Propagandist or Somali Peacenik?

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Baadiyoow: Islah Propagandist or Somali Peacenik?

Lately, a fellow by the nickname Baadiyow – loosely translatable as a country fellow in Somali - wrote several pieces of proposals and opinions both in Somali and English and posted them to some Somali sites. Baadiyow claims to be an authority and to “have occupied higher offices in the Islah movement” and being “the chairman of the board of Trustees, Mogadishu University.”

Baadiyoow, the Islah promoter seems a very rationale, educated, well-informed and engaging in the topics he writes about as it pertains to basically two themes: the Somali Conflict and the evolving pseudo-Islamic Movements in Somalia. His primary purpose is to present Islah, the group he associates with or belongs to – as an alternative political grouping: moderate Islamists who recognize the rights of women, participation in the democratic process , multiparty systems and so on. He tells his audience that Islah believes in non-violent transformation of the Somali people and thus elaborates and dons their Islah’s so-called credo and canon of non-violence and social transformation. These articles the Islah spokesperson is flooding on the net seem to have another subliminal message: all political groupings and initiatives in Somalia; be they clan-based or faction-based; failed (unquestionable fact) and the logical salvation of Somalia may lie in the Islah program of moderation and non-violence (appealing). Another underlining message seems to be intended to recruit disheartened and disillusioned Somalis who are fed up with the continuous violence and failures of the so-called Somali leaders, petty politicians, the warlords , the militias, the extremists and their ilk. The message of non-violence coming from Somali Islamist is quiet appealing and Baadiyow is persuasive and knows how to make the most of that novel yearning. in his articles. After all, Somali people are all tired of the senseless violence. For that one; is forced to applaud this fresh message from self-proclaimed Somali Islamist. To many ears that sounds impressive and progressive. One gets the impression that this emerging Islamist group is thousand times better than the extremist fanatics of the defunct and defeated Islamic Courts Union and their offshoot terrorist gang of Al-Shabaab. But wait a second – as they say all that glitters is not gold! Some digging is needed to uncover who the real Islah is and their ulterior motive.

One would have to be skeptic and not blindly clap for the policies of any Somali grouping. Why is that? for two simple reasons? Somalis can’t afford to trust any one any more and secondly most Somali groups tend to have hidden agendas that are portrayed nationalistic, holistic and encompassing first but in reality are partisan, regional and worst of all clannish. And here is where the problem lies with Islah or with any other Somali group.

Few inquisitive calls I made to some shrewd and knowledgeable Somalis was sufficient enough to know what Islah is all about and how they come to be such an unusual assemblage of Islamists.

Islah, as we are taught, is a “moderate” Islamist group loosely affiliated with the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and thus is said to be promoting an alien/foreign/external interest in Somalia. Its detractors point out that it lacks the indigenous ingredient to be a viable national group. Somalis suspect organizations with foreign backers and sponsors. This makes Islah not a grassroots organization open to all but, as Baadiyoow tells us, an organization that was formed secretly and has exclusive membership. Its top officials are said to hail from one particular sub-clan. The cynics also point out that most followers of this movement are recruited from Mogadishu and surroundings. Islah have no known or open shops in Northern regions: Somaliland and Puntland for the memonet

Another question many are asking is what made Islah embark on this public relations campaign and why now? Where they have been during the long suffering and chaos of the Somali masses? Why they have never joined the righteous insurgency against the Abyssinian occupation of the homeland? Were they ignoble to the ideals of Jihad? Or were they aware of the consequences of such violent insurgency? Where they part of the solution or the problem? The probable answer is they were in their formative years and their concentration lied somewhere else as providing social services or building schools. So one could say they were part of the solution. Not a bad thing to bank on. However, the political answer would be that the group is campaigning to have a say or share in the next rounds of the notorious political reconciliations and get its share of power. Baadiyoow and his group know that the warlord TFG is in its dying stage, accomplishing nothing of its transitional mandate and creating worst humanitarian conditions with the help of Somalia’s historic enemies, committing war crimes and being a bunch of dysfunctional traitors who are remotely controlled from Addis Ababa.

Islah knows that Somalis are very much disgusted with the extremist of the Shabaab. They are aware of the ineffectiveness of the clan fiefdoms of the North, the degeneration of clan elders, and the disunity of the Diaspora refugee groups. Islah Spokesperson knows his audience, target market and the product they yearn for which is peace and divorce with the primitive culture of the sub-clans and violent sectarianism. Majority of the educated and younger Somali generations who grew up in the diverse and modern societies of the West are disillusioned with all the backwardness of tribalism and religious extremism.

Islah should know one thing, no matter how they sweeten or make attractive their Islamist group, things have changed and times are changing. People have questions and suspicions; the time of blind loyalty is over; we blink and second guess; thus we would make critical inquiries of any Somali group and their policies. Circumstances and past experiences made us practical pragmatists and our souls, if they still exist, are hardened. Islah and its spokesperson should take comfort that inquisition is not only exclusive to their organization but to any Somali political faction would be subjected and put on the spot light. But in the meantime, the field of public propaganda is open, people’s perceptions can be influenced and peace promotion is an honorable crusade. Let us give credit where credit is due and thus congratulate Baadiyoow, regardless whether he is a group propagandist or sincere peace activist for the fresh and alternative voice.

Abduladir Ato - abaadir0@gmail.com

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

C/raxmaan Baadiyoow kii SDM ku jiri jiray soo ma'aha taloow?

 

Koley last few years Islaax hoggaankooda ku jiray, oo C/qaasin Salaad Xasan iyo xirtaas isku mabda' ahaayeen.

[Jacaylbaro]

who was that guy posting too much stuff from Islah horta ??? ........ Is it him ??

[Abtigiis]

war ninkani ma our own Baadiyoow Emeritus baa?

[money]

I am sure he means well and is concerned - That is at least my impression but he got to do the PR for ISLAH for a reason. Islah is not bad compared to other groups

[Jacaylbaro]

They will be bad once they go on the top believe me ,,