, a country that has no government, and We have no one to come to our rescue or stand up for our rights, No where to run. East, West home is the best, God Bless Somalia . Ubah Abdi

Qallac Saxaafadeed, Mise Dan Bulsho: Bal Adba? Maxamed A Cali June 24,2005 Arar Astaamaha lagu garto dhumucda fikir siyaasadeed ee hogaan ummadeed waxaa ka mid ah garawsi, aqbalaad, iyo u dhega-nuglaan dhalliilaha iyo galdaloolooyinka maamul ee banyaalka ah. Waa beege lagu dhereriyo heerka gahayrnimo, bisayl iyo u debecsanaan ee falceliska bulsho ee ku aadan iimaha madaxda caynaanka u haysa ummadda. Haddii taa la waayo, maamulkaa laguma tilmaami karo mid hayin ah, oo leh moqor hamuun tira bulshada. Waa baaqimo in ay hamuuntirto sidig tu kale ka joogtee aan wabxin ubadkeed Milicsi Maamulka DG Puntland ee ay madaxda ka yihiin M/Weyne Cadde, M/Weyne ku Xigeen Afqudhac iyo Guddoomiye Dalmar waxaa ay u muuqdaan biciid boqnaha laga wareemay, ee inta bangeeriyaad dan biday, oo cidla ciirsila aruntay, maqashii ay ahayd in uu bilo, saq dhexe miray. Wara'ada ugu weyn ee iminka muuqdaa waa dhawris la'aanta sharciga ee hawl-wadeenada dawladda, iyo ixtiraam la'aanta xuquuqda madaniga ah ee danyarta rayadka ah. Amakaag ayaa fajac kaaga daran e, maxaa maamulka ku khasbay in ay qalinlaha maskaxda miciinsaday ee daalacasho-bulsheedka u go'doomay katiinad lala daba joogo, halka baarqabada habeeddu qarisay ee lixlayaasha garbaha ku sitaa ay maalin kasta ku dhebi-dhastaan suuq-magaaleedyada ganacsi ee Puntland, una galaaftaan rayad aad waxba galabsan. Tusaale ahaan, qunbulado gacmeed ayaa lagu warfiyey Bangiga Bosaso. Raxan muqlaysan ayaa dharaar cad u dhacday xabsiga dhexe ee Garowe, iilkana u hoyay maxaabiis maxkamad sug ah bartamaha Garowe. Dhagar qabayaal baarqabo ismood ah ayaa iyana dharaar cad maati ka adeeganaysa suuq ka mid ah Galkacyo saanad oodda uga qaaday. Illaa xilligan la joogo cid loo xiro, maxkamad la soo taago, ama la qisaasaa ha joogtee, cid warkeed haysaa ma jirto. Qalinle ayaa curiyey jil-siyaasadeed oo uu ku cabiray sida uu uga biyadiidsan yahay caynaanka maamul ee xukuumadda M/Weyne Cadde. Si kaftan ah ayaa uu u tibaaxay halka ay isaga la ahayd in ay ka qaloocatay. Cagajuglayn iyo handadaad kadib, xabsiga ayaa loo taxaabay. Madbacaddii iyo tijaaradii ganacsi albaabada ayaa loo laabay, shaqaalihii ka shaqaynayeyna duurka ayay xuleen. Qalinlayaal kale ayaa dhalliilay tayo darida hoggaan ee degmo ka mid ah kuwa maamulka Puntland hoos yimaada. Waa la xiray. Qoraagu dareenka dadweynaha ayaa uu cabiray e, muxuu ku galabsaday in la dulleeyo. Sawirkaa sare maxaa ka qaldan? Waxaa xus mudan in hoggaanka maamul ee DG Puntland ee xilligan ay ku joogaan rag qurbajoog ah oo la filayey in ay qaayibeen milgaha xoriyatul-qawlka (freedom of speech) iyo dawrka saxaafadda (role of media). Tusaale ahaan, M/Weyne Cadde, ku Xigihiisa Afqudhac iyo tiro badan oo ka mid ah Golaha Wasiiradu