Where is the fine line between patriotism and racism. Is it even a line, perhaps it’s a gray swamp inbetween, a diffuse land owned by none? Sometimes the -isms surprise me. It is incredibly easy to cross one -ism and move into another. Normally, a shift of -ism also leads to a change in lifestyle. From conservatism to liberalism, moderatism to radicalism, patriotism to racism.
I see, in the Somali communities around me, Somalis leaving the patriotist-wagon and slowly, almost soundlessly, moving into the racist-cave.
“Free Somalia from oppressers!”- Immediately changes to – “Fuck Ethiopia, may the tigray burn in hell!”
Infact, around here, things have taken a horrible turn. A couple of weeks ago a group of women went to the local masjid. They brought with them a young, ill, girl. Coincidentally, the women were of the same tribe as the current president of Somalia. The women asked the people, especially the shuyukh, whether they could recite Qur’aan on the sick girl.
“We do not recite Qur’aan on Tigray”
Just because a fellow tribesman cooperates with the Ethiopian army. What if the woman had been a tigray, would they have turned down, first and foremost, a muslim in need?
It is the end of the world, especially when the masjid turns racist.
11 comments
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January 2, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Aya
That is a very unfortunate and painful incident. Ethiopia has no business in Somalia and should be brought up on charges of genocide. Nonetheless, it is nauseating when people take their hatred to the masjid.
January 4, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Iman
Somalis have a difficult time separating the man and his qabil,I never understood why?
They are way too judgmental, and what they said to that poor girl is plain sick wallahi….ilahay a shaafeyo
January 4, 2008 at 7:55 pm
somalieren
Aya: True. The masjid should be an open place, open for all, regardless.
Iman: Aamin, that is one of the things that has brought down Somalia. Qabiil is merely a name, and what is in a name?
January 9, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Muslimah
The Masjid turned away a young ill child? seriousely? That’s messed up…
January 11, 2008 at 11:47 pm
somalieren
Indeed they did, luckily, the word spread and now all the eyes are turned on the masjid. It’s an increasing tendency, in the somali communities, that people take the politics to the praying hall. One should, at all costs, avoid that.
January 18, 2008 at 10:58 pm
rummage
thats really warped and unfortunate. tbh, u never really got the qabil thing till a year ago, and I’m 18. I’m grateful for it too because thats a few less years not being exposed to the poison that it may create in some, alhamdullilah.
nice post .hope ure well
February 6, 2008 at 2:26 pm
mustafa
meh? worse things happen. this is not too alarming. it would make good tea time gossip.
February 26, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Blackstone
All prejudices should be left outside of doors of the masjid.
March 19, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Native
SubhanaAllah
May Allah guide us on the straight path and make us of the ones that enjoin ood and forgive evil…..ameen
Sad case that a Masjid (which should be the pillar of the community) is setting such an example for the rest of the people. May Allah guide them all…ameen
That said……how r thing with you up there Somalieren? All good I hope inshaAllah
April 20, 2008 at 9:19 am
somalieren
Native, sis, I am fine and up, alhamdullilah? How are things going with you, you’re in the UK right?
Blackstone, definitely agreed!
Well Mustafa, I believe it is the worst thing that could happen and it did make some good tea-time gossip..hehe..
Rummage,yeah, me too. I guess we’ve lived sheltered from tribalism. Thanks to our parents!
August 14, 2008 at 5:35 am
KlashneFolk
During times of occupation, people use different emotions to justify their resistance to occupation. Perhaps, emotions like religion, culture, tradition and sovereignty are quite often flirted with. However, none of those emotions is as strong as the feeling a patriotism. Personally, I could less if the Ethiopians were Muslims, they would have to be eliminated no matter where they hide, even if they wrap the Quran and sit in a Mosque’s basement. No question about it. These parasitic creatures and their home-grown allies are the anti-thesis of the Somali race and we should put all human emotion aside when dealing with them. In 1998, it lost 150,000+ of its citizens in its adventure against the Eritrean people and few years later sent hordes of its peasants in a war against the Somali people. Simply put, it is a culture that has ZERO respect for the sanctity of the human life. So, let’s not shed tears for them my friend. Let’s make Mogadishu a living hell for them. A perpetual one. Freedom don’t come Free