Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Facebook Instagram Twitter
Home Blog Page 975

Proven Techniques for a Successful Positive Change this Ramadan You CAN do it!!!

By
-
0

The Messenger of Allah Muhammad[peace be upon him] has said,“Almighty Allah says, ‘I treat my slave (man) according to his expectations from Me, and I am with him when he remembers me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart…. if he walks towards Me, I run unto him.” [Hadith-Qudsi]

Make this Ramadan the month of “Change”..Are You Ready for it???

“Change” is the vogue today. “Change” is being chanted by the Presidents to rally up public support; “Change” is being demanded by the masses suffering due to skyrocketing fuel and commodity prices; “Change”, a drastic one indeed, is what we are witnessing with awe in the global weather patterns. For Muslims, Ramadan is the prime time for change. This month dramatically alters our routines and schedules. From tight sleep schedules, to hunger for extended hours, to reduction in consumption of junk foods, to a technology diet; to withdrawal from caffeine addiction, to lengthy standing in Taraweeh prayers at night, to extensive listening to the Quran. What a change indeed!

Beyond Routines and Rituals

The real change, however, Ramadan demands of us is the internal change – a change that positively transforms our lifestyle, character, attitudes, conversations, and habits. Allah has described this change in the month of Ramadan as follows: “O you who believe, fasting has been ordained on you as it was decreed upon those before you so that you may adopt Taqwa[Taqwa is Allah consciousness ]”  (2:183 [Quran 2:183].

Slavery to Ramadan?

If our change is limited to outer physical practices only, we become slaves to Ramadan, instead of being servants to Ar-Rahman (Allah, the Merciful). Prophet Muhammad[peace be upon him] has warned us about those who don’t fast from bad behaviour: “Allah has no interest in any person’s abstention from eating and drinking, if that person does not give up lying and dishonest actions” [Sahih al-Bukhari].

Ramadan Resolutions

Every Ramadan we make resolutions and tell ourselves: “This Ramadan will be different. I’m going to change my ______ habit.” “I will give up ………”, “I will take my practice of Islam to the next level”.

But how many of us are really able to follow through? Plenty of good intentions, many amazing wishes, but sadly enough, life goes on as usual the morning of Eid. Ask yourself, how is my fasting benefitting my spiritual connection with Allah? How is my extensive worship in Ramadan helping me discipline my tongue (taste and speech), eyes, ears, and habits? Are you ready to take that first step to transform your bad habits into good ones?

Ways to Kick Bad Habits F

ew things are more demanding than eliminating bad habits, since they are part of our daily routines and personality. It takes days of patience and practice to break old habits. However, the good news is, Ramadan offers a perfect and natural environment for moral training. Interestingly, researches from “positive psychology” (scientific study of successful people) have repeatedly shown it takes between 30 to 40 days to kick a bad habit and develop a new one. In addition to the physical discipline during the month of Ramadan, the increased spiritual exercise and connection with Allah, can transform your habits for life. Try these proven techniques for a successful positive change in your habits during Ramadan and beyond!

1. Acknowledge and Identify your bad habits: First step is to admit you need to change. If you are in a state of denial, you won’t recognize that you have a bad habit to change.

2. Pick a habit for this month: Prioritize your bad habits and focus on one for this month.

If you are committed to changing at least one habit, you will see remarkable results, Allah-willing.

3. Realize that it’s in us to change: Don’t believe the old saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” You can break a bad habit if you really want to. No one else can change your habits, if you don’t want to.

4. Remember, Allah loves those who commit mistakes and repent: Prophet Muhammad[peace be upon him] said: “By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them.” [Sahih Muslim] 5. Intention & Plan to change: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” A healthy process of change in character requires a gradual pace, which entails planning. Develop concrete milestones to measure your progress.

