On November 28, 2005, the Somali community in Toronto participated in a Fundraising event for the establishment of a University in Hiiraan, Somalia. This well organized event was held on Days Inn Hotel in North York, Toronto and many reputable and well respected academics, community leaders, elders, youth and women participated in this event to raise funds for the establishment of a university in Hiiraan.

The audiences were given background information about the establishment of Hiiraan University by Abdulkadir Khalif who recently returned from Somalia. Abdulkadir khalif who is also a member of the Board of Directors of Hiiraan University Foundation acquired land for the university in his short trip to Somalia and emphasized the need to establish a University in Hiiraan

There were no shortages of key note speakers, among the keynote speakers who emphasized the importance of education and the role it plays in advancing societies was Dr. warfaa of Utah who was also the main quest speaker of the event. Dr. Warfaa who is a professor in Utah and taught the Agriculture University in Somalia spoke directly to the audience about the value of education and how it can bring polarized societies such as Somalia closer and that it is only through education that we can resolve many problems that are inherent in our societies and reach a level of progress that is compatible to the advanced societies.

Said dhafuuje who is a well known community leader in Toronto moved the audiences in articulating the value of knowledge in any societies from a religious stand point and that it is an obligatory for the members of the society to seek knowledge, because it is only through knowledge that human beings can improve their lives and the lives of their community.

Similarly, Abdulkadir Haji Mohamed Masala told the audience about the multicultural and multi-clan nature of Hiiraan, and the fact that he himself hails from beledwein is testament to the diversity of that city. Dr. geedi equally spoke about the benefit of education to our children as well as our grandchildren and the future generations of Somalia.

Well, the youth were also given their share of participating in this important event, and on behalf of the youth, the well talented and articulate Warsan yusuf from London Ontario moved the audience and inspired all of us. Warsan yusuf received standing ovation from the audiences. Here is excerpt from her speech, so that it may inspire all of us including the Somali youth in participating in the rebuilding process of our nation.

Conference Speech

Warsan yusuf from London Ontario moved the audience

Good evening everyone. I am sure that the majority of you know why you are here, but there are many of you who do not realize the importance of tonight. For some of you, tonight is just another social event to better integrate with the Somali community, but the real essence, the real importance of tonight is not just to build a university, but to build life, to build hope, to build a future for those deprived of a proper childhood.

Those of you who don’t know me; I was born and raised in Canada unlike the unfortunate children that were born in Somalia in the middle of war and chaos. I’m very proud of being a Somali-Canadian. Being a citizen of Canada means that I have access to education, free health care and a normal life, and I am sure that others like me are grateful for this too. Many of you think that I must be one of the luckiest girls, but those people are naïve about what my life is really like. “They do not see the other side of what I have been through.” Technically speaking, I was a refugee before I was even born. My mom was fighting for my future while I was still in her womb. Because of the civil war, I lost my country, my father, and “relatives that longed to see me.” I never got to go back and visit my beloved and once beautiful country. All of this is because of the over-sized ego of many murderous, greedy warlords.

I may not have my father, but I have an amazing mother who raised me and my brothers and sisters single-handedly and did a great job at it. But let’s take time to just imagine those who lost their mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and feel they are destined for a future of emptiness. What did they do wrong? Sadly, they have done nothing to deserve this life, yet they are forced live it. A whole generation, my generation, has basically been wiped out of existence! And if we just sit here and continue to do nothing to help our people, our children, who’s to say that we’re better

than those that ravaged our country? We cannot change their past, but we can definitely change their future and the future of Somalia. The last generation will eventually pass, and the new generation will proceed without any opportunity, without any guidance and without any hope. We must work together in building this school, for this one school will change thousands of futures for those not only in Somalia, but the ones here that long to go back to their homeland. A wise man once said, and I quote, “ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I choose to help my people and do something; the rest is up to you. Thank you

This event was facilitated very skillfully by Dr. Mohamed Hussein Bodaaye. Other notable speakers of the event included Dr. Mohamed Said Tabit, Abdi Dibutati, Mohamed Farah Aliyow, Hersi Salah, Bashiir Ciise and Hussein Macow. They have all supported this noble cause and reaffirmed the need to make Hiiraan University a reality with convincing speeches. In the end Abdirahman Shiekh Ciise who is a reputable educator and a community leader has reminded the audience about participating in and contributing to such cause and concluded with the famous pacifist quote of Mahatma Gandhi “If you want change be part of that change” and Abdirahman Isse told the audience that he chose to be part of that change.

On behalf of the organizing Committee of Hiiraan University Fundraising I would like to thank the Somali community at large for their generous support to this important event.

Event Organizing Committee
Toronto, Ontario