Monday, September 5, 2011

Somali-Canadians Set Prioritized Famine Response Plan.

By Farid Omar.

Concerned Somali-Canadians in Toronto converged at the Alliance Neighbourhood Services on Jane Street on the evening of August 17th for a community consultation meeting to map out an effective response plan for the ongoing famine in Somalia.

Called by Aran Somali-Canadian Relief, stakeholders from various organizations strategized on how to formulate an operational response for the ongoing crisis as well as build viable partnerships with credible organizations in the regions of Somalia hardest hit by the famine.

Attention focused on the Somali map dotted with regions targeted for priority action. During the gathering, five famine struck regions were designated as priority zones that require urgent help from the Somali-Canadian Diaspora. These include Bay, Bakool, Gedo, Middle Jubba and Hiiraan where the severity of famine is classified in that order. Reports indicate that 30,000 Somali children have died in the famine zone. The Lower Shabelle and Mogadishu areas are also affected. The major problem in Mogadishu is the increased influx of people affected by famine who have been flocking to the restive capital.

“The case of Bay is particularly troubling as this area was the epicentre of the 1991-92 famine, where the region’s capital, Baidhabo, was dubbed the city of death with the famine of that period taking 300 lives each day,” said Abdifatah Maroyare, co-ordinator for the Centre for Youth Development and Mentoring Services that provides academic, social and recreational supports for at risk youth.

In the ongoing crisis, 100,000 people displaced by the famine in the hardest hit areas have found their way to recently established camps in the Mogadishu area.

Abdifatah noted that “it is important for Aran to continue with its outreach activities and maintain contact with among other groups, the faith community where fundraising has been going on.

The Dundas Square public outreach campaign was a successful event and Aran should build on such initiatives”.

Participants at the meeting noted that the people trapped in the Al-Shabab controlled famine zone are the most oppressed communities in Somalia and progressive forces should therefore stand up for the rights of these people and fight against injustices visited upon them in what is essentially a man-made famine.

In the wider context, it was observed that it has been difficult for aid to reach people in Al-Shabab controlled regions where aid agencies are banned and in Ogaden region, which is under a blockade by the Ethiopian regime.

According to forum participants, the Mogadishu area is also in crisis. Although Mogadishu has water wells and government exists there, it has recently experienced heavy rainfall where the outbreak of cholera and other water-borne diseases are a major risk factor that can impact negatively on the health of people housed in makeshift shelters in the surrounding camps.

“The hardest hit areas should be the priority for famine relief. It is in these areas where people are dying in large numbers, where people’s livestock have been wiped out by the drought and where weak mothers are forced to abandon their children” said Hassan “Karate”, anchor of Ogaal Radio, 88.9FM adding that “In the absence of external help, the strategy here is for Somalis to help their folks who are suffering. Whatever Somali people can bring in terms of resources, expertise, fundraising, media exposure etc should form part of a cause inspired by self-help initiatives. The young generation has been doing an excellent work on this front and should continue to double their efforts.”

Suad Aimad, an organizer with Aran, said that “Aran has brought people together since 1994 for the purpose of delivering aid to Somalia. The community consultation meeting is meant to map out a plan for an expanded humanitarian response especially in priority regions while working in partnership with like-minded organizations”.

Dahir Galbeti, a community developer, underscored the need to have an effective partner on the ground.

“We need to partner with a local organization inside Somalia that can be trusted with logistics and overall delivery of aid” Said Dahir.

Suad said that Aran has people on the ground and informed the gathering that “Aran’s President has left Kenya for the Bay region. Aran has reports from the ground- from places like Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo etc.”

Aran has been monitoring the situation on the ground closely.

“We have reports from Bay, Bakool, Hiiraan and Mogadishu that we would share with donors. We need to prioritize along the 5 mentioned high priority famine areas. No one is in the Bay and Bakool area due to blockade by Al-Shabab. Even the media says that these are places where urgent aid should be taken. Our plan is to set out priorities that would make the delivery of aid accessible to the worst hit areas. ” said Hassan Sheikh, Aran’s relief co-ordinator who maintains a daily telephone contact with people on the ground in the Bay and Bakool regions.

It was observed that Turkey, a major contributor to famine relief in Somalia as well as Saudi Arabia, U.A.E and Kuwait, are among the countries that have delivered aid to the Somali capital of Mogadishu. While these efforts are laudable, participants said it is time for Somali-Canadians to do their part by delivering aid supplies directly to areas designated as priority regions inside Somalia.

“The youth are significant contributors to the relief cause and we would greatly rely on their efforts. We need to distribute aid equally to the 5 or 6 worst affected areas. We call for an independent delivery of aid while relying on credible partners on the ground. We need to take humanitarian aid to the hinterland where it is most needed” said Abdi Hashised, the Executive Director of the Jane Alliance Neighbourhood Services.

In its ongoing efforts to establish a solid presence on the ground, Aran will soon send a representative to Mogadishu and other affected areas to assess the situation on the ground. The representative will gather information from people in Mogadishu who arrive from priority regions. While in Somalia, the travelling member would update Aran on regular basis. This will help the organization formulate effective response plans and lay the foundation for an extended action on the ground.

For more information, Aran Somali-Canadian Relief can be reached on the following phone numbers:

Hassan Sheikh (416) 837-1948, Suad Aimad (647) 703-7229.

Feed Somalia Subway Drive Raises Funds for Famine Relief.

By Farid Omar.

The campaign to feed Somalia’s starving hit Toronto’s underground as an energetic team of young volunteers descended on the TTC subway system to raise much-needed funds for their famine ravaged homeland.

Deployed in nine select subway stations along the Yonge-University-Spadina and Bloor-Danforth lines, the mostly student volunteers from the Feed Somalia youth-led international aid initiative collected money from Toronto commuters, between 7:00am – 9:30am and 3:00pm – 6:30pm during the Monday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 10 morning and evening rush hours.

By the end of the two-day subway funds drive, over $24,000 was raised for the victims of disaster in Somalia. Thanks to Toronto and Canada's culture of giving as well as the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers and coordinators doing their best to alleviate human suffering in the disaster zone.

Feed Somalia is working in partnership with Human Concern International (HCI), a Canadian, charitable organization operating in 34 countries including Somalia. All proceeds from the subway blitz will go toward famine relief in Somalia.

Facing its worst drought in 60 years, the war-torn Horn of African nation is gripped by a devastating famine that is threatening millions of lives. The UN says 12 million people in East Africa are affected by the famine with conflict-prone Somalia being the hardest-hit country.

Latest reports indicate that 30,000 Somali children have already died in the last three months. If immediate action is not taken by the international community to curtail the preventable famine, over 600,000 severely malnourished children on brink of starvation may perish in the next few weeks.

Displaced by drought, famine and conflict, thousands of people are forced to trek under scorching hit for hundreds of miles across the Somali desert to refugee camps in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia. Children, the weak and elderly, have succumbed to the harsh terrain while emaciated mothers and babies have reportedly died at the doorsteps of refugee camps. Those who survive the harrowing journey end up at the inhospitable Dadaab camp, located in northern Kenya. Nearly half million Somali refugees are crammed in squalid conditions in what has become the world’s largest refugee camp.

“The response has been good as people have been donating” said Elham Ashkar, the co-ordinator of Feed Somalia’s subway campaign who on Monday evening, led the drive from St Andrew Station. She was joined by volunteers Muna Rage, Mahad Mohamed and Suad Abukar. The Toronto fundraising drive follows a similar event in Edmonton where volunteers recently raised $14,000 during a walk for Somalia, exceeding their $10,000 target.

The well-co-ordinated funds drive has received a good share of media attention with reports that CP24, CBC and OMNI TV had conducted interviews at the Kipling and Yonge/Bloor subway stations.

According to Elham, Feed Somalia started in Toronto but has quickly grown into a global movement. Thanks to social media as tweeting and facebooking activists helped create other chapters in Edmonton, Winnipeg, London, Ottawa, Nairobi and California etc. The Feed Somalia website includes tabs for all chapter cities where potential donors can submit online donations via HCI. The youth-driven initiative has partners in different parts of the world.

Elham urged the Canadian public to donate even beyond the subway blitz saying that “the Canadian government will be matching donations dollar for dollar till September 16th”.

“Donations are tax deductible with no overhead cost to donors as hundred percent of money donated will go toward local NGOs. HCI is also donating additional money from its own budget” said Elham adding that “donations are directly channeled to two reliable partners on the ground; the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation and Himilio, another local NGO. These organizations are engaged in food distribution initiatives.”

Elham notes that HCI and Feed Somalia are reputable organizations that are transparent and accountable to the public.

“We monitor the situation closely and our partners update us regularly on the operations on the ground. This serves as a proof that we are openly accountable to the donors.”

Apart from the ongoing famine, Elham says Somalia is facing long term development challenges. In the interim, concerted efforts should be taken to alleviate the humanitarian crisis but the world should keep in mind Somalia’s long term needs.

“Right now, our main focus is the famine. Later, in the long run, once stability returns to the country, we would help with infrastructural development and other needed projects” said Elham.

In addition to raising funds, the campaign is also raising greater public awareness on the unfolding crisis.

“People have been asking questions and I think the public has a right to know where the money goes and what’s happening on the ground. It is our duty to inform and enlighten potential donors. The more people get informed, the more they are inclined to donate,” said Elham.

Armed with pamphlets, photos, placards and sound knowledge of the crisis, volunteers in nine TTC subway stations were doing precisely the same - inform and enlighten.

“We give out fact sheets to potential donors and explain to them what they are donating for” said Suad Sidow, a grade 12 student planning to pursue university education. Her grade 12 colleague, Halla Ahmed, reached out to commuters at the Yorkdale station chanting, “Feed Somalia! Help Save Lives! Children are affected most by the drought!” Both Suad and Halla were born in Canada. Their parents fled at the onset of the Somali civil war in the early nineties to seek refuge in Canada.

As Halla chanted, a smiling commuter placed a donation in the collection box.

“People in Somalia are in desperate need of help, that’s why I am donating” said John Dickenson, a Torontonian preparing to catch a subway train during the evening rush at Yorkdale station.

