“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has". Margaret Mead (1901-1978).

It is detectable that Somalis are undergoing difficult times to muster their traditional way life and the British way of life, but they have no choice in this matter other than to rise to these challenges and failure is unhappy alternative.

In my previous articles I have talked about the plight of Somalis in the UK, but to make a difference and to form a future in a democratic country like Britain it is imperative to be on the table to have a good chance of our voice be heard hence shouting from the side table is not good enough.

The purpose of this paper is to sketch out one proposal, which describes in broad outline how Somali community can say no to exclusion and systematic marginalization and doable roles that every member of the community can play.

There are some Somalis who prefer not to live in this country while there are others who do not have the luxury or the intent to move to another country. However, this text is not trying to make the twain meet. It is for those who must shape their future here and do not want to be passive recipients of the wider community.

To live in Britain respectfully, to share common good values with the rest of the British society while retaining our culture and religious beliefs it is important to learn from other communities that have come here before us. Those communities have faced problems and challenges as grave as those Somali community is facing now or worse. Peer learning enables us to draw on the lessons that others have learnt - pleasant and unpleasant. In essence, this text is based upon the experience of those who came to terms up to a certain degree with challenges of reconciling their way of life and the British way of life.

To break the exclusion barrier and be valued by others, the community must work collectively towards the betterment of the community. In this hypothesis, the community must organise itself into three groups: representatives, community leaders and individual members of the community.

Representatives

Edmund Burke (1774) defined representation as “a moral duty: those with the good fortune to posses education and understanding should act in the interests of those who are less fortune”. Therefore, those blessed with knowledge and understand how British politic machine operates must command their knowledge, wisdom and numerical strength in ushering the community.

Representation does not necessarily have to start at parliament level or at central government level; you can represent your community at local strategic partnerships or neighbourhood forums. It is high time to seek representation at local governments because the number of Somalis entitled to vote deserves to be represented. For example, elections for the borough council are held every four years and the earliest one will be held in May 2006. To stand as a councillor you need to live or work in the borough for which you are standing for election. Moreover you do not necessarily have to be a representative of a political party. Finally, you are only required to find 10 people who are on the Register of Electors that live in the ward you wish to stand in to sign your nomination paper.

Community leaders

Community leaders referred here are management committees of community-based orgnisations. The strength of a community is never put to a greater test than when it is confronted with the task of recreating. The Somali voluntary organisations in UK are blessed with a rare opportunity of hope for renewal and reconstruction. This presents a tremendous prospects and the potential to establish and develop professionally managed voluntary groups, which are able to act as a lever between the government and the community.

These people need to be on the table and work with the statutory agencies such as Local Education Authority, National Health Service, Police, social care and the regulators. It is crucial that they actively contribute any consultation carried out and befriend with the media. It is equally important for them to avoid creating an individualistic and opportunistic ethos.

Individuals

Members can demonstrate their significance by engaging in the democratic process. All members, and not just those who intend to lead the community, have the responsibility of ensuring that the voice of the community be heard. To make a difference you can do your bit by:

• Writing to your MP: tell your MP the difficulties that Somalis in his/her constituents face and ask what the government and his/her party want to do.  
• Using your vote: your vote counts and can send a clear message to politicians and policy makers.
• Working collectively: cooperate those who share with your concern and work with them towards common goals.
• Becoming a member in campaigns: try to join campaigns that want to change the status quo and to help black and ethnic minority communities.
• Spreading the word: write to the media and racial equality groups, tell your friends, colleagues, classmates and other minority groups and persuade them to get involved.

To conclude, this proposal underlines the need for individuals to look after their community whatever capacity they may choose to. The community faces tough challenges, like any other community that has come into this country before, but these challenges should not be regarded as insurmountable difficulties. “What can we do” has become a vexed question and this article contributes to this debate with practical solutions. Wherever this debate is taking us, one thing is for certain: we cannot forever rely on to elicit sympathy from the wider community or others speak for us.

Mohamed Mukhtar Ibrahim

London

Email: Mohamed323@hotmail.com