By Abdirahman Aynte

     The Center for Independent Media

It’s his newest work in a trilogy called “variations on the theme of African dictatorship.” Farah’s fictions depict the lives of Somalis, particularly women, who sustained the bulk of Somalia’s plight.

“A prolific writer” is how he was introduced. At 62, he looks a bit frail. His hair is almost entirely gray. He’s a deliberate speaker who yearns for an unparalleled attention when he potently commences to read from his works.

Nuruddin Farah is the winner of the 1998 Neustadt International Prize for Literature. He is the author of eight novels, including, most recently, Knots. (Photo: HOL/Abdirahman Aynte)                 (Large Image.   Hi-Res Image.)

This’s why some people call Farah a feminist. He dodged a question about that and went on to lambaste Somali men for being “armchair worriers,” locally known as “Fadhi ku dirir.”

And then he began glowing Somali women for not only taking the brunt of the civil war damage, but for rescuing innumerable Somali families while men chew Khat and financed conflicts in Somalia.

But then Farah ventured into an uncharted territory. He disparaged Somali women for veiling, drawing the indignation of many. He blamed men for coercing women to wear “non-traditional clothes.” He asked “Can’t we fear Allah without this Afghani business?” He was referring to the all-enshrouding cloak worn mostly by women in Afghanistan.

 Hissing was the new humming. To many women in the audience, Farah was no longer the virtuoso they pierced the frigid weather just to take a glance at him.  A young woman, who was not veiled, challenged Farah. “The Hijab,” she said, “is a private matter between people and their God. Many times it’s a way of healing.”  Farah interjected “but you’re not wearing it!” Another young woman, who was sandwiched in a tiny space, whispered to my ear “he’s no longer striking a chord with me—another Somali secular.”

Indeed, Farah is a self-described secular. In an interview with Minnesota Public Radio early this week, he said he visited Somalia few months ago by an invitation he received from the then powerful Union of Islamic Courts. He shuttled between Mogadishu and Baidoa in an attempt to find a common ground between the warring UIC and the TFG. Nothing came out of that effort.

But a man in the audience asked him why he wouldn’t continue that effort by writing a book supporting the TFG. Farah, who shuns politics, said that he “supports peace.” Another sobbing young woman wanted him to talk about the plight of Somali youth.

Asked who inspired him to become a writer, Farah mentioned Ismail Buubaa, the current foreign minister of the TFG and the late Adan Jama Bihi. The latter offered to edit Farah’s first book.

In 1998 Farah won the prestigious Neustadt International Prize for Literature. He was nominated for Nobel Prize in Literature several times. He lives in Cape Town, South Africa, where he writes more than 10 hours a day.

Abdirahman Aynte can be reached at Ceynte@hiiraan.com

 Source: HOL, Feb 09, 2007

shahid @ 3/15/2007 7:58 AM EST  Salaamz 2 all my broz and sis in Islam, Quite disappointing and sadly missing da whole point of Being creative and writer. Nuura Diin brotha, instead of using ur gift for 4 da Deen R u actually preaching our pride,beauty and power in our     our Muslim women 2 be thrown away? Shame on you, probably u need 2 b doing da reading but from da right bookz. Eebaa mahadleh maadaamaa aan sixun niyad jab iigu riday, waxaan admire-gareeya, wiilasha, iyo gabdhaha sida wada jirka ah diintooda u stick up gareeyeen WELLDONE AND MAY ALLAH REWARD UZ ALL 4 IT.........AAMIIN. Muhammad Hassan Umar.

liban81 @ 3/8/2007 1:41 PM EST  Salaams Hijab is a divine order that came from the creator of all beings. No one has the right to question the divine order. Hijab is not Arab, Pakistani, Afghanistan etc. concept. It is found in the Quran and I find it difficult to believe that any Muslim would reject it. You might as well reject Salah, Zakat, Hajj, Siyaam etc. The religion of Islam is complete and one can either accept whoheartedly or reject completely. If Mr. Farah is a Muslim, then he has no right to reject a clear Quranic verse. By the way, Dirac and Guntiino have nothing to do with Islam. It is a Somali culture that goes against the teachings of Islam. There is no place for culture when it contradicts Islam. "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty..." (Quran, 24:31) "O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies" (Quran, 33:59)

civil @ 3/4/2007 6:47 AM EST  Mr Farah from this time i have no respect for you and your satanik idea of HIJAB, you get nothing to insult our relegion couse HIJAB is a part of our relegion i know you always try to say our problems but this time you go so far, the door is still open untill the last minut so ask your ALLAH forgivness and try to say what you know better. May Allah forgive you and show you the right bath and us all

omar112 @ 3/3/2007 4:40 PM EST  I am very proud to say that MR.nuuradiin was my english teacher in 1973-4.Actually he was the only Somali teacher in our 15 th may high school.Anybody who is trying to critsize him is completely ignorant or a very young man. Mr. nuuradiin deserves respect from every Somali young or old. I think he earned respect from all the writers in the world and Africa. I think what ever he said is something he knows better than anybody. I am really glad to hear from him, and that he is still writing. I remember one day in 1973, we were reading english book, and I pronounced the word "eye"as eey. I will never forget it, he laughed and he corrected me, while everybody laughed. Anyway glad to hear from him, he may live longer. thank u.

kaahiye @ 3/1/2007 4:49 PM EST  We shouldn't politisize things too deep. Nuruddin Farah is a great Somali writter that in fact, didn't link Hijab and Islam. We can agree to disagree. Hijab as the author mentioned in his comment hasn't been a Somali thing. It has everything to do with Arabs, Afghanistan, Pakistan and most of North western Africans. Somali women wear Dirac and Guntiino or Dhacale. Therefore, Nuruddin Farah has a right like anyone of us to give his personal opinion. He hasn't linked Hijab with our Islamic faith, but with our cultural differences with the mentioned countries. We aren't Arabs. We are Muslim. Let's not confuse the two. What I am trying to say is.....You don't have to have Arabic interpretation of Islam in order to be Muslim. The author is very good Somalian citizen, who's the most prestegious one we know of.....let's congradulate him on his writting.....Viva la Nuruddin Farah