Another commuter, Muhammad Al-Hashti, handed a donation to the volunteers. “I have an obligation to help my brothers and sisters in Somalia” said Al-Hashti, originally from Saudi Arabia.

At the Dundas station on Monday evening, Hassan Abukar led volunteers Mahad Mohamed, Leila Ibrahim and Roda Abdi.

“People are donating. We have had a good response so far. Commuters have been placing all types of donations; $5s $10s, $20 bills etc. In the first 2 hours of the morning rush on Monday, we collected approximately between $500- $700” said Hassan.


Non-Somali volunteers at Dundas station were pitching in as well. Vimo Kumar, a Canadian of Sri Lankan origin said “I want to help Somalia. I have lots of Muslim and Somali friends.” Sennai Russom, an Eritrean-Canadian volunteer, concurred with Vimo, saying that he came out to lend support to the Somali cause.

“Help Somalia! Please Donate! Any Change would Help!” chanted the volunteers as concerned commuters chipped in their donations.

Maimuna Diop, a Senegalese donor said that “it is unfair we have everything in Canada while people in Somalia are starving. I would encourage everyone to donate”.
Valerie, a Torontonian, made a donation noting that she understands Horn of African issues well having lived and worked in Eritrea and Ethiopia in the past.

At Yonge & Bloor station, Sahra Mohamed and Shukri Abukar were very busy reaching out to potential donors during the Monday evening rush. “Torontonians are giving” they said.

The Wednesday evening rush was abuzz with hundreds of commuters milling around the busy Downsview station. Ibrahim Ali, a Feed Somalia co-ordinator, was upbeat and felt that things were going pretty well.

“I am impressed by the generosity of Torontonians. They empathize with our cause and seem to be aware of the issues. It is good to be generating bucks for this often overlooked cause” said Ibrahim.

Khadija Ahmed, a volunteer at Downsview, said that “nobody should be starving. I am here to help the cause for our country.” The Canadian born, York University Liberal Arts student hopes to visit Somalia in future once peace and stability returns to her homeland.

Ibrahim notes neighbouring countries are also suffering but Somalia remains the hardest hit stating that that the current crisis is affecting all of Somalia, not just the south.

“The only difference is that the northern and central regions of Somalia have relative stability. In the south, there is no stability and no effective central government. That’s why HCI is focusing its attention in the south but we invite other big NGOs to help northern parts that have regional administrations, but albeit, fledgling ones and hence still need help” said Ibrahim.

Ibrahim reminded the public that fundraising for Somalia goes beyond the subway blitz.

“We understand that not everyone can make it to the subway stations to donate. People can still donate online by visiting the HCI website or by contacting the organization directly” said Ibrahim.

Dahaba Hassan is a student at Seneca at York. Overseeing fellow volunteers during the Wednesday evening rush at Dundas station, Dahaba said that “a lot of people are generous. They realize that the humanitarian crisis is an issue not just for Somalis, but for the entire human race. That’s why we are reaching out to non-Somalis”.

New Documentary Film Highlights the Plight of Somali Refugees.

By Farid Omar.

Somali-led initiatives to raise greater awareness on the plight of Somali refugees took to the silver screen in Toronto and other western capitals with the recent screening of the acclaimed documentary, "Dadaab: Get There or Die Trying".

The documentary is the work of Somali filmmaker, Ahmed Farah, who has documented the life of Somali refugees for several years, and Abdisalaan Aato and Deeq Afrika. It highlights the plight of Somali refugees who endure hardship and untold suffering in a hellish journey that has claimed numerous lives, notably children, weak mothers and the elderly.

In a public screening organized by Aspire 2 Lead, a youth-group, Somali-Canadians and members of the general public thronged the Nat Taylor Theatre at York University on Friday, July 29th to watch the documentary and hear Professor Mohamud Siad Togane and other featured panelists speak.

The documentary traces the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees into the world’s largest refugee camp, in Dadaab, Kenya where close to half million displaced Somalis live in squalid conditions.

The combination of two decades of a devastating civil war and recurring humanitarian disasters including the ongoing drought and famine ravaging much of the Horn of Africa region is pushing more refugees to trek under scorching heat on a lengthy and dangerous path across the Somali desert to the inhospitable Dadaab camp.

Displaced by conflict, drought and famine, Somali refugees are left with no option but walk hundreds of miles to Dadaab camp where upon arrival, their ordeal turns into another nightmare.

Media attention is focused on refugees arriving at the Dadaab camp while those who can’t make it through the Liboi-Dadaab corridor, which can take days to cross, are left with nothing. The documentary highlights the need to reach this unserved segment of refugee population through the provision of immediate relief under the banner “survival backpacks for Somali refugees”. In part, the filmmakers hope to fundraise for the Survival Packs campaign: www.globalgiving.org The typical backpack relief supplies would include blanket, shoes, canteen for water etc.

During the shooting, the filmmakers embarked on a backpack trip across the harsh corridor that stretches from Liboi, located at the Kenya-Somalia border, to assist refugees making their way to Dadaab. Like most other Somali analysts, the filmmakers are urging those willing to help the refugees to go beyond Dadaab.

The producers of this documentary not only uncover the perils of the killer path (road to Dadaab) that is taking lives but mistreatment of refugees in Dadaab camp where unprocessed, emaciated refugees, are forced to wait for days without food and shelter.

Refugees interviewed by the filmmakers give disturbing accounts of their harrowing journey to Dadaab with grisly tales of elderly and infants dying along the way and weak mothers forced to abandon their children who inevitably succumb to the harsh terrain. The refugees also speak about the appalling conditions in the Dadaab camp such as the lack of assistance for new arrivees who endure lengthy waits for relief help.

Speaking to the public during his keynote address, Professor Togane recounted how he was driven out of Somalia in1973, blaming his forced exile on the then military regime. Saying that the Somali crisis has been in the making since 1973, Togane said that unnecessary “enmity (within Somalis) produces obscenity like this” adding that Somalis should now “better dwell on what they can do than dwell in the past”.

Stating that war and famine go hand in hand, Professor Togane, who is known for his stern rebukes, blamed Somalia’s crisis on local, regional and international actors. At the national level, he castigated Somalia’s political class that has driven the war-torn nation into ruins.

“This corrupt leadership is accountable to nobody. These leaders have no vision beyond their bellies. When there is no vision, people perish” said Professor Togane.
At the regional level, Mr. Togane highlighted how neighbouring countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and to some extent Djibouti that are fueling the Somali conflict, are responsible for the ongoing mayhem. It is not in the interest of these countries to see peace and stability return to Somalia.

At the international level, Mr. Togane blamed the US for destroying Somalia’s agricultural sector having flooded the local market in the past with food aid. Prior to that, Somali farmers were harvesting enough food sufficient for local consumption.
Mr. Togane also hit out at the UN and other international aid agencies saying that they are equally culpable for Somalia’s misery.

“The UN and the aid industry are making money out of Somalia. This Nairobi-based cabal has never set foot inside Somalia for the past 20 years” noted Mr. Togane. The best solution is for " Somalis to put the UN and Museveni (Ugandan Leader) out of the meetings". President Museveni is one of the architects of the divisive Kampala Accord, which Somali observers say places their homeland under an illegal trusteeship.

Unity, Mr. Togane emphasized, is the only viable avenue out of the current political stalemate in Somalia.

“If we don’t unite and overcome our petty differences, nothing will work. The ongoing suffering is largely due to lack of unity. This has made Somalia become the country of death” Said Togane.

Somalis, Mr. Togane argued, should learn from the experience of Cambodia.
“In Cambodia’s killing fields, over one million people perished. But the people of Cambodia got up and said no more death. We want life!”

Invoking Bob Marley’s “one love, one heart” philosophy, Professor Togane called upon Somalis in North America to come together and organize the biggest demonstrations ever in New York in September, “to shame Somali and world leaders” who will converge at the UN during the upcoming summit of the General Assembly for "allowing Somalia to descend into further chaos".

Somali-Canadian Rally Drums Up Support for Beleaguered Homeland

By Farid Omar.

The stifling summer heat was no deterrent for the concerned Somali-Canadians who converged outside the US Consulate in downtown Toronto to galvanize action for their drought and famine ravaged homeland.

“Help Somalia!” “Save the Children of Horn of Africa!” “Stop the War!” and “No Peace, No Justice!’ were powerful chants that greeted the public, pedestrians and onlookers alike as motorists honked to express solidarity with members of the Project ARAN Canada, organizers of the Saturday, July 30th rally and march and the multitude of demonstrators waving banners and placards clad in white and orange T-Shirts emblazoned with “Help Somalia” slogans.

More chants of “Stand up Canada! Open Your Hearts! Open Your Wallets!” rang across the downtown Toronto streets. ARAN stands for “prosper” and “grow” and the nascent organization is credited with galvanizing action within the Somali-Canadian community and in mainstream Canadian circles.

With latest UN reports indicating that tens of thousands have already died and hundreds of thousands are at risk of starvation in the Horn of Africa, Somali-Canadians are stepping up efforts to raise greater awareness about the crisis as well as expand relief campaigns for their beleaguered nation.

Somalia is experiencing the worst drought in 60 years and the UN has declared the unfolding humanitarian disaster “the worst crisis” in the world today. Close to 12 million people in the region are affected while hundreds of thousands of children in Somalia are severely malnourished. The UN has officially declared a famine in the epicentre of the crisis – the worst hit regions of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle while the rest of the country is classified to be “on brink of a famine”.

Compounded by ongoing conflict in South-Central Somalia, thousands of people continue to trek hundreds of miles in scorching heat across the Somali desert to overcrowded refugee camps located in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia. The majority of these refugees end up in Dadaab camp, in northern Kenya, the largest in the world where over 400,000 people are crammed in squalid conditions.

Nawal Isse, a social worker and Project ARAN organizer based in Toronto, arrived in Canada at the onset of the Somali civil war. She is determined to set foot on the ground to help in the relief efforts. Despite her unwavering commitment to support her homeland, Nawal, who arrived in Canada at only age 4, admits that going back to Somalia can be a challenge.

