September 24, 2015 | Daily Monitoring Report
Muslims Celebrate Eid Al-Adha
24 September – Source: Horseed Media – 184 Words
Over 1.6 billion Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid Al-Adha, which marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid Al-Adha is a sacred Muslim holiday that is celebrated around the world with prayer, sacrifice, and food. The Eid Al-Adha (the greater Eid) is one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar, along with the Eid Al-Fitr (the lesser Eid) some two months earlier, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
During the Eid Al-Adha, Muslims traditionally sacrifice animals — ‘Udhiyah’ in Arabic — to commemorate the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to obey God’s command by sacrificing his son Ismail. More than two million pilgrims are completing their ritual journey to the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, known as the Hajj. Eid is a day of sharing and caring. On this Eid, Muslims who can afford to offer a sacrifice of an animal (sheep, goat, cow or camel) are required to do it and then distribute the meat in 3 portions. One for the poor, one for the family and friends and one to keep at home.
Key Headlines
- Muslims Celebrate Eid Al-Adha (Horseed Media)
- Somali Athlete Resumes Training In London After Escaping Lawless Country (Mareeg Media)
- Efforts To Return Locals Who Fled Recent Clan Clash In Gelinsor (Goobjoog News)
- Unexploded Ordnance Kills Children In Middle Shabelle (Garowe Online)
- 10 Al-Shabaab Militants Killed In Somalia (Business Standard)
- Anonymous Donor Inspired By Pope Francis Gives $60000 To Build Home For Somali Family (Portland Press Herald)
- Political Tug Of War And Legitimacy Of The Executive Office (RBC Radio)
- Diaspora Lines (Maandeeq.com)
PRESS STATEMENT
AU Special Representative For Somalia Sends A Message Of Goodwill To Somalis On The Occasion Of Eid Al-Adha
24 September – Source: AMISOM – 164 Words
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM Ambassador Maman Sidikou has sent a message of goodwill to the Federal Government and the people of Somalia, on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, the second biggest festival in the Islamic calendar. Ambassador Sidikou has urged Somalis to use the occasion to intercede for lasting reconciliation, progress and stability in the country.
“This is a special time when we take stock of our existence and the self sacrifices we have made to achieve our goals, for a progressive future. I urge you to use this occasion to celebrate your resilience and determination to rise above adversity. Most importantly, use this occasion to appreciate one another and share with each other,” said Ambassador Sidikou. Eid Al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is marked by feeding the poor and comes at the end of hajj, a journey of dedication and purification for Muslim faithful.
NATIONAL MEDIA
Somali Athlete Resumes Training In London After Escaping Lawless Country
24 September – Source: Mareeg Media – 427 Words
After years of living in constant fear, Somali Athlete Abdishakur Nageye Abdulle, AKA Cir-Daye, has now resumed his training sessions in London, where he performs his trainings in a peaceful atmosphere and without any death threats. The 5000 meters runner, who survived several assassination attempts from militant group Al-Shabaab, has now made his way to the United Kingdom and has been engaged in his normal training sessions at the Hillingdon athletic club training base in London. Abdulle is one of several Somali athletes who were given formal training sessions, by Ibrahim Hamud, one of most experienced Somali athletic coaches in the United Kingdom.
Somali National Olympic Committee Secretary General, Duran Ahmed Farah, who is leading a three-member delegation, has visited the athletes during a training session at Hillingdon athletic club on Tuesday to encourage the players continue their profession. “I am happy that you haven’t given up hopes and still continue your training sessions. Today I came here to let you know that always Somali NOC and the athletics federation of Somalia will closely be aware of you.” The Somali NOC Secretary General Duran Ahmed Farah told Abdulle and his teammate Mohamed Hassan. Somali NOC Secretary General, Mr. Duran Farah, listened to a report by coach, Ibrahim Hamud, who gave the delegation a full report about the athletes and his hopes that they will be able to perform internationally in the near future.
