British Muslim Delegation Visits Somaliland

[Jacaylbaro]

“Somaliland is a Beacon of Hope” Fuad Nahdi of the Radical Middle Way speaking to Radio Waaheen.

 

Hargeisa (Observer): Four prominent leaders of the UK Islamic community visited Somaliland between 19 and 22 August. The delegation was hosted by the British Embassy in Addis Ababa and was accompanied by two diplomats, one from the Foreign Office in London and the Second Secretary of the Addis Ababa Embassy. The four members of the delegation were Mr. Habib Malik of Islamic Relief, Sabin Malik Commissioner for the Women’s National Commission, Fuad Nahdi, a leading community figure and publisher of the Q-News and Sheikh Ahmed Babikir, founder of the Charity Ulfa Aid and a key figure in the Association of Muslim Schools who also works with the Yusuf Islam charity.

 

The purpose of the visit was to engage with Somaliland NGOs, Muslim leaders and government officials on the status of Islam globally and in the UK and Somaliland and to build strong partnerships between British Muslims and Somaliland leadership, opinion formers, civil society leaders and youth. The delegation was also interested in finding out how better British government assistance can be utilized in Somaliland.

 

The delegation met with about 12 members of the NGO community including Progressio, IPRT, VETAID, PENHA, NAGAAD, University of Hargeisa, Action Aid, African Education Trust and Muslim Aid UK. They also toured mosques, visited with imams and Somaliland Islamic scholars and government officials. They also paid a visit to the President of Somaliland.

 

During a visit to Radiowaaheen, members of the delegation expressed their appreciation for the hospitality they have been accorded by the people of Somaliland. They were unanimous in their praise for Somaliland’s development, peace and security. One of the delegates, Fuad Nahdi, said that Somaliland was a beacon of hope in Africa.

 

The delegation explained to all Somaliland audiences that the Muslim community in the UK was vibrant and enjoyed all the freedoms of citizenship in the UK, but that there were some problems like everywhere else. They pointed out that there were 4 Muslim members in the House of Commons and 11 in the House of Lords and the political might of the community was growing. They explained that there are more than 1200 mosques and other places of worship in the UK as well as Islamic schools. They also emphasized that when there are problems the Muslim community was quite capable of addressing those problems legally without resorting to violent and destructive means. They also promised that they will try to lobby their government to increase assistance to Somaliland.

 

The delegation departed Somaliland on Thursday, 23 August for Addis Ababa.

[chubacka]

They also promised that they will try to lobby their government to increase assistance to Somaliland.

 

This is really wot SL needs.

 

did you see them Jac?

[Jacaylbaro]

looool ,, No i haven't met them.

[Jacaylbaro]

Four British Muslims from a range of different backgrounds have been visiting Ethiopia and Hargeisa (Somaliland) to forge links with Islamic communities there as part of the latest Projecting British Islam visit to the Muslim World.

 

The main aim of the visit is to build stronger partnerships between British Muslims and the Ethiopian and Somali Muslim leadership – including civil society and youth leaders. The delegation will help showcase UK project work being undertaken in both countries. An important outcome of the visit is to add the voice of British Muslims to join those in Ethiopia and Somalia who are opposed to extremist ideology.

 

The delegates:

Sabin Malik: Commissioner for the Women's National Commission, community spokesperson.

Fuad Nahdi: Founding editor of Q-News, a leading Muslim magazine.

Sheikh Ahmed Babikir: a leading scholar of Sudanese origin with a strong following in the UK

Habib Malik: Fundraising Director of Islamic Relief-one of the main British Muslim humanitarian organisations.