The civil war in Somalia taught me many things. Among them is my identity.
They say your skin is soft. You are an Arab.
But I have my roots buried in African soil
They say you are a twin brother of the Arab.
But I feel no Arab blood running in my veins.
They say you have same culture with the Arabs.
But my traditional dances have African rhythm.
They say your language is an Arabic derivative.
But my tongue is purely Cushitic
Few insertions can’t dilute my rich language
In anyway you cut it, I am an African
I am not an Arab
In peace time Arabs see me as an essential item.
In conference rooms they enjoy my support.
My vote is theirs. They count on it before I cast.
“In the Arab league, you are a member” They whisper
“Your loyalty for the Arab cause is crucially inevitable”
Many an enemy I did make just for that sake.
Do they know it?
In anyway you cut it, I am an African
I am not an Arab
In war time Arabs give me a distance
They turn away from me, ignoring my plight.
But I have African brothers and sisters.
They shared the pain. They showed true African spirit.
They took their quota of Somali refugees.
Many Arab nations denied hosting our people.
They instead deported them, dumped them.
The truth has come to know my identity
In anyway you cut it, I am an African
I am not an Arab.
Abdi Noor, if anyone is to be blamed for our plight it's us Somalis. So let's first put our own house in order before we point the finger at anyone else, and that includes our Arab brethren. Our problem is made in Somalia, not Arabia.
Having said that, it goes without saying that we Somalis are Africans, but we do share many things with Arabia, the most important of which is our beautiful faith. I love Arabs because our beloved Prophet was an Arab. When the Quraish tribes persecuted the Muslims of Arabia our Prophet sent his followers to Africa.
Reviewed by Amira van Kerk (Reader)
Reviewed on June 25, 2004
Very touching write.
But you seem to know where you belong to.
You are someone of great compassion and pride and it this reflects that as brilliant and clear as the sweeping lands of Africa. Know thyself and to thyself be true.....
you are not an arab, you are an enlightened man ...
Reviewed by na na (Reader)
Reviewed on June 18, 2004
Yes Abni-Noor, be proud of who you are and who you are not. I hope all races and cultures take pride in themselves ... that doesnot lock out all of society, and what it has to offer. Bill Murray
You ARE an African, Abdi-Noor, and I salute you for such a brave and courageous write! God bless you, my dear friend and brother; you are in my prayers, always!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn. :D
Abdi-noor, you are brave and true, proud of your heritage,
as you should be!There will always be those who want to take
our identity from us, in one way or another. We have the right
to defend ourselves against it and proclaim the truth, as you
have done,without any repercussions! Yes, "Dos Lagrimas" is a good analogy, for many, and was written in that vein.You are very perceptive!;-)
Neil Armstrong played the Dissolution of America Card After His Return From Space-- the Military Dishonor Card. He had a very messy DIVORCE after a military Platoon Experience for his wife and family.
Neil Armstrong played the Dissolution of America Card After His Return From Space-- the Military Dishonor Card. He had a very messy DIVORCE after a military Platoon Experience for his wife and family.
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Having said that, it goes without saying that we Somalis are Africans, but we do share many things with Arabia, the most important of which is our beautiful faith. I love Arabs because our beloved Prophet was an Arab. When the Quraish tribes persecuted the Muslims of Arabia our Prophet sent his followers to Africa.
But you seem to know where you belong to.
~Rose~
heartbreaking write--be proud of your heritage, my brother, though you are muslim, you are african by birthright
(((HUGS))) and much love, i pray for you daily--karla. :(
"In war time Arabs give me a distance
They turn away from me, ignoring my plight."
Interesting commentary.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn. :D
as you should be!There will always be those who want to take
our identity from us, in one way or another. We have the right
to defend ourselves against it and proclaim the truth, as you
have done,without any repercussions! Yes, "Dos Lagrimas" is a good analogy, for many, and was written in that vein.You are very perceptive!;-)
Powerful piece, Abdi-Noor.