The 5000 meters runner, Abdishakur Nageye Abdulle, has been receiving death threats from the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia since after he appeared in the 2011 IAAF world Championship in South Korea. His younger brother, Bashir Nageye Abdulle, was shot dead by militants in 2012 when they mistook for him. “The militants have been hunting me since I appeared on the international TV screens running in South Korea during the World Championship. They simply targeted me for my profession and when they called me I told them that I wasn’t going to stop my favorite sport” Abdulle said via phone from London.
“Abdishakur is a talented boy, but seems to be very tired after his long journey to the UK. He has just recovered and he is doing well” Coach Ibrahim Hamud explained during a telephone conversation from his training base. “I have high hopes that Abdishakur will be able to take part in international competitions a year from now” said the coach who added that Mohamed Hassan, 1500 meters runner will also be able to compete internationally. The coach thanked Hillingdon athletic club, for providing them with a facility to train.
Efforts To Return Locals Who Fled Recent Clan Clash In Gelinsor
24 September – Source: Goobjoog News – 153 Words
Many people have fled their homes in the Gelinsor district in the Galgadud region due to a recent clan clash. The local government has since than been conducting peacebuilding efforts to have those people return to their respective homes. The Mayor of Gelinsor, Ali Said Abdi who spoke to Goobjoog News, said “We are carrying out different efforts and plans to return those people to their homes.” Abdi also said there are ongoing dialogues to bring the different parties in conflict in order to reach an understanding and peace. “We want to make sure a peace agreement is reached and we hope that Galmudug administration will play a role in assisting us in these efforts,” said the mayor. Mayor Ali Said also encouraged the people of Gelinsor to forget the past and look into the future on how they can work together to reach peace and create grounds for tolerance for one another.
Unexploded Ordnance Kills Children In Middle Shabelle
23 September – Source: Garowe Online – 95 Words
Two children from the same family have died after ordnance exploded in Dom-Adi area, just 15km off Middle Shabelle regional capital of Jowhar, Garowe Online reports. Two others who are being treated in Mogadishu have been wounded in the explosion caused by the unexploded ordnance. Relatives said, they heard a thunderous blast and rushed to the scene where they saw children lying in a pool of blood. Many areas in central and southern Somalia are littered with unexploded bombs. Despite mine-clearance operations, agencies voiced concern over safety, mainly of children who mistake bombs for toys.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
10 Al-Shabaab Militants Killed In Somalia
24 September – Source: Business Standard – 194 Words
Somali military officials said that at least 10 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the Bay region of the country. Abdullahi Sheikh Ahmed, a senior military officer in the region, told journalists that Somali and Ethiopian troops also burnt three vehicles after intense battle with the militants on Wednesday, Xinhua reported. “During the fighting, we killed 10 of Al-Shabaab fighters and burned three vehicles, and captured strategic district of Labatan Jirow which lies 60 km of Badio town,” he said. The military official also said that they are holding several Al-Shabaab militants, vowing to bring them into the justice.
Mustaf Jelle, one of the residents in Labatan Jirow district, told Xinhua that huge clashes erupted in the district. “The government forces have been carrying out military operations in the region, and they captured Labatan Jirow after intense fighting,” Jelle said. The Al-Qaida linked group Al-Shabaab, which is battling to topple the Somali Federal Government, has lost many strongholds in southern and central Somalia. But the group is still able to launch attacks in Somalia and neighbouring countries. On Monday, Al-Shabaab militants exploded a car bomber near the presidential palace in capital Mogadishu, killing 11 people.
Anonymous Donor, Inspired By Pope Francis, Gives $60,000 To Build Home For Somali Family
24 September – Source: Portland Press Herald – 327 Words
An anonymous donor inspired by Pope Francis has provided $60,000 that Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland will use to build a house in Scarborough for a Somali couple and their four children.The donor was compelled to make the contribution in honor of the pope’s historic visit to the United States and his continued pleas for compassion, the Portland Habitat chapter said in a statement. The house will be named in Francis’ honor. “We are honored to be a part of a project celebrating Pope Francis and his many acts of goodwill, inclusiveness and compassion,” Godfrey Wood, executive director of the Habitat chapter, said in a statementWednesday. “The generosity of this donor is inspiring and gives us a great start on the construction of this home.”