“The only country I have known since childhood is Canada. I consider myself the lost generation. Canada is the only place I can call home. I feel lost in the middle but still have small, lovely memories of Somalia” said Nawal, adding that “I wish I could have been returning to Somalia on a pleasant, fun-filled vacation, but that’s not the case. The situation on the ground puts tears in my eyes knowing that I am going back for reasons of crisis. I can feel the pain from here already. I feel obligated to help my brothers and sisters back home who are dying. I want to help. I want to be their voice. I urge every Somali-Canadian to do the same.”

Nawal equally expressed her solidarity with the entire Horn of African community that is engulfed in this crisis saying that victims of disaster in this region should be accorded all the help they need. A strong proponent of Somali-Canadian centred response , Nawal observes that self-reliant, self-directed action is the most viable mechanism of alleviating the human suffering in Somalia.

“ We need to take the initiative to act on behalf of our people. We shouldn’t rely on others to fix our problem. Somalia has a new generation of young people like me it can count on. We need to take back our country. Somalia has been led by others for far too long. It is time Somalia takes the lead. I can see Somali youth in North America, Europe, Middle East and elsewhere mobilizing and taking action. For Somalia! By Somalia! should be our motto.”

But it would take more than action to tackle Somalia’s intractable problems. Unity, Nawal noted, should be the cornerstone of the struggle to rebuild the war-torn nation.

“We don’t want Somalia to disintegrate. If we unite and consolidate our ranks, we can conquer all the ills and misfortunes in Somalia and the Horn of Africa at large. You can never underestimate the power of unity. We need to band together as one people. For that to happen, we must transcend tribal and regional loyalties. I don’t believe in petty tribalism. Those who have the same ideas and share the same goals to help Somalia are my tribe. The same is true of like minded youth in the Diaspora."

Like Nawal, Fahima Artan arrived in Canada at a young age. Fahima stated that Somali-Canadians are grateful to Canada for providing a safe heaven, re-settlement programs and education for those fleeing the protracted conflict and wished that she could one day “go back home to a peaceful, stable Somalia”.

“The reason I came out today is that I am disturbed by the fact that children are dying. We must show the world we can get together as a people and take action of our own. If each individual, young and old, donates $1 each, that would make a huge difference. I will do everything in my power to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the disaster” said Fahima.

Her views are echoed by youngsters Aisha Mohamed and Iman Issa who said “every penny, every dollar counts”. Aisha says that Canada is doing the best it can but hopes that it allocates the bulk of the aid geared for the East Africa famine relief to Somalia, the hardest hit nation in the region.

“Every 6 minutes, a child dies in Somalia. We must raise awareness to get people to join and donate generously toward our cause” adds Aisha. Hawa Kin Mohamed concurs with Aisha and Iman stating that “kids and women with no food, water and shelter are dying. Every penny counts! We must stand up for Somalia.”

Suad Aimad, an organizer with ARAN said that the organization came up with the initiative to encourage every Somali-Canadian to participate directly in relief efforts to rescue their beloved homeland. But Suad is increasingly concerned that the ongoing crisis and overall political instability in Somalia could have far reaching implications that may potentially threaten the very existence of this nation.

“The protracted conflict in Somalia and recurring crises are creating a disturbing pattern of exodus and depopulation which in the long run, may drive this nation into extinction. If Somalis don’t unite to end the ongoing mayhem, we may end up in the annals of history as a nation that was driven into extinction by disunity and societal fragmentation” said Suad.

She issued a stern warning that if Somalis are not careful, “Historians will teach future classrooms that once upon a time, a prosperous Horn of African nation called Somalia collapsed and never recovered, its people were dispersed all over the world and lost all traces of their identity and the entire nation was wiped out from the face of the world map.”

Suad said that she doesn’t want to sound pessimistic about the future of Somalia but thinks that it is time someone raised the alarm. “Like no other country in the world, Somalis are being driven out of their country or choose to leave voluntarily on a massive scale. We have never seen this level of exodus in recent memory. If our people continue to flock in large numbers into Kenya and Ethiopia, they will down the road, become Kenyanized or Ethiopianized. The foundations upon which we can rebuild and save our country are rooted in Somalia, not neighbouring countries. To prevent the situation from turning calamitous, we must unite.”

Sagal Ahmed, ARAN’s assistant co-ordinator, said that unity and action on the ground hold the key to unlocking Somalia’s dilemma.

“Our people must stick together and unite in the face of the unfolding crisis. We are obligated to help each other and must do everything in our power to facilitate relief operations on the ground. The most effective way to alleviate the suffering is to step up disaster response inside Somalia. In the next 3 months, 3.5 million people may perish if immediate actions are not taken to halt the famine. It is imperative that Somali-based initiatives and global relief campaigns establish a solid base inside Somalia to directly assist the victims of the disaster” said Sagal.

While Project ARAN Canada calls upon Somali-Canadians to stand up for their country, Hassan Sheikh, an organizer with the dynamic group says that it is encouraging to see Canada taking a prominent role at state level response.

“We thank the Canadian government for its excellent response and the Canadian citizens for doing their part. Canada and its people are known for their culture of giving and commitment to help others. There is no better way and time to demonstrate this level of generosity than in the current crisis” said Hassan.

Of late, development analysts have criticized northern-led NGOs for taking an easier route - turning the Dadaab refugee camp into a hub of relief efforts. Like many other concerned Somali-Canadians, Hassan is calling for aid agencies to go beyond Dadaab by reaching out to victims of disaster trapped in the epicentre of the ongoing crisis.

“Right now, 3.5 million people in the Bay, Bakool, Gedo and Lower Shebelle regions are at risk of perishing in this famine struck zone. When it comes to humanitarian response, the UN and other international aid agencies can’t pick and choose where to operate. They should go beyond Dadaab by reaching out to the worst hit areas inside Somalia. While emergency disaster response can be tricky and complex, humanitarian intervention should have no borders” said Hassan, adding that “Project ARAN Canada is ready to help aid agencies navigate around language and cultural barriers and facilitate the smooth delivery of aid to where it is needed most inside Somalia while coordinating closely with local communities”.

Stating that ARAN will act as the voice of the voiceless, Hassan believes that the ongoing crisis should not be solely seen as a Somali problem but an issue for entire humanity.

“This should be no different than the disaster responses for Haiti and Japan where people from across the world acted together. Regardless of their race, colour, religion or creed, we want everyone to participate in the relief efforts, not just Somalis, or Africans or Canadians but entire humanity in general” said Hassan.

Apart from calling for international humanitarian appeal, protesters also felt that everything should be done to bring the devastating Somali civil war to a halt.

“While we are here to demonstrate to fellow Canadians that Somalia needs help, Somalis must do something to stop the bloodshed. The ongoing crisis is compounded by the 20 years long political turmoil. We don’t want Somalia to go down further than this” noted Mohamed Omar.


According to Mohamed, only an end to the political upheavals can save Somalia.

“People are needlessly dying of war and hunger. There had been no stable government in Somalia for 2 decades now. We better put in place a stable, competent government. Somalia would be in better position to tackle any impending crisis if it re-establishes a functioning government.”

Karim Nur also emphasized the unity project. “The saddest thing to ever happen is for an entire nation to be struck by a famine. We must come together for the future of our homeland. We can make a difference if we work together as one people.”

Project ARAN Canada has been hailed in media circles as an initiative of Somali-Canadians of the Lawrence and Weston neigbourhood, the commercial hub of the community. Nasro Sheikh Hassan, the proprietor of Golden Hair designs, is a member of group of mothers who pioneered community mobilization that culminated with the founding of ARAN. Nasro would like to see an end to the influx of Somali refugees into neighbouring countries where they are often mistreated and forced to live in deplorable conditions. She also confers tangible solutions to check the flow of refugees across borders.

“We must stop the influx of the displaced into refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia where they are often abused. Worse still, the weak, including children, mothers and the elderly, lack the energy to walk hundreds of miles in difficult terrain. They mostly end up dying on the way. The solution is to set up three refugee camps in the border areas inside Somalia in places like Bulla Hawo (Beled Hawo) and Doble while an interior camp should be opened in the Kismayo area. We also want the establishment of transit camps where aid workers operating on the ground can provide temporary relief for the displaced people who are trekking long distances in search of help” said Nasro who decried the actions of NGOs that profit from the suffering of Somali people.

Nasro would like to see more direct action from her community insisting that it is an obligation to help the suffering. Saying that every single dollar counts, Nasro feels that even minimal steps can produce results.

“If mothers who feed their children with MacDonald can cut back on that and every individual cuts back on their daily intake of coffee, it would free much needed dollars that can be re-directed to the needy in Somalia.”

Her fellow community activist and organizer, Suad Aimad, recently told Ogaal Radio (88.9FM) that “Canada is the land of plenty where people throw food into garbage while people in Somalia are starving.” These calls for food recovery models that have been applied elsewhere are now finding some traction in the Somali community.

Nasro believes that the ultimate solution lies in the establishment, of a strong, united, and competent national government in Somalia. Since parents are more concerned with the disintegration of a homeland they may not have the ability to rebuild by themselves, she sees hope in Somali youth who are mobilizing and taking action across the world.

“Without peace, there is no life. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been pumped into what the international community calls a government in Somalia. No one knows where the missing dollars end up. Somalia should rely on the youth who were born and raised here in the diaspora to rebuild our homeland. These youth are free from the scourge associated with clanism. They are the best asset we have today. They are here to build Canada and they have the potential to rebuild Somalia as well” said Nasro.

Like everyone at ARAN, Nasro is of the view that Somalia is both a problem for Somalis and entire humanity.

“Canada is our home and we are all Canadians. Our primary objective is to help our people and Somalis should take the lead in the ongoing relief efforts. But the crisis we see today is also a call for humanity to act. Humanity came together for Haiti’s sake, which is laudable. It must also do everything to help rescue Somalia” said Nasro.

The mere mention of her name sends cold chills running up the spines of the Ford brothers. During her last year’s municipal campaign for Etobicoke North’s Ward 2, Dr. Cadigia Ali gallantly took on the Ford brothers (Mayor Rob Ford and Councilor Doug Ford) and won the public debates hands down. Despite missing out on City Hall, Dr. Cadigia Ali is still fighting to stop Rob Ford’s agenda. Protestors were encouraged to see Dr. Cadigia plying her familiar territory- grassroots community mobilizing and on this particular day, the rally for Somalia.

