I hope with all my heart that I will remain true to my words and be just as I scold my favorite website.  I still remain as gratified as I stated not long ago in my letter to the WardheerNews editorial when I said, “I have been reading WardheereNews for only a few months now, and I must say that I am one gratified human being.”  Nevertheless, I must admit that I am pleasantly surprised to know that WardheerNews is only a year old.  As Bashir Goth eloquently stated, “By their concerted and dedicated effort, WardheerNews has left behind the plethora of many Somali Ana waa i kan websites.”

We (Somalis) rush to negatively criticize, and are very slow to comment on the good qualities put forward in these trying times of ours.  Being human in today’s environment is incredibly hard, and being just and a Somali is even harder.  I sit at times and simply reflect on the good of our people, and find much good; but at the same time I am confronted with the sad realities of clanism and its ugly colors.  I wonder if a Somali can produce beauty and be just at the same time.  My quest for all of those wonders have so far rested with WardheerNews, but I am constantly shaken as I see the murky waters that poisoned our people in some of the opinions posted on the website.

As Ismail Ali Ismail wonderfully put it, “We should cherish and enjoy our freedom of expression without fear and without favor, but we should understand that the way we use this freedom says a lot about us too.”  Water boils because of the heat, and therefore I call and constructively criticize as I see that freedom being used by many as a tool to advance their agendas.  As a mother who carefully shelters her child from the danger lurking in the dark, I too feel the need to protect WardheerNews’ hard earned respect. 

Giving a platform is okay, but allowing the bleeding wounds of our people to be assaulted is another.  There is a fine line, in the Somali sense, to know a true Somali from true clanism. 
Hence, the Diaspora has become a deadly machine in prolonging the ugliness in Somalia, and WardheerNews, should be vigilant in tweaking out the golden individuals in our Diaspora community.

I make a daily run, not only to the world media but to the Somali websites, and realize that the pain and aggregation caused by these cyberlords are more detrimental than meets the eye.  A simple example of this tragedy is with the Transitional Somali Government’s genuine struggle, and the Diaspora.  Wonderful people whose friendship I value have publicly demonstrated the preference for all out war, simply because they love or hate a particular leader (warlord).  Hence, this is where the balanced and sound judgment of true journalism needs to be exerted. 
I support freedom, but not at the expense of aggravating the wounds that exist among our people.  I realize that to achieve such a task takes dedication, perseverance and true integrity. 

As always, I hope WardheerNews will consider my concerns in the sincere and well meaning spirit that they were formed in.  As Allah (swt) said in the Qur’an - and act justly, truly God loves those who are just. (49:9).

Please stay gold and true to justice.
Sadia Ali Aden
SadiaAden@gmail.com

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