6. Replace a bad habit with a good one: Completely eliminating a habit is more challenging than replacing it with a more productive habit. Moreover, it’s crucial to replace the lost natural needs, such as the need to socialize and to be entertained with something healthy. For instance, it’s easier to replace or balance your addiction to TV with a physical workout or reading, than to suddenly remove the TV from your life. Interestingly, Prophet Muhammad[peace be upon him], the greatest ‘psychologist’ of humanity, illustrated this principle in these words: “Fear Allah wherever you may be; follow up an evil deed with a good one which will wipe (the former) out, and behave good-naturedly towards people.” [At-Tirmidhi]

7. Change your Environment: Resist the negative peer pressure by finding a better company of friends. Collective action to change is very powerful. Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] explained this peer pressure effect with this analogy: “A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace.” [Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim]

8. Exercise: Spiritual exercise is important for lasting change. You may not realize that by exerting your yourself in spiritual exercises like the reading of Quran and Hadith, fasting, giving charity, Zikr[remembering Allah] etc helps in eliminating a number of bad habits. Through the spiritual light of doing noble deeds evil ones will gradually be eradicated from your life. Allah says : “Indeed, Salah restrains from Shameful and unjust deeds” [Quran:29:45].

A person complained to the Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] about someone who read salaah and also committed theft .The Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] said “His salaat will very soon wean him off that sin.’ This shows that the evil habits can be got rid of by adhering to good practises. The doing of good deeds such as remembering Allah cleanses the heart. A clean heart encourages a person to do good deeds and refrains one from evil habits! Moreover, exercising your will power (struggle to fight temptations) for this month helps you kick all kinds of bad habits and form new good ones. Willpower is like a muscle; the more you exercise it, the more you strengthen it.

9. Think of yourself as a changed, different, new person. This simple psychological shift in your thinking about your own image can do wonders. Tell yourself, “I can’t continue this ill-behaviour. I am better than that. I am stronger. I am wiser.”

10. Reward success: The most fundamental law in all of psychology is the “law of effect.” It simply states that actions followed by rewards are strengthened and likely to recur. Unfortunately, studies show that people rarely use this technique when trying to change personal habits. Setting up formal or informal rewards for success greatly increases your chances of transforming bad habits into good ones, and is far more effective than punishing yourself for bad habits or setbacks. As Muslims we should also remember that the ultimate reward is Allah’s Pleasure and Paradise in the Hereafter.

11. Get help: Tell someone about your effort to change if it helps. He or she may keep you on track and may offer some good advice. Read books that will encourage you to do virtues actions. Join programs in your local Mosque. Ladies should endeavour to join their local Taalimi Halqas. There are good and sincere people who are ready to assist. We are not an island- We are an Ummah!

12. Boost your spiritual immune system: By fasting,doiung good actions, spending time in the Mosque or going in the path of Allah will boost your Imaan[faith] which will provide you with internal strength to overcome temptations to reverting to old bad habits.

13. Remind yourself of Death and Hereafter often: “Remember often the terminator (or destroyer) of all the pleasures [i.e. death],” the Prophet [peace be upon him]once stated. [At-Tirmidhi.]

14. Resolve to continue on and follow up: Giving up bad habits or learning good habits requires regular maintenance and determination. It is a long, ongoing process, also known as “Tazkiyyah” in Islamic terminology. It’s more difficult than the first few steps of change. (“How many times have I dieted, for example, only to gain the weight back?”). So ensure that you follow up. Link yourself to a good Allah-fearing Islamic Scholar and make a habit of spending time in Allah path.

15. Develop a relapse strategy: How do you ensure not to return to your bad habit you are trying to change? Some people donate money to a good cause every time they return to sinning or a bad habit. This reminds them of the ‘cost’ of going back to old bad habits. Others try physically demanding acts to deter them from reverting to old ways. For example that if you do___ act than you will keep three fast or pay so much sadaqah[charity] etc

16. Ask Allah for Help: MOST IMPORTANT!-Make Asking for Allah’s Help an integral part of the overall change process. Ask for Allah’s Help before, during and after every attempt at kicking a bad habit. Do so sincerely, even begging and crying, like a child does when he or she really wants something. Allah is Ever-Willing to Help and to Respond to our needs, but it is us who must take the first step towards Him. Allah will NEVER disappoint us! “And whosoever is conscious of Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He (Allah) will make a way for him to get out (from) every (difficulty), and He will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine.” [Quran 65:2-3]

Ramadan Karem: Make This Ramadan The month of "Change"..Are You Ready for it???

By
-
0

Assalaamucaleykum W.W all;

Make this Ramadan the month of “Change”..Are You Ready for it???
“Change” is the vogue today. “Change” is being chanted by the Presidents to rally up public support; “Change” is being demanded by the masses suffering due to skyrocketing fuel and commodity prices; “Change”, a drastic one indeed, is what we are witnessing with awe in the global weather patterns.
For Muslims, Ramadan is the prime time for change. This month dramatically alters our routines and schedules. From tight sleep schedules, to hunger for extended hours, to reduction in consumption of junk foods, to a technology diet; to withdrawal from caffeine addiction, to lengthy standing in Taraweeh prayers at night, to extensive listening to the Quran.