“In 1993, I was at this venue (outside US Consulate) for a famine relief rally for Somalia. It hurts me that almost 20 years later, I am back at this very venue for the same reasons” lamented Dr. Cadigia.

“I am upset and tired of the leadership vacuum in Somalia. The people of Somalia are caught in between a corrupt and ineffective government and the deadly Al-Shabab insurgency wrecking havoc on Somalia. Instead of helping Somalia’s children at this hour of need, these forces are still battling in the streets. We have had warlord MPs and Ministers who are not accountable to anyone and the reckless Al-Shabab who are blocking aid while innocent people starve” said Dr. Cadigia.

“Our children are being abducted, drugged and forcibly recruited as child soldiers by the insurgents. Our women and children are paying a heavy price in this protracted conflict. Blocking humanitarian aid is a serious crime. For whom does The Hague exist? asked Dr. Cadigia.

Dr. Cadigia says Somalia is technically under “a forced trusteeship that has illegally placed its sovereignty in the hands of member countries of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) notably, Uganda and Ethiopia. It is basically run by outsiders. Good people who went back to help their country are not allowed to work” noted Dr. Cadigia, emphasizing that “Somalis must come together and build effective security in Somalia. Without security, nothing will work.”

To donate money toward humanitarian relief in the Horn of Africa, donors can reach Project ARAN Canada by phone at the following numbers:

Hassan Sheikh (416) 837-1948, Suad Aimad (647) 703-7229.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/309241#ixzz1U4l3Ds1O

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/309911#ixzz1X8v6w6He

Miss Teen Canada- World Gives Voice to Somali Humanitarian Cause.

By Farid Omar.

The UN has declared the humanitarian crisis in Somalia “the worst disaster” in the world as the war-torn nation faces the worst drought in 60 years.

Days after U2’s Bono, and Somali-Canadian rapper, K’naan, met with Minnesotan Somalis to raise awareness on the ongoing famine and drought afflicting Somalia, Lauren Howe, the newly-crowned Miss Teen Canada -World gave her voice to the victims of the crisis calling upon Canada and the international community to expand relief efforts for the humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa region.

On July 16th, Lauren Howe beat a strong field of 74 other contestants to be crowned the 2011 Miss Teen Canada-World in a colourful pageant held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, in downtown, Toronto. Stunningly beautiful, Lauren won the competition because of her strength in the live interviews and her prowess at blogging.

Rightfully the teen queen of beauty and brains, Lauren will now represent Canada at the Miss Teen World pageant in Houston Texas August 1 – 5. The big night is the pageant’s final on August 5th when she could become an international celebrity. This year, there are 24 other contestants from countries all over the world in what promises to be an eventful pageant.

In an exclusive interview with FaridNet, Lauren, 18, outlined her national platform of raising awareness on hunger and homelessness in local communities, where untouched wasted food could be given to the homeless. Stating that the prevalence of hunger is also a global issue, the Miss Teen Canada-World called for concerted international action to address the unfolding crisis in Somalia, the epicentre of the drought and famine affecting millions in East Africa.

At the Minneapolis event, Bono, the U2 front man and K’naan, the Somali born rapper and poet performed a duet of “stand by me,” in solidarity with the people of Somalia. Minneapolis, Minnesota is home to the largest Somali community in America.
Likewise in Toronto, which is home to the largest Somali Diaspora community in Canada, Lauren said that the victims of the humanitarian disaster in Somalia and East Africa in general require urgent help.

“Given the scale of the crisis in Somalia, the population affected by the ongoing disaster should be accorded hundred percent support by Canada, the United Nations and the international community” said Lauren.

Aid agencies observe that the humanitarian disaster in Somalia is taking its toll on its youngest generation with the majority of the population affected by the monumental crisis being children and young people under 18 years of age.
A news maker and a high profile teen, Lauren ’s humanitarian appeal to the international community brings much needed attention to a crisis that is threatening to decimate Somalia’s future generation if swift action is not taken to curtail the ongoing suffering. The UN says that malnutrition rates among the over 2 million children affected by the crippling drought are severely high.

The majority of Somali refugees displaced by the drought and conflict end up in the Dadaab camp, located in neighbouring Kenya. Built to house 90,000 people when civil war broke out in Somalia, the Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says that Dadaab is now home to more than 400,000 refugees making it the world's largest refugee camp.

UN officials state that 12 million people in East Africa are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Lauren notes that the “flow of thousands of Somalis displaced by the drought into refugee camps in neighbouring Kenya attests to the gravity of the situation on the ground.”

David Mitchell, the British Minister for International Development recently decried the slow international response to the crisis calling it “derisory and dangerously inadequate”. While Canada has pledged over $60 million to help alleviate suffering in the drought and famine zones of East Africa, Lauren states that the “burden of relief efforts should be divided among all countries in the world and especially the wealthy nations in the West that are better endowed”.

“Canada may have budget allocations for different priorities. But with the worsening humanitarian situation in places like Somalia, I think it is time Canada re-directed more aid and resources to this crisis” said Lauren.

Known for her blogging prowess and commitment to social justice, Lauren further calls for progressive initiatives to combat negative stereotypes attached to certain communities.

“In Somalia, media depictions focus on the negative such as reports on the scourge of piracy and pirates” says Lauren adding that “droughts and famine are disasters that need to be tackled, but they can often be associated with images that can depict affected population in negative light. In the ongoing crisis, the media should refrain from dwelling on negative stereotypes and focus on the important issues being raised; helping those who need help most”.

Having visited Ghana in the past, Lauren notes that Africa is unfairly being presented in the global tourist sector as an “exotic” continent full of wild animals.
“Africa is not a wild place. It is like any other continent that has its own state structures. Although it faces challenges, there are many things that Africa can always improve on” says Lauren.

In her campaign to fight hunger and homelessness, Lauren is an ardent advocate of food recovery initiatives. In Canada, a lot of good, unused food that goes to waste is often discarded. According to the food recovery model, non-perishable foods such as rice and other canned, dried foods can be recovered and redistributed to the poor.

Lauren’s platform of food recovery is echoed by others in the Somali community. In a recent interview with Ogaal Radio (88.9FM), Somali-Canadian activist Suad Aimad stated that “Canada is the land of plenty where people throw food into garbage while people in Somalia are starving”. The food recovery model has been used by the UN during the Haiti crisis and Lauren feels that communities can apply a similar model to Somalia by working closely with the UN.

Lauren’s social activism is not limited to fighting poverty and homelessness. She is in the forefront of advocating for the still underway Patent Pool, an initiative that could make available affordable HIV/AIDS drugs to patients in the developing nations who can’t afford antiretroviral drugs priced beyond their reach.

Having explored this concept in one of her school projects, Lauren, a scientific researcher, observes that the Patent Pool concept is a possible solution to the pandemic as it allows for the “voluntary licensing of intellectual property, where companies and researchers may access the patent pool to retrieve the patents in exchange for a royalty payment to the inventors. This is a win - win situation because more people would access the pool and more manufacturers will gain the right to sell HIV drugs to the public” says Lauren.

Planning to pursue a biochemical degree at University level, Lauren hopes to bring her expertise and activism to this issue in pharmaceutical circles at an appropriate time. The sky is the limit for the energetic, outgoing and optimistic Miss Teen Canada-World who is set to take the world stage by storm.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.missteencanadaworld.com

Somali-Canadians Launch Humanitarian Appeal on Ogaal Radio.

By Farid Omar.

Shocked by the unfolding humanitarian disaster that is afflicting their war-torn nation, Somali-Canadians are taking action to help alleviate the ongoing suffering in Somalia.

The Abar Project spearheaded by ARAN Somali-Canadian Relief Organization, has launched a fundraising appeal during a live broadcast on Ogaal Radio, 88.9FM on Sunday, July 17th. Ogaal is the largest Somali language Radio Program in Canada reaching over 150,000 listeners in the Greater Toronto Area and across Southern Ontario every Sundays, 10:00 p.m. - midnight and millions throughout the world over the internet.

Abar is Somali for draught and the project hopes to mobilize Somali-Canadians to take direct action to help mitigate the humanitarian crisis.

Anchor Hassan “Karate” was joined in the studio by two prominent Somali-Canadian activists from ARAN, Suad Aimad and Hassan Sheikh Adan to appeal to Somali-Canadians to donate generously toward the relief campaign for the victims of the humanitarian disaster in Somalia.

Somalia has been hit by the worst drought in 60 years and seniour UN officials have declared it “the worst humanitarian crisis” in the world today. Approximately 3000 refugees cross into neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia each passing day while thousands others are displaced inside Somalia. 450,000 Somalis are crammed in the world's largest refugee camp located in Dadaab, Kenya, near the Somali border.

Clearly emotional over the airwaves, Suad Aimad spoke of the horrifying conditions facing the victims of disaster saying that children are dying on the way to refugee camps and called upon the Somali-Canadian community to urgently lend a helping hand. She said that "we live in the land of plenty (Canada) where people throw food into garbage while poor people in Somalia are starving".

“The most vulnerable in Somalia have no voice. This crisis is a wake- up call for all of us. We must take immediate action to help the needy. We call for a Somali-led Initiative to confront the humanitarian disaster. We don’t have to wait for others to act. We should take action of our own to rescue the suffering masses” said Suad.
Hassan “Karate” urged Somali-Canadians to support the Abar Project, an initiative of the ARAN Somali-Canadian Relief Organization.

“The human suffering stemming from this disaster is beyond comprehension. Left with no food and water, people have been trekking long distances in search of help. Many have fallen on the way. As Somali-Canadians, we must do everything in our power to alleviate this suffering” said Hassan “Karate”.

Hassan Sheikh reminded the public that donations toward the Abar Project are tax deductible as ARAN has a charitable status.

“The Abar Project is an initiative of the Somali residents of Lawrence and Weston neighbouhood of Toronto. ARAN is an autonomous organization that promotes self-directed, community-based action. There are no aid organizations on the ground in the worst affected areas in Somalia such as Bay and Bakool regions etc. We must start by utilizing our own resources to help our people” said Hassan Sheikh.

