Read The Organizing Principles And The Agenda of The Putative Samaron Leadership Conference to be Held in The Twin Cities of Minnesota - April 2010.

A  TOL  CONVOCATION  (April 1-3, 2010).

Without overlooking the discernable variability in the condition of the Somali people, these are, indeed, dark times for the majority.  All indictors of the major spheres of existence, from environmental, economic, cultural, political, to personal security, point to the build up of vulnerabilities, best captured by this alarming fact: nearly half of the population is now considered as malnourished. Notwithstanding the general state of affairs, we are convinced, nonetheless, that some zones are more brittle than others.  One such example is the Gadaboursi community — inhabitants of a large swath of the Horn of Africa. While specific members of this community have found success in their respective endeavors, we hold that these individual accomplishments do not add up to the progress of collective well-being. In fact, a strong argument can be made to the contrary: the communal survival, let alone advancement, is in new danger.

Though the threats emanate from a variety of sources, whose clear identification, detailed analyses, and judicious prioritization are waiting to be undertaken, there seems to be a growing consensus that the most immediate challenge to the community, and key to any collective efficacy in the face of the mounting menace, is the question of effective and inclusive leadership – one that combines the finest of the community’s traditions and talents in imagining a new, galvanizing and enabling vision delivered with competence, courage,  and integrity.

Here, it is necessary to make clear the nature of the group’s affinity. The conviction behind this initiative distinguishes between an affiliation based on tribal mentality/clanism and kinship. The first connotes what Somalis would call Qabiil and, thus, is motivated by “Othering” those who don’t belong to the assumed genealogical tree; the latter is grounded on the concept of Tol that acknowledges primordial ties but, more importantly, stresses the following:  optimum protection of individual and communal welfare, meeting of obligations to other communities (from the closest neighbor to the most geographically distant of the Somali people) in a larger context of social justice and generosity. In short, Qabiil is always negative and lends itself to fissures and hate for the non-member while Tol (informed by Islamic  values and cosmopolitan thinking) is conducive to inclusiveness and genuine respect for others. We believe such a perspective transforms the way contemporary Somalis have been conditioned to relate to each other and, thus, bodes well for engagements that enrich constructive pluralism. It is this version of Tol, the antithesis of Qabiil, which we intend to guide the tone of our temper and the tenor of our conduct.

This invitation to you, then, is the first of follow up calls for the Gadaboursi Tol to convene, deliberate and make historic decisions. This conference, a prelude to more comprehensive others, is being proposed to bring together a select cohort from the diaspora to reflect on history, size up the current milieu, interrogate the phenomenon of leadership, and, most supreme, explore novel ways for the community to organize itself for the tough challenges already here and others that, no doubt, the future will thrust upon us. We need your intelligence, vigor, and encouragement to begin this long over-due journey — one we hope will produce concrete results that will uplift the spirit of the community and successfully face the immense tasks of the present as well as get us ready for a difficult, but potentially rewarding, future. A full agenda will be ready before the conference commences.

The conference, to be held in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, is set for April 1-3, 2