What a change indeed!
Beyond Routines and Rituals
The real change, however, Ramadan demands of us is the internal change – a change that positively transforms our lifestyle, character, attitudes, conversations, and habits. Allah has described this change in the month of Ramadan as follows: “O you who believe, fasting has been ordained on you as it was decreed upon those before you so that you may adopt Taqwa[Taqwa is Allah consciousness ]” (2:183 [Quran 2:183].
Ramadan Karim to you all
 
Ramadaan kareem

Saeed Furaa
 
Freelance Journalist
 
South Africa

Halkan Ka Daawo Sawirada Ardaydii Ka Qalinjebiyay Jaamacada Hargeysa

By
-
0

 

Rooble Mohamed Sahardiid
Rooble Mohamed Sahardiid
Rahma Osman Elmi, Rahma Mohamed Ahmed
Rahma Osman Elmi, Rahma Mohamed Ahmed
Deek Ahmed Warsame
Deek Ahmed Warsame

DSC04344

weriye mohamed abdi (ilig) HCTV
weriye mohamed abdi (ilig) HCTV
fahma yousuf Essa
fahma yousuf Essa

 DSC04392

Xildhibaan Ali Mareehan
Xildhibaan Ali Mareehan

DSC04403

DSC04350

DSC04399

Xoghayaha GUurtida Cabdilaahi Dheere
Xoghayaha GUurtida Cabdilaahi Dheere

DSC04426

DSC04415

Cumar jaamac
Cumar jaamac

 

Adnaan
Adnaan

raxma iyo cabdiqani

Somalia: To Succeed We Have to Look Forward!

By
-
0

HARGEISA, 20 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The past is not a home to dwell in. The living must keep on living. To do so the living must also move forward. Looking back to a difficult past is a costly habit which is only holding our nation back. Let us remind ourselves that if we continue to indulge in hovering around the graveyard of past governments, past leaders and a dead manifesto, we will never succeed.

Bashing the past by itself does not say about a wish to a better future. The past is what it is: past! We need to draw a line under the past. Surely, the past of one-people Somalis cannot be more painful than the past of black South Africans who had to put up with decades of brutalization and who found the way to live together with their white compatriots in harmony.

Every community (ethnic group) within a nation is an important component to the success of its society similar to the components of a factory which must work together for the common good and purpose. It is the Almighty who loves diversity who made people into nations, clans and groups to belong together to different countries so that they may appreciate one another. All we need to do to know why the Almighty loves diversity is to look around us.

Those who care about their homeland cannot despise one another. It is the nation which will suffer as illustrated by Somalia. A nation is like people travelling together on a boat and an attack or a dig on any community is similar to a stab on the boat.

Love of country involves love of its people. It is the love of country which teaches us to love our compatriots otherwise despising one another makes a mockery of a nation to be laughed at by other nations. It needs to be said that for too long our people have played football with our harmony and cohesion which are important for the wellbeing and existence of the nation.

As though clan is a political party which sits together to reach political decisions — slugging communities because of what a politician(s) did or didn’t was one of the crimes committed against our harmony and cohesion. It needs to be said that a clan is a social structure of people who share common kinship. It is no crime if Somalis from any clan engage in social activities to help one another. However, if there are clans whose members take together political decisions, this is clannism and stretching the role of clan to dangerous levels which proved disastrous for Somalia. Politics is about compatriots from different backgrounds (communities) coming together, discussing, engaging or promoting the interests and wellbeing of their nation, region, city, town etc.

[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]

Harmony and social cohesion are non-negotiable factors for the survival of any nation. These two factors are as vital as the flag to any nation. The source of much of our woes is spite. An inept government can create its people to see one another with green eyes if individuals are given unearned position or wealth. Such are some of the things a government should be careful not to undermine its society. However, hate consumes a lot of time and energy. It also devours the person. To move on for our own sake and for the nation’s sake, we need to forgive our past leaders. We also need to forgive the warlords. We have to let bygones to be bygones. It is for this reason that black South Africans have made the choice to move on and benefit from one another rather than allow to be consumed by the past.

