Somali Malaysians

[Chimera]

A town-hall meeting organized by the Somali Students association at the International Islamic University in KL, Malaysia on February the 2nd 2008.

 

The Chairman and the director of CRD (Somalia) were invited to engage the Somali Students attending Malaysian universities. Over 7 hours in depth town-hall meeting whose main focus was to brief the students on the current situation in Somali and to facilitate an in depth discussion regarding the role of the students in rebuilding the Somali nation.

 

Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, Director of the CRD, presented a comprehensive analysis of the current socio-economic realities of Somalia, its internal and external dimensions, the foundations of the dynamics that lead to the current unacceptable situation of the country. Using facts and figures compiled by CRD researchers and the contribution of the UN agencies, Universities and other independent analysts.

 

Jabril managed to deliver a detailed background that inform many of the findings in his presentation. This presentation grabbed the students’ attention and it has generated a lengthy discussion that challenged the thinking of many of the students.

 

Over the 1000 Somali student are currently enrolled in universities across Malaysia, while another 2000 students are now attending collogues and polytechnic schools. “We hardly get such fresh in-depth analysis from Somali intellectuals” said Abdirahman Muudeey, President of Somali Student Association.

 

Unlike Somali students in other parts of the world, the rates of those student returning to Somalia is quite high. “Over 78% graduates return to Somalia after earning degrees, of course, where security permits, if Somalia is to recover, these students are the key players of that future” Said a community elder.

 

CRD Chairman, Mohamed Ibrahim covered the role of education in achieving peaceful resolution to the Somali conflict and achieving a fast-tracked sustainable economic development. The discussions focused on the source of the Somali conflict which was identified as a fight over a limited resources, lack of education, and negative external influences. The issue of the tribal alliances was seen as a symptom rather than a cause of the Somali problem, and a useful tool for external elements to ‘divide and rule’.

 

The students were very focused on the real problems facing all Somalis and there was a genuine feeling that the future leaders of Somalia, the students were very much aware and prepared to the challenges lying ahead.

 

 

Malaysia is one of the few countries where Somalia passport and Somali people in general, still enjoy overwhelming support. “The hospitality given to us, through scholarships, financial support and welcoming environment, has deeply contributed to the success of Somali student here in Malaysia.” Said Yasir Mohamed Baffa, he added “given the current mess in our country, failure is not an option”

 

The town-hall meeting emphasized the need to focus what unites us (Somalis) which is more important than what divides us.

 

A Somali lecturer at Monash University campus in Kuala Lumbar, Hassan Durman presented a very stimulating paper on the Malaysian education system and what we (Somalis) we can learn from this progressive nation.

 

Professor Abdiaziz M, an architecture and lecturer at one of the Malaysian universities gave the students a historical perspective of the current problems in Somalia. ‘I have never seen so many students paying so much attention to this subject, i.e. the rebuilding of the home country’…’this is the first time I have seen students coming back to a lengthy serious town-meeting after not one but two breaks’. It was very apparent to all that students were eager to continue the discussion after 11 pm” this was indicative how CRD’s engagement has had a positive impact on the student. This is not first time that CRD engaged with Somalis in the Diaspora , Similar meetings were held in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, Africa and Gulf region.

 

Many of the students were very grateful that they were given an opportunity to hear the latest development from home, watch a CRD produced research documentary films and suggestion on how they can participate and contribute to the reconstruction of the country.

 

Abdirahman Muudeey, the president of Somali Students Association in Malaysia thanked the contribution of the CRD leadership and remarked that “this was the first time that Somali students at the IUM were given such a comprehensive briefing, but more importantly were told frank appraisal of the challenges waiting for them” Many of the students felt agitated, intellectually challenged and moved which was precisely one of the objectives of the town hall meeting.

 

Source

[N.O.R.F]

*trying to spot a relative*

[umu zakaria]

So who is u?

[ElPunto]

What an excellent country.

[Tuujiye]

^^^ damn right... Malaysia been good to somalia from day one.. iinsha allah I plan to visit their this summer iinsha allah and I can't wait...

 

 

Wareer Badanaa!!!

[Cara.]

Malaysians are lovely people. Hope some of their sweetness is catching.

[Centurion]

Malaysians have managed to build a nation to be proud of, they've grappled with (and still are) different ethnicities and religions. The government is a role model for Islamic governance.

 

Somali malaysians are doing a great job. A lot is resting on foreign educated Somalis.

 

We've witnessed almost two decades of anarchy, and the Diaspora (Diasporas have played pivotal roles in the politics of troubled Nations) is churning out thousands of students and academics, fresh minds and entrepeneurs. Can our Diaspora which has had almost 20 years to lick its wounds start to play a more significant role in Somalia's future,than merely acting as a cash cow for the ongoing strife?

[ElPunto]

^Adeer one hopes. Somalis have been educated abroad for close to 50 years yet somehow when they go back they revert to type. I wonder if it is simply something in the air.

[Centurion]

50 years ago Italian/Russian/American educated Somalis returned to a Somalia where the foundations were being laid, with rich pickings to be had, money to be laundered, corrupt dealings to be made.

 

This diaspora inherits a war-ravaged, utterly broken land; a whole different ball-game, if we've learned our lesson from the 17 years of anarchy, that is.

[ElPunto]

^I understand what you're saying. But how do you explain this: 32 million stolen

 

And he's a PHD holder. How do you figure?

 

And if this country does get back on its feet - then serious moneys for reconstruction and aid from the international community maybe forthcoming. This is will make the earlier era chump change by comparison. Only God knows.

[Yaabka-Yaabkiis]

i can see man _in_malaysia there, adam where the hell u get this from........are u at malaysia

[Yaabka-Yaabkiis]

^^hiiraan.com....

"Malaysians are lovely people. Hope some of their sweetness is catching" when they are only living abroad's

[ElPunto]

^What? Have you got the negative lowdown on Malaysians? Come on tell us or the lovefest will go on unabated.

[Centurion]

I was writing with that criminal in mind. His ilk will always find such opportunities. But, remember he was installed by a corrupt transitional government, by a corrupt and criminal president.

 

That is why we need new blood, a clean slate with a meritocratic government of unblemished technocrats, which is transparent and which is structured and regulated to dilute qabiil-politics.

[Yaabka-Yaabkiis]

^^sxb i don't have any negative lowdown on them lakiin as islam they do respect ya and might behave well but as black they might treat ya as Nin aan waxba aheen Yasmo...