I
and my brother against the world, I against my brother , was not coined and associated
with the abusive tribalism in Somalia in vain and mere coincidence. Preoccupied in a tug
of war both inside and outside our boundaries, throughout the colonial era for
independence till late seventies, abusive tribalism had been temporarily undermined, hands
joined together for development and patriotism and a single tribe which was called SOMALI
had been officially acknowledged.
I and my brother against the world took its positive effect.
No sooner, though, was cease fire declared, than the negative incursion of I against my
brother once again reemerged, like a never vanishing ghost lurking on the mirage or a
thrilling silhouette from an illusive horizon. It is never permissible to seek animosity,
creating an enemy, out of aggression. However, in self defense, we naturally and
subsequently develop counter reaction, adrenaline level is set to rise peak, we boost our
feat and march towards the front in unity and fraternity.
If at least no enemy is in sight then certainly never your own brother is one.
I against my brother is not only the result of lack of an outside aggressive enemy but of
short vision, narrow and shallow mindedness and dysfunction of the reflexive faculty. The
collapse of a make-belief infrastructure lead to an introvert attitude, creating a vacuum
of idleness, inward vision and an internal rivalry. In order to fill this vacuum, where
there is no plan in design and total disarray and mess reign, it’s a natural
phenomenon to preoccupy oneself with internal rivalry (brothers of the same faith and
father view each other as bitter foes). Anarchy rules and chaos prevails in such cases and
this is true in all nations on earth. The demonstration and effect of self damage and
moral corruption depends on the level of public intelligence and awareness. With object to
prevent such a catastrophe, nations develop and preoccupy themselves with contemplative
but genuine enemies, such as fighting hunger (make poverty history), fighting
environmental damage, protesting against torture of humans and animals, demonstrating
against wars (Stop the war), healing diseases and disabilities. Contingents and battalions
of soldiers are well armed and march to the battlefront to fight to the last drop of their
blood against target imaginary enemy combatants. Muslim relief, green peace, animal rights
activists, human rights watch, medicine sans frontier, red crescent, friends of the earth,
peace activists. It is I and my brother against the world of hunger, disease and
conflicts, etc.
In the Diaspora, there is a an opportunity of a generation in the making who would be
aware of the anomalies and malice of inward and introvert vision, which turned Somalis
against each other. There is unique opportunity in this fresh, neutral and unscathed
generation breeding in the Diaspora, who are keeping swift pace with scientific
discoveries and highly sophisticated technology, provided they adopt the best of secular
knowledge towards good governance under the moral guidance of the Quran and Sunnah. Yet in
every action there is an equal or opposite “negative” reaction, in other words
disadvantages maybe associated with their ideology and lifestyle. It is worth noting as an
admonition that it was thoroughly the secular generation, with higher qualifications from
abroad who, in the past, invited the former communist bloc to the country. Remember the
dark days of chanting glory to Marx, Engels and Lenin.
Disorientation is inevitable in cases of sudden breakdown and demolition of the fragile
and false infrastructure. Our main problem is based on our self deception. We feigned
healthy while we suppressed the symptoms but not cured the disease.
The false declaration of the demise and burial of abusive tribalism effigy with iron fist
of the former regime and warring enemy beyond frontiers were two main factors which hid
our true nature and reality from us. Now what is the solution?, is a mind boggling
question everyone asks excitedly and hurriedly. A sage personality renowned for his wise
words and best governance, Omar Ibn Alkhatab (second caliph of the prophet salallahu
alaihi wasallam) was quoted saying "If one does not preoccupy one's hands with the
good, it preoccupies one with evil".
In the materially advanced world, Local communities set a long or short term development
projects for their localities. Every category of the community contributes voluntarily to
accomplish the task and achieve the target accordingly. Nobody remains idle to cause
damage or harm other people. Educating the young generation in the locality, helping the
disabled, recycling the waste, or even non compulsory do it yourself (Iskaa wax u qabso).