There is another important factor which makes different peoples to live together in peace and harmony within a nation. It takes vision and leadership. In South Africa, it was the vision and leadership of Nelson Mandela, which made possible the people of modern South Africa to look forward not backwards, respect one another and live together in harmony.

From inception modern Somalia has had an unfortunate journey which came to nothing. As is the case, a nation is solidified or made shaky and unhinged by the vision or lack of it, of its founders. Vision is the mileage a nation needs for its journey. Unfortunately, from the way Somalia has fallen apart, there was little vision involved in the founding of modern Somalia otherwise it would not have crumpled like a house of cards at the young age of thirty.

The past is important to learn from it so that it is never repeated. History shall record that Somalia has been destroyed not by foreign enemy but by individual Somalis who were born and bred within our country. However, pointing fingers shall impede the task to move forward and rebuild the nation. One day, the nation shall appoint a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” not to punish but to get to the bottom of what went on and why a nation of one-people had to tear one another. We have to let the Almighty punish those who have sinned, the ones who took lives and those who unleashed wanton destruction on their own nation.

There are things which are stopping us from moving forward. One such thing is negativity which we can ill-afford. We need a lot of positivity to permeate our troubled society. A positive person can see something good in garbage, while the negative person sees something bad in gold. It is positive energy that can move mountains which we need to rebuild the nation. We know many Somalis have already given up on Somalia. We also know that they are dead wrong! We have no reason to give up on our own nation. For starters, there is no-one occupying Somalia. What is hampering the return of a functioning and prospering Somalia is merely our own people’s lack of ample care for the nation.

One concept which must be abandoned is the notion within individual Somalis (by itself one of the legacies of the civil war) which says that ‘an idiot from my clan is better for me to lead the nation than the wisest person from another clan.’ There is a time-honoured wisdom which has it: A wise enemy is better than the kinship of a nitwit. At least a wise enemy knows and respects a common humanity. A fool has no comprehension of kinship. We need to remind ourselves what we Somalis share is equivalent to 99%. One wonders, what are the demons which make our people magnify and cling on to 1% difference?

Uganda and Burundi have sent troops to respond the call to aid our nation re-establish its. The two nations have done more than their share of sacrifice for Somalia. However, they can only do so much. You cannot ask someone more than to die for your country. Nonetheless, there are things no amount of outside aid can help a nation. With a sizeable population of over ten million, Somalia is not the small island of Samoa which has a tiny population of 219,000. Uganda and Burundi are greatly appreciated. Uganda’s lead role to rush come to the rescue of Somalia and its good treatment of our community on its soil is unforgettable. The two nations must be wondering why the Somali people are not fighting for the TUG. The ability of a government to make things happen can make its relevance felt by its citizen.

Everything has its time and everybody knows the beauty of time is the future comes one day at a time. Nevertheless, the most important thing for a lawless nation is peace and security. When that day comes, it will take capability and leadership to establish peace and security and rebuild the nation. We need to sow the good within our people to revive our nation’s harmony and our people’s sense of nationhood. Not to mention the time has come to end the wasteful wallowing about the past. To succeed we have to look forward!

Abdullahi Dool
Hornheritage@aol.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial

Somaliland Will Not Be a Banana Republic

By
-
0

HARGEISA, 20 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Of late, there has been a great hue and cry about the Election Commission’s bold step that invalidated the voter registration administrated by the Interpeace experts, of which the Somaliland people had initially thought to have given no hostages to fortune and hassle free, but it conversely turned to be a harbinger of doom.

In the wake of the President Riyale’s original five year term elected came to an end, and turned to be failure on every front- the incumbent administration had been given unwarranted two year extensions by the Somaliland Council of Elders, who themselves are sitting illegally; the Elders were believed to have been in receipt of large amounts of kick backs and other fringe benefits by the President of Somaliland in a bid to continue to remain in office for a period of time. However, the opposition parties, as well as the different quarters strongly protested the extensions awarded to the President, and described the Elders’ moves as unconstitutional and unwarranted; even the Global Community described the Elder’s moves as undemocratic, which could jeopardise the democratization process of Somaliland.`

Immediately after the extensions have been made, specifically, the recent past extension given to the incumbent regime – a political stalemate had developed, street protests were ensued, and became order of the day. The political stand off had dragged on for along, and the President of Somaliland completely failed to come up with mutually acceptable solution; the oppositions pressed on to argue that the extensions granted to the President was inconsistent with the constitution of the country, and that the President is not diametrically conversant with the constitution of Somaliland. And that he is dictated terms by his cohorts remnant of Siyad barre’s toppled regime, who are currently in his cabinet. Consequently, opposition parties, and the Riyale administration remained at each other’s throats for a period of time, without reaching consensus on the matter that prompted the acrimony.