The house will be built, beginning in October, within the organization’s planned 13-home community on Broadturn Road in Scarborough. Since June, crews have been working on roads, sewer lines and other infrastructure. This will be the first house completed. Eight of the 13 will be Habitat homes and will be given to families in need. The other five will be sold through the Scarborough Housing Alliance. Once the first house is finished, the keys will be given to Sharmarke Hussein and Hoodo Yussuf, both originally from Somalia, who will live there with their four children. Calls and emails to Habitat officials seeking further details weren’t returned Wednesday night.
The project is part of an effort by Habitat for Humanity to connect people of different faiths within communities. The Hussein family is Muslim. “The Pope Francis House symbolizes building a bridge between different religions; we’re all working together for one goal,” Sharmarke Hussein said in a statement. The local Habitat chapter has appealed to schools and other organizations, as well as the local Catholic community, to help with additional fundraising and volunteer efforts. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland has built 75 homes in southern Maine since 1985.
OPINION, ANALYSIS, AND CULTURE
“The political future of Somalia will be determined in 2016, hopefully for better. However, whichever way the political trajectory of Somalia goes, and whatever method of selection or election of the branches of government the Somali people choose, hopefully there will be a greater engagement and a new-dawn for Somalia’s future with new and fresh blood in the executive and legislators’ offices. This country needs an opportunity to heal its past wounds and move forward to a brighter future.”
Political Tug Of War And Legitimacy Of The Executive Office
24 September – Source: RBC Radio – 1,102 Words
On August 12, 2015 members of the Somali Federal Parliament tabled an Impeachment Motion against the President of the Somali Federal Republic, H. E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. They issued a press release claiming that the decision to take this action was made, “after extensive consultation with members of parliament and various stakeholders. Having become acutely aware of the political, financial, moral and ethical dilemma the country was facing as a direct consequence of the poor leadership of the President and corrupt practices of his office, they had no choice but to pursue this course of action.”
The parliamentarians are accusing the current president and his office of a number of serious constitutional violations that could (if found guilty) undermine the whole presidency. These accusations included, but are not limited to, the following:
Repeated usurpation of the Executive Authority of successive Prime Ministers, thus violating Article 97 of the Constitution which vests the Executive authority of the government in the Council of Ministers.
Engagement in a massive and shameless corruption during the past three years. The President and his cronies have signed international contracts with foreign companies without obtaining approval from parliament, and under dubious procurement processes. The latest example is the shady contract that the government signed with SOMA OIL AND GAS in 2013 without approval by parliament.
Gross human rights violations of citizens ranging from extra judicial executions, illegal detentions, torture and the forceful displacement of already internally displaced people (IDP) in order to convert the squatted land into Real Estate for a private fraudulent gain.
“We focus so much on what we are not, we are progressing…”
Diaspora Lines
21 September – Source: Maandeeq.com – Audio – 52:58 Minutes
In this episode, we discuss diaspora as a category of privilege, belonging and unbelonging, political blackness and “brownness,” Mary Harper, #SomaliAlienation, snorkeling in Somalia, and more.
TOP TWEETS
@Bogorad_Olga: #Somalia inter-communal clashes in Qoryoley village, Lower Shabelle, resulted in 12 people dead & 12 injured http://goobjoog.com/english/?
@amisomsomalia: AU Special Representative for #Somaliasends a message of goodwill to Somalis on the occasion of Eid Ul Adha http://bit.ly/1R1NF7R
@EspMaliStrategy: It is proving impossible to hold a fully democratic election in #Somalia https://shar.es/17C5Vo vía@sharethis
EyeOnMilitant: Breaking:Heavy fighting btw Alshabaab and Amisom is reported in several villages in Gedo despite Eid is celebrated.#Somalia
@stability_fund: Ciid wanagsan dhamaan muslimiinta oo dhan meelkasta ay ku nolyihiin gar ahaan #Somalida #Somalia#EidMubarak
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Eid Mubarak
Photo: UNSOM