Chimera Posted February 3, 2008 The Day I Lost My Friend It was twenty four years ago today that Ethiopian war planes terrorized my beloved birthplace. Borama was a beautiful and peaceful city; home to, perhaps, a hundred thousand people and it seemed everyone knew everyone else. It was a place we could all call home and families could raise their children without any fear or worry. On the fateful morning of January 30, 1984; a school day, everything changed. As they usually did every morning, many children woke up, brushed their teeth, ate their breakfast and wore their school uniforms. Education was and still is very important to that region of Somalia as many Borama residents were literate and made sure their children attended school as well. What many parents didn't know is that it would be the last day they would ever see their children alive. It was a warm, lovely morning with clear skies. People in Borama went about their business while enjoying the beautiful day. What would happen next was almost unthinkable. Shortly before eleven in the morning, while teachers taught and children learned, all of a sudden the terrifying sounds of war plane engines broke the daily routine. Residents of Borama were terrorized and began to run for cover. School children panicked and started crying for their mothers. The teachers tried to calm them down by telling them everything would be ok. They told the children to find shelter under their desks or behind the walls. Everything was not going to be ok. Somalia's war with Ethiopia had ended years earlier and was almost becoming a thing of the past but the sounds of these engines reminded us of the terror of that war. Ethiopian war planes bombarded the city that day specially targeting schools and residences. They dropped huge bombs on heavily populated areas including four elementary schools that were in session. My school, Xaawo Taako elementary, was the first to get hit. There was chaos everywhere. Many children, some as young as six, cried out of fear while those injured cried out of pain. The sound of screams was almost as loud as the sound of the war plane engines. Time stood still for a few minutes while many children took their last breaths. In total, 37 children lost their lives that day including my classmate and best friend Kaltuun. She never lived to see here eleventh birthday and I have missed her every day since. The people of Borama suffered a great deal on that fateful day and the pain we have endured has left lasting scars on our hearts. WE WILL NEVER FORGET. As a parent today, and on behalf of my family, my friends and the residents of Borama, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to all the parents who lost their children that day and specifically to the family of my childhood friend Kaltuun Abubakar Sheikh. May Allah grant all of them his Jannah. Fozia Elmi E-mail: fozelmi@gmail.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
umu zakaria Posted February 3, 2008 MAy Allah make them dwell in Jannah insha Allah. And may Fowzia and all others who suffered or lost a beloved member find peace. it is very touching. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Al-Muminah Posted February 3, 2008 Originally posted by umu zakaria: MAy Allah make them dwell in Jannah insha Allah. And may Fowzia and all others who suffered or lost a beloved member find peace. it is very touching. Ameen! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kool_Kat Posted February 4, 2008 Allaha unaxariisto kuligood, Janadiina ka waraabiyo...The hardest thing anyone could experience is the loss of his/her child, waalidkoodna iyo walaalahood samir iyo imaan ka sii... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geel_jire Posted February 4, 2008 Dhamaan ilaahay ha u naxariisto. my friends wife was caught in this attack, while she was in school, a piece of shrapnel hit her in the eye she can barely see from this eye now. These Damn Xabashi... they will pay for everything ... soon inshalaah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted February 4, 2008 I remember that day in Hargeisa. i could still recall the sounds of the early warning systems and all the schools were immediately closed. As our house was very close to the school i ran to the house. In few hours i could hear the news that students have been killed in Borama. Allah ha u naxariisto dhamaantood. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xidigo Posted February 4, 2008 AAmiin to all the duca. May Allah grant all of them in his Jana. The sad thing is that until today Xabasha iyo xabashi's daba dhilifs such as Riyaale and A/Y are ruining the lives of young innocent children in all over Somalia. :mad: :mad: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