Somaliland is unlike the neighbouring failed state of Somalia, which characterized by a political turmoil and internecine warfare that became order of the day. When any political deadlock emerges in Somaliland its traditional leaders along with sagacious people immediately keep it at the bay, and bring the matter under control before it is too late.

[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]

In order to salvage the country to not slid into civil conflict, the Somaliland’s learned, the religious leaders, and the other intellectuals were orchestrated themselves to act as mediators, and bring the disputed sides to the negotiation table in a bid to overcome the political impasse. And they successfully shuttled between the President on one side and the opposition parties on the other. The mediators brought the President of Somaliland, who had been in reluctance mood on board in order to get him sign a number of clad iron rules or terms cogitated earlier by the both sides in the presence of the opposition high commands as well as the mediators, and the political differences were ironed out thanks to the mediators.

Following the political deadlock had been hammered out, the political parties had unanimously agreed that a voter registration be conducted throughout the country in order to ensure a free and fair Election be held, and at the same time and avoid any sort of poll rigging and multiple voting as happened in the previous polls. Interpeace – techno-experts – had been invited to assist the Election Commission of Somaliland with the Electronic voter registration, which has been the first of its kind in Africa at the large; the voter registration was invested in large amounts of money by the International Community, and went on for months.

During the voter registration, there were scanty complaints that overshadowed over the process of the voter registration, and were later on resolved by the Somaliland National Election Commission with the help of the techno- experts of Interpeace.

Once again the people of Somaliland, and the Global Community are kept on the tenterhooks, whether the Presidential contest for which scheduled for September 27 would materialise as intended, on account of the uncertainty surrounding the polls. The discarded Electoral list came in for International and domestic fulminations. And the incumbent President was asked to reconsider his unwarranted verdict, which could lead to the derailment of the Somaliland’s democratization process, which had embarked in the aftermath of the adoption of the multiparty system.

The World Community which is interested in the incipient democracy of Somaliland, has ever since at the start of the Somaliland’s democracy been training its eyes on the democratization process – and appealed to the Riyale administration to renounce their outlandish decision, and at the same time ensure a free and fair polls be conducted across the country.

The most recent nullification of the voter registration on which millions of dollars had been spent, and the subsequent expulsion of the Interpeace organization, the lone organization, which has been working with the Election Commission of Somaliland on the Electronic voter registration, has drawn a Global condemnations; the President and his cohorts were called on to abdicate their decision for which they repealed the voter registration, and ensure that a free and fair Elections be conducted throughout the country.

In the meantime, the opposition parties unanimously agreed in a joint press conference held in the Somaliland capital Hargiesa that they won’t run for the Presidential contest scheduled for September 27 in the absence of the voter registration which was initially agreed to be used for the polls. The political leaders ruled out the participation of the Elections, and called upon the President to give up his verdict and accept the voter registration be used for the forthcoming polls as it was agreed previously. In their news conference, the opposition leaders appealed to their respective supporters and the people of Somaliland in general to come out on the streets of Somaliland, and protest against the revocation of the Electoral list.

The opposition leaders also put forward in their news conference that the President be impeached by the legislature of Somaliland if he continues to defy to their calls, and that of the International Community, and a care taker government be installed in the meantime.

Knowing that Somaliland people had witnessed civil wars; the people of Somaliland took the arms in the aftermath of the genocide and the other atrocities meted out them by the deposed repugnant regime of Siyad barre. Of late, what Somaliland is experiencing is unbearable, and the main objective that the SNM fighters lost their dear lives in the fight against the military regime of Somalia, was their sons and daughters to live in a free and democratic country called “Somaliland”.