The Somali people are caring says Hassan Sheikh but more needs to be done. He noted that ARAN has launched a letter writing campaign targeting Canadian government officials and urged Somali-Canadians to help bring about policy changes so that Canada can respond more effectively to the humanitarian disaster that has hit Somalia hard. ARAN is planning to organize a number of fundraising events to assist the victims of disaster in Somalia. The organization is also launching a clothing drive as part of its ongoing relief efforts.

Earlier in the broadcast, Sheikh Abokor of Toronto's Khalid Bin Al-Walid Mosque appealed to Somali-Canadians to donate generously toward the humanitarian cause stating that it is a moral and religious obligation to help the vulnerable in their most difficult hour.

Local mosques, including Khalid Bin Al-Walid and IMO are collecting donations for the victims of disaster. These donations are being channeled through Human Concern International, an NGO that operates in 34 countries including Somalia. The Somali money transfer company, Dahabshiil, is also accepting donations that are being sent directly to victims of disaster housed in the Hager Dheer refugee camp.

During a phone-in session that solicited the views of Ogaal Radio listenership, Somali-Canadians expressed their concerns and pledged to take action. Many callers emphasized the significance of Somali unity in addressing this monumental crisis afflicting their beloved nation. A united front that transcends clannish and regional loyalties is key to resolving the crisis, they said.

To donate money toward humanitarian relief in Somalia, potential donors can reach ARAN’s Abar Project by phone at the following numbers:

Hassan Sheikh (416) 837-1948, Suad Aimad (647) 703-7229.

Ogaal Radio is also involved in the relief efforts and people can reach anchor Hassan "Karate" at (416) 278-2944.

Helping Somali Refugees: An Appeal for International Aid

By Farid Omar.

The Somali refugee crisis is worsening by the day as thousands of people displaced by conflict are crossing into Kenya and Ethiopia.

The majority of these refugees end up at the Dadaab refugee camp, the largest in the world, hosting half a million Somali refugees and counting. Located in Kenya near the Somali border, Somali refugees in this camp live in squalid conditions and require immediate resettlement in western nations that are signitories of the Geneva Convention.

Superstar Saado Ali Warsame, Somalia's most iconic artist and international figure and the Somali Refugee Awareness Project led by Hodan Nalayeh, are in Nairobi, Kenya, today, for a press conference to raise awareness on the humanitarian crisis and drum up international support for Somali refugees.

Both Saado Ali and Hodan would later travel to the Dadaab camp to meet the refugees and call for concerted international action to alleviate the ongoing suffering. They have recently held discussions with Honourable Farah Maalim, the Deputy Speaker of the Kenya Parliament. Mr. Maalim is also the MP for Lagdera constituency in the Garissa county where the Dadaab refugee camp is located.

According to a comprehensive Press Release issued by the Somali Refugee Awareness Project, the newest refugees are arriving in large numbers from the Sool, Sanaag and Cyn regions in northern Somalia and there are calls for the Somaliland government to end the military occupation in that region and for international community to intervene on behalf of the affected population.
The press release also states:

As someone whose heart belongs to the well being of the Somali people, Saado Ali wants Somalis to unite. Saado says, “We are at humanitarian crisis and this is the time for Somalis to unite and stand up for the dignity of our people.” Saado became a household icon in 1975 as young girl and she has continued to influence Somalis with her music the past thirty-five years. Saado’s popularity is not only due to her magnificent voice, but her pro-unity stand for Somalis, political courage and bravery to speak for the disadvantaged. She currently resides in Minneapolis, MN and has traveled to Kenya to help Somalis effected by the drought. Although, she is lives thousand of miles away from her birth country of Somalia, the power of the Internet has helped Saado to reach millions of Somalis on YouTube and social network sites to unite Somalis. Her hit latest single, “Somaliweyn” or “United Somalia” describes passionate call for all Somalis to come together as one and stop the country and clan divisions.

JCopia Captures Flash Video and Audio from Websites

Increasing and building video and audio collection from websites and into your computer can be frustrating and time consuming. But a product called JCopia is changing all that. The simple and easy to use Jcopia can capture flash videos from almost all flash sites like Youtube, Google Video, MySpace, DailyMotion, Metacafe, Break etc.

Just play your media online and watch as JCopia saves any clip / music / movie to your computer.

JCopia detects and begins to download any clip, video, music, radio stream, video stream, Flash game or presentation that is played in your browser.
For audio content, JCopia, captures MP3s from audio Flash sites like: MySpace, Pandora, Last.fm, vkontakte, etc.

More importantly, JCopia has met Microsoft testing requirements for compatibility with Windows XP, Vista, Win 7.

It is a very convenient tool for collections video and audio files on disk.

For more information, please visit:

http://jiteco.com/jcopia.html

Monday, July 25, 2011

15 Startling Facts about America’s Infrastructure

Posted on July 25, 2011

The infrastructure of a nation is what holds civilization together. It includes roads, water supplies, sewers, electrical grids, and telecommunications — things without which the world might prove a difficult place to navigate. While Americans enjoy a better infrastructure than many places in the world, the reality is that it is outdated, inefficient, and — in many places around the nation — currently crumbling to pieces.

Sadly, things are only going to get worse before they get better, as roads fill with potholes, bridges collapse, and electrical grids brown out with more regularly, all unable to provide for the needs of the populace. If you had any doubts about the sad state of the American infrastructure, read on to learn just how bad things really are.

1. More than 25% of bridges in the United States need significant repairs or are handling more traffic than they were designed to carry.

This translates to a whopping 150,000 bridges that aren’t up to snuff. In recent years, bridge and overpass collapses have even led to death. One of the most notable of these was the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis, which collapsed in 2007, killing 13 and injuring 145. If bridges are not updated or repaired, these kinds of accidents could become more common.

2. An inefficient, heavily overburdened electrical grid results in rolling blackouts and losses of $80 billion a year
.

In a world that relies heavily on technology for everything from health care to business, losing power can be a big deal. In the past decade, huge blackouts have left much of the Northeast and Florida without power for several days. This costs money, time, and can create unsafe conditions for residents.

3. Over 4,095 dams in America were deemed “unsafe” by the American Society of Civil Engineers.


This means that they have deficiencies that leave them more susceptible to failure, especially during flooding or earthquakes. The number of dams in the United States that could fail has grown 134% since 1999, and now comprises 3,346 dams nationwide. More than 1,300 of these dangerous dams are considered “high hazard” because their collapse could threaten the lives of those living nearby.

4. More than a third of all dam failures or near-failures since 1874 have happened in just the last decade.

The rate of failures is increasing at a disturbingly fast rate, as America’s dams age and deteriorate. Can’t remember any recent dam failures? In 2004, 30 different dams in New Jersey’s Burlington County failed or were damaged after a period of particularly heavy rainfall.

5. Nearly a third of all highway fatalities are related to substandard road conditions, obsolete road designs, or roadside hazards.

The Federal Highway Administration estimates that poor road conditions play a role in more than 14,300 traffic fatalities each year.

6. By 2035, highway usage (and shipping by truck) is expected to double, leaving Americans to spend an average of 160 hours a year in traffic.

If you think traffic is bad now, just wait a few years. Over the next quarter-century, experts estimate that traffic on American roads is going to be much, much worse. Commuting between work and home could be a nightmare for many, taking up nearly a week of time over the course of the year. Also, keep in mind that this number is just an average, and in high-traffic urban areas, the estimates are much higher.

7. More than half of America’s interstate miles are at 70% of traffic capacity, and nearly 25% of the miles are strained at more than 95% capacity.

Americans love their cars, and the roads are clogged with drivers as a result. Much of the interstate system in the U.S. is struggling to keep up with the number of people who use it each day, leading to traffic jams and accidents at much higher rates.

8. It is estimated that over one third of America’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.


If you hadn’t already noticed that the streets in your city were littered with potholes and cracks, this stat will let you in on the secret: American roads are falling apart. With many states teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and unable to keep up with maintenance, this situation isn’t likely to change soon.

9. Traffic jams caused by poor transit infrastructure cost Americans 4 billion hours and nearly 3 billion gallons of gasoline a year.

Highways designed to carry fewer cars that they’re currently managing, poorly timed lights, and awfully-designed transit systems all help contribute to traffic jams. These jams keep drivers on the road for longer, wasting gallon upon gallon of gas and hour upon hour of time.

10. A study by the EPA exposed the dirty truth about America’s aging sewer systems: they spill an estimated 1.26 trillion gallons of untreated sewage every single year.

Not only is this a health and environmental concern, but it’s also a financial one. Cleaning up these spills costs an estimated $50 billion every year.

11. The United States must invest $225 billion per year over the next 50 years to maintain and adequately enhance roads and other transportation systems to meet demand.


Currently, the U.S. is spending less than 40% of this amount, which will make it impossible to effectively keep up with and expand the transit system.

12. In 2005, U.S. infrastructure earned a D rating from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

This was down from a D+ in 2001 and 2003. It’s no joke that the infrastructure of the U.S. is getting worse and worse. In some areas, quality of water, electricity, and roads have been compared to those of a developing nation. Major changes need to be made to keep up, modernize, and allow America to remain competitive in the world market.

13
. By 2020, every major U.S. container port is projected to be handling at least double the volume it was designed for
.

Imports and exports are major, major business for the U.S., and in the future, this isn’t likely to change. Yet the ports we use to do our trading are going to be seriously overloaded and will need a major overhaul to adequately deal with the number of ships coming in and out.

14. Costs attributed to airline delays related to congestion and outdated air traffic control systems are expected to triple to $30 billion from 2000 to 2015.

Sitting on the tarmac waiting to take off or deplane isn’t just annoying — it’s costing businesses billions of dollars each year. The amount of time lost or wasted on flights is continually rising, up to 170 total years (15 minutes lost on 1.6 million flights) in 2007 from just 70 years lost in 2003.

15. Railroads are expected to need over $200 billion in investment through 2035.

Railroads are a viable, if not quick, means of transporting people and goods the world over — but in the U.S., many lines are painfully inefficient and falling apart. While money is being poured into modernizing train systems (most notably high speed rail on some Amtrak lines), much more will be needed to keep pace with the amount of rail traffic in coming years. Not to mention everything it will take to make rail travel an appealing option to notoriously phobic Americans.

