Mogadishu, February 10, 2010 (Pal Telegraph) - Somalia, a forgotten African nation that is marred by almost 20 years of anarchy, has seen half of its population flee to other countries, both neighboring and further afield. Somalis abroad have their own diaspora in their respective countries of residence. Most of them are in Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UK, USA, Canad and Scandinavia - the diaspora plays a big role on how to connect the Somalis abroad and keep them in touch with one another.
You will be surprised to see people fighting in their own country and killing each other, share the best and worst of times abroad!!! Even, the politician's of the warring groups in the war-ravaged country become close friends when they are abroad. They sit in one place, drink tea together, and sometimes sleep in one hotel just like close friends. Thus, this frames the real problem as a political one.
Here in Kenya, especially Eastleigh estate, where Somalis populate, you can see Somali Islamists and government's officials, who were fighting in Mogadishu sleeping in one hotel, taking tea in one restaurant, and sometimes talking to each other - relatives care for each other.
Somalis traditionally take care of each other, think of and for one another, and share the best and worst wherever they are in the world. 35-year-old Ismail Hussein, a father of two children, works for a telecommunication company and takes home US $2500 as salary. The money is divided among his family both in Kenya and back in war-torn Somalia.
"I like my relatives. I share the best and worst, in ease and difficulty. I just try every time to help in whatever I can do for them. Ismail Hussein told IslamOnlne.net (IOL)
"I really work hard to cover the needs of my family and take care of them because I am the breadwinner of the family".
Mr. Hussein says his salary is divided between his family in Kenya, his parents in Somalia, and any other needy family member, adding that any delay to his salary payment will affect the well-being of the family structure. He said he most worries about his young brothers because of the risk in participating in the senseless fighting that is going on in the country.
"They are in a very appalling situation because they don't work and have no other means of survival, Hussein said.
"I am very worried about my younger brothers because if you are hungry and jobless in Mogadishu, you can fall prey to anything that is worse".
Hundreds of Somalis, like Ismail in Kenya and other parts of the world take care of their relatives in one of the world's most dangerous places.
From London to Nairobi
Living in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is far from easy if you are not Kenyan or don't have job. Ibrahim Daud Abdalle, 23, a Somali refugee on Eastleigh estate in Nairobi, doesn't work but study. In an interview with IOL, he was wearing a black suit, which cost approximately 15,000 Kenyan shillings (US$200).
Abdalle told IOL, "I fled from Mogadishu; I don't have a job here, but my cousin Mohamed, a taxi driver in London, covers all my needs, including my education fees.
"He pays my school fees, the rent for my room, and my daily expenses."
Ibrahim added Mohamed also helps a number of his relatives in Mogadishu. He is, however, worried that if Mohammed losses his job, his entire life will change.
Warsame ‘Ali another refugee in the same estate told IOL that his old friend helps him.
"He covers all my needs just like my big brother or father."
The official unemployment rate in war-torn Somalia is close to 100 percent, mostly the youth don't work, but get support from their relatives or old friends abroad.
Worst of Times
For the last two decades, Somalis have witnessed everything that can be described anymore than gross human rights. Take for example, the December 3, 2009 suicide bomb explosion in a graduation ceremony for Benadir University, which was held at Hotel Shamo in Mogadishu. That explosion, one of the deadliest, left 22 people dead, including doctors, government officials, journalists, students, guests, and more than 50 others wounded. The university recently held a lunch get-together in Nairobi and fundraised to help the families of effected people's. Somalis from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and diaspora attended the ceremony, where more than US$100,000 was collected. Somalis are fighting, but at least they are still helping each other!
Money Transfer
Banks are not working inside Somalia, but local "hawalas" (money transfer) centers play a crucial role in sending and receiving money in Somalia. You can send money to the smallest village in Somalia through a hawala. Qaran Express, one of the leading hawalas in Somalia, declares if someone sends money to you, you can pick it up after 10 minutes. They charge you like two per percent on the dollar. To receive your money, you only need six serial digits, it adds. The hawalas are available everywhere around the globe where Somalis reside.
Telecommunication
Mostly Somalis use to contact each other by mobile phones, in Somalia there are three main telecommunication companies. One can access their service everywhere in Somalia, even the smallest nomadic village. The absence of a central government in Somalia has not hampered the evolution of a competitive wireless industry, in some ways it has been rated one of the most advanced technology-wise. This has enabled Somalis across the world to contact their families back in the country.
Support Business
Business is one of the important part of Somalis life, Somali businessmen help, think of, and care for each other. Nur ‘Ali a businessman in Eastleigh told IOL.
"My shopping mall burnt down last year, and I was reversed to zero. I had nothing left, but thanks to Allah and my business colleagues, I am back in business.
"I am in Kenya. If I want to get goods from China or Dubai, I will send money to my friends in China, and they will represent me on my behalf without charges."
Source: Islam Online