There is a doubt in my mind that the President of Somaliland has never read or heard of the history of this country, and that he needs to be told that the people of Somaliland had witnessed untold hardships and massacre. But the question I want to ask the readers is – how long are we going to be hostages to peace? We should know that Riyale and his henchmen is not the custodian of Somaliland’s peace, and they use this for political ends. The President is not beholden to any one even the people who voted for him; he is now the tallest man in the country.

In conclusion, if President Riyale and his henchmen continue to defy to the calls of the oppositions and that of the Global Community, then the only way to get out of this Electoral crisis precipitated by him and the Election Commission of Somaliland is, that the people of Somaliland take to the streets across the country in protest against the nullification of the voter registration, which is merely for delaying tactics, which the incumbent wants to stay in power.

Knowing that the people of this nascent country witnessed genocide, and other atrocities during the reign of the military regime of Somalia. And that countless people lost their lives in the emancipation struggle. I, therefore, prevail on the peace loving people of Somaliland to not bow to the President’s will which he wants to impose upon us, and bear in mind that people power should prevail as it happened in many countries across the world. And we should be of the opinion that Somaliland won’t be a banana republic at the hands of the Riyale’s failed administration.

Mukhtar Mohamed abby
India, Karnataka State
mukhtarcabi@hotmail.com

_______________________________________________________________________________________
Views expressed in the opinion articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial

Anti-government Protests Begin in Somaliland

By
-
0

HARGEISA, 20 August 2009 (Somalilandpress) – Hundreds of people have taken part in an anti-government demonstration in Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland as part of what opposition parties say will be a day of protest across the country.

The protesters are waving anti-government slogans and chanting “Down Rayaale Down” in all the streets in the Sha’ab area where most of the governmental offices are located. Hundreds of security forces were put on standby and available across the city.

Although it is too early, no gunshots are heard so far and despite the huge number of protesters there are no clashes between the police and those demonstrating.

The opposition leaders are expected to give speech at the Khayria part later in the day addressing their supporters about issues concerning elections and corruption.

[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]

This comes when a high level delegation from Ethiopia arrived the country yesterday. The Ethiopian Minister of State for Foreign affairs of Ethiopia came to Somaliland yesterday in a trip some said he will try to mediate between the two sides. Other delegations from the European countries are also expected in the coming few days.

So far, no reports from the other regions if such demonstrations took place or not. Somalilandpress will update you shorty about any developments to the issue.

Ethiopia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tekeda Alemu meets with Somaliland president.

By
-
0

Hargeisa, Aug. 19,2009 (SomalilandPress)-Somaliland president met with Ethiopia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Tekeda Alemu today in Hargeisa. Dr. Alemu and his delegation were welcomed at Egal International Airport by Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Abdullahi Duale, Minster of Aviation Ali Waran Ade and Interior Minister Abdullahi Ciro.

Dr. Alemu first congratulated the people and the government of Somaliland on their enormous achievement of success that the country has gained since his last visit to Somaliland back in 2006.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation in areas of trade, investment and security between the two neighboring countries. Dr. Alemu also spoke about Somaliland upcoming election and how Ethiopia is ready to support a democratic Somaliland.
Tekedaalemu1
The Vice Minister and his delegation will be in Somaliland for few days where they are expected to meet with the election commission and the opposition parties.

The Turmoil of Somaliland Political arena

By
-
0

The play witnessed after the expulsion Interpeace in early August offered a glimpse into the expected explosive debate the upcoming campaign will show.

All but one, who participated greatly the heated debates, was abroad.
The lead actors on the government side included, president Rayale, foreign minister abdillahi duale, finance minister Awil, public works Saeed and recently promoted presidency minister Hassan Ma’alin.

Leading opposition offensive were, Faisal Ali Warabe, Mohamed Rashid, Ahmed Sillanyo, Kayse Hassan, Abdiasize Samale. The outsider was the articulate intellectual Kulmiye’s secretary of state Dr. Mohamed Omar. With the benefit of sharpening their debating skills of political arenas, regardless of their ideas this group put up energetic and vivacious show

The opposition leaders miserably failed to produce: like mir Hossein Mousavi, the candidate who officially lost last month’s Iran presidential election, who announced his intention to create a “large-scale social movement” to oppose the government and press for a more open political system.

President Rayaale, after seven years being the top seat in Somaliland and successive defeat of his political foes but now it looks as if the age of untouchable UDUB government conceivably is closing.

