The Somali Society

Yup.

Was it not you that quoted me with those articles for the cosmological argument?

Hey everyone,
I've never been to Somalia (although, I would absolutely LOVE to go).
I haven't had much contact with many Somalis, who aren't caught- up in tribalism. So everytime I ask the following questions, I get a different answer - because everyone seems to blame the trouble in Somalia on everyone/thing else.

So my questions are;
- What exactly is happening in Somali? Why and How did the civil war start?
- I know that Somaliland isn't recognized as separate country, but is it really and illegal/ illegitimate state?
- What is the current situation like?
- Why do the tribes all seem to hate each other? It seems ludicrous to me! They're all from the same country - shouldn't they be working together and trying to build- up Somalia?!
Any answers would be greatly appreciated, because I'm SERIOUSLY confused right now and it's shameful to know so little about my own country!

Oh and does anyone know about the organisation 'Hanoolato'?- If you do, what are your thoughts?

P.S.
- does anyone know if it's possible to do a GCSE in Somali?

Yup, I'm a Somali-atheist.

How did you become athiest may I ask how did you lose faith?

Didn't find arguments for Gods existence convincing. Couldn't absorb some aspects of Islam such as eternity-hellfire, stance on evolution etc.

I would suggest you sign on to the Islamic awakening forum and look for some answers.

And For those who never received the message of Islam basically before Christianity was wide spread and Judaism was a exclusive group of travellers in the middle east, what happened to those in Africa, most of Europe, Indians, Chinese, oceanic people, where they justified for believing in what they believe before receiving Allah's message through his prophets.

To every people (was sent) a messenger: when their messenger comes (before them), the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged. 10:47

For We assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command), "Serve Allah, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth). 16:36

Verily We have sent thee in truth, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner: and there never was a people, without a warner having lived among them (in the past). 35:24

I used to be in the same position as you. Completely ignorant about my heritage. Can't even speak the language properly. But what what finally made me read about my background and history was when some dude asked what tribe I was. I didn't have a clue what he was on about

Do some research. Start with Wikipedia. Most of the sources on there have been verified

Now I'm interested in this ancient justice before Sharia/Islam what would that have been?

What do you guys think of the article below. The Awdal region of Somalia - located in north-west Somaliland is preparing to establish Awdal State..a state which would be part of federal Somalia. How would you guys in support of Somaliland feel about this? ...I remember reading an article on this matter about a year ago, where academics from the Awdal region were expressing how the inhabitants of that region were staunchly against the idea of 'Somaliland' as opposed to federal Somalia. Is this a step in the right direction for federalism in Somalia?

Hey everyone,
I've never been to Somalia (although, I would absolutely LOVE to go).
I haven't had much contact with many Somalis, who aren't caught- up in tribalism. So everytime I ask the following questions, I get a different answer - because everyone seems to blame the trouble in Somalia on everyone/thing else.

So my questions are;
- What exactly is happening in Somali? Why and How did the civil war start?
- I know that Somaliland isn't recognized as separate country, but is it really and illegal/ illegitimate state?
- What is the current situation like?
- Why do the tribes all seem to hate each other? It seems ludicrous to me! They're all from the same country - shouldn't they be working together and trying to build- up Somalia?!
Any answers would be greatly appreciated, because I'm SERIOUSLY confused right now and it's shameful to know so little about my own country!

Oh and does anyone know about the organisation 'Hanoolato'?- If you do, what are your thoughts?

P.S.
- does anyone know if it's possible to do a GCSE in Somali?

I see the pain they gained from the government but what difference will it make by joining with federal Somalia?

BTW unrelated but is Leicester your firm choice? I'm going there as well

It'll make a huge difference because unlike Sool and Sanaag (which, I think, are regions in favour of federal Somalia) Awdal is completely surrounded by Somaliland - it's on the border with Djibouti. Sool and Sanaag could be annexed to Puntland. The Somaliland administration will obviously be against this and they would just become another oppressive regime (all be it an unrecognised one). I think one solution that a couple Somali academics have mentioned is moving the capital of a federal Somalia to Hargeisa - a place where peace actually exists. This would mean the government could go about it's business while forces pooled from the regions of PLand and SLand with the AU and Ahlu Sunna etc could be used to eradicate Al Shabaab. However, this would mean a lot of political redundancies. This could be another problem. All in all, I think Somalia would be much better of as a unified state where all Somalis could call home. How can a place be called Somaliland and favour only clans native to that region? might as well call it the name of the clan followed by 'land'.