Source: www.carinsurance.org

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Nasra Agil: A Canadian Civil Engineer rises to next level.

By Farid Omar.

Breaking into civil engineering, a profession considered the exclusive preserve of men, maybe a tall order for many women including those in western nations.

But Nasra Agil, a young Somali-Canadian civil engineer of the highest calibre, is one accomplished professional who has shattered this long-held myth.

The highly determined and supremely confident young lady has not only conquered the realm of civil engineering but has taken her pursuits in this field to a new level.

Having arrived in Canada at a young age alongside her family from war-torn Somalia, Nasra decided from early on that civil engineering would be her chosen career path in future. And all this despite prevailing perceptions in her community and within Canadian society in general that this highly coveted field is a turf only befitting the ingenuity of technically-oriented men.

In 2005, Nasra attained the unimaginable as she graduated at the top of her civil engineering class at Ryerson University posting a 4.22 Grade Point Average (GPA) from a possible maximum of 4.33 to earn a Honours Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng ) degree to become the first ever female of Somali descent to achieve this important feat in the western world. Her shinning accolades in academic circles also include numerous awards such as the prestigious Golden Key International Honour Society Award, in recognition of her outstanding academic excellence.

Since age 15, Nasra had demonstrated exceptional leadership skills being a young activist in community organizing in her Jamestown Crescent neighbourhood, a housing project inhabited by a significant number of Somali-Canadian newcomers in what used to be a crime infested area mired in gang activity. For seven years, Nasra was at the forefront of community-based crime prevention strategies and was recognized for her contribution to community service with the Duke of Edinborough Award. Receiving this honour from Canada’s Governor-General only served to inspire her some more as she embarked on other important initiatives that helped transform her community’s fortunes for the better.

As a young activist, Nasra played a leadership role in the Leave Out of Violence (LOV) Program aimed at guiding youth caught in cycle of violence to pursue a positive, healthy lifestyle and stay on the right side of the law. At high school, Nasra completed 60 community hours and was engaged in promoting physical activity skills such as basketball, swimming and survival skills including setting up tents for dwelling in camps meant to familiarize young people with the rigidity of Mother Nature.

Nasra was also instrumental in promoting acting skills that saw her produce educational plays presented to audiences in schools. She completed bronze and silver levels for the set of skills but had to forgo the gold as she became busy with her academic pursuits at university and future career goals.

Upon graduation from her civil engineering program from Ryerson’s Faculty of Engineering, Nasra landed a job as a roads inspector with the City of Toronto’s Transportation Services. This challenging position required the skills of a qualified engineer of her stature.

Recounting her experience at Ryerson, the stunningly beautiful engineer states: “Even in a place like Canada, civil engineering is a tough field for women to get into. In my graduation class of eighty students, only six, including myself, were female students while the rest were male students”.

After working for a period of two years with the City of Toronto, Nasra was drawn into the lucrative labour market in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which became the international hub for real estate development. Qualified engineers, especially those with high profile credentials like Nasra, were in huge demand and it was not long before Nasra set her foot in the red hot real estate market in the Emirates.

In 2007, Nasra was hired by Cansult, a Dubai-based Canadian engineering firm considered one of the biggest operating in the Middle East region. Working in the position of Traffic Engineer/Planner, Nasra was tasked with designing complexes to determine the transportation infrastructure needs of emerging, rapidly developing communities. She sat at a roundtable full of male engineers providing her expertise in design and development.

“While this can be a very challenging position, I had the advantage of being a young, female, engineer of colour, presenting cutting edge proposals for mega development projects” says Nasra. Always an illustrious engineer on top of the game, Nasra stood out as a hard working, brilliant and a rare female engineer in the Gulf region.

As her reputation grew in Dubai’s rapidly developing market, Nasra caught the attention of Nakheel, the largest real estate developer in the UAE who offered her a key position as an advisor, where she evaluated and rendered decisions on proposals prepared by consultants. Nakheel, the world famous real estate developer, is known for constructing the classy and glittering, man -made palm islands built to the shape of the worlds. The palm islands are credited with being the architectural wonders of the modern world that has mesmerized visitors and tourists from across the world.

According to Nasra, working in Dubai has other advantages.

“Being strategically located at the centre of the world, Dubai lies at the crossroads of surrounding regions and offers a short and convenient flight distance to destinations lying within close proximity such as India, rest of Asia, Europe and Africa” observed Nasra.

But eight months into her high profile job, the Dubai real estate market went bust as it was hit hard by the global economic recession. Many in her company that employed thousands of people were laid off while only two out of thirty employees in her department retained their jobs. Nakheel, the giant real estate developer was on verge of collapse, almost pushed down by a slumping economy virtually dependent on the foundations of the real estate industry. Despite corporate meltdown elsewhere, Nakheel survived.

The dawn of the global recession meant that Nasra found herself out of work and pondering her next move. Once again, her well-established reputation in this market helped save the day for Nasra as she received a call from the Roads Authority in Dubai, which recognized that only few people possess Nasra’s skills in this sector. She was interviewed and then hired on the spot as Seniour Traffic Engineer and has now been working in this enviable position for the Dubai Government in the last two years. Dubai has since recovered from the downward spiral with its re-structured economy back on its feet.

Undoubtedly, Dubai offers any prospective engineers their dream jobs.

“One year experience in Dubai’s real estate development sector or any other booming industry is equivalent to ten years experience elsewhere” says Nasra in reference to the fast paced, ultra modern development environment in the wealthy gulf emirate.

One of Nasra’s favorite pastimes includes international travel. Dubai’s central location has allowed her to globe-trot to her favourite destinations.

“Since landing in Dubai, I have travelled to over 50 countries within four short years” says Nasra.

In terms of future outlook, Nasra aims to become an entrepreneur one day. This won’t pose any problems as she comes from a business savvy family known for their successful entrepreneurship. Nasra sees a huge potential for growth in the African continent which is ripe with international business opportunities. From an engineering business perspective, she would like to play a significant role to build roads, bridges, airports, seaports and other forms of infrastructure that Africa badly needs. A Nasra owned engineering firm would be an ideal starting point to venture into the ever expanding African markets. Nasra points to the growing presence of Chinese investment in Africa as a motivating factor driving the emergence of new trade ventures in Africa.

“China’s entry into the African markets is significant and the world has taken notice. It has offered the continent a new type of trade relationship that is mutually beneficial. For example, China’s investment in Africa includes the development of infrastructure such as the construction of roads, highways, seaports, dams, power plants etc which helps stimulate regional economies. But it equally raises key questions in terms of gaining a direct foothold in exploiting Africa’s resources” says Nasra.

“China’s rapidly growing economy requires access to Africa’s resources such as energy and raw materials. I have travelled to China to places like Shanghai and Guangzhou and have seen first hard the industrial and technological transformations taking place there” says Nasra.

But Nasra also believes that African-centred development should be a priority in strategic sectors of the economy. As such, Nasra is determined to enter the fray by taking her much needed engineering skills to help build and stimulate Africa’s emerging markets that offer vast potential for development.

When peace eventually returns to Somalia, Nasra hopes to play a major role in the reconstruction project as she can utilize her unique technical skills and expertise to rebuild her homeland. Apart from the need for expanded infrastructural development, Nasra states that Somalia’s environmental degradation that has worsened over the last two decades owing to ongoing conflict, needs to be checked.

“While it is understandable that global attention on Somalia has focused on the conflict and resultant humanitarian crisis, virtually no one has been paying attention to the environmental disaster afflicting Somalia” says Nasra, adding that “ Somalia is a country prone to drought and deforestation not forgetting the fact that it has suffered a great deal from toxic waste disposal that has contaminated Somalia’s territorial waters and the depletion of fish stocks stemming from the plunder of Somalia’s marine resources.”

Nasra points out that “with environmental degradation and deforestation, the top soil is lost. Many people don’t realize that it can take upto 750 years for the top soil to regenerate. Unfortunately, the level of degradation taking place in Somalia today is quite alarming”.

Nasra may be well known for her engineering and technical skills. But her well-informed assessment of Africa’s state of affairs and global events, clearly reveal Nasra’s other strengths; her intellectual prowess and political consciousness. This is not surprising given her level of social activism dating back to her high school years. Apart from her engineering profession and a knack for entrepreneurial ventures, Nasra is truly a social justice oriented person. She would like to see the emergence of a free and democratic, vibrant society in Africa where the suffering masses are treated equally and fairly. This calls for political freedoms and social justice for all.

For Nasra, the sky is the limit as she looks to consolidate her successful civil engineering career, embark on business ventures in the near future as well as provide opportunities for her community in various fronts.

For further enquiries, Nasra can be reached by email at : nasra3@yahoo.com

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Somali-Canadians Denounce Kampala Accord, Support Farmajo.

By Farid Omar,

Somali-Canadians joined Somalis from across the world in voicing their vehement opposition to the June 9th Kampala Accord, which observers say undermines the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) and infringes on Somalia’s national sovereignty.

In direct contravention of Somalia’s transitional charter, the controversial and illegal accord extends the mandates of the Somali President, Speaker and Parliament till August 2012 when elections will be held and called for the resignation of the Prime Minister within 30 days. Struck behind the scenes without any prior consultation with the Somali parliament, the dubious deal is a total mockery of the democratic aspirations of the Somali people.

The architects of the Kampala Accord, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and the UN special representative for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga, claim it was meant to resolve long standing political wrangles between President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and Speaker of Parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden. But the accord, which has orchestrated the removal of popular Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, is a backward step for the nation and will likely plunge war-torn Somalia into deeper crisis.

A close examination of the full text of the agreement reveals that the accord has transferred Somalia’s sovereignty to the seven - member East African regional grouping, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the international community. The most contentious clauses read as follows:

“Both Government and Parliament shall work together with the international community to establish a road-map with benchmarks, timelines and compliance mechanisms for the implementation of the priority tasks”.

“The Heads of State of the Region (IGAD and EAC) shall constitute a Political Bureau with participation of the UN (UNPOS) and the AU, similar to the Burundi Regional Peace Initiative. The Bureau shall oversee and monitor compliance of the TFIs with agreed benchmarks and timelines to implement the transitional tasks and to advance the Somali Peace Process”.