Dr. Mohamed Rashid, the vice president candidate of UCID party argued convincingly, that the current government is not only, “out of touch but also whose thinking is beyond the known Somaliland philosophical and political consensus”.

Faisal is leading the opposition alliance at least in the eyes of the ordinary people.
He electrified the opposition supporters and jetted both Nairobi and Addis ababa to persuade the merits of his argument and the international community warmly welcomed him at least for a while

When Richard Holbrooke was negotiating with Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic to the Balkan war in the mid 90s he earned his nickname, “the bulldozer”, by threatening to bomb Serbia if Milosevic did not come to the bargaining table and unlike Holbrooke faisal is determined to force the current Government to either accept the voter list and electoral commission reform or public rallies and house impeachment will show them the door but only time will tell whether he will earn “the bulldozer” or not.

His well attended press conferences and highly prepared speeches made his political foes sleepless. he electrified the race, inspired and energised many voters.

Though the foreign minister countered two press conferences, one interior and one president held but so far the Government is losing the battle of minds and hearts of both ingenuous people and the international community.

Last week the House of Representatives held stormy debates characterized by innuendo, emotional outbursts, witch-hunting and rumours but finally, the opposition dominated house defeated the Government supported MPs with ease and the August House once again, Passed a resolution which was critical both the president and, the loathed and besieged national electoral commission and went short of promising impeachment.

More over, despite the horrendous challenges that Chairman Faisal faces, he is indisputably the most imperative leader around, more secure, more articulate and more politically savvy then any of the two others.

To be credible, the opposition parties have to create a frame work which their alliance will work and the ways and means and their methodology.

President Rayaale’s untimely, ill-advised and marvel invitation was skilfully calculated merely buying time to let the national anger and uncertainty dissipate before he could take a harder line.

Finally, the opposition parties should be realistic enough and they should ensure the acceptance of the voter list as per published by Interpeace and the reform of National Electoral Commission but they should also payback limited extension of president and vice president term. They need to lead rallies from the front and to champion the rights weak, underprivileged and the populace at large. Stakes are high and the country is in crisis.

Yassin abdillahi ahmed
yassin_abdillahi@hotmail.com
Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Drought fuelling rural exodus in Somaliland

By
-
0

NAIROBI, 17 August 2009 (SomalilandPress) – Some rains have fallen in northern Somalia, but this has not stopped an exodus of drought-affected people from rural areas to urban centres in Somaliland, local officials said.

“We know that hundreds of thousands have [been] displaced to urban centres,” said Abdihakim Garaad Mohamoud, Deputy Minister at the Somaliland Ministry of Resettlement, Reintegration and Rehabilitation.

“Every city in Somaliland has a huge number of displaced people because of the recent drought,” he added. “It has affected 60 percent of the rural population, whether they are pastoralists or agro-pastoralists. From east to west, south to north, every place in Somaliland has been affected.”

Across towns in the self-declared republic, such as Burao, Berbera, Erigavo, Las’anod and Badhan, temporary shelters have sprouted as rural dwellers arrive from the countryside.

“The government has planned to deal with the problem, but our capacity is limited,” Mohamoud told IRIN in Hargeisa. “Sixty percent of animals have been lost. One [man] who had 200 sheep has lost 110-120, and one who had 20 camels lost half.”

The governor of Togdheer region, Jama Abdillahi Warsame, said his government, with local NGOS, was trucking water to 78 villages.

“We estimate [that] more than 8,000 people moved to Burao [the main livestock market town] from rural areas,” he told IRIN.

He named the most vulnerable districts in Togdheer region as Hod, Ina Afmadobe, War-Imran, Ilka-Cadays, Bali-Hiile, Suryo, Lebi-Guun, Adow Yurura, Isku Dhoon, in Burou and Qoryale, as well as Qori Dheere in Ainabo districts of Sool region.

Late rains

The deputy minister said some rains had started in most of Somaliland, but the emergency was continuing. Prices of food, for example, had remained high.

“Some rain has started, but animals and people are so weak and [may not be] able to survive the wet situation,” he added. “We are calling on the international community to help the drought-affected people.”

Business people in the port city of Berbera said sugar prices had increased by about 70 percent in the past few weeks.

Mohamed Ahmed Imbir, owner of a food store in Berbera, told IRIN: “We were selling one sack of sugar at US$28, but now we are selling for $34.” He did not know why prices had risen.

