Nuradin Farah- my candidate for president

[Coloow]

Salaama somalis; why don't we do as the Czech republic after the overthrow of communism and elect Nuradiin farah as president. below is an article about this author who I hope would be granted the nobel prize in litterature this year (I have nominated him to the nobel committee)

 

 

Betty Caplan

Nairobi

 

Every country seems to have its own bete noir. For the Kenyan, he is the Somali. If there are illegal arms, it is because Somalis trade in them; if there is cattle rustling on the border, again they are blamed.

 

But they are a tough, resilient people, resistant even to the US which got a bloody nose when it tried to intervene in 1993 and lost 18 soldiers.

 

 

Somalia remains a deeply troubled and directionless country. All the more reason, then, to hear a different viewpoint.

 

Yet when Somali-born author Nurrudin Farah recently gave a lecture at St Andrews, Nairobi, organised by the Ford Foundation and well-publicised in advance, not one of his books was on sale.

 

Although he is a writer of world repute and winner of prestigious awards like the 1998 Neudstadt International Prize for Literature, said to be almost as coveted as the Nobel, local bookshops mounted no displays of his works either.

 

Recipients of Ford Foundation grants were present in force as was Nairobi's community of "glitterati". Imagine how many books would have been sold!

 

Like manna from Heaven for hungry intellectuals, his lecture "Africa and the Ten Commandments" was particularly timely, not only because the peace talks have just resumed here, but also due to Nation journalist Farida Karoney's excellent series of articles and TV programmes about the country which aroused great interest.

 

Nuruddin Farah was exiled from his homeland for two decades, and a price put on his head as a result of his criticism of the Marxist regime of Mohammed Siad Barre.

 

He was in Rome in 1976 when word that his second novel, A Naked Needle, had been deemed treasonable by the government, reached him.

 

Sitting in a friend's apartment, he decided that "if I couldn't go back home, then I would systematically make the rest of Africa my country."

 

He has written two major trilogies: Variations on the Theme of an African Dictatorship, and Blood in the Sun, as well as several works of non-fiction like Yesterday, Tomorrow: Voices from the Somali Diaspora, which includes interviews with refugees in Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden.

 

He now lives in Cape Town with his Nigerian wife, Amina Mama, who is director of the Gender Studies Institute at the University of Cape Town, and their two children.

 

What was particularly exciting was the power and fluency of his English, and despite the title, his utter refusal to preach. His attitude, unusual for such a successful writer, was one of humility.

 

Though he has not lived in Somalia for 23 years, he has never ceased to write about it and his perspective is all the clearer for its long-sightedness.

 

After all, he is in a long tradition of literary exiles like Joseph Conrad, Samuel Beckett, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and James Joyce who, Farah informed us, went back to Ireland only once and that was to bury his mother.

 

The picture of Somalia he paints is, like Farida Karoney's, one of terrifying anarchy co-existing with surprising pockets of normality.

 

"It is not a clan conflict," he claims; because of the lawlessness, there is no real way of finding out, but his sense is that it is due to social injustice. Peace talks should be taking place in Mogadishu, not Naivasha.

 

Yet, despite the chaos, 15 newspapers are published in Mogadishu. He contrasted this situation with neighbouring Ethiopia where the press is not free to speak about the mis-management that leads the country to beg for food time and again, giving it a pitiful image on the world stage. Where there is democracy, there is no famine.

 

Why did coups d'etat go on happening even into the 21st century? he was asked.

 

Because there are chronic shortages of basic necessities and people are not at liberty to express themselves. Switzerland does not have coups: where the government delivers, people don't demand change.

 

His themes are those of the modern writer: loss, displacement, exile. The lasting pain inflicted by colonial regimes on their subjects and the failure to make reparations.

 

Had Germans ever apologised for the genocide of the Herero people? Jews had been compensated, but not blacks. Had Britain said sorry for its regrettable record? "We are damaged goods, not wanted anywhere. Africa is an alienated territory."

 

However, it is rare, I believe, that any government admits wrongdoing. "Sorry" isn't part of the lexicon. Furthermore, even if it was, what meaning would it have? Only actions to restore inequality would make sense.

 

But it was the plight of Somalis in Kenya that aroused his greatest ire: 1.5 million of his fellow countrymen were being treated as second-class citizens and forced - like the blacks in apartheid South Africa - to carry passbooks. He had even been shocked to find Somalis chained to policemen."

 

"Kenyans are not friendly," he complained, though as an honoured guest, he had of course been welcomed.