waa qurbaawiyiin la quud daraynayey in ay magawsadeen dheecaanka xoriyatul-qawl ee wadamada haga afkaarta maamul wadaagga sida Waqooyiga Maraykanka, iyo Europe ee lagu soo laylyey. Nasiib darose waxaa ka muuqata madaxda maamulka damiinimo curyaamin doonta qorshe-hawleedka u deggan afarta sanno ee soo socota. Hindise ahaa in gafafka xukuumadda ay turxaan bixin doonaan Golaha Wakiillada ee sharci dejinta qaabilsan ayaan han laga qabin, sababta oo ah sidii loo unkay Golaha Wakiiladu ma dejin, mana hirgelin hal xeer oo qudha, aan ka ahayn ansixin qorsheyaasha xukuumadda sida golaha wasiirada, miisaaniyad sannadeedka iwm. Golaha Wakiilada ayaa ay ahayd in uu u saaro guddi ka baaraandega, ka doodo, deetana dejiya shuruucda, xudduudda, xeer hooseedyada, qaab-hawleedka, iyo awaamiirta haga hay'adaha warbaahinta. Aan u dego dulucda qormada e, saxaafaddu waa unug ka mid ah hay'adaha madaniga ah ee ummadeed. Ka sokow baahinta warar maalmeedka, dawrka saxaafadda ayaa ah bidhaamin qalooc ka muuqda maarayn hawleed oo la soo darista hay'ad dawli ah, madani ah, ama rayad ah. Waa dhuun qubanuhu ka dhaato, kana daalacdo sida hawl-wadeenada iyo hay'adaha dawliga ahi ay wax u beekhaamiyaan, una maareeyaan. Suxufiga oo u hogaansama anshaxa iyo maamuuska haga saxaafadda, iyo madaxda maamulka oo dhawra dawrka, shuruucda iyo xudduudda hay'adaha warbaahinta ayaa lagu kala badbaadi karaa. Suxufiga dhabta ah mas'uul ayaa ka saaran u dhabbagalka iyo dhab ka sheegidda dhacdo. Maamulka wadaaga ah oo hayin u noqda falaaraha toosinta ah ee saxaafadda, una dulqaata dhalliilaha loo soo jeediyo balse aan muquuno, qallac iyo caburin kula kicin saxaafadda ayaa lagu badbaadi karaa. Dhacdada ugu layaabka lehi waa tasarufka maamulka ee wargayska Al Shacab ee Garowe. Waxaa xus mudan in ka hor intii aan dabrin in tifatiraha wargeysa oo lagu soo oogay af-lagaado M/Weyne dambi lagu waayay, (waa cajiib e - ma Julius Cesar-kii imbiradooriyadii Rome baa), deetana xaakimkii dacwada qaaday uu dacwaddii laalay, daaqaddana ka tuuray - ilayn sharci ma ahayn e. Haddii ay hawlwadeenada M/Weyne Cadde ay ula muuqatay in dambi madani (civil felony) ah oo aflagaado iyo sumcad xumo ay ku soo oogaan tifatiraha (libel and defamation), waa su'aale, maxaa diidaya in iyada oo aan la xirin muwaadinka rayadka ah, xoriyadana aan laga qaadin tifatiraha in qareenka dawladdu, ama Xeer Ilaaliyaha Guud uu dacwad ku soo oogo, deetana xukunka maxkamadeed kadib wixii ciqaab ah ee uu mutayso la mariyo. Maxaa xorriyadda looga qaadayaa muwaadinka? Maxaa loo curyaaminayaa nolol-maalmeedkiisa iyo tan dadka kale ee isaga ku taxaluqa? Miyaanay u kala soocnayn farqiga u dhexeeya dambiga mudan in qofka loo xiro (criminal) iyo kan aanay ahayn in qofka la xiro (civil)? Miyaanay u kala soocnayn dhagar-qabe, sida qof qof dilay, iyo gaf le, sida qof qof caayey? Miyaanayse ogayn in markii dacwadda maxkamaddu laashay, dhibanuhu uu