Ibrahim Hersi Jabril
Thursday, October 04, 2007
The Somali websites have become our best sources of not only receiving news from our beloved country but also where we exchange our diverse opinions openly and publicly. There are countless people who contribute their political, economical, religious and social thoughts and approaches to these websites and I, for one, enjoy reading them daily even if I disagree with some of them. Somali websites have become the pillar of our news broadcast and the remedy of our enduring agony. Therefore, we—as readers as well as writers—should assist our Webmasters to ensure that articles published these websites are authentic; that is, they are not plagiarized or fabricated.
Everyone has the right to take part of the debate and express his thoughts freely. But it is unethical to steal someone else’s writings/thoughts and claim as if it is yours. A case in point is Sheikh Hassan Jaami’s response article entitled, “The following article is in respond to ‘The Asmara Project: An Abysmal Failure
’ by Avv Abdi Hosh.” In this article Sheikh Jaami’i was attempting to response to someone whom he disagreed with and he has every right to do so. However, Sheikh Jaami’i did not share his thoughts and opinion with us. Rather, he plagiarized and stole someone else’s thoughts/ideas and claimed to be his. Sheikh Jaami’i didn’t cite, mention, let alone give a credit, the original author of the entire article. The original article was written by Patrick Henry under the title “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death,” March 23, 1775. For your information visit: <http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/patrick.htm> and read the last two paragraphs.
First, Mr. Jaami’i disregards the academic standards of acknowledging and citing every quotation and ideas which one takes from other authors. Colleges and universities have policies regarding to plagiarism:
“Plagiarism, defined broadly, is the presentation of another's words and/or ideas as one's own without attributing the proper source. It is grounds not only for failure of a given piece of work, which could result in failure for the entire course, it could also result in being reported to the administrative body responsible for student conduct violations and being subject to disciplinary action by that body.”
San Francisco State University
Department of Political Science
Plagiarism Policy
Secondly, he ignores the teaching of our beloved Prophet (BPUH) who condemned the stealing of someone else’s belongings: “….Man Qasha Falaysa Minaa” which means in English “…Whoever cheats us is not one of us” (Saheeh Muslim).
Below you will find the ways in which Mr. Jaami’i plagiarized the whole article by adding few words and claimed to be his idea and writing:
Mr. Jaami’s copy and paste tactics
“…But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a Ethiopian guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? My friend, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which Almighty God hath placed in our power.”
The original article
“They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.”
Mr. Jaami’s copy and paste tactics
“Besides, my friend, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends, brothers and freedom lovers to fight our battles for us. The battle, my friend, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, friend, we have no election. There is no retreat or in submission to slavery! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, my friend, let it come.”
The original article
Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not [to] the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable - and let it come! I repeat, sir, let it come!
Mr. Jaami’s copy and paste tactics
“It is in vain, friend, to extenuate the matter. I love peace and justice. I cry for Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from Mogadishu will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Freedom fighters are already in the field! Why stand freedom lovers idle? What is it that (Diaspora community) wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, liberty and freedom is birth right for every human as Omar ibnul Khattab said. Patrick Henry also said give me liberty or give me death! “
The original article
“It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Ibrahim Hersi Jibril