Abdi Shire Jama

Shire Foundation

[email protected]

Following 19 years of bloody Civil War, Somalia is again being

eclipsed by yet another surge in violence and brutality - this time

perpetrated in the name of religion by fundamentalist extremists.

What can Somalis and stakeholders in the Somali community do to combat

the spread of this growing ideological extremism?

This article advocates the need for an alternative approach, designed

to slow the rampant spread of extremism in Somalia, and to reverse it.

Somali society is renowned for its irrepressible oral and

artistic traditions, manifested in poetry, theatre and oratory. These

remain our principal forms of expression. Richard Burton famously

described Somalia as a 'nation of poets’. And this runs true.

Indeed, the past two decades of war and destruction have been

documented and recorded through poems, songs and literature. For

progress to be made, it is argued that we need to harness these

authentic and durable tools and to use them to reconstruct a country

in extreme crisis.

Oratory remains a deeply powerful weapon in Somali society. Rhetoric

and the use of poetry can influence any given political platform, public

debate, manifestation or negotiation process. Typically, it does this

by accessing and stirring the social consciences of those listening.

This is particularly visible in the community comprising the Somali

Diaspora. Eloquent poetic discourse is perhaps the only medium that

can truly transcend clan differences. This is a society where

wordsmiths do the work of peace activists. We need to channel the

respect that they elicit from our society into our project: to educate

our people by appealing to sentiment and compassion. Few Somalis are

strangers to suffering. We need to unlock the empathy of those under

the grip of religious and political extremism through the medium of

oratory and art.

A recent example:

After the horrendous suicide attack in Mogadishu in December 2009which killed 3 key political figures and a host of medical students, I feltcompelled to engage with the issue of extremism. In response,

therefore, I composed the song Qaylodhaan (Alarm) - the lyrics have evoked

an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the Somali community (I attach the

lyrics below).

Since then, I have been inundated with phone calls and messages. It

is clear that the song has prompted a new and originally positivediscourse. The song has provoked a long list of comments on YouTube,

the majority of which make reference to the hope conveyed in thesong’s lyrics. However, it is interesting to note the number ofmessages that recognise and emphasise the importance of using poeticexpression to promote peace in Somalia. By way of example, one suchcomment states:

"No other Somali song in the history of Somalia other than this onehas had such a profound impact on the collective conscience of thehuman mind, heart and soul. This song has touched us in and out, itcarries much weight and value. It has also brought us onlinegeneration together in a positive way. It is most unfortunate thoughthat it took a disaster for us that to happen".

The aim of the song was to create awareness of the crippling hold thatextremist groups have taken over the population in Somalia. It was

also designed as part of an effort to unite Somalis from differentfactions and strata of society against these hostile groups.

In the wake of another failed terrorist plot in the U.S. and given theemerging threat posed by Yemeni extremist groups, there now needs to be agenuine effort to work with the Somali community to stem the tide ofextremism and the violence that it is breeding in Somalia.

I strongly believe it is through poetry, art and literature, disciplines

which are deeply rooted in the fabric of Somali society that change can

occur. The recent success of (Qeyladaan) is testament to this belief. It

shows that poetic expression remains a powerful tool to promote peace.

Further, recent history in Somalia suggests that it may be our onlyeffective weapon.

Recommendations:

1)

Stakeholders and patrons of the Somali community should provideresources to an agreed group of reputable Somali organisations for thepurpose of holding concerts and recitals, which will in turn bringtogether singers, artist, and poets.

The providing of an open platform such as this to discuss the problemof extremism, through a form of expression, which all Somalis can

understand and appreciate, will unite different factions in the

denunciation of

extremist violence.

2)

Target young Somali children through art workshops, poetry competitions

and the performing arts to voice and share their experiences. The aim ofthe activity will be to divert their attention from engaging with extremistgroups in the UK. It will do this through encouraging them to getactively involved in projects designed to promote their culturalheritage and history. The projects will promote community cohesionand integration.

3) The phenomenal success of the Somali speaking television channelsin the Somali Diaspora, particularly in the UK, should be utilised toinstil greater effect. Therefore, stakeholders should reach out to theSomali community through a sustained media campaign to combat extremism in

the Somali community.

The emphasis must be placed on working together to achieve a commongoal through sponsoring adverts, songs and programmes, which openlycondemn extremist activities.

Extremism in the Somali community is a very serious issue. It

requires an immediate solution. The use of armed force alone will noteradicate the threat posed by extremist groups in and outside ofSomalia. Rather, we must invest in the arts to create the opportunityfor the rich oral tradition of the Somali people to do the work. Onlythrough such collective and conscious unity, can extremist violence bedefeated.

The blast that targeted theGraduating students spreadHavoc and terror among us!

QASAARAHA NA GAARAYWAA MIDAAN QIILNA LOO HEYNE

There can be no justification For the loss inflicted on us!

CUMAR HAASHI QAARAJIYE

They killed Omar Hashi!

WAAYEEL QAARAJIYE

They killed Waayeel!

DAAUUD DIRIR QAARAJIYEIYO QAAR KALOO BADANE

They killed Daud Dirir andMany more!

QURAAN RUUGII INA CADOWWAA KAA QOORTA LAGA GOOYAY

There, they even killed the master of theQuran, Mr Adow!

DATOORADII WAX QALI JIRAYIYO QAMARNA MAY DHAAFIN

They did not even spare the surgeonsincluding Qamar!

QUMBULAD KOLAAD LA DHACDORABOW WAX KA QABOQOOMKII SIDAAN YEELAY

Oh Allah, even strike themWith an atomic bomb, if you have to, pleaseDo Something about those perpetrators!

QAYLO DHAAN WAAWAREYQAYLO DHAAN WAAWAREY

Save our lives (SOS)/

Please, help us out!

QAAIMUL WADDAN DALAALAAHADBA SOO QASAAYOOQEYBI OO XUKUNBAA QORSHUHU YAHAYE

Mercenary traitors areFrequently messing things up.

The plan is divide and rule.

QAYLO DHAAN WAAWAREYQAYLO DHAAN WAAWAREY

Safe our lives (SOS!)

Please, help us out!

QIIL DAMBIYO MA HARINDIIN LAGU QARAABTAAYE

There can be no more false claims

Left using religion

QURAC JABAY SIDIISIQARANKU MA U LIICAY

Like a falling tree,

the nation is leaning!

QABRIGOON GALNAA DHAANTAQAABKA AAN NAHAYE

Better to be in grave,

Then live this life.

QUMAATI U TOOS SOOMAALIYEY

WAAD QALIBANTEENE

Oh Somalis, rise up properly

Otherwise, you are doomed!