ku soo oogi karay M/Weynaha, xukuumadiisa iyo laanta amniga (police) 3 dacwadood oo kala ah: xarig aan sharci ahayn (unlawful imprisonment), xorriyad ka qaad (loss of freedom of movement), iyo dakhli seeg (loss of imcome). Waxaa kale oo muuqata in markii maxkamadu laashay dacwadii, in markaa xukuumaddu takoor iyo dabagal ku samayso sharcinimada iyo hawlaha shaqo ee wargayska, deetana lagu soo eedeeyo in aanu mulkiiluhu haysan ruqsad shaqo, canshuurna aanu bixin, sidaa darteed ay tahay in albaabada laysugu dhufto. Maxaa diidaya ka hor inta aan la qallicin dibnaha tifatiraha, aanan la dabrin hawlaha wargeyska, in mulkiilaha lagu wargeliyo in uu dalbado ruqsad hawleed (shati), bixiyo wixii canshuur ah ee ku waajibay ama ku baaqday, sidaana uu wargaysku hawlihiisa ku sii wato, shaqaalihii ka shaqaynayeyna ay sidaa adeega bulsho ku wataan. Haddii shaqaalaha iyo mulkiilaha laga xiray meheradoodii ay jirri u xuubsiibtaan, habeenkiina surimada dadka u fariistaan ilayn mehned kale ma hayaane, yaa taa ka mas'uul ah? Haddii xukuumaddu aanay awoodin in ay shaqooyin curiso, meheradii la furana ay dabarto, waa yaabe sidee horumar lagu gaarayaa? Duluc Damiinimada madaxda maamulka ayaa la oran karaa in ay tahay bu'da bugta ee u baahan in la baxnaaniyo; iyada ayaana ah waadiga ay ka soo fulaan awaamiirta guracan ee illaalada aminga iyo hawl-wadeenada dawladda ay kula kufaan awoodii dawliga ahayd canshuur bixiyayaasha rayadka ah. Halbawlahaan ku goynayaa, waayo waad iga cadhaysiisay waa caqli jahli ah, garowsiiyana ma leh. Damiir xumida hawl-wadeenada maamulka iyo farsamo xumida hay'adaha dawliga ah ayaa horseed u ah dib u dhaca bulsheed. Bidhaamin galdaloolooyinka banyaalka ah ee maaamulku waa moqor mudan in la muudsado, ee ma aha in la gufeeyaa. Karti daridda madaxda maamulka ayaa sabab u tahay ammaanka iyo amniga oo wiiqma. Cabir fikir qofeed ama mid ka tarjumaya dareenka guud ee bulsho khalkhal iyo burbur ma keeno e, horumar ayaa uu horseedaa, dheeftiisana kal kale ayaa laga garawsadaa, - doqonise moog. Biyadhac Sidaa darteed, waxaan soo jeedin lahaa in : • Saxaafadda qallaca laga daayo, • Hay'adaha warbaahinta la sharciyeeyo, loona dejiyo qawaaniin iyo xudduud hagta, • La dhiirigeliyo saxaafadda xorta ah, lana kobciyo xiriirka u dhexeeya hay'adaha dawladda iyo hay'adaha warbaahinta, • La curiyo fikir wadaag ah oo lammaaneeya unugyada bulshada, una hawlgala maslaxadda ummadda, o La joogteeyo fagaare doodeedyo lagu turxaanbixinayo is-af-garanwaaga, si is faham u yimaado, • Madaxda dawladdu ay dhawraan shuruucda dalka u deggan, • Loo carbiyo hawl-wadeenada dawladdu in ay dhawraan xorriyadda shakhsiga, • La mamnuuco xarig qof aan amniga bulshada iyo ammaanka mandaqadda lid ku ahayn, taas oo maxkamadi xukunto. • Laga dheeraado si xun u isticmaalka awoodda maamulka, silicdilyaynta rayadka, iyo dulmiga bulshada. Mahadsanidin. Maxamed A Cali gorayocawl@yahoo.com

