Post Somali Week

Though I'm still recuperating, I wanted to write a quick note of appreciation as I had a blast at Oxford House's Somali Week in London. I came back Sunday morning exhausted but filled with exuberance and hope for the heights Somali literature can reach in the future.
Many prominent artists, writers, publishers, poets and literary experts gathered for that one week and every day was a different flavour bringing many people across the spectrum together. Wednesday was particularly close to my heart as it was the evening dedicated to Women's Literature and the contributions they made to the development of society.
I've met some awe-inspiring youngsters and inspirational women and men that I hope to stay in touch with. If events like these were replicated across the country and perhaps even in the countries where there are large Somali communities, the image of the Somali people would be tipped towards the positive side.

For the love of humanity

I have always been a big fan of book gatherings and events that bring people who share a similar love for literature together. It is a different kind of love that overwhelms you when those gatherings are held for your own writings and people attend because they share your literary vision.
For the past two weeks I have been at awe and very humbled at how many people that turned up at our book launches across the city. People from all walks of life crossing gender, faith, class and social status came to share this journey with us in our quest to make a small contribution to the betterment of our Somali people and the societies we live in.
It is amazing to see the similarities in the human race and how there is a lot more that connects us than that which separates us. I've met people I never thought I'd come across only to have an instant bond with them through our common sense of humanity. They have given me memories, fond memories and for that my heart will remain touched.

humble beginnings...

For as long as I can remember, I've always dreamed of putting pen to paper in a definitive sense and share my creativity whilst contributing to the greater good. It has been a long time coming but my first book that I've co-authored with three other authors is finally out.
'Somalia to Europe; stories from the Somali Diaspora' looks at the experiences of the Somali-European community from fleeing the civil war to becoming refugees in various European countries and then migrating once again, this time seeking tolerance and social acceptance. Many seem to have found this in the UK but nevertheless have come across various ordeals and obstacles. This book captures those experiences in personal story formats and is written in both English and Somali. This is done for many reasons but primarily the intent is for the book to reach as many audiences as possible but also for it to serve as an archive of the history of the Somali people as they continue to evolve. The upcoming generations will have something that has been preserved that will teach them of their parents' history and migration to the Western lands. In the immediate future, we hope the book will create a better understanding amongst the wider communities of the Somali people, particularly those that engage with the Somali community so that better relations can be formed based on understanding, respect and mutual tolerance.

On an individual note, a human being is always observing the horizons of one's life continuously seeking meaning and a way to make a difference. This has been the driving force behind my part in this book. The stories captured in this book tell of joys and happiness, tears and pain, doubts and fear. Aspects that can resonate with human beings across the world since we are all connected through the emotions we experience and the quest for a better existence. When we begin to look around us and observe individuals and societies, we realise our journey is a shared experience...

post riot reflections

A mere few weeks ago, England had been swept by rioters causing havoc and upheaval in our mostly calm surroundings. The events were dominating most of the Western media as they spread across many of the British cities in a matter of days, all happening consecutively. For a moment the whole country went mad, mimicking signs of a people ready for a civil war. Here in Leicester, we had police officers almost in front of every house and shop with helicopters flying over each street. It created a tense atmosphere but it was also the reason why the yobs here were prevented from committing any real damage.
I'm happy to report things are back to normal. I went to London a few days ago where preparations and test runs for the Olympics were in full swing. Normality was in full bloom. If you hadn't watched the news, you wouldn't have thought any upheaval took place, let alone the biggest riot in English history. It's uplifting to see people value peace and serenity to this length and reassuring that the police has brought calmness to our streets.

What is pertinent that we ask one another is the reason for a peaceful demonstration in front of a local police station in one of the boroughs of London to spin so quickly out of control. What led to all these youth coming out in such full force having no mercy for anyone? The first and most obvious answer is that they are a pack of criminals who saw an opportunity and decided to take advantage. Once captured they need to be brought to justice. This is the most obvious explanation and that's what the government has been advocating for. The real underlying issue that will take much more effort than capturing and handcuffing these youth is the huge social divide in the British society where the upper and middle class live extravagantly and the working class struggle to reach a comfortable living. Taxes affect them the most as well as pensions being cut and student fees being trippled to £9000 per year.

In addition many of the youth from a working class background have been segregated into the life of the 'estate' because there aren't many other opportunities in the mainstream society. They are surrounded by poverty with the only role models being the local hustler and gang leader. Therefore when an opportunity like the recent demonstration comes along, it is their chance to feast! They couldn't care less about preserving public buildings and local businesses because they feel society hasn't preserved them. Whether they get a criminal record or serve time in prison is also of no concern since they never had any future aspirations. This really reminds me of the youth in Somalia who are a perpetual part of the agonising civil war. Those that are at the forefront of the Al-Shabab militias or the piracy that has gone beserk are all youngsters very much in their teens and early twenties.