“The international partners and the Regional Bureau reserve the right to evoke appropriate measures with consequences to ensure compliance with the benchmarks and timelines by the TFIs including the application of appropriate sanctions against spoilers.”

Based on the above, it is clear that for the first time in the history of modern international relations, the sovereignty of a nation has arbitrarily been transferred to foreign powers with the UN playing a direct role in such a sinister move.

Like their fellow countrymen across the world, Somali-Canadians reacted angrily to the Kampala Accord. In a well-attended event organized by Somali youth activists in Toronto, hundreds of concerned Somali-Canadians converged at the Days Inn Hotel located at Wilson Avenue West on Saturday, June 18th, to denounce the Kampala Accord and pledge their support for the deposed Prime Minister.

The PM, who was forced to resign, was seen by Somalis as the best hope moving forward, having made significant security gains against the insurgency as well as gaining the trust of the Somali public through his direct and concerted consultations with civil society groups.

Protests broke out in Mogadishu and globally as Somalis took to the streets and held public forums to condemn the Accord and rallying their support behind Farmajo, the first head of state who had obtained important results in twenty years. His removal has only precipitated the ongoing power struggle between the two Shariffs with latest reports coming out of Mogadishu pointing to a fresh row between the president and the speaker. Analysts fear that this mindless power struggle may wipe out Farmajo’s gains and actually provide the Al-Shabab insurgency with a bonanza and regain all the grounds it lost in the military offensive under the Farmajo government.

Outraged Somali-Canadians were unequivocal in their condemnation of the Kampala Accord. “From a Somali stand point, this is tantamount to modern day colonialism” said Adifatah Warsame Maroyare, a youth activist and one of the organizers of the Toronto event. “The so-called international community is complicit in this. On one hand, they preach the virtues of democracy, on the other hand, they practice hypocrisy” said Abifatah.

Abdifatah, a prominent co-ordinator of the Centre for Youth Development and Mentoring Services that provides academic, social and recreational supports for at risk youth, further noted that it was “the Western world that has contributed to state collapse in Somalia in the first place and is still meddling in the internal affairs of the country” labeling Somalis “pirates”, “terrorists” and “anarchists” and “not allowing Somalia to stand on its feet.”

While the young generation was detached from Somalia’s state of affairs in the past, Abdifatah is of the view that there is now a growing sense of awakening among the Somali youth who are demanding positive change in Somalia free from external meddling.

“The youth and Somalis in general are taking action against the ongoing infringement of Somalia’s sovereignty. The reactionary elites who are financed by UN dollars have sold out the country. They indulge in expensive overseas trips in the oil-rich Gulf countries and western capitals often lavishing in five star hotels” said Abdifatah. The prominent youth activist called for Somalis across the world to “rise above clannish politics and confront those responsible for the ongoing mayhem in Somalia”.

His views were echoed by Somalis artists, Nakruma and Daleys who urged the global Somali community to take back their country from external forces that are reigning havoc on the their belegurerd nation saying that the “Somali artists will always support the Somali people and lend voice to their struggles.”

“Down with the Kampala Accord! Down with Mahiga” chanted Nakruma on the stage in reference to the UN Special Representative to Somalia, who is directly complicit in the ongoing destabilization of the country. As part of the artistic and cultural component of the evening program, the celebrated Somali divas led the enthusiastic crowd in singing the Somali national anthem and patriotic songs in a scene awash with blue and white, the national colours of the Somali flag.

Abdijabar, a youth activist seen as a rising star in the Somali-Canadian Community and a potential future leader for Somalia, doled out humorous rhymes correctly depicting the reality of Somalia’s state of affairs today.

The Mississauga-born master rhymer rocked the house highlighting Somalia’s past greatness and its current nadir status “our ancestors were free and uncolonized. But in today’s reality, our people are dispersed with a serious case of mistaken identity” rhymed Abdijabar to a thundering applause from the floor.

Khadijah Ali, a radio host and youth activist, said that the deposed Prime Minister “was a competent leader who placed Somalia’s national interests above external agendas”. The York University Social Work major also noted that “Prime Minister Farmajo had given Somalia a second chance. The country has suffered for far too long and we don’t want another 20 years of anarchy. Farmajo’s vision represents a true hope and the best way forward for Somalia”.

Professor Mohamed Siyyad Togane, a Somali scholar and poet known for his stern rebukes, called the gathering “ a historic event” saying that Somalis must be willing “to shed blood, sweat and tears” to re-take their country. Professor Togane said he flew all the way from Montreal to join Somali-Canadians in Toronto to express their outright opposition to the Kampala Accord.

“Rebuilding Somalia requires sacrifices from its people. For the last 20 years, we were moving in circles. Farmajo initiated a viable process for the country and the people of Somalia rallied behind him” said Professor Togane who recited a powerful poem titled “Enough”, which portrayed Prime Ministers who came before Farmajo as “tools” employed as a “fifth column” by a UN system bent on keeping Somalia down.
Professor Togane also highlighted how Somalia was directly governed from Nairobi by foreign UN personnel, observing that Farmajo was determined to relocate the UNDP office to Mogadishu.

“Farmajo, an emerging national hero, said hello no. We won’t go to Nairobi. Come to Mogadishu” said Togane.

“No more Nairobbery” chanted Togane in a philosophical reference to the Kenyan capital where Somalis believe their country’s sovereignty is being stolen and dismembered by external actors operating within an increasingly unpopular , corrupt and inept UN establishment.

Hibaq Guelleh, a Somali youth activist, told participants that the Somali people are a homogeneous entity “who share common identity, culture, language and religion and yet caught in a turmoil.” She emphasized the fact that each concerned Somali has “an important role to play to ensure Somalia takes its rightful place in the world” and called for “a tribal-free, united and prosperous Somalia”.

“We are tired of tribal-minded leaders, warlords and power hungry individuals. Somalia needs practical solutions and it can only be built by Somalis themselves.” said Hibaq.

She also underscored the greatness of Somali youth pointing to the fact that it was “the Somali Youth League (SYL) initially comprising of 13 youthful leaders who gave independence to Somalia,” reminding the public of the contributions of Somali freedom fighters the likes of Sayyid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, Hawo Tako etc. “Let’s help our brothers and sisters back in Somalia. And by the will of God, let’s move swiftly but together.”

Shadya Yasin, a longtime youth leader, poet, performer and organizer said “Somali things should be done Somali way”. Noting that the situation affecting Somalis is traumatizing, Shadya provided grim statistics on the Somali humanitarian crisis with “1.6 million refugees living in desperation and continually on the move, 1.5 million of internally displaced people inside Somalia (half the Toronto population) and 2.2 Million people classified as living in need and concern.”

“Imagine being born and growing up in a refugee camp. Imagine getting married in a refugee camp, giving birth to a boy or girl in a refugee camp. That’s the reality facing our people”. Said Shadya.

“Somalis are now taking action. Similar events (in opposition to Kampala Accord) are taking place in Mogadishu and across the world. The silent are speaking again. Revolutionary events are taking place in the world today and Somalia should be no difference,” said Shadya who pledged to return to help rebuild Somalia in the near future.

“Corrupt leaders need to be stopped. Once you have no country, you have no self-esteem. Unity should be the reality of the Somali Diaspora. We need to start here to help those back in the motherland. We have to take back Somalia by ourselves. No one will give it back to us. Power to the people!” chanted Shadya to another round of thunderous applause.

Still jet-lagged from a long trip, Dubai - based civil engineer, Nasra Agil, whose visit in Canada coincided with the Toronto event, said that “Young people represent hope for Somalia” adding that she was concerned with the plight of her people.

But the young engineer offered a message of hope stating that Somalis can borrow a leaf from Dubai, U.A.E. “Twenty years ago the residents of Dubai only looked to a solitary, high standing tower that dominated its skyline. Today, Dubai has not only the tallest tower in the world but boasts of the best of the best in almost every category of development. By the same token, we can rebuild Somalia from its 20 years of anarchy to a thriving nation”. Said Nasra.

In the concluding remarks of the evening, Abdi’qani Farmajo said that the Kampala Accord effectively places Somalia under external control.

“Mahiga is not our ruler. The UN is not our ruler. Museveni is not our ruler” said Abdiq’ani who noted that the deal was aimed at “orchestrating the downfall of the PM and his government, muzzle the Somali parliament and place Somalia under direct control of (IGAD).”

“How can the UN and IGAD tell us who should rule us” queried Abdi’qani who pointed to a Nairobi –based cabal of UN opportunists who have turned Somalia into a profit-making venture, raking in millions in donor funds while perpetuating and prolonging the suffering of the Somali people.

Rightfully describing this cabal as the “Lords of Poverty” Abdi’qani observed how the manipulation of Somalia by these external forces has turned the country into the third largest refugee producing nation in the world after Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The largest refugee camp in the world is located in Dadaab Kenya. With a capacity of 60,000 people, this camp is home to 450, 000 Somali refugees who live in squalid conditions. Somalia is also home to the largest camp for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) while 1 out of 7 babies born in Somalia die before reaching age 5” said Abdi’qani, adding that disruptive external forces have contributed to societal disintegration in Somalia.

“No one wants Somalia to develop. External forces have conspired to destroy Somalia. Only Somalis can resolve Somalia’s crisis. The Diaspora should play a role to fight for Somalia. If we want freedom and liberty, we must fight for it” concluded Abdi’qani.

For Somali-Canadians, the fight to wrestle control of their beloved nation from external forces continues and many have pledged to from the rank and file of this important struggle.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The New Africa: A Frontier of Innovation, Technology and Sustainability.

By Farid Omar.

Africa is fast emerging as a global south trend setter in social innovation and sustainability. While cynical western observers have often depicted what they deem "the dark continent" in negative light, Africa has proven skeptics wrong by turning its fortunes around amid adversity to present opportunities in virtually all sectors of development, be it technology, education, manufacturing, real estate development, media, arts, agriculture, transportation, telecommunications etc.

The world is now taking notice that in the coming decades, Africa is poised to take the centre stage in terms of economic growth and infrastructural development, providing investment opportunities for world governments and international business. It is now common knowledge that modern day investors from across the world are seeking to do business with Africa.

