Somali Ramadan…No Iftar, No Mosques
MOGADISHU — With no prospect of food aid and with most mosques closed or seized by Ethiopian troops, what is left of Mogadishu population is bracing for a difficult holy fasting month of Ramadan.
"There is no sign of the fast-approaching Ramadan here," Ahmed Haji, a Mogadishu resident, told IslamOnline.net.
"Hundreds of people are now starving in Mogadishu's southern outskirts."
Somalia has been ravaged by violence since Ethiopian and interim government troops ousted the Islamic Courts, which briefly ruled large parts of the Horn of Africa country in 2006.
A deadly vicious cycle of violence has since claimed more than 6,000 lives and displaced thousands.
Most philanthropists, who used to organize iftar banquets and provide food packages for the underprivileged, have fled the near-daily clashes between Ethiopian forces and fighters loyal to the Islamic Courts.
"Generous people are gone," laments Abdullah Khalif, a young man from the northeastern district of Huro.
According to astronomical calculations, the first day of Ramadan will fall on September 1.
During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
It's customary for wealthy Muslims and charities to organize iftar banquets of the have-nots during the holy month.
Closed Mosques
Ramadan will be less joyous for the people of Mogadishu because most of their main mosques have either been closed or seized by the Ethiopians.
"Only two mosques in eastern Mogadishu will open up for worshippers who have returned after relative calm in the district," said Haji.
In the southern district of Wartijili, several mosques have been deserted over the escalating violence.
In Haryali district, the main Hadvoli mosque has been closed as Ethiopian forces took positions close-by.
In Ali Kamen district, Ethiopian forces are using the backyard of the Sheikh Abdi mosque as a detention camp.
A recent report by a local rights group said that 48 mosques have been closed over the ongoing violence in the capital Mogadishu.
"Ali Sofi mosque was a model of Mogadishu mosques," Abdullah Salad, who lives by the mosque in the southern Mogadishu district of Haden, told IOL.
"The mosque was a destination for the poor, especially during Ramadan, offering them food and assistance," he recalls bitterly.
"People will have nothing of that this Ramadan."
Uh ok...????!!! Sure, errrmmm whatever you say.
"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie
And I am still not changing the stance. Yes reality is harsh.
so that shot has brought your inner self out. Ready to unleash your fury now? LOL
666 if you knew me you'd know Im a laid back person. I am as rational as they come. But dont expect me to sugar coat how I feel about your friends "theory".
Just respond to what Iv said.
"You are taking it personal." Cmon now, you can do better than that!
"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie
labda you are taking it personal.
666 and there you have raised some valid issues.
But do you now refute having raised the issue of skin colour and implied how our black skin colour is somewhat the curse of Africans? This is what I was responding to. Now you're playing musical chairs and changing your stance.
It may be valid in your world of cry-me-a-river type people. But for those of us who choose to own up to reality, and acknowledge the shortcomings of our nations, rather than playing the never ending blame game, it certainly is not.
"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie
Labda06, it has nothing to do against any color or race. Long time back someone made a comment and it is valid in today's world.
All is because of the leadership of the countries where personal wealth is more important than public. Look at Malaysia, Muhatir has changed the outlook of the country but having strong and sincere leadership. But there in no sincerity in African leadership or places where people are suffering.
In my own country where public is having hard time to make their both end meet, leaders are more concerned about their own selves. No one cares about people dying or sleeping hungry. Same is the case in Africa.
Shedbabe/Britexpat/Vukie/Drac, thanks for the support...Iv only had to drink half my beloved bottle of tequila to cool down, hahaha only joking.
Its just amazing that in this day and age people would try to perpetuate this kind of ignorance.
Hic, anyone want to help me finish off the rets fo htsi boddel? Hic..
"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie
Looks like I have stirred some s*it. Go on and shoot.
You don't have to see the things as an individual. Overall the outcome of the world is same as what I had mentioned b4.
Looks like I have stirred some s*it. Go on and shoot.
You don't have to see the things as an individual. Overall the outcome of the world is same what I had mentioned b4.
"If you see the world's population in this context, whites, US, EU etc are most blessed than comes yellows from japan, Korea,china. Tans from Subcontinent and the least favoured Africans."
Oh man its a bullsh*t. Big one. All you said you can find in Europe, East Europe or where ever around the Globe.
I Agree with Alexa it has NOTHING with skin color.
Labda...Take it easy! I know how strong you are:) Some people still suffering :)
since I was a toddler, Somalia was always on the map of civil war and political/military unrest. Every single person there thinks he/she is right and all the others are wrong.
Unfortunately we have a similar example in Lebanon. Those who want to develop the country is considered pro-American pro-Israeli. Where as those who tend to keep the country in any sort off unrest are ranking themselves as patriotic and freedom fighters. They live on the poverty and economic dependence of their fellowers.
Let the poor people live peacefully.
Am sure the money spent on weapons is sufficient to develop the country. No fights means no interference. Trust the leader even if you think he is corrupt or if you do not agree with his policy. Do the change peacefully even if it takes decades or centuries.
===================================== http://www.qatarliving.com/node/58409
Go Labda...
labda, dont eat him,please! :)
Oh palaaaaaze, gimme a break...thats the lamest theory I have ever heard. 1976 can do better than that. Look I was with you until that point.
First of all God is not biased In anyway. Certainly not mine...
Secondly no way in he77 am I going to embrace the victim mentality. Last on the list is black? I am black and I dont come in last buddy. Ever. Tell your friend to pull the finger out his a55. Africans have issues because of political, social and economic reasons. Let me enlighten you, I am yet to meet an African who has blamed his/her woes on the colour of his/her skin. And this proudly African girl certainly will not.