It is do-it-yourself prompted by common sense and an inner conscience of every person, not
the servitude bad old days of the communist regime where workers were subjugated to toil
subserviently with the kick of the boot of the revolutionary guards. We still retain in
our memories the plight of the dark days, a complexity that deprived us forever of
complete attachment and harmony with our national interests. The best solution is to
invent projects of national interests such that we channel our efforts and energy towards
achieving a noble goal. Today there are many social problems necessitated by the bloody
civil war which demand enormous input of efforts. Orphanage, care for handicapped and
disabled people, stopping gun crime, rallying for peace, fundraising events and
activities, producing media and propaganda against QAT and smoking. These activities can
be given lustrous and fascinating slogans such as BREAK THE GUN BURN THE QAT (QORIGA TUUR
QAADKANA QUB), STOP SMOKING START HELPING( SIGAARKA JOOJI SAACID WALAAL), ORPHANS ARE OURS
(AGOONTU WAA AAYATIINKEENA), HELP THE HANDICAPPED ( U NAXRIISO NAAFADA). These words on
boards and banners blasted on every nook in Somalia would at least psychologically have a
positive impact on the public. It is essential that this initiative be established,
sponsored, undertaken and implemented by a miscellaneous group representing every clan's
men of authority for security purpose. Rehabilitation centres should be set up with object
to implant the idea in the minds of the new generation. I wonder is there no at least ten
devout and pious elders or chiefs of clan in the whole of our nation, who would stand up
for this noble task?!. If not, why not the thousand and one Somali groups and community
organizations established in the Diaspora deliver such peace restoration projects in the
country?. Why not send a group of young delegates (Men on a peace mission) from among
every strong clan to probe peace initiatives by promoting public intelligence?. It is a
matter of social engagement whereby individuals and groups of the public would be
ideologically addressed. The former communist regime temporarily succeeded in this method
by employing the media, artists and launching powerful propaganda. Huge budget is
necessary to run such a massive and long term projects. As a Diaspora-led operation,
sweeping campaign to enlighten immigrants to contribute to this lofty purpose is
inevitable. Except few intellectuals who intuitively adhere to the concept of A DOLLAR
THAT KILLS AND A DOLLAR THAT FEEDS, there are many who deliberately still fundraise for
the death and destruction.
The latter have yet to conceive Allah's words regarding the similitude of the person who
kills one person as if he killed the whole people. AlMaida - 5:32 On that account: We
ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for
murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people:
and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then
although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of
them continued to commit excesses in the land . By the almighty Allah, once put into
action, this proposal, with all the difficulties involved, its impetus perpetuates
forever. The peace loving majority would dominate the social environment and the evil
mongering minority would shy away from the scene. Carrying gun would be a stigma of crime.
Had a foreign enemy crashed the gate of our frontiers trying to defeat and conquer us, we
would be united together as one. A real worse enemy had already occupied our minds and
hearts and we are vanquished by its debilitating stings. I reserve more confidence in the
public than politicians, because once orientated, the public opinion has a potential
strength that overpowers that of the policy makers.
It is the voice of the majority of the public who either decline or decreeenacting or
enforcement of laws, introduction of new systems, joining a pact or a union, economic
system, an organization or a market. I believe that a very powerful media is the best tool
to influence the target. The media has proved its efficiency during the communist regime
whereby the decisions reached miles away in the Kremlin in Moscow, would next day be
implemented in the remotest areas of the country. Our peace pioneers should set up the
same intricate ripple effect propaganda relay system. A powerful CNS that sends waves of
impulses to stimulate the rest of organs and tissues. Ironically Bob Marley and Michael
Jackson both in the states, whose Reggae and Pop Music respectively left no stone unturned
in every house and hut in the country, had defeated the most favourite national artists
for sometime with sophisticated media. The boom was on alien music imported from abroad;
from white collared professionals, butchers, farmers to fishermen, everyone knew at least
who the singer of I shot the Sheriff, Get up stand up...and Billy Jean and Beat it were!.
Teenagers hair shaven or wearing plaits like Jackson and Marley even danced moonwalk on
the kerbs and spread their arms in Marley gesture while wailing like the wailers day and
night. Quite contemptuously even the Indian music like Lakshmikant Pyarelal and R.D.
Burman were chanted, as M.Ravi and Asha Bosley lyrics were chorused in groups by our
youngetesrs. It is all about the media. No doubt whatsoever that if gunman X and gangster
Y were subjected to extremely powerful audiovisual media (Maqal iyo Muuqaal) against gun
crime and abusive tribalism, they would inshaa Allaah one day drop it. No doubt yet that
most of the Somali web sites are already doing well this job.
LET US STAND UP TOGETHER FOR OUR FUTURE .
IDRIS AHMED OSMAN
E-mail: idahos@hotmail.com
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