No

[Che -Guevara]

No

By Qali Farah

May 12 , 2012

 

For over twenty years, any possible resolution to the quagmire that has befallen our glorious nation has faced a formidable obstacle. It’s a word formed of one syllable and composed of two letters: NO. This is the keyword in our political life.

 

Our recent history is exclusively that of a country held hostage by naysayers. Their entire political ideology or ‘program’ can be summed up with one word. NO!

 

No to progress. No to development. No to peace. No to security. No to prosperity. No to the rule of law. No to reconciliation. No to justice. No to proper governance. No to accountability.

 

Is it possible to overcome a mindless opposition that rejects out of hand any potential resolution? That’s the dilemma faced by those who wish take our nation forward and restore the republic back to its former glory as a respectable player amongst the nations of the world.

 

They say NO to the constitution. NO to the Roadmap. NO towards the program of ending the transitional federal government. No, no, no!

 

Wouldn’t it be great if for once an alternative program were presented? Have you have ever read a counter-proposal other than the aforementioned political manifesto that can be summed up as: NO?

 

This virus appears to have contaminated all aspects of our society. Those who subscribe to this program extend beyond the illiterates, who know nothing but anarchy; they include our so-called intellectuals, sections of the Ulama, portions of our ‘civil society’. Some of the objections to a transitional constitution (keep in mind that constitutions are hardly a divine document descended from the heavens – they are open to amendments) include: possible fears of Islam being sidelined in Somalia. My immediate reaction was to read the proposed constitution; I’ll quote the opening section:

 

“In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.

We, the Somali people, with firm faith in God Almighty and relying on His mercy

 

• Bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah and that the Prophet Mohammed SAW is indeed a true messenger and prophet;

• Reject all forms of violence and acknowledge the injustices and shortcomings of our past;

• Stand united to bring an end to the long conflict and strife in our country;

• Acknowledge the inspiring tireless struggle of our people for a better life, and our leaders historic struggles and sacrifices to liberate and unite our country;

• Reaffirm that Somalia is one country;

• Commit ourselves to the establishment of durable peace, the promotion of national unity, and good governance.

Therefore, recognizing the foundations laid by Shari’ah, we freely decide and choose to adopt this Constitution as a bridge between a divided past and a united future for all the people of Somalia.

 

May God Almighty grant us mercy and unite our people to work for the prosperity and success of our homeland. Amen.

 

Are we God fearing Muslims supposed to live by this nullifidian document?

 

A second objection concerns the issue of naturalisation for those who contribute to the progression of society and adhere to the laws of the lands after a five-year period. Fair enough, we need to keep the nation’s blood pure, after all, our unbreakable bonds and brotherly love has served us extremely well over the last twenty-one years. Naturally, I shall urge our Somali brethren in Kenya, the United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Canada, Norway, Australia, Denmark, France, the United States and elsewhere to voluntarily renounce their citizenships and hand their passports back. We ought to share the wonderful results of homogeneity with our fellow human beings, especially those who provided asylum in a time of need; it is our moral duty!

 

That’s the calibre and level of the objections out there at the moment. Even so, if there are genuine concerns, and there are some, we ought to utilise the proper channels of communication and join the process as opposed to throwing the baby out with the water.

 

The constitution may very well be flawed, and the roadmap possibly leading to nowhere, but at this point in time I’m willing to support any program that may lead to our salvation however slim the chances, regardless of who’s behind the program whether they’re yellow, blue, red or Martian.

 

Frankly I’m sick and tired of this backward, lopsided mindset and partisan politics. I’d like to return to Somalia, to a peaceful country, to a nation of laws, a nation where the pursuit of prosperity and happiness are a real possibility. I’d like to introduce my daughter to her motherland… if only these (believe me I’d like to use an explicit phrasal verb here) weren’t in the way, with that obstinate, square head, armed with nothing more than the word: NO!

 

It’s discomforting trying to explain this to non-Somali’s; that we as a people are capable of rejecting sound ideas and counsel because they originated with person ‘x’ who belongs to tribe ‘y’, and therefore must opposed at all cost.

 

It’s time we grow up, or maybe I’m being too naive? Perhaps it’s preferable if three generations from now, we’re still pleading for asylum all over the world, and those who remain in the horn suffer from draughts, unending cycles of violence, disease and ignorance – both camps forever armed with an outstretched palm begging for a handout from third parties, and open to exploitation by powerful interest groups. Maybe that’s the way forward?

 

Qali Farah

Email:qalfar@hotmail.com

Library information services

University of Maryland

 

____________________________________

[Jacaylbaro]

No to Somaliland ??

[rudy-Diiriye]

No

[Macallinka]

No to No itself !!

 

I was thinking about the exact smamething the other day !!!!!

 

I think , We need a group like Alshabab but non religious one to rule this country for 10 years at least until we learn to say YES and then perhaps slowly change to a civilian government !!

[Macallinka]

No to No itself !!

 

I was thinking about the exact smamething the other day !!!!!

 

I think , We need a group like Alshabab but non religious one to rule this country for 10 years at least until we learn to say YES and then perhaps slowly change to a civilian government !!