Somalilanders Celebrate 26 June In Saudi Arabia

[Jacaylbaro]

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 4, 2009 (SL Times) – Somaliland’s community in Riyad celebrated the 49th anniversary of their country’s 26th of June independence from Great Britain. Somaliland’s community was joined in their celebrations by UCID party’s Chairman, Eng. Faysal Ali Warabe and UCID’s Vice Chairman, Dr Muhammad-Rashid Sheik Hasan. The celebration was organized by Somaliland’s Youth Organization in Saudi Arabia (SSYO).

 

The June 26, 1960 independence celebration in Hargeisa’s Freedom Park was the first time that a Somali flag was flown over an independent Somali territory.

 

Mr Ahmed Huseen Ismail addressed the audience and talked about the importance of June 26th and the mood in Freedom Park 49 years ago. He also recited some of the verses that were composed at that time for the occasion.

 

Mr Suleymaan Yuusuf, one of Somaliland’s elders in Riyad spoke of Somaliland’s “halgankii dorraad” (the struggle of the day before yesterday, meaning the pre-1960 and 1960 struggle), “kii shalay” (yesterday’s struggle, meaning the SNM struggle for re-liberation), and “ka manta” (today’s struggle). Suleymaan Yuusuf stressed that Somalilanders are determined to protect their sovereignty and will never again give their freedom away.

 

The audience was addressed by Liibaan Barre Awgaab (SSYO chairman), Ahmed Ali Mahdi (Somaliland community’s representative), Faysal A. Warabe, Muhammad-Rashid Sheik Hasan, Ahmed Ali Mahdi (Somaliland community’s representative), and Ahmed Awliyo (celebration organizers representative).

 

The audience was entertained with traditional dances by male and female dancers who wore clothes specifically designed to show Somaliland’s flag.