"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie
Let's pray for the former...
Brit, I was talking in general. there are always exceptions.
Yes it as a lot to do with education and proper upbringing but in places where half the kids call streets their home, it takes at least a generation for a small change. Lets see if this ever will happen or life will remain be a living hell for them.
Sorry, you are wrong..
Look at Albania, teh Russian sattelites etc.. There is poverty there and life is harsh..
The Gulf countries have one of the highest per capita earnings in the world..
If you class Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia under "yellow", then they aren't exactly living a life of luxury..
Perhaps the main driver is education, which leads to other factors such as industrialization, erosion of corruption, laws etc
One time a friend told me something which more I think about more it seems the case.
He said it looks like God is biased. Brighter the skin, more blessed he would be. He quoted the example as white is a brilliant color and they have all in the world (most of the time) yellow comes after than tan and on the last of the list is black.
If you see the world's population in this context, whites, US, EU etc are most blessed than comes yellows from japan, Korea,china. Tans from Subcontinent and the least favoured Africans.
I might be wrong and my comments might make people think of myself as Atheist but isn't it true?
Agreed. All countries have vested interests for the actions they take..
However, Africa has to stand up for itself and start resolving its own problems..
Look at the situation in Zimbabwe. I believe the West could have done more, but every time the West tried to do something they were accused of reverting to coloniolism. South africa in particular must take a lot of the blame for protecting the Mugabe regime..
What I was pointing out that all is happening in front of so called cultured world. They can liberate Iraq, they can free the people of Ache. Yes they can do that as there is enough potential for the profit against their investment.
When it comes to Africa, everyone turns blind. Yes Africa has a vary complex situation but we have chosen to ignore it all the mafia bosses and warlord can rule.
I think it's good to be generous, but we shouldn't be too generous or others get used to receive without doing anything for it besides asking for charity, i have seen this here in Portugal and saw it in Morocco (streets full of beggers).
In Africa there's a lot of corruption, most of International help ends in the wrong hands.
Only God Can Judge Me
الله فقط يمكنه محاكمتي
I am you and you are me, if you love i love, if you suffer i suffer
أنا أنت, و أنت أنا, إذا أحببت نفسك أحببت نفسي, إذا عانيتَ عانيتُ
I have seen the generosity of the people during Ramadan first hand in Saudi Arabia..
However, I wish that they were like that all year round..
or Without.
That's why it is always important to be thankful when you are 'with' and give to those 'without' when you can. That is a central point to this season. So those in the Persian/Arab Gulf can be thankful that they are 'with' this Ramadan. I am sure it hasn't always been that way and may not always be that way.
Pleaase don't just blame outsiders for the misfortunes of the country.. Yes, there are outside influences, but the situation in Somalia is very complex.. There are numerous factions and self interest groups..
This along with drought,floods, the global food crisis etc have made things worse.
Time perhaps for AFRICA itself to stand up and sort this mess out..
Sorry to say but duaa, prayer are not the solution.
Nothing against the so called developed countries including the wealthy Gulf region, they only act when told by the bosses. Say the big boss AKA USA, don't see the slaughter or starvation of mankind as a big problem Iraq, Iran Afghanistan and Pakistan etc bigger evil.
Too much has been taken from Diamonds to Oil from African countries and what they get in return, starvation and warlords...........
I empathise with the people of Somalia.
"Somalia has been ravaged by violence since Ethiopian and interim government troops ousted the Islamic Courts, which briefly ruled large parts of the Horn of Africa country in 2006".
No, its been ravaged for a VERY, VERY long time. When was the last time there was peace in Somalia? The Somali people need to unite. Because a lot of countries have written the country off, which I find sad.
"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day." Melody Beattie
kenyaqueen i dont see any funny statements i made here, and I can assure you Ethiopia will not have a full grip on Somalia, if you are following the news you can already see they are losing most of the south now to the courts.
Poverty is not for the sake of hardship. No, it is there because nothing exists but God. Poverty unlocks the door -- what a blessed key!
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi
Well, compared a Qatari Ramadan:
Local shops report crowds as people stock up on food, and there are food shortages.
Clearly the idea of Ramadan to a lot of Muslims is more about the feasting than the fasting.
funny you!
according to your statements, yes all we can really do is pray. If we can't get aid into them then we can't really do much that will help them immediately. Its has been a long process helping this country and it will be an ongoing one until ethiopia has a full grip on them.
But I am praying too and i will donate
I am always excited to go to sleep! In anticipation of the new experience I will find awaiting me.
I second sheDBabe we should make special du'aa for the
people of somalia.and surely inshallah allah's help
will come to ease them from there hardships soon.
that is right Brit, thanks for your generosity. really appreciate it.
and you too SheDBabe
Poverty is not for the sake of hardship. No, it is there because nothing exists but God. Poverty unlocks the door -- what a blessed key!
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi
Then all we can do is pray for them as SheDBabe suggested.
brit there is no such a thing as Somali goverment, its Ethiopian and US puppy, its their actions that caused this terrible result.
90% of them are former warlords and criminals so there is no way they will care about people, instead they are preventing the International Aid to reach the people.
they are there just for misleading the world.
Poverty is not for the sake of hardship. No, it is there because nothing exists but God. Poverty unlocks the door -- what a blessed key!
- Jalaluddin al-Rumi
I am sorry for their plight, especially during this holy month..
However, without taking the discussion on to a Anti-West bias, the Somali government is still in place and should take steps to care for its peoples.