Angelina Jolie Champions Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Dr. Hawa Abdi

[Che -Guevara]

Daily Beast

Thursday, March 08, 2012

 

The actor and humanitarian told the story of Dr. Hawa Abdi, the inspiring obstetrician whose medical camp in Somalia has saved thousands—but is now being overrun by militants.

 

At the final onstage event of the night, Charlie Rose encouraged genocide survivor Sandra Uwiringiyimana to introduce Angelina Jolie, a woman whose spotlight, she says, has “taken justice to a whole new level” and has been able to provide hope for many people.

 

Jolie, who is also a Goodwill Ambassador and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, gave a testimonial about Dr. Hawa Abdi, the obstetrician and gynecologist whose clinic in Somalia has been a haven for thousands of people since its founding in 1983. Dr. Abdi came to last year’s Women in the World summit as an icon for a peaceful society, and her story “illuminates the nightmare of tens of millions around the world,” said Jolie, “the internally displaced and the ones homeless within their homelands.”

 

After more than two decades of murder, rape, disease, and most recently, famine, Somalia still only knows violence. But the camp was operated with strict rules of conduct, overseen by Dr. Abdi and her two daughters, both doctors themselves. Despite facing many obstacles, it was encroached only once, when militants invaded and took Dr. Abdi hostage. With the force of her moral authority, she lectured her own captors: “What have you ever done for Somalia?” Dr. Abdi was freed.

 

Jolie told the audience that Dr. Abdi has faced an increasing number of challenges in the last 11 months. In early May, more than 200 men and women arrived at the gates of the camp, and by mid-summer, many children were dying. In July, the United Nations declared famine in the horn of Africa. Abdi’s medical staff nearly decamped to work for higher-paying NGOs in the region, Jolie said, and she had to dip into her 2012 funds to lure them back. The bad streak of luck continued: In November, the drought ended with an intense rain—and an epidemic of pneumonia struck the camp. The rebels united with another, larger force: al Qaeda.

 

Five days ago, a dispatch came from the camp with more distressing news. A businessman arrived with militants and is claiming the camp’s land. “It is, right now, Friday morning in Somalia," Jolie said. "In a few hours, 400 human beings are about to become, once again, displaced.” It was a stark reminder that these challenges are unrelenting.

 

Jolie continued on with one piece of good news: last week, Dr. Abdi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Although she was unable to attend the summit, Abdi sent a message that illustrates hope after nearly all is lost: “I want to tell you [in the] last 27 years, I have given my people my heart and my soul. Still I did not lose my hope. One day my people's lives will change in a better way. I hope my children and the children who grow in camp, and are born in the hospital, will change the lives of Somali people, because I trained them to be honest, and be hard-working. The Nobel Peace Prize nomination comes at the right time. I was in a low level of hope. But the nomination lifted my morale and it gave me the continuous keeping of hope alive. If I win Nobel Peace Prize, I will empower economically Somali women and give home for homeless people. Thank you.”

[burahadeer]

she was the wife of "ina waqaf" who died last year in Hargeisa.He was 2nd man of UCID party at one time.

[Che -Guevara]

^We know.

[burahadeer]

ok tell me which town she from.

[Che -Guevara]

^Since you are secessionist, all you need to know is that she's from the Somali Republic:D

[Juxa]

She maybe the wife of ina-hebel but she is a mother and a hope to thousands

 

i sincerely hope she wins, not that she needs it but it would be nice. Allah's reward baa sugaya insha allah for all her hard work

[Che -Guevara]

^Hear Hear

[Che -Guevara]

Dr. Abdi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

Hopefully, this will make it easy for the foundation to raise for the projects at the farm and elsewhere!

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

^^ Dr abdi wabaan naxay marki ugu horeysey Cabdi cawar baan mooday

 

 

But good on her she is a good lady

[Che -Guevara]

And kudos to her daughters as well.

[Garnaqsi]

burahadeer;800860 wrote:

she was the wife of "ina waqaf" who died last year in Hargeisa.He was 2nd man of UCID party at one time.

Give the woman her own identity. She earned it.

[Che -Guevara]

^She will be the most famous Somali if she wins this-she's very humble, kind in person and absolutely believes in her people.

[Garnaqsi]

Che -Guevara;801050 wrote:

^She will be the most famous Somali if she wins this-she's very humble, kind in person and absolutely believes in her people.

Indeed.

 

Nuruddin Farah missed the one for literature quite a while ago, if I recall.

[raula]

Garnaqsi;801047 wrote:

Give the woman her own identity. She earned it.

Indeed! she's a humble & generous & dedicated iron woman (along w/her children who have as well sacrificed so much for their motherland). May Allah s.w. reward them both here & in the afterlife I.A. As i mentioned before in another thread, i met her & one of her daughters here in the states and they are truly remarkable human beings. Inspiring!

[Gheelle.T]

She deserve this and hopefully she will win. Guulayso!