 

I couldn't help wondering to myself which country nowadays is eager to receive foreigners? Has xenophobia not become a mark of the human species in the modern age? And where so many are struggling with poverty and illness, is it surprising that they are reluctant to take on the problems of others? Where it is possible to distinguish others as "aliens", is it not convenient to blame them for all our ills?

 

The loss of self-respect and a sense of identity kept re-emerging, yet Farah was careful to stress that tradition, per se, was not necessarily a good thing. "FGM - is that part of our culture? If so, it's not one I'd like to keep."

 

We must retain what is helpful in a changed world. Polygamy and the practice of taking partners from different age and class background did not meet his approval either.

 

"It is hard enough to keep one wife happy," he mused, "let alone six!" We must insist on monogamy and proper sex education so that our children are not frightened by the myths and half-truths that circulate among peer groups.

 

Nuruddin Farah has had to endure many hardships in order to survive as a writer. Forced to cut himself off from his original home and family lest they be persecuted on his behalf, he is dedicated to his work and has been extremely productive.

 

Ms Caplan is an author and freelance journalist.

[ZOLA]

very interesting....i have heard about this writter but never read any of his books....after reading this article i think am gonna try to read some of his books....

 

Entrep...if he was elected pres..he sure would have my vote....do u think the warlords back home would wellcome such a man ?.....i personally dont think so.

 

A.A

[Coloow]

Malaika, the warlords would certainly not even accept the prophet! They would love to see somalia in shatters. That way they know they would make money and power.

 

If you are going to read Nuradin's book, I would reccomend "a naked needle" which i think was his first book. It is a romantic thriller, with political and social ingrediaces!

[Changed]

salaam caleykom!

 

i would love to learn alot more about this man. he sounds like he is the better than the candidates we have at the momment !but the question at hand is: is he interested? : cuz if he aint , then it is a problem , i loved it when he compated the image of somali to the one of frieda paintings and i cant beleive he called siyad bare a marxist , the man was not even close to being called a marxist ; besides that i find marxs theory to be one of the best theories we have out there, its just the way the people interpret marxs theory that i have issues with eg stalin, mussolini ,hitler and meo zang.

[Coloow]

Mizz Unique, I admire Karl the man Marx for his philosophical views. Unfortunately, many politicians including Siad Barre; Stalin and subsequent soviet leaders, Kim Il sung and others have used his principles to oppress masses- they called it scientific socialism.

 

Marxism according to Marx might not have anything to do with communism!

[Gediid]

Some of the books he wrote include:

Sweet and Sour Milk

Naked Needle

Maps

From a Crooked Rib

Gifts

Secrets

I have personally not read all of his books but my old man has a collection of all his writings.I only got to read his earlier books and as a kid was amazed by his choice of names such as Soyaan, Loyaan Duniya all ethnic Somali names and his vivid potrayal of love and romance.Growing up abroad that was the very first picture I had of this topic though as I grew older I learned things were different.I enjoyed reading his books laakin honestly I don't know whether being a good writer would intreprete into a good leader especially in light of the fact that he has been out of the country for the past 30 years or so.

[Waaq]

He is an amazing writer, made all the more amazing is that he writes in english his second language. His non-ficition work Tales for the Diaspora is poignant in describing the plight of Somalis forced from their country.

 

On the question of him as president, I remain skeptical. I agree he possess many of the traits of a successful leader, but writing is a very different game from politics.

 

I encourage all Somalis to read at least one of his books.

[Rahima]

N.Farah maybe an amazing writer but I don’t believe he would be suitable for the leadership position of Somalia. I say this because it is quiet clear the man is too westernized in his ways- his novels are a testimony to this.

 

What we need is a religious man who is not so rigid that he is not in touch with the people. Personally, how I wish Boqolsoon (Rahimuallah) was alive, now he would of have made a perfect president, although I’m sure he would never run for such a position.

[Coloow]

Rahiima; I think Nuradin is not westernized. He has spent most of his life in africa (India, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and south africa) where he taught at universities.

 

He might not be interested in becoming a president in somalia- I doubt that a man of his calibre would want to engage in politics. But I think we should think of anything that would salvage the sinking ship (somalia).

 

Boqolson, sheikh aden sh cabdullahi and sheikh maxamed macalin are all dead- (I have a tape of sheikh boqolson- a great man- who condems tribalism- in the cassette he says that somali clans are not the ones that ALLAH mentioned in the quran).

 

we have many religious leaders in somalia (but in my opinion many of them have not freed their minds from the cancer of tribalism). In xamar, for instance, sheikh cali introduced islamic courts; these were very popular in the early stages when the somalis thought that judgement would be passed on those responsible for criminal acts.

