Speech by Nora Sharmarke, daughter of late Ali Iman Sharmake at the first anniversay of the death of her father.

Nora Sharmarke, the daughter of Ali Iman Sharmarke

My name is Nora Sharmarke, the daughter of Ali Iman Sharmarke. I was born in Ottawa Canada in 1997 therefore I am a Somali-Canadian citizen. I am in year seven at The Braeburn School in Nairobi.

I have two brothers who are currently away in Canada. My mother Lul Sharmarke who is with us here today continues to guide and inspire us despite the tough times that we encounter.

I feel honoured today to stand here and celebrate the life of my father. He was my hero and will always remember his good and generous deeds to us as a family and to the Somali society at large.

Unlike many children who always have their father around, my father was always away on many occasions. I would miss him and sometimes compile questions that I would ask him the next time he came home.

 I remember some particular questions that I once asked him and I quote “Daddy why are you always away from us? And when are you retiring? He replied “I am away because I am helping the poor, the destitute and all those who are suffering to find peace in my beloved country – Somalia”

This answer put the matter to rest and I was happy and I always wished him well in his endeavours.

In the quest of being close as a family we moved from Canada to Kenya in 2007 so that my dad could visit us as frequently as possible. Unfortunately after two months of settling in Kenya, my dad was brutally killed on 11^th August 2007 by the enemies of peace in Somalia.

After intense soul-searching and much consultation, we as Ali Sharmarke’s family decided that instead of revenge, we shall seek peace and reconciliation for the good of all of the Somali community both at home and those in the diaspora.

My father having been a journalist inspired me a lot. I made a personal decision to take up journalism when I grow up and strive to achieve the legacy of my dad. The Sharmarke Peace Foundation will be the channel through which we shall keep the vision of our father alive!

“Dad you died while serving the poor, the suffering and the destitute. I know that you went straight to heaven. We as the Sharmarke family shall work hard through the foundation to ensure that your life was not in vain!”

Thank you all once again for your attendance.

firimbi @ 8/24/2008 11:14 AM EST  daawo itoobiyaanka sida loo jabiyey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Arw64aJ2hk&feature=related

sheikh @ 8/21/2008 7:18 PM EST  RUNTA SHEEG. Waxaan kuu sheegaa aniga horta Carab ma ihi lakin somali iyadoon Cidna ku Mar siyoonin may wax Qabsato. Maalinbo Qof in aan saarno Eedo soow lagama Fiicna. Beenta iska Daa Somalida Markay rabto in ay u faanto Qolo kale oo isla Somali ah waxay Yiraahdaan Inagu Carab Baan ka soo Jeednaa laga yaabee adiga xetaa in aad ku jirtid kuwaasi. Carab waanaga fiican yihiin, waana naga Islaan sanyihiin.

runta sheeg @ 8/20/2008 8:09 AM EST  xeer-soomaaligu wuxuu qorayaa in dumarka ka tirsan yihiin oo ay laf-dhabar u yihiin bulshada soomaaliyeed, balse dhaqankii carabta ee waayadan dambe diinta marmarsiinyaha looga dhigtay weeye waxa dumarka soomaaliyeed ka dhigay kuwo aan waxbarasho loo ogoleyn, ka qayb-qaadan karin aayaha iyo talooyinka dalkooda khuseeya, ka dhigay dumarka wax la yaso oo si hoos ahaaneed loo eego iyo waliba waxyaabo badan oo carabta gooni u ahaan jirey oo hadda anaga nagu soo fatahay. soomaalidu waxay diinta ISLAAMKA haysatay carab ka hor haddaba, anaga oo ka taariikh dheer carab, ka tayo fiican carab, ka dhaqan duwan carab, ka sinjiyad duwan carab, ka af duwan carab iyo waliba ka firfircoon carab, ayaa waxaa waayadan dambe dalkeena yimid kooxo soo guuriyey tafaraaruqa carab caanka ku tahay ee xataa diintii ku fiday, kii baa anaga noo yimid oo waxaynu u haysannaa DIIN ISLAAM xalka waa mid fudud. carabkii soomaaliya lagu arko iyo wixii dhaqan carbeed wada waa in la dilaa oo la ugaadhsado loona ugaadhsado sida itoobiyaanka dagaalka loogu hayo

cxasan @ 8/18/2008 9:27 AM EST  "Geeridii walaalkiis nin jecel murugo wow kow" nin dhintay oo ay dishay gacan ka gardaran, ayaa nin hada noole ku farax san yahay. inta aan sidaan u dhaqmayno wallee naxariis kala waydaaranay. nacaybka aan joojino, nacayb nacaybkale ayuu dhalaa ee sidaa ula socda.

fiqicigaal @ 8/18/2008 8:28 AM EST  fiqi posted the last one