The “Intellectuals†of Qudhac Weyn Mohamoud Ali Gaildon June 19,2005 Editor's Note: Somalia's upcoming finest fiction writer, Mohammed Gaildon, treats us with a powerful parable, yet penetrating parody about Somali intellectuals. Almost every night, “The Men from America,†as they were called, met at the most popular café in the town of Qudhac Weyn. They chatted and discussed various matters, which they deemed too complicated for folks without college degrees. English was their main language of discourse. To others, the seeming ease with which the "intellectuals" spoke English was awesome. Particularly fascinated were the younger members of the audience, who dreamed of one day becoming like “those men from America.†There was Guutaale, who arrived always neatly dressed, wearing a tie even in the middle of summer. On most days, he would walk in early in the evening with firm and deliberate strides, pull a chair and sit at a table under a tree. Then he would slowly turn around in the direction of the waiter who would by now be ready for the call, "Coffee, please!" Looking as if he had the burden of the entire world on his shoulders, Guutaale seldom spoke to anyone outside the "intellectuals." When approached by anyone outside the Group, he would turn slowly and take a quizzical look at the intruder. A condescending word or two would effectively end the brief interaction. Invariably, Guutaale's reticence would be broken by the arrival of other members of the Group. Guutaale was the most notorious when it came to favoring English over Somali. Unquestionably articulate, he spoke with pomp and flair. But frequent references to obscure historical occurrences in Europe or North America, quotations from great Western thinkers, and a proclivity for archaic and literary words denuded his narratives and arguments of much needed lucidity and focus. There was Dr. Mohamed, the most competent physician in town. Short, bald and very humble, he approached his work in a professional and methodical manner. An excellent student in college and before, he was a graduate of one of the most prestigious schools of medicine in America. But he never flaunted his excellent training. In discussions, he tended to talk only about practical matters that affected people's lives like health, hygiene, education, jobs, and the daily worries of the average man and the average woman. Never venturing into high-sounding complicated philosophical, political, or economic discourses, he spoke softly and unassumingly and presented his views succinctly. He preferred Somali to English. His views, however, did not seem to carry much weight among members of the Group, most likely because his presentation was not pedantic enough. Whether he sensed this slight or not, he didn't seem to care. At any rate, he didn't frequent the café as much as other members of the Group. Qawdhan, on the other hand, was an engineer who liked to be seen as a political scientist. He, like Dr. Mohamed, was known to have done well at school. He could speak both Somali and English quite eloquently. To his credit, though, he used Somali as much as he used English to express his views. On the surface, he was the most genial member of the Group; but upon close scrutiny a troubled character emerged. Like Guutaale, he genuinely believed that he was of a rare intellectual breed. But, whereas Guutaale showed great erudition, Qawdhan claimed originality. He took obvious pains to convince others of the validity of his points. Those opposed to his viewpoints he either dismissed as intellectual inferiors or blacklisted as enemies. A little sound argument against his position on a political subject was enough to turn his geniality into alarm and, then, a hard cold stare. His prolix discourses, ultimately lacking focus and cohesion, were punctuated by allusions to or outright claims of realized predictions he had made and vindicated positions he had taken. In the end, he was a truly wasted talent, hampered by a delusion of greatness. The Group was quite an attraction. Often joined by government officials, businessmen, and teachers, they thrived as the center of attention. Every night, ordinary customers of the café looked forward to the arrival of members of the Group and the interesting discussions that followed. Sitting a few yards from them and ready to take their orders, the waiters too enjoyed the Group's conversations. The discussions typically started with a reference to something heard or seen that day. Then, even though the issue might be deeply rooted in Somali life, culture and society, it