Hiiraan Online
Monday October 23, 2017
Ottawa (HOL) - Ottawa area Somali-Canadians have held a fundraising dinner for victims of last weeks terrorist attack in Somalia's capital. The attack - among the deadliest post 9/11 terrorist attacks anywhere in the world - shocked and repulsed Somali's at home and abroad.
Collectively, the community was able to raise over $100,000 CDN for an Emergency Response Center in Mogadishu. The money will be allocated for medical treatment, as well as assistance for the victims and their families.
Although the attack was felt by Somali's everywhere, it hit particularly hard for Ottawa resident Dr Hersi Abdikarim Eyow who was one of the speakers at the fundraiser.
Dr Eyow was at home last Saturday when his phone rang. On the other line was his son who lives in Sweden who told him that his younger brother, Ahmed Abdikarim Eyow, had died in the truck bomb explosion in Mogadishu.
His son told him that he was on the phone with an excited Ahmed Eyow just a few hours ago. Ahmed told his nephew that he had just landed safely in Mogadishu for the first time since fleeing the civil war in the 1990's and that he was checking into the popular Safari hotel. He was looking forward to seeing his family and friends.
Four hours later, a lorry teeming with explosives was detonated in a busy intersection in the middle of Mogadishu rush hour.
Dr Eyow said the seeing outpouring of support from the Somali community in Ottawa moved him.
"It was very emotional, I was moved to see my community come out and support my brother and the other victims of terrorism. Friends from Garissa (Kenya), Djibouti, Somaliland all opened their hearts and their wallets"
Hundreds of mourners, community and religious leaders were joined by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and local MPP John Fraser to denounce terrorism in Somalia.
Abdulkadir Maalin Ilkacase, one of the main organizers said the funds would be sent to 'Gurmad 252', an emergency response and disaster relief group.
The group said that they are still accepting donations and that if they want to contribute they should contact the Somali Centre for Family Services.