(Melbourne-Australia, April 07, 2012 Ceegaag Online)

Somali National Theater of Mogadishu

Before, I go any further, I should pray for Mogadishu’s last victims, both to those who lost their life and those who sustained some kind of injuries. May Allah give his forgiveness to those who died and his mercy to the injured to recover fully and quickly.  May Allah also give his mercy to and relieve those who lost their loved once.

Undoubtedly, towns are built and populated by people. What happens to it, good or bad, is so much to do with its inhabitants. They can either ruin it and make it a ghost town or develop it and make it peaceful, competitive and prosperous. Prosperity that attracts others from distance as they want to share what the city offers to its settlers, both the old and the new.  Unfortunately, many media personalities call Mogadishu derogatory names, as it is responsible to its woes and wilderness. I totally believe different and disagree with them.

As a young boy, I still remember, going to Cinema Equator, after a late afternoon nap and cold shower, without any fear or fright. I still remember going  to Lida beach on Fridays, where all nationalities are present to become the beneficiaries of what Lido Beach has offered to its inhabitants – clean sand, sunny and fresh breeze from Indian ocean. I still remember going to Maritimo Secondary School (Dugsiga Badda), and then after the end of class walking from Abdulaziz district to Hamar Jajab, not even bothering to take transport because of the friendly late-afternoon breeze from the coast and the amity and harmonious tranquillity. I still remember going to National Theatre to watch the concert of Hablayahow hadmaad guursan doontaan in the seventies, and then going back home peacefully and happily, after a good night’s entertainment. Now, I can visualize the national theatre, and the mood of the entertainment seekers. I feel sorry for those who lost their life in the same arena, yet committed no crimes, at least to my knowledge.

Mogadishu, I feel sorry for you and I hope one day, you will restore your dignity, your beauty and the peace that I took for granted in my old days. To what happened to you now, I blamed no one else but your current inhabitants. I am aware that many of them are ingenuous and innocent, but many others are perpetrators of today’s grief and mourning.

In conclusion, I would finally say an old Somali proverb that says ‘raq-walba waa ku rageed’, which could roughly be translated into: ‘the outcome of every issue depends on its handlers’.

My beautiful city, all the best, and God help you.

Omar Mohamud Farah (Dhollawaa)

Melbourne-Australia

Dhollawaa@yahoo.com.au

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