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Verily never will Allah change a condition of a people until they change what is within their souls
[Surah Ar-Rad verse 11]
Halima A. Ahmed
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Recently, the Somali president visited the Somali community in the United States. I was glad; I did not have to travel long distance to attend the event as it was held in Virginia.
This event was absolutely among my top favorite ones of this year. I enjoyed the sense of unity among the Somali community, the love and respect they held for the country and the Somali flag, it was a sight to see. Finally, hearing the Somali National Anthem for the first time sang by many Somalis made me a bit emotional.
Ever since the president’s visit to Virginia, I have read few articles in different Somali sites criticizing him for his political ideologies, policies and also questioning his position as a president. Some even call him a traitor for not speaking Somali at the U.N meeting and some are just still angry at the fact that he shook hands with a woman (Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State). Still some people went as far as calling him different names and saying he is an advocate for whatever his “tribe” might be.
However, when will we understand as Somalis that criticizing someone constantly is not going to change anything? Why can’t we just learn to appreciate and place our trust in people who are doing something for the country? Many Somalis have failed themselves, and are just pessimistic about the situation of Somalia. It kills me to see my fellow Somalis saying “Somalia will never have a government again.” One might say, well 20 years is long time to hope for a better future for our country, however, we have been hoping and praying for 20 years without actually acting upon our hopes and prayers by doing productive things for the country. Allah Ta’aal only helps those who help themselves, and as the prophet Sal Allahu alayhi wa salam once said: Trust in Allah and also tie your camels. We should not just sit and hope things will change miraculously. You must act for change to take place.
One might say that, I am too naïve and gullible for my vision of a better Somalia. My answer to them would just be, I prefer to see the positive side of life and I do not doubt that Somalia will return back to its original place of honor and that true Islam shall, unlike what is being taught by the Al-Shabaab, reach our future generation, inshAllah.
Today more than ever Somalia needs us! We have failed our nation time and again. Let us not fail our religion (diin) at least. Today, Islam is being altered and made into an ugly thing by Al Shabaab. People are constantly referring to these men as “Islamic Terrorist,” that term in itself is making our deen ugly. There is never anything like an Islamic terrorist, just like there is never anything like a Christian, Hindu or Jew terrorist. Terrorist are just terrorist who do not know the teaching of God! And, we Somalis, especially our youth, need to stand up and protect our diin from anyone who wants to politicize it and use it for their own personal gains.
Finally, I do not know if Sheikh Sharif is going to change everything in Somalia and make it a peaceful place. I do not know if he is going to be the person under whom Al Shabaab will be defeated. I do not even know if I will be alive to see a better Somalia. A better Somalia: a day where my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters will not have to live in a constant fear of hearing the gun shots. And I certainly do not know if Sheikh Sharif is going to turn out to be a traitor. However, what I do know right now is that he is the president of Somalia; he is a Muslim man, who is yearning for a peaceful Somalia from what I have heard him say at the event. And, for that, regardless of what others think, I support my president, hope and pray that he continues leading the nation like he did back when he was part of the Islamic Courts.
Somalia haa noolato!
Halima A Ahmed
E-mail: [email protected]