On 22 June, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS Net) warned that the drought in Somalia’s central region had extended northwards into the key pastoral areas of the Sool plateau, Nugaal valley, and Hawd livelihood zones.

The situation threatened more than 700,000 pastoralists and a significant number of urban households, whose income and food sources are strongly linked to livestock marketing and trade.

Source: IRIN, August 17, 2009

Does the World come out the Recession or it’s an Artificial Recovery?

By
-
0

HARGEISA, 18 Augusut 2009 (Somalilandpress) – The last ten years China showed the world double digit growth, and a lot of countries are willing and aiming to learn how they did it. China is world’s 3rd largest economy after U.S and Japan. China production spread everywhere in the world, for example Wall-Mart is the worlds’ largest retail company, and every eight dollar ($8) they sell one dollar ($1) is from Chinese product.

Economic well-being is measured by the quantity and quality of goods and services enjoyed by a nation, and this is basically refers to the production activity in the real sector. China economic is doing well, when we look the side of the construction or real state development that became nowadays’ economic focal point.

The eyes of the economic recovery, is once again in China and the current economic figures from China statistic bureau propelled those assumption (economic recovery). As we all know bad news spreads like wild fire or virus, and destroys everything that comes its way; but when it comes to the good news it spread at slowly base. That is why a lot of economists view the current figures as a slide fraction of a huge mountain or an Ice-Berge. Reawaking the trust is important to solve the current financial crisis.

Financial markets’ success depends on regulation success, and the decision makers have to prevent the economy to generate evil stories in order not to affect long run to come.

China is export oriented country that is why China lends money to U.S, in order to help them buy their products. China owes 80% of U.S debt treasure, and if U.S dollar drops its luster further more, it will be lose to the creditors (China). On the other side, if U.S debts to the foreign countries are equally divided to the worlds’ population, each person even recent born babies they will get $150 (hundred and fifty U.S dollar).

[ad#Google Adsense (336×280)]

China, India, and South East Asia they form more than 2/3 of worlds’ population, but when it comes to the consumption expense they can’t replace U.S market, because in 2007 U.S consumer expense it was more than $10 trillion; while China it was $1 trillion only, since they are saving oriented society.

However, the current figures don’t spell the end of the journey. A lot is needed to be done; and every country’s participation is significant, especially leading countries in order to ride out the world the financial crisis storm.

The stimulus package from Chinese government has a lot to do with the current results (from July economic activities). And a lot of changes are they way to happen, hopefully in positive trend.

Despite the China economy, latest figures show other countries are coming out of recession, including Germany, France and Hong Kong, that indicates the global slowdown is easing. Seijiro Takeshita, director of Mizuho Financial, Japan’s second largest banking group, told the BBC that the Japanese economy was now performing a “true comeback”.
“We are definitely getting out of the excessive pessimism that we have been seeing… however; a lot of big questions remain, namely private consumption,”.

France and Germany economy grow and show same figure (0.3%), and they are the biggest European economy, and that sign (growth figure) it will help Britain a lot, because they are export leaning country and their main market is other European countries such as Germany and France.

The main factor that contributed, the current unexpected growth percentage was the stimulus package that the each government provided or pumped to its economy, in order to ride out of the storm rapidly.

Recent economy figures that each government demonstrated, was beyond the expectation of economic expertises. Bear in mind, in order that remedy to work it probably and take the right course, it is necessity to merge it with cautious steps and to think beyond the box.

Although many analyst talk about the end of the financial crisis, and out of the dark tunnel, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned of excessive optimism about the end of the financial crisis. And most of analysts mention it is an artificial growth and if the decision makers did not handle it probably, it may harm the economy again.

Conclusion: The sense of uncertainty in the market (the slowdown or the red color in international financial markets) it is clear evidence, that world need more than the current economic figures. in order to get the ball rolling and bullish economy sign, strategies and tactics must now be designed and implemented sooner rather later. I believe it is significant to examine the current economic figures in dispassionate way, to put aside ideology and to look at the evidence before making a decision about if the world is out of recession and its way to recovery.

Amina Zahra Sheikh Omar Mohamud
E-mail: aminafurso@gmail.com

1...974975976...1,000Page 975 of 1,000
Facebook Instagram Twitter
© Somaliland Current 2020, All Rights Reserved | Designed by SomSite