Orphans of Somali lose their home in war on terrorism

[Thinkerman]

America claims that a Somali-based child charity was linked to al-Qa'eda. Adrian Blomfield reports

 

Shaking his head in disgust, Ali Haji watched as his young charges loaded their meagre possessions into wooden wheelbarrows and prepared to leave Somalia's largest orphanage for the last time.

 

"Bush and his administration have been fighting an unjust war against Muslims, but now he is fighting against children, too," he said.

 

Home to 3,060 children, victims of a 13-year civil war that has turned Somalia into the world's most anarchic country, al-Haramain Orphanage has been forced to close its doors after Washington accused its patrons of funding al-Qa'eda.

 

President Bush announced measures to shut down the worldwide al-Haramain network, based in Saudi Arabia, two years ago, but Riyadh turned a blind eye to the continued channelling of funds because it did not trust American intelligence.

 

Under duress, funding was finally cut off late last year, which the US government hailed as a major victory in the war on terrorism.

 

Last month John Snow, the US Treasury Secretary, condemned the organisation for cloaking itself "in the virtue of charity, only to fund and support terrorist organisations around the world".

 

Washington also says that the orphanage in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, employs members of a radical Islamic terrorist organisation connected to al-Qa'eda.

 

Mr Ali strongly rejects the accusations. "All we were doing was feeding and looking after these children," said Mr Ali, a senior teacher at the orphanage. "We taught them nothing against America and we did nothing against America."

 

Children such as 13-year-old Osman Yusuf are now facing an uncertain future on the ruined and dangerous streets of Mogadishu, carved up between four warlords and their drug-crazed gunmen.

 

Yusuf was orphaned at the age of seven when his parents were murdered by militiamen while out working in the city's markets. Close to starvation, he was rescued by neighbours and taken to the orphanage.

 

"They gave me everything I had, even these clothes," he said. "They gave me food and medicine. Now I don't know what to do. If you give me food, just bread, I will follow you."

 

Human rights activists say actions such as the orphanage closure risk turning Somalia from a haven for terrorists into a nation of terrorists.

 

A US-led mission to try to end Somalia's civil war was aborted in 1994 after 18 Rangers were killed during a raid to capture members of warlord Mohammed Farah Aideed's inner circle.

 

Somalia was ignored, both in political and intelligence circles, until the September 11 attacks, when the US came to the conclusion that the country was being used as a conduit and training ground for Islamic terrorists.

 

UN sources maintain that Somalis, trained in a camp near Mogadishu, have been involved in terrorist attacks against US troops in Iraq.

 

Washington has embarked on a policy of containment, but is actually exacerbating resentment of the United States, according to Somali activists.

 

The closure in 2001 of the country's biggest remittance firm, al-Barakat - accused by Mr Bush of being "the quartermaster of terror" - led to hundreds of job losses in one of the country's few functioning businesses. The floundering economy, into which remittance companies pump an estimated $750 million a year (£420 million) from Somalis living abroad, suffered a serious blow.

 

Koranic schools, which undoubtedly teach a radicalised form of Islam, have also been in America's sights. However, they provide the only source of education in Mogadishu, which is too dangerous for the UN to work in, as well as across much of Somalia. Just eight per cent of Mogadishu's children go to school, and all of them are run by Muslim charities.

 

"When the Americans cut and ran, the only group that stayed behind were the Arab charities," said a Mogadishu-based human rights activist. "These children might be being taught radicalised Islam, but at least they are not on the street. That's 100,000 less children without guns."

 

A recent UN report to the Security Council said that Strela anti-aircraft missiles used in a failed attempt to shoot down an Israeli passenger airliner taking off from a Kenyan airport had come from Somalia.

 

In October, the US paid $500,000 (£270,000) to Farah Aideed's son Hussein, himself a warlord, to buy 41 of the missiles to make sure they did not fall into terrorist hands. They have also formed relationships with two of Somalia's 24 warlords in a an attempt to capture al-Qa'eda operatives believed to be hiding in the country.

 

Ordinary Somalis are furious, not so much with US attempts to close down suspected backers of terrorism, but for not building up anything in their place.

 

The hatred is spreading, even among the children. Yusuf, the orphan, blames President Bush for his fate, spitting on the ground at the mention of his name. "Bush?" he said. "I hate him."

[rudy-Diiriye]

hmm! another sad one added to the list! Anda members of this site are more concerned who is got the best user name or avatar!

 

its true, nomads do have a bloody short term memory problem! it seems that most of us forgot, what it took us to get here! already assuming not being nomads any longer!

 

i would like to issue a challenge! and my challenge is for the sol community to adopt this orphange and lend a helping hand!!! plz help your brotha/sistas in need and Allah will give you kheer in return!!

[Intizaar]

Sad indeed and May Allah have mercy on us. PLease let's help these kids and as Rudy said Allah will rewards us in return.

 

If any one knows way to contact these charity organization please let me know