Hiiraan Online

It is also beyond my comprehension why the riverine region (Juba and Shabelle) seem to always suffer most from violent acts in Somalia, starting from colonialists’ acts of brutal slavery to the early 1990s’ mass starvation of hundreds of thousands caused by fighting between warlords and their militia and the fleeing army of the deposed military regime.  And now they are under the occupation of Wahabiya fanatics who are out to destroy their cultural identities. In central regions, the “Islamists’” acts of aggression have been repulsed by armed Sufi militias who are out with their swords to resist Wahabi invasion of their land and culture. It is also of a great consolation that “islamists” fanatics – although they have sleeping cells – are not active in Puntland and Somaliland, which  are de facto secular regional states where limps are not chopped off, and adulterers are not stoned to death. This is a great stepping stone for a united secular Somalia, as it relief to millions of Somalis who would like to see a secular state in our beloved country that is free from fundamentalism and terror. However, authorities in the regional states must be cautious against “Islamists” infiltration in their stable and peaceful regions.

In a recent video posted at youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLocPTljnu the “Islamists” have shown their true colours by the way they have treated Sheikh Cabdi Raxiim Cismaan, a 93 year old man, one of the learned Sheikhs of the Ahmadiya Sufi order. In a shocking and deplorable interview, the “Islamists” have subjugated the elderly man to the most appalling and cruel questioning psychological torture in order to destroy his identity as a Sufi leader and also to reduce him to the status of a heretic. Imagine you are a 93 year old man and blind; you have always believed that your way of worshiping your God, according to your ancestors’ teachings, was the right way. But suddenly to your humiliation a 19 year old boy questions your beliefs, declaring a century’s old of beliefs and practices were in fact wrong all along. And that unless and until you denounce your belief you will either be physically eliminated or ostracised from your own community. It has been reported that, the Shiekh who returned from pilgrimage in Mecca just a day before the interview, was beaten up and no one knows whether he is alive or dead.

Furthermore, “Islamist” groups have changed names of important landmarks and places, such as Isha Baydhabo – a natural fountain and an important historic landmark in Baydhabo city, and a market place in Brava town. They have also banned English lessons in schools hence depriving children to learn the language of knowledge and science, a language that millions of people world wide aspire to learn and master it.

So as these actions of cultural barbarism are being committed by “Islamists” in southern Somalia, please allow me to pose and share some soul searching questions about these groups:

Who are these “Islamist” groups?

Politics:

Are they a concoction of clan demagogues whose main aim is to ensure their clans’ perpetual dominance over our country’s scarce natural resources?

Do they want to plant seeds of another totalitarian regime in Somalia only this time in the name of religion under which public and private spheres of its citizen will be controlled by a theological doctrine so that if yesterday it was “Aabbaha Ummadda iyo Hanti-wadaaga Cilmiga Ku Dhisan” – the father of the nation, tomorrow it will be the “Sheekha of Ummada”?

Do they want to create a Saudi Arabian model state – a total monarchy – in which peoples’ right to elect their leaders is denied? Are they zealots who would use their narrow interpretation of Islam to silence any opposition and dissent in opinion and in faith?

Are they ideologues who do not like concepts of human rights, democracy, freedom, liberty, public participation in politics and would see them as alien concepts that must be erased from our nation’s conscience?

Or

Are they moderates who - even if they have political ambitions - would work very hard to pave the way for the creation of a modern secular state based on the Malaysian model where Islam lives side by side with other faiths such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism in harmony? Thus creating a more tolerant society that is happy with it self and can also live with its neighbours in peace and harmony.

Women’s sphere

Are they copycats of the Mutawiciin – the virtue and vice police of Saudi Arabia that would indoctrinate girls to cover up all their bodies from toe to head? Are they zealots who would spend millions of dollars to buy special busses in order to separate sexes from men?

Are they Wahabiyah chauvinists who are so anti-modernity that even in the 21st century they cannot bring themselves to the reality that women can be drivers, doctors, pilots and astronauts and can rob shoulders with their male counterparts on equal terms?  

Traditional dance: in memory of the 13 year old girl rape victim stoned to death in Kismaayo and as contribution to the forthcoming International Women’s Day’s celebrations.

Are they Wahabiyah women-haters whose attitude towards women is based not on Islam but on a pre-Islamic Arabian tradition where baby girls were buried alive as they were perceived to bringing shame to their families?                  

