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by Salmah A. Hussein
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Salaam may this reach you all in the best state of Iman and health. I am 20 years old, in which most of my life I grew up hearing about Somalia and how great it was. I grew up in the west as have many other youngsters who identify themselves more American than Somali, whether it is by losing their mother’s-tongue or adapting the American way of life.
It breaks my heart that everyone claims that they want a stable Somalia, one in which none is discriminated based on their tribe. A country in which all can live peacefully under the command of whomever is believed to best lead the country forward rather than of their tribe. If we all want peace, then why has it been nearly 18 years in which our country’s been government less? There has to be something because, it is just not adding up.
If it is not enough the killings and shootings that has raped us of our beloved country have unfortunately followed us to our new homes. Our youth have turned to drugs and violence just as those back home have to kill each other and at times just because of one’s tribe. These youth many have grown up here but the ignorance of tribalism has gotten to them.
Truth be told I feel that many of us are not sincere about wanting to see our country rebuild and succeed. We might want it, but were just not ready to do what it takes to make it happen. Dreams are not much, without efforts. One cannot sit around wanting to become a doctor without mastering the basic skills of science. So in order for Somalia to come back to what it once was, it will require for us to admit to our short-comings as individuals and work to better ourselves each and everyone.
1) Admit that in one way or another your adding more fuel to the fire whether you chose to believe it or not. I say this because many of us with or without knowing boost about their tribes, and one thing leads to another and before you know it you will see yourself making judgments about other tribes.
2) Many of us claim that we want a stable and unified nation, but seriously ask yourself what you are doing to bring unity? Do not talk the talk if you will not back up your talk.
3) Try to catch yourself and your family when they talk down on other tribes. We cannot change the world without beginning from our own homes. Truth is that most of the biases we hold is stuff we hear from our household. As the Prophet peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, was first ordered to reach out to his family and close relatives and deliver the message to them.
4) Brothers and sisters of my mother, I ask do as the Prophet has been order by Allah and he has ordered as. Lets start by first correct ourselves, then reaching out to our family members, our relatives, clans, tribes, and our neighbors.
5) And live by the saying of the Prophet peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, translated as, “Assist your brother when in justice is done to him, and he is doing injustice to others,” the Sahabas said we do understand assisting our brother when injustice is done to him, but about when he is doing injustice to others, and the Prophet replied, by stopping him and holding his not to commit any injustice.”
Dear brothers and sisters, it is time we take action and stop the mere talks. Our job is not to guide people, as that is for Allah, but our job is to inform people, educate people, reach out to them, and get them out of their “black hole,” and help them fight the temptation of shaitan.
Its time we become serious about unifying our people. Walahi it breaks my heart, because if we continue on this path of wishing without really resolving and ridding ignorance then as sad as this may sound we will have failed our country just as the generation before us. Its time for peace and the time is now my fellow Somali’s. Its time we make our country proud and unite to establish our country. Let’s stop finding even more reasons to divide up. We the educated youth must not let ignorance and arrogance get in the way of uniting for the betterment of our country.
Please, please, I’m just someone who is sick and tired of this division. I am someone who has no memory of Somalia, but still hurts when I see of this division which has even followed some to higher institutes of education. Is Qabil really worth it all? Our youth have turned against each other due to Qabil, our youth are discouraged to marry outside of certain tribes, and we are standing in the way of anything being done for us because each denounce the other who says they want to do something thinking they will only help their tribe. Seriously though, let’s be honest with ourselves and rid of this ignorance. Clanism is not going to take you to Jannah, but brotherhood will with Allah’s mercy.
Salmah A. Hussein
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