By Abdulkadir Mohamed
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
We observe Ramadan by abstaining food and drink during the day. We fast to fight the urge to eat and drink. We feel hunger and thirst. By fasting we gain self-restraint but we also gain patience and empathy. We feel what hunger and thirst is like. We become aware of what those who are less fortunate than us go through. We think about the poor mother and child who have no food , no water, no shelter and are displaced or in a refugee camp. Thus, we want to give and send money to them. This giving or Sadaqa becomes a key element in our observing the fasting during this holy month of Ramadan. We go to the mosques and take part of the fund raise. We visit the Hawala more often to send fifty or hundred dollars to some desperate relative.
Ramadan is indeed a month of reflection too. We show our appreciation for Allah's blessings. We thank God for all the unmerited gifts we got but we think why not he does the same for those less fortunate than us. The scholars say there is wisdom behind this. They say it is a test for us who are blessed to reciprocate God's grace on earth. By doing that, they tell us, we save ourselves.
We reflect on what is going in our lands. Muslims are fighting and killing each other these days. Violence and upheaval are everywhere. Mothers, children and ordinary men not involved in these fightings are running away from violence, hungry and thirsty. Our Somalia is the worst place to live now. We have thousands if not millions of people suffering. We lost entire generation to wars and famine. The war is not ending soon.
By fasting we feel humble and gain hope. We want to do good things to please God and to feel good about ourselves. We reflect on ways we can turn all the misery and tragedy around. We reflect on how to make Somalia a better place to live. We think about how to restore its lost dignity. We think about ways to find new leaders who could lead their fellow Somalis out of the hunger,famine and wars.
We don't know what the future holds for Somalia but we know it is in transition now. Ramadan coincided a time when hundreds of our traditional elders are assembled to select our future leaders. The elders were selected along clan lines. Clan is divisive and destructive. We know that. They say some of the elders are bribed by men who allegedly accumulated wealth (read stole) designated to be given to the displaced hungry mother and child. And sadly some of us either intentionally or unknowingly continue aiding and abetting all the corruption and fighting in the country.
God did not give us a nation and intended us to be so poor and to become the least of his creation. We can indeed make Somalia a better place to live and prosper. We just need to change our ways. We need to keep caring for the less fortunate and continue giving more. We also need to tell our elders and leaders to change their ways of thinking. They too need to reflect as we do. They need to give and not get as they are accustomed to. They must think about the millions suffering. They have to give food, water and shelter to the displaced hungry mothers and children. They must use the money to build hospitals, clinics, houses, school and so on. They must stop appropriating money intended for the poor. They must shun corruption and nepotism. Our elders, politicians and so-called leaders must stop bickering as well.
We must reflect on a way to find good leaders in Somalia. Even the hungry mother and child understands the importance of good leadership. Every time you see these poor and elderly women on the media, first thing they say is prayers. They ask God to grant them good leaders who care and are aware of their plight. I guess it is not difficult for us to back a new and different leader. Many politicians and candidates come to us for support and endorsement. We usually don't test them. We don't know if the are upright and care for the less fortunate. We just support them either they are from our clan or we are friends. We think if these candidates win, they will appoint us to a position of leadership and we will be able to get a piece of the pie and to perpetuate the corruption. We never think of the poor and hungry. We never think beyond the few pennies we are going to get or steal. We need to reflect on who are these candidates and what are their goals. Are they part of the privileged thugs and criminals we are used to? Are they going to continue the subjugation of our poor people? It is wrong to believe that one's education and wealth is enough to become a leader. We have to check if the candidate is humble and has wisdom. If he/she cares about the poor and we must ask his/her record of giving or serving the poor.
My hope and wish at the end of this Ramadan is to see our elders and leaders select a non-corrupt person to lead us from the wars and suffering.
Back to Ramadan, it is essence is about giving and reflecting. We must all tell ourselves and our leaders to put aside our ambitions, political or not, and work on how to save our fellow Somalis who are suffering by the thousands because of hunger and violence. We need to find a way to help and repatriate the million or above languishing in refugee camps. I wish all Somalis to reflect and realize that fighting and dividing us into clans will continue the suffering,hunger, violence, corruption, misery and our ultimate downfall and demise.