 

Or

 

Are they a blessed group who will treat women as fellow human beings who have equal rights and responsibilities as men?  

 

Culture

 

Are they reactionaries who would desecrate and dismantle national heritage, emblems and symbols that national heroes paid a heavy price for their realisation?

 

Are they cultural revolutionaries who would scorn culture and would eradicate national folklore and dance so that shir, gabley-shimber, dhaanto, saar, heello, jiifto, sheeko-xariir, buraanbur, geeraar, maahmaah, gabayo, maanso, heeso jaceyl, and countless beautiful cultural expressions will be destined to the dustbin?

 

Are they revolutionary forces that would be prepared to sacrifice millions of lives in order to destroy identities and create new ones consequently repeating and reminding the world of atrocities committed under the bloody revolutions of Mao, Stalin and Pol Pot?

 

Traditional Somali nomad .

Are they Arabised fanatics who would prefer Abu Hafsa, Abu Cusman, Um Cumar over indigenous Somali names such as Geedi, Xaayow, Garaad, Gacal, Raage, Dhaayow, Keenadiid, Ceydiid, Maandeeq, Dheerow, Caraweelo, Culusow, Ceynte, Samatar, Marwo, Meygaag, Eenow, Deerow, Iidow, Madoobe, Mukuy?

 

Are they Wahabiyah enthusiasts who would exterminate Qaadiriya, Saalixiya, Ahmadiya, Rufuaaciya, Saylaciya and other Sufi sects whose teachings based on tolerance, love, wisdom, philosophy, reason and non-violent methods have enabled Islam to spread to all corners of Somalia from Saylac-to-Ras Kaambooni? The Sufi orders that encourage their disciples “xerta” to study different schools of thoughts including the Shaaficiya School of jurisprudence. The Sufi sects of national heroes such as Sheikh Hassan Barsane, Sheikh Aweys Al-Qadiri, Sheikh Nur Hussein who played a major role in defeating colonial powers.

 

Are they Wahabiyah fans who would outlaw Ziyaarada qubuuraha – a visit and reverence of shrines of the saints such as Sheikh Aweys Al-Qadiri of Biyooley?  A tradition deeply held by many Somalis.

 

Are they Wahabiyah fanatics who would issue fatwa, declaring Sufi sect followers as heretics under the pretext of their usual mantra “bidcah wat takfiir”? Because according to their version of Islam these practices resemble idol worshipping, and as a result of their actions stir up division, suspicion, animosity within the religious community. 

 

Are they zealots whose main purpose is the application of and adherence to the Wahabiyah doctrine? An order whose strict interpretation of Islam failed the Muslim world by dismantling Sufi traditions and their institutions that alongside mysticism and spirituality have  encouraged logic, reason and enquiry into all fields including social and natural sciences?

 

Or

 

Are they wise men who can bring themselves to the reality that above-mentioned traditions are facts in Somalia and have been so for a very long time, and that any attempts to erase them are bound to fail?

 

Are they an accommodating group that will help nurture and protect Somalis’ multiple-identities including their African, Arab and Western heritages and ideologies thus helping to create a balanced society that is at ease with its multi-layered identities?

 

Education

 

Are they fanatics who - in order to implement their strict doctrine - would prefer theological schools over secular ones thus oppressing inquiring minds of the young who, otherwise if encouraged, would use their brilliant brains to acquire knowledge through a balanced curriculum and a well researched information?

 

Are they dogmatists who would violently suppress scientific explanation of the matter and universe? And because of their oppressive action many gifted minds will be wasted and Somalia will be left out of science and technology race hence perpetual poverty?

 

Or

 

Are they a liberal minded group who will nurture talent and encourage it to excel in science and knowledge?

 

Freedom of expression

 

Are they a totalitarian faction whose main aim is to control expression of personal thoughts, feelings, and ideas that differ from theirs? Are they control freaks who will not tolerate any artistic expression of dissent and opposition in ideology and faith?

 

Are they reactionaries who believe that sword is mightier than the pen, hence would condemn those who dare to ask questions to death by chopping off their heads?

 

Are they groups of enthusiasts - who because of their tribal allegiances - will succumb to pressures of clan demands and will therefore abandon their revolutionary ideologies just like the old military regime has done when it abandoned their “Hantiwadaaga Cilmiga Ku dhisan” - “Scientific Socialism?”

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Muuse Yuusuf