I am by no means excusing their actions. What they did was vile and utterly unacceptable but I think it is high time we speak about and point out that the government and society at large starts addressing the core problems of issues like these and start implementing long-term solutions to draw the social gap in our society and for these youth to feel inclusive in the society they live in. This means educational opportunities affordable to them, job creation, training and vocational programs that are viable and ensure a difference in their lives and most of all they need mentors and role models that show there is another way of life. This is the only way we can ensure this sort of thing does not happen again on our streets and harmony across the classes of society is harboured. Otherwise we'll remain a ticking bomb not knowing the severity of the next explosion...

one swordfish at a time

I was reading a story the other day about a young boy who saved swordfishes at his local beach. He would go every weekend and as the waves wash a million swordfishes ashore, he would pick up however many he can, one by one, and throw them back in the sea. A man who usually jogs around the beach at the same time as the boy saw the boy's actions on several occasions. One day the man stopped him and said "Young man, there are a million of them, don't you know it's impossible to save all of them?" The boy looked at the man, picked up another swordfish and threw it back in the sea. "I made a difference in that swordfish's life" he said and carried on.

Times like Ramadan really make you reflect on small actions that make a big difference. I'm sure that boy left an imprint in that man's mind. Although we can't rid the world of all its adversities, but we can make a difference in the areas we focus on. Somalia has been on my mind quite often as of late. The famine, although predictable, has nevertheless touched all that care about the people of Somalia and how they've been at the brunt of the worst humanitarian disaster of our modern times. So this Ramadan I fast as a humble, blessed human being. I pray for my motherland, its people and its children hoping my friends will pray with me and Allah is the giver of all things, may He accept our prayers.

a toil on my mind

I was catching up with a few friends of mine of whom one works for the immigration services here in the UK. My friend related a story to me that really shook my nerve. A Pakistani lady who was married to a guy here in Leicester through an arrangement made by the parents came to this city looking forward to her new life in the UK. She was shown the pictures of her husband and thought he looked delightful.

When she arrived at her new house, she found a husband who was physically and mentally disabled and in a permanent wheelchair. The pictures she was shown were of many years ago. She was stuck. In addition the Asian culture often stipulates that the wives move in with their husband's family where they are expected to take care of the household and her husband's family so this lady did not only inherit a husband that required full-time care but his family's household as well. He needed everything done for him from showering and using the toilet to brushing his teeth and eating. When she finished the house chores and put her husband to bed, his brothers would sneak in and do whatever they pleased with her. It was literally modern day slavery. The neighbours, who heard her cries every night as she was being assaulted, finally called the police.
The police came to her rescue and handed her over to the immigration services. The problem is she arrived in this country on a marriage visa which means she cannot seek asylum or remain by any other means. If she returned to Pakistan her family will not accept her back. As far as they're concerned, she has betrayed the family and has brought shame. There is no care for her safety or well-being. Long story short; she can't stay in the UK but has nowhere to go back to.
This is where the law really lets people down. My friend was explaining how she has fallen within the loopholes of the law. Cases like hers can't be accommodated by the immigration services. She faces deportation by the end of next week and there is nothing that can be done. This is so heartbreaking. What dawned on me was how many similar cases are happening right at our doorsteps that we're unaware of because of women like this lady who will not speak of their torment? We live in such a self-centred world where we might be living next door to neighbours we've never greeted.

On a different note, the News of the World phone hacking scandal has literally taken over the English airwaves. Rupert Murdoch is leading every headline and conversation. Many people had been asking why he didn't fire chief exec Rebekkah Brooks. Luckily she has since resigned but my guess is she had one too many pointers on Murdoch that he needed to be kept hidden...
I really hope the inquiry dishes out everything they have been up to. To think of all the lives they've invaded in the name of news gathering is a disgrace to say the least.

a flower awaiting its bloom...

As of late I've noticed a re-occurring trend among members of the Somali community. Many of whom I've spoken to complain about the issues they face from the barriers they face trying to access different public services to financial woes and political turmoil back in Somalia, all of which they blamed others for. The problem this type of attitude creates is a diversion from taking responsibility for the goals one wishes to achieve in life. Additionally it allows people to approach issues with a victimised approach which means the chances of a progressive change occurring instinctively becomes minimal. A society will not change unless its people are willing to take a proactive lead towards bringing that change. I believe our people have a great potential and the sky really is the limit for what they can achieve. My only hope is that they realise that and start tapping into it.

Now that my rant of the day is out of the way, I'm welcoming the arrival of the British summer which officially started yesterday. Though Britain is famous for its aimless weather, there is always something fresh and exciting about the beginning of summer. It brings a sense of joyfulness, lifting people's spirits up.
Happy days ahead, I reckon :)