Future Professionals: Somalis Succeding?

[Abu-Salman]

It has long been observed that a culture centred on learning and delayed gratification alongside tight knit solidarity has afforded the Jewish community relatively much more succes than other groups, despite barriers and modest origins.

 

Starting with the study of the Thorah, children are already litterate in different scripts and langages, while books are cherished and foster early a culture of reading and intellectual stimulation (upper-class homes have often no TV).

 

In similar ways, it has long been observed that practising Muslims (or Christians), eg among Blacks Muslim organisation in the USA etc, are more focused and better citizens, with a strong sense of identity.

 

This strong identity and sense of purpose that protect the uprooted refugees, combined with a premium on learning is also a potent force among Somalis from families with strong religious background.

 

It was long known too that by first memorising the Qur'aan and mastering Arabic basis smoothed a kid progression into school and learning other langages.

 

At the practical and local level, it's refreshing to constate that wherever an organised mosque, Islamic schools and tutoring circles are established, alongside some role models, the aspirations of local youths in disenfranchised areas are raised, with gradually increasing levels of Biology graduates, medical students and aspiring professionals.

 

What is stunning is that such change is not widely reported and encouraged.

 

I have personally always encouraged teens and others to read, not to watch TV, take profit of all the free resources in libraries where one could learn almost anything and even teach himself (at the very least a decent English);

there is no reason too to not aim high instead of hanging with low ambitions youngsters.

 

After all, even a young Somali straight from Mogadishu managed to get into medicine at Oxford;

it's not that demanding to achieve excellent grades in biology or chemistry.

 

In this small world, helping each other means plenty of positive consequences, if not for us directly, then for our children or those related to us; assistance and service extended to others is thus one of our best investment and hence why we should worry about others children, our wider community.

 

Today, at any rate, I could no longer countenance my euphory at witnessing yet another of my young acquaintances studying science and Maths A-levels, preparing confidently entry into medical school (I can't count local aspiring or studying future doctors even in this most deprived neighborhood known for all the wrong reasons).

 

But just how much more could be achieved if we united to mentor struggling families with less strong ethos, those not closely linked to the mosques which function as community centre too, while focusing on promoting reading (there is now a very popular campaign of pupils tutoring on reading)?

[STOIC]

I personally know a Somali ENT speacialist, a prestigious medical school profesor, harvard MBA student and top the icing a Somali woman that manages two billion dollar wealth.What's one thing they have all in common if you may ask; HARDWORK and a little luck! Some of this people are close to non-practicing muslims

[Axmed-InaJaad]

STOIC;764382 wrote:

I personally know a Somali ENT speacialist, a prestigious medical school profesor, harvard MBA student and top the icing a Somali woman that manages two billion dollar wealth.What's one thing they have all in common if you may ask; HARDWORK and a little luck!

Some of this people are close to non-practicing muslims

i prefer one god fearing somali muslim who has no education than a million of these so called 'professionals'.

[Nin-Yaaban]

STOIC;764382 wrote:

I personally know a Somali ENT speacialist, a prestigious medical school profesor, harvard MBA student and top the icing a Somali woman that manages two billion dollar wealth.What's one thing they have all in common if you may ask; HARDWORK and a little luck! Some of this people are close to non-practicing muslims

I know few successful Somalis that are doing pretty good for themselves. Too bad they kinda look down on you if you dont have what they have (house/car/wife/etc). *******ss.

[burahadeer]

has nothing to do with religion,more on family stability & background.Most successful somalis I know in my area r far from being what you call muslim.

[Alpha Blondy]

interesting read. its up to all of us to craft a new way of thinking.

[Somalia]

STOIC;764382 wrote:

I personally know a Somali ENT speacialist, a prestigious medical school profesor, harvard MBA student and top the icing a

Somali woman that manages two billion dollar wealth.

What's one thing they have all in common if you may ask; HARDWORK and a little luck! Some of this people are close to non-practicing muslims

She manages a 2 billion dollar hedge fund? Does the company have a website?

[STOIC]

Yeah she manges IFC private equity and investment fund portfolio.Her credentials Is public just google AYAN ADAM she is a graduate of MIT Sloan school of management.Masha Allah a very nice and succesful sister.I hope no one misquote me and think these people are non practicing completely just NOT type of people you will meet in your local gatherings..My intention was to show there are succesful Somali people and with careful planning, preparation and hardwork anyone can be succesful of course with the blessings of Allah.Religion is important but also hardwork is needed......

[Somalia]

Fantastic stuff, I am genuinely surprised. Thanks for posting this.

[ToughGong.]

Axmed-InaJaad;764383 wrote:

i prefer one god fearing somali muslim who has no education than a million of these so called 'professionals'.

Ditto