A giant playwright departed the Horn of Africa

Hiiraan Online
Thursday, July 24, 2008

Abdalla  Nuradin Ahmed - Known for his love-ridden and humorous verses.

Mogadishu

The playwright, whose career has spanned from acting to an iconic radio mogul, was born in Jigjiga, the Somali inhabited Ogaden region in Ethiopia. “But we were raised in Mogadishu” said Sabila, who added her brother has “received all” his education in Mogadishu. He died at late of his 60’s.

Venerated for his dignified place in the urban literary community, Shan iyo tobonkii Shumeey, the fifteenth of Shumeey, was one of Ahmed’s famous plays that resonates in the minds of many of Mogadishu’s urban dwellers.

Known for his simple, love-ridden and mostly humorous verses, Ahmed was a pioneer, in many levels, who created an urban poetry in an era where songs were not only rooted in city lifestyles, but also monopolistic in the art of love expressions.

Ahmed has been a familiar figure in the business of radio, as he was an anchor in Radio Mogadishu, the contemporary and prewar birthplace of Somalia’s radio journalism, where he then reemerged as a guiding voice from Mogadishu’s war-battered airwaves as a host of Horn Afrik talk shows.

Of the principles he embodied, Ahmed has chosen to stay in Somalia despite the country’s endless turmoil until he was shot at his restaurant in Hamarjadiid district by armed men. Driven by deep sense of patriotism, Ahmed was able to serve his people amid unrest as he was described “A remarkable man who has inspired many and has used his influence to advocate peace to prevail in Somalia.”

Dressed in a white shirt and red tie, Ahmed’s “what is love?” poem, dated presumably in late 1980’s, has captivated many to appreciate his penchant to personify love as a cruel being that devoured him in an unspeakably torturous way.

He also appeared in other plays, where his unique prowess in poetry propelled him ahead from other skillful hippy contesters, only to lose at the end for the girl he wanted to Awkuku, (who also died less than a month ago) whose befitting song of appeasing the mesmerizing girl has entitled him to win the contest.

Abdalla Nuraddin Ahmed is survived by six children, two daughters and four sons. The burial procession will take place in Mogadishu today.