 

The courts succeeded in cutting the hands of petty thieves (most of them stole to feed their families); spared warlords; stoning; lashes on cultural figures including aw kuku for setting a play....... most those sentenced during the reign of this terror were people from one particular tribe.

 

In all over somalia, the wadaads are in the forefront to enhance their various tribes. They are quite when attrocities are committed- loud when their tribes are attacked.

 

what we need is a somali who has an emancipated brain- and I think Nuradin poses such a brain!

[Ashwaq]

I would be all for it if Nuradin wanted to be a President. But I know he would never be that greedy. First of all he is no a sycophant like the warlords, he does not bow down to the west. He is truely a nationalist. He has never changed his Citizenship, what I heard through the grapevine.

 

To be a Somali president in this time and age, you must be a lackey, to Ethiopia, Kenya, USA, Arabs, Isreal, Italy, China, Russia, on and on. All these people have some stake in who is going to be a Somali president.

 

The US State department is campaining to make Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrai, and D'jabuti into one Country that is under Ethiopia. and you talk about Somali having a president. That is why they want to make sure piece by piece somali is torn. First they gave away Ogadenia and NFD, ordered Jabuti to be one, now Somali South and North to separate. Somali republic is rule by Ethiopia vicariously through the warlords, or so call reginal President. Show me one warlord, regional president that is not in friendly terms with Ethiopia and I will show you a man whose days are numbered.

 

When we stop dividing each other by clans, when we all realize we are Somalis and proud to be one, then we might have hope. Alas, our present state does not presage a Government, or peace in our time. We will be like Afghanistant. Forever, in a state of anarchy.

 

Where are the Darwishs and the SYL heroes of our time? Those proud men whose motto and mantra was: Ax yaa wadan, yaa somali ahey?

Somali baan ahey, sanku neefle ma ogali iga sareyn kara!

[Rahima]

Entrepreneur

 

I could be wrong about the man for i must admit i do not know a whole lot about him- but judging by his books he just seemed too western to me. But like i said i could and am probably wrong.

 

As for the Somali so-called wadaads yes it is sad for they too have fallen into the decadence of tribalism. But in my books they are not wadaads but rather frauds- the real wadaads are few in number and who i think could turn around the direction of our land and people.

 

And yes Boqolsoon was an amazing human being , inshallah he is in a much better place. May Allah have mercy on him, forgive him of his sins and grant him a position with the blessed prophet Muxammad s.c.w next to the spring of kawthar.

[Liqaye]

I am a student at UCT and can consider Nuradin as a family freind , as such i can say that i would not, not know or ever want to see him in any position in somalia.

Lest you believe that i am saying this behind his back, i have told him so straight to his face!

Mr. Farah is in the mold of LEOPOLD SENGHOR and other intellectuals that believe the struggle that faces africa can best be resolved by the language of conciliaton of the WEST.

 

This apeing of the west not only in his facile latter books (SECRETS pub 2001 talks about buggery and necrophilia in the somali context, rape is a subject but instead of clearly definig what it is to the somali mind and its clear roots in the civil war it is glorified and yet treated like it was as simple as the killing of a shrew)

In his ten commandments speech having been a first hand witness to its formation i can only say somalia needs gods help if its sons are so ****** .

 

DEMOCRACY YES BUT NOT NOW?

WARLORDS MUST BE CONVINCED OF THE WRONG THEY PREPATRATE

LOVE IS THE ANSWER

 

sub headings 2, 3, 7, and 10.

 

 

Last but not least he is an APOSTATE from islam.

 

you think i speak culumny read blood in the sun,here he admits god is dead and to the futility of prayer, wonder if these non sequiturs are as a result of the cape wines he drinks.?!

 

 

Somalia needs A MAN OF ACTION let nuradin prance and philosophize in his books.

[Coloow]

Ogun, I have also met Nuradin in Stockholm a few years ago- read some of his books. You are right about the contents of his books- it contains as most novels do a language that could not be "incompatible" with islam. You are also right about the comparison with Leopold Singor; But I think you are wrong in writing that he has "a western" mentality.

 

His books are fictional and perhaps have nothing to do with his ability to lead a nation!

[Liqaye]

Entreprenuer you may write fiction but most definitely your views in life will shine through your prose.

secondly nuradin farah also claims the hat of political pundit his views have been published in non-fiction works.

Thirdly is it just me or would you support an aposate as leader of somalia

[Coloow]

Ogu.. an "aposate" to lead somalia? well, to be honest I really don't care who rules somalia as long as peace is established.

 

Most somalis in somalia don't have the luxury of choice!