Monday November 25, 2024
Hargeisa (HOL) — The longest-serving journalist with the BBC Somali Service, Abdirizakh Haji Mohamed Siraad, passed away Sunday night at a hospital in Hargeisa, Somaliland, his family confirmed.
A celebrated figure in Somali journalism, Siraad was known for his cheerful demeanour, sense of humour, and dedication to his craft. Born in Hargeisa, he completed his secondary education in 1947 before pursuing higher education in London in 1969, where he earned a degree in Chemistry.
Siraad’s career spanned decades, including roles at Radio Mogadishu, Radio Hargeisa, and the BBC Somali Service, where he became a permanent staff member. His father, a prominent religious figure, was well-known in Hargeisa as Sheikh.
Somalia’s Minister of Information, Da’uud Aweys Jama, Deputy Minister of Information Abdirahman Yusuf Omar Al-Adaala, former Foreign Minister Yusuf Garaad Omar, and Director General of the Ministry Abdullahi Hayir Duale expressed their condolences to Siraad’s family and relatives.
Siraad’s contributions to Somali media leave a lasting legacy in journalism, and his passing is a significant loss for the community.