It'll make a huge difference because unlike Sool and Sanaag (which, I think, are regions in favour of federal Somalia) Awdal is completely surrounded by Somaliland - it's on the border with Djibouti. Sool and Sanaag could be annexed to Puntland. The Somaliland administration will obviously be against this and they would just become another oppressive regime (all be it an unrecognised one). I think one solution that a couple Somali academics have mentioned is moving the capital of a federal Somalia to Hargeisa - a place where peace actually exists. This would mean the government could go about it's business while forces pooled from the regions of PLand and SLand with the AU and Ahlu Sunna etc could be used to eradicate Al Shabaab. However, this would mean a lot of political redundancies. This could be another problem. All in all, I think Somalia would be much better of as a unified state where all Somalis could call home. How can a place be called Somaliland and favour only clans native to that region? might as well call it the name of the clan followed by 'land'.

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I thought about going to Leicester by so far Lancaster seems to be in the lead for me.

I know where Awdal is but what I want to know is what benefit will it make by joining with federal Somalia (Who already have enough problems as it is). Is it because of the problems they gain from the Somaliland government they think the that the grass is greener on the other side?

Moving the capital to Hargeisa would be a good idea, that is if anyone from the region would actually be for the unification of Somalia. Plus there would be a lot of political problems with that as you said. I think that we should thin about a unification of Somalia only when every region are stable enough for this to happen and are willing to look past the mistakes made before, which for now is not likely to happen soon as the memories of Siad Barre's regime is still strong in the people of Somaliland, especially with the Isaaq clan (As I can see with my family and other fellow Landers). I had this idea (not a good one though ) I was thinking about before is that when all the regions are stable enough, we could unify but the regions could also have some sort of autonomy in their affairs (a bit like the UK).

I also agree with what you said about the clan problem in Somaliland, I also noticed that this influences politics and elections as people vote candidates based on their clan rather that policies.

I might be wrong but I see no reason why Mogadishu has to remain the capital of Somalia. There are many cities in Somalia with a huge amount of History behind them. Hargeisa right now (if i'm not mistaken) has the largest population and on that basis should be the capital.

I think it would go along way to restore the trust lost between Somalia as a whole and the Ishaaq clan who feel they have been mistreated ever since their British Somaliland joined the Italian Somaliland. It doesn't mean much but it symbolises the importance of the North. If it would stop the formation of Somaliland as an independent state and instead focus their efforts into rebuilding to country starting from the North down then I would accept it in an instant.

I know where Awdal is but what I want to know is what benefit will it make by joining with federal Somalia (Who already have enough problems as it is). Is it because of the problems they gain from the Somaliland government they think the that the grass is greener on the other side?

Moving the capital to Hargeisa would be a good idea, that is if anyone from the region would actually be for the unification of Somalia. Plus there would be a lot of political problems with that as you said. I think that we should thin about a unification of Somalia only when every region are stable enough for this to happen and are willing to look past the mistakes made before, which for now is not likely to happen soon as the memories of Siad Barre's regime is still strong in the people of Somaliland, especially with the Isaaq clan (As I can see with my family and other fellow Landers). I had this idea (not a good one though ) I was thinking about before is that when all the regions are stable enough, we could unify but the regions could also have some sort of autonomy in their affairs (a bit like the UK).

I also agree with what you said about the clan problem in Somaliland, I also noticed that this influences politics and elections as people vote candidates based on their clan rather that policies.
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That's too bad I wanted to meet a Somali before going to Leicester

Why blame it on the rest of Somalia though? As some sort of collective punishment? Siad Barre destroyed, tortured and killed anyone against his regime. This was not only exclusive to the people of Hargeisa or the Ishaaq clan.

Why blame it on the rest of Somalia though? As some sort of collective punishment? Siad Barre destroyed, tortured and killed anyone against his regime. This was not only exclusive to the people of Hargeisa or the Ishaaq clan.

Well, the grass certainly isn't greener in south Somalia as of now. I think it's about the sentiment of a unified Somali state. I think currently their isn't much development in Awdal and they feel marginalized - just as Sland did before the civil war. Although tbh Sland hardly has any resources.