would invariably lead to a topic barely related to the one at hand. Most non-members of the Group would nod their heads in submission. And the few intellectually curious and courageous enough to put their own ideas forth would find their voices drowned by torrents of English vocabulary. Quoting a Somali sage or reciting a Somali poem to buttress arguments elicited only cursory notices and deprecatory tosses of the head which seemed to be saying, "This is not what we came here for." Most college graduates from Italy, the Soviet Union and Arab countries felt intimidated by the flamboyant display of English. They too had to be docile, or else cease to participate in the discussions. Expressions like "ABSOLUTELY", "IT IS QUITE SIMPLE", "IT IS MORE COMPLICATAED THAN THAT" and "HAVE YOU EVER READ…" dominated the discussions and variously entertained, intimidated, and irritated the audience. Then one night, Dr. Mohamed showed up in an agitated state of mind. He sat down and ordered coffee. After a single sip he started to talk. The doctor explained how tuberculosis was ravaging the population and how the hospital had great difficulty coping with it. The x-ray machine was rather unreliable. There were few films left. The TB ward was too small. There was a need for new mattresses and new utensils. Still, a more urgent problem loomed large: the hospital had only a two weeks' supply of TB medicine. By his most optimistic estimation, he explained, it would take the government at least four months to deliver new supplies of medicine. "I cannot face my TB patients knowing that I will soon have no medicine to give to them," lamented the doctor. He paused and looked around him with pleading eyes. Then he continued. "Can we collect money from the business community and government workers? We need a minimum of $3,000, and the sooner the better. With the help of charity organizations and, hopefully, the approval of our government, we can obtain a good supply of medicine at discount prices from Italy. But we really need to act fast." Again, he looked around anxiously. Everyone gasped at the looming horror recounted by the doctor. Everyone that is, except Guutaale and Engineer Qawdhan. "We must do something," "good idea," and "count me in" reverberated among the small crowd. Guutaale and Engineer Qawdhan, though, as if by prior agreement, waited for emotions to ebb. Then, "Gentlemen," said Qawdhan in an assertive manner, "Had my paper of two years ago been followed, we would not have found ourselves in this mess. We need to have vision and look at the big picture. If we widen our scope, scientifically identify the main problems, draw a plan to tackle them and, then, systematically and assiduously implement the plan, we will not need to worry about the minor problems because, naturally, they will be taken care of. Stopgap measures will not work." The engineer paused for effect before he added, "Read my paper. It is all there.†To drive the point home, he finished by raising his chin, looking sharply straight ahead, clasping his lips tightly, and then nodding in agreement with himself. Attention shifted to Guutaale. All turned to him for his opinion. Engineer Qawdhan's position was clear: he was not going to help the doctor go around hat in hand for the soon-to-be-stranded TB patients. Guutaale's opinion on the matter could tip the scales in favor of the good doctor. But, savoring the moment, Guutaale took his time. Then finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, Guutaale took a few puffs on his pipe and spoke. "Education, education, education,†He said, gesturing with his pipe. “Education is the key. We have to give priority to education, for it is the only thing that can take us out of the benighted age we are in. We need to build more schools, train more teachers and send our best high school graduates to Britain and America for college. We need to motivate our people to read and understand how the developed world has come to be. If we take care of education, sooner or later the rest will take care of itself." Clearly, no less amused with his delivery than Engineer Qawdhan was with his, Guutaale reached for his coffee and took what must have been a particularly tasteful sip. There were murmurs and whispers. Stunned, Dr. Mohamed turned toward the audience. Uncertainty had displaced the initial enthusiasm among the audience. Sensing the tide had turned against him, the good doctor smiled sheepishly and rose, grabbing his loose pants by the waist and hiking them up. He never returned to the café. Mohamoud Ali Gaildon

