Somali Central Bank Govenor, Yussur Abrar and the Somali Foreign Minister, Fowzia Yusuf H. Adam. Photo: HOL
Hiiraan Online
by Safia Hashi
Thursday, October 03, 2013
A welcoming reception for Deputy Prime Minister Fowzia Yusuf H. Adam and her delegation at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre last night saw hundreds of Somali-Canadians uniting in support of a common goal—for individuals living abroad to return to a safe Somalia and to congratulate the beginning of women in politics. For the first time in twenty-two years, official delegation from Somalia is in Canada striving to establish international relations that will elevate the country on the world stage.
Among the Somali delegation was Yussur Abrar, the newly appointment governor of the Somali Central Bank.
She reminded the audience that many countries around the world have been built and developed by their diaspora communities. She cited Israel as a relevant example of having a strong diaspora connection.
The crowd erupted in boisterous clapping after singing the Somali National Anthem, "Soomaaliyeey Toosoo", and prayed to recitations from the Holy Quran.
Ottawa Centre MP, Paul Dewar gave an energizing speech emphasizing that remittance payments was an excellent way to build Somalia and urged the diaspora to continue to send money as they have been for the past twenty years.
“Rise up Somalia,” said Etobicoke MP Ted Opitz. “You have that support and world commitment to make it happen.”
David McGuinty, MP for Ottawa south, followed in a speech congratulating the Somali diaspora for being strong pillars in the Canadian economy as well as driving forces of redevelopment back home.
“There is a hope, there is a story to be told,” he said. “We are going to help make it happen and we are going to make sure we are a part of it.”
McGuinty continued congratulating the success of Somalia’s continued growth.
“Somalia has come forward remarkably. With the appointment of its first female Foreign Minister … it is time to put the interests of the Somali people first,” he said.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird revealed Canada plans to spend 6 million dollars in aid to help re-establish the nation.
A cycle of poverty exists whereby those who live in impoverished areas send their children to low income schools with a lower quality of education, and these children continue to live below the poverty line. These social determinants of inequality lead to a feeling of inferiority, and poverty is a strong motivator for crime. As such, education and the success of Somali diaspora were at the forefront of discussion at the reception.
"What we need is for these talented and deployable Somali youth to participate in the construction of Somalia,” said PM Fawzia Yusuf H. Adam. “They are important links between Canada and Somalia, and there is a strong history of diaspora rebuilding nations.”
One of the sponsors of the reception, owner of JDS Plus Mohamed S. Hagi Yusuf, said, “A lot can happen when we work together.”
The night ended in a sea of waving flags and smiling faces as she stated, “Lets change this so-called failed state to a fantastic country.”