I would like to start this piece with a series of questions and then try to answer using my life journey from childhood to where I am now.

1. Am I individual or my tribe’s agent at all times wherever I am?
   
   
2. Can one be agent for his tribe in a constructive manner and get along with others that are not from one’s his/her tribe?
   
   
3. Does education and life experience free one from tribal hatemongering?
   
   
4. Can one have religious believes and cultural upbringing that guides one to wish the best for his/her loves loved ones while and wishing no  ill for others.
   
   
5. Can I ask you all readers of this article few more questions, “ Is a Somali person free to express him/herself without being harassed or even killed by tribal hatemonger?” Are tribe members supposed to be monolithic? Does a Somali intellectual have a right to provoke thought? Is opposing point of view tolerated among Somalis?

First, as those of you, who may have read my series “Oodi Ab Ka dhow” short stories which I talked about how one’s friend can be closer than one’s siblings. I was sent to boarding school at Dayaxa, near Erigabo, when I was grade five. Dayaxa was the furthest to East of Burco region. I was transferred to Amoud Intermediate, near Borama. Amoud was the furthest west Ward in Hargeisa region. I graduated from Benadir Secondary school in Mogadishu. I went to Xalane military training. I taught at Sakhawadiin to fulfill my National Service year.  I was four years in Saudi Arabia and over quarter of a century in the United States of America. That long journey of my life, gave me the privilege and honor to befriend and live with Somalis from the tribal spectrum. I never had been in a position that I was harmed or put into position to harm another person in the name of a tribe. As many of us who left Somalia before hell broke know every one was individual among his peers. At the same time, one knew his/her tribal identification. To answer my first question, as far I know, I do not have any documents that I know of I signed that I am bound to be agent of my tribe or clan at all times and all places at everywhere.

Second, as every Somali, I had known my tribe and clan all my life. I benefited from the generosity and kindness of my relatives close and distant. I did help many when I could. The way I was raised, tribal members took care of each other constructively. While it was the custom to help one’s kin first, one helped his neighbors and acquaitenance. Peaceful coexistence and harmony was the norm not the exception in the Somalia I grew up in and among the Somalis I lived with all my life in the Diaspora.

Third, may be I am naïve, but all my life, I believed that I was fortunate for getting an education. Jokingly, I do tell my co-workers that if I did not go to school and if it is not the pay check I get every fortnight, I might have been in Africa pouching elephants or killing my cousins. I never comprehended those Somalis who have degrees who go back to Somalia to fan tribal fires. I do honestly believe education, the right education, can free one from not only tribal hatemongering among Somalis but bigotry and hatemongering towards all mankind.

Fourth, When I was in primary school from grade 1 to grade 4, I had Islamic Studies tought by Sheikh Cali Askar (Gacanlow). In those three years he tought us over hundred Hadiths and Many Koran verses. Among others one Hadith that I always recite says,” Almuslim mansalmo naasu min yadihi wa lisaanihi”( A good muslim is one who spares his disparagement and physical harm from other people). I recommend readers of this article to read Surat Albaqara, Aaya 177. I also recommend that you listen to Mohamed Ibrarahim Warsame’s song “Hooyo” a very positive powerful message for all mankind.

Both in our Islamic teachings and our Somali culture, human decency and harmony is preached. I have never been taught in my Islamic studies at any level where one call to,”Alahu Akbar” urges one to commit suicide taking with him multiple incconet lives, including the most vulnurbale of sceity like women and children.

I am concluding, by first making a disclaimer. Bashir Omer Goth did not ask me to write this article; but I will argue that Bashir single handedly put Awdalnews on the front raw of Somali websites. My intention is to encourage freedom of speech, tolerance of opposing points of view, and the freedom of follow of civil debates, and dialogue among Somalis and those who admire Somalis and Somali culture. Those of us who write, compose literary work, sing Somali songs or recite poetry have to collectively fight and resist suppression of ideas and censorship. It is an obligation and duty for each and everyone of us to reject to be censured and silenced by our love ones and tribal relatives. If one prolific writer, a great thinker, and visionary poet as Bashir Omer Goth can be tossed under the  bus, as Awdalnews management did to Bashir, we all suffer. It is not only disservice to Bashir Omer Goth who sacrificed time, effort, know how, and money for Awadalnews but it is disservice to all of us. It is our obligation and duty to nib at the bud tribal myopic and monolithic way of thinking and expectations.

All Somalis and our sympathizers will be better served to have open, honest, civil, and objective dialogue about the issues that concern our Somali people no matter what land, being Somaliland, Puntland, and whatever land one claims to be from.

Abdi Goud Musa
Email: fadhiid@cox.net
Connecticut, USA

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