I shall respond to this topic and show the apocryphal nature of my brother Mutakalim’s assertions. Insha Allah, I will do so tomorrow evening or early Wednesday (I have a viva tomorrow and I should study for that) morning. Till then, let pseudo-logic rein in this thread.

Xaasha Afkeyka cey kama timaado!; Laakiin Adigu magaraneysaa Jawaabtii Cali Dhuux markii ugu jawaabey Aadan Carab: Cad haduu Carada kaaga dhaco amase ciidoobo Caqli nimuu kuweynyahay macuno Calafka qaarkiise Aniga Aadan Carab waa iga ceynkaas e.

The most contumelious post ever to be posted on this site; it shows the author's knowledge of Islamic theology is nothing short of callow.

War niman waa weyn baad tihiine isku xishooda. Miyeydaan Rabi ka cabsaneynin; maxay tahay qabyaalad qayaxan ee aad kobtaan ka wadaan. Jiil cusub baan lahaa ayaa soomali usoo baxaya, laakiin walee la idinku khasaarow.

Melancholy of the "Enlightened" Somalis- Patriotism; searching under the rubric of self-imposed bondage. "Neither Montaigne in writing his essays, nor Des Cartes in building new worlds, nor Burnet in framing an antediluvian earth, no, nor Newton in discovering and establishing the true laws of nature on experiment and a sublime geometry, felt more intellectual joys than he feels who is a real patriot, who bends all the force of his understanding, and directs all his thoughts and actions to the good of his country." — Bolingbroke, On the Spirit of Patriotism, p. 23. Gloom and despondency sets in amid the endeavour of searching for alight, the mind is driven to awaken itself from the hellish nightmare that has been the fixture of its quintessence; that is more than decade and half. Waking up in the middle of the night with impetuously vociferous words coming out of the mouth of the dreamer "yea thou country had yet begotten"! but such declaration comes without fruition. The mind wakes, the body takes the signals from the motor neurons that are fired from the central nervous system. The man becomes sober as he is hit on the face by the "Somali reality". What is this Somali reality? Such reality proclaims; Intellect, Integrity and Virtuosity if all are adverse to the interest of the clan; such high ideals should be done away. This my fellow reader is what had become the energy which drives hordes of men to decompose their noble ideas; that of; patriotism, communal interest and their intense sentiment of moral duty!!! isn't that an utter sadness? This melancholy of imperial magnitude is what is maintaining the horrid predicament Somalia finds itself in. Does the above quote resemble anything remotely in existence within the souls of our intellectual class? If any, it is indeed the apposite. One becomes utterly dizzied when one reads extremely well composed articles that flood in the cyber world where Somali pseudo-intellectuals wax lyrical about how dreadful it is that our country had gone to the dogs. They lament on the sub-human existence which many Somalis live ( a friend had just came back from Djibouti after doing some research on refugees in Djibouti. The picture she has painted is what led me to write these words) ; but confusedly between such seemingly noble words loiter the ominous venom which makes their words redundant; the ever conquering menace of tribalism holds them with a potent grip. After the laborious years spent in reading with intellectual rigour seems not to afford them to break the shackles of tribalism. It is as though they are inherently fiendish. They sport titles of professorial ship, they write long treatises on Somali politics dressing their nefarious corpses with silk robes; hoping many would not see the egregiousness and the stench of their ideas - with little success. The reader experiences moments of exalted excitement when reading their articles, thinking that they are in a good company; but such moments don't last long. Soon the corpse surfaces; and a commanding horror takes over the reader. Why is this the case you might ask? How come that men and women who have had the opportunity to get higher education (the whole idea of attending higher institution is to develop personality which will predispose the individual to think independently--- think outside the box is the habitual mantra or is perhaps these ideals are promulgated only in Oxbridge college halls) are in the tribal morass? My old man has an interesting theory about this. In those early years when modern education was brought to Somalia; the Somali Nomads never sent to school those who had the natural intellect; vitality and physical prowess; these boys were needed to tend to Camels. Instead the naturally obtuse who was not fit to be a good Geeljire were sent to school. So the story goes, says my dad, whenever the intellectually weak of any people dominate the political and civic institutions there is no other way that society can go but to the chasm of societal doom. We can easily trace the lassitude that has bewitched our intellectual 'class' it is from the complete lack of natural intellectual prowess; which I would like to call ‘Natural Aristocracy’. We need to create a class of natural aristocracy cultivating Nobelese Oblige. Only then we shall have men who will bend all the force of their understanding, and direct all their s thoughts and actions to the good of their country. The toil is long and hard, but the rewards are boundless. Make your mark today and join the revolution of the enlightened. Join the force which will elevate state sovereignty and subordinate clanism as political force. Shirwa Jama Secretary General Shandar International Shandar.org@gmail.com

May Allah have mercy on our people.

Once again Mr Geeldoon has knocked the right door.

^ The Tribalistic venom is not even spared against the greats! Alow noo gargaar.

Sayid Mohamed Ibnu Cabdule Ibnu Hasan Ibnu mohamed is the most towering figure in the history of our people.