An international conference held last year in Ottawa, Canada, was rightfully titled;" Africa's New Frontier: Innovation, Technology & Prosperity". The organizers of the conference, Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC),agree that "Africa is a continent of exciting possibilities", which in the 21st Century, is "emerging as a dynamic and innovative continent".

The official website of the conference positively depicts ´this new Africa" as a continent that boasts a reservoir of young talent, a growing market for cutting-edge technologies, and a source of fresh ideas".

Overall, the conference aimed to enrich Canadian conversations about Africa, highlighting "good news stories from Africa, and drawing on lessons learned, projecting trends, and focusing on the many ways in which Canada can support innovation on the continent".

On the media front conference themes focused on how to re-brand Africa for the 21st century, Africa´s place in the digital age and the cellular evolution in which mobile phones are making African markets work better. The film ´Nollywood Babylon´, a documentary from the National Film Board of Canada, was screened at the conference and later re-screened at Toronto´s National Film Board Theatre. The film presents an "electric vision of a modern African metropolis and a revealing look at the powerhouse that is Nigerian cinema".

On the economy, experts shed light on Africa´s Local Direct Investment, which sounds as a new concept to many and especially to those who in the past could not see beyond the northern-led calls for Foreign Direct Investment as primary source of capital inflow into Africa and the best available means for economic stimulation, growth and development.

For a continent that has suffered a large share of brain drain, the conference included a theme on "The health care brain gain: Networks, technology and access to care". In terms of education, a large number of Africa´s future generation of leaders now increasingly has access to post-secondary education.

Despite ongoing security challenges, African economies have experienced an accelerated growth over the last 5-6 years. The picture is getting rosier each passing year as three African countries, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt, have made the list of the Emerging Economic Report, published by India´s Bangalore-based, innovation consulting company, the Center for Knowledge Societies (CKS).

The CKS notes that "Emerging Economies are those regions of the world that are experiencing rapid informationalization under conditions of limited or partial industrialization". This new development according to CKS, "allows us to explain how the non-industrialized nations of the world are achieving unprecedented economic growth using new energy, telecommunications and information technologies"

Key regions of the world, the report states, are being transformed by the phenomenon whereby soft infrastructure -especially, mobile phone networks - is installed despite the absence of hard infrastructure (such as roads, or nation-spanning power grids). This is a crucial element of what Ezio Manzini, the Director of Unit of Research Design and Innovation for Sustainability at the Politecnico di Milano calls the "leapfrog hypothesis" in which developing countries jump over the environmentally most damaging stages of industrial development.

In sum, what the CKS report implies is that countries like Kenya, South Africa and Egypt, have joined four other emerging economies in the world such as India, China, Brazil and Indonesia as economies that will sustain global growth. Key findings of the CKS report indicate that Indian and Chinese Investments will drive Africa´s growth and that Africa´s once dysfunctional informal economy is now driving user innovation. More importantly, the report found that alongside other emerging economies, the three African nations are innovating environmentally efficient modes of energy consumption.

Africa is making important strides in innovation and technology and a brighter future that will usher in an era of prosperity is certainly on the horizon. The world is waking up to this important reality and strategic investors are eager to get on board Africa's New Frontier that promises unlimited opportunities.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Superstar Saado Ali warsame Receives Gold Record Award

By Farid Omar.

In a historic event held in Toronto on Saturday, June 4th, diehard fans of international superstar, Saado Ali Warsame, thronged the upscale Taj Banquet Centre to see their iconic national hero perform and receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Gold Record Award, the first ever to be awarded to a Somali artist, was presented to Saado Ali by Hodan Nalayeh, the media relations and international co-ordinator of the Somali Refugee Awareness Project. The Somali Refugee Awareness Project is an advocacy group designed to bring mainstream media attention and action on the current Somali refugee crisis in Africa. The prestigious award is in recognition of Saado Ali Warsame's impressive 35 years in music and Somali social activism.

Singing the Somali national anthem upon entering the packed arena, Saado Ali, singer, composer, poet and song writer, was mobbed and hugged by hundreds of supporters as she was ushered to the stage to a raucous welcome. As she took the mike for the opening act, the ecstatic crowd rose to its feet greeting their beloved superstar with sustained, thunderous applause in a splendid ceremony filled with pomp and colour.

The milestone event attracted close to one thousand Somali-Canadians of all generations and walks of life and Canadians in general. Participants travelled from as far as Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Windsor and from across southern Ontario. It featured who is who in the Somali-Canadian community including community leaders, social activists, artists, media personalities and members of the business community.

The ceremony was a fundraising dinner to help The Somali Refugee Awareness Project to advocate and educate the mainstream media about the current Somali refugee crisis in Africa. Saado Ali will be traveling with the Somali Refugee Awareness Project to Kenya this summer for a video documentary project. June 20th is World Refugee Day and Somali Refugee Awareness Project is asking all Somalis to join together in humanity for Somalis in refugee camps around the world.

For the global Somali community, Saado Ali Warsame is not only an accomplished international performer but a national icon revered for her unwavering stance on human rights, freedom, justice and equality in the entire Somali Peninsula. More importantly, she has emerged as the pre-eminent symbol of national unity for a beleaguered nation torn by a protracted conflict over the last two decades.

In celebrating Somalia´s most iconic musical personality, renowned social activist and leading proponent of national unity, Hodan Nalayeh said that Saado Ali "is not only a superstar with international appeal, but a brave and courageous woman who has demonstrated a great leadership for her community and commitment to the suffering masses including the victims of the civil war, refugees, the displaced, women and kids etc."

Speaking to the Digital Journal's Farid Omar, Hodan said: "Somali professionals and community leaders in the West should advocate for Somali refugee rights. There are over 1.2 million Somali refugees scattered in camps in neighbouing Kenya, Ethiopia and elsewhere in the world".

"While refugees in Sudan are backed by Hollywood celebrities, Somali refugees are not a priority for re-settlement in safe countries in the West including Canada and the US. Saado Ali can bring that level of awareness to the global arena. She is a great symbol of activism and we are here to honour her as a Somali woman and a great human being" said Hodan.

Addressing the massive gathering, Hodan said: "Tonight, we celebrate Saado Ali and the resilience of our people. We recognize Saado for her historic contribution to music, art and culture and for her advocacy for peace and refugee rights in Africa. We should work together to create awareness on the dying and the unfortunate and the woman who can help change that is Saado Ali."

"We are not part of the qabil (clannish) movement. We have one flag, the Somali flag. We must help the helpless. Let´s wake up, twenty years is far too long" said Hodan in reference to the devastating civil war in Somalia.

In her eagerly awaited acceptance speech, Saado Ali Warsame thanked her supporters and called upon the global Somali community "to unite and rise above clannish divisions". She appealed to her supporters not to antagonize her detractors but strive to bring them back to the Somali fold. Despite death threats and vicious attacks by those who oppose her unity project, Saado Ali, true to her national colours, has always extended an olive branch to her misguided detractors. She urged her followers to do the same.

"For those who hurl insults at Saado Ali, don´t respond in kind, simply tell them thank you" said Saado Ali to a cheering, enthusiastic crowd.

Saado Ali also recounted her persistent struggles to speak on behalf of the downtrodden and oppressed across Somalia. During the military regime, she defended the people of North West Somalia (present Day Somaliland) against the regime´s excesses. When fellow Somalis in the North East region (present day Puntland) and Southern Somalia suffered a similar fate, she was equally vocal in defending their rights.

"Whether it was SNM, SSDF, or USC, I supported all folks who were at the receiving end of the regime. I was thrown in jail for standing up to the regime in defence of the oppressed" Said Saado Ali. "I am hurt today by the fact that folks, whom I defended in the past, are engaging in a smear campaign against me."

"Why all these double standards?" Saado queried. Always taking the high road, Saado Ali asked her supporters to refrain from accosting her slanderers. "Whoever engages in defamatory acts directed at my person, don´t fight them. Invite them back to the Somali fold with open arms."
"The majority would praise me, others would scorn me. I know I am on the right path and I will always stand for justice and the truth."

Saado Ali also paid tribute to Hodan Nalayeh of the Somali Refugee Awareness Project, a prominent professional working for a major corporation in California. A rising star in her own right, Hodan is poised to play a significant role in international development and refugee advocacy circles.

A diverse global movement that includes a burgeoning youth constituency is increasingly rallying behind Saado Ali´s national cause for Somali unity, peace, and justice and equality. Ayat Musse, a new young admirer of Saado Ali says she and her peers "adore Saado Ali, listen to her music and are motivated by her consistent message for the Somali people".

Donning colourful traditional attire set in Somali national colours, Samia Mohamed, only 15, expressed her utmost admiration for Saado Ali, stating: "Saado Ali is an amazing singer who is inspiring the younger generation".

Another ardent fan, Hodan Adan Caamiye, said that Saado Ali "is the best national artist and the true voice for all Somalis regardless of their regional or communal affiliations".

Hassan "Karate", the event Co-MC and anchor of Ogaal Radio, 88.9FM Toronto, paid a glowing tribute to Saado Ali´s contributions to Somali arts, social activism and national unity project.

"Saado Ali has been steadfast in her desire to unite the Somali people. Her persistent message of peace, justice and national unity is resonating well with all Somalis. She is a priceless national icon who has enriched our cultural landscape through her patriotic, socially-conscious music. Being the champion of the downtrodden and voice of the voiceless, her social activism defends the rights of the vulnerable while calling for peace, love and unity for her long suffering people." Hassan "Karate" said.

During the historic event, Saado Ali entertained the audience with her hugely popular, chart topping nationalist and patriotic songs and other musical tracks spanning her illustrious career. Her artistic expressions form a unique brand of edutainment in utterly thrilling songs loaded with socially-conscious lyrics that are equally entertaining. Her unique style that combines a dose of social commentary and esthetical variations has taken Somali music to a new level.

Throughout the concert, the sold-out crowd stayed on their feet as the pulsating beats lent a carnival atmosphere to the event sending the Toronto revelers into near delirium. Her gigantic Toronto fan base is demanding the prompt return of their beloved superstar and a July 1st concert simultaneously coinciding with the Somali National Day and Canada Day is already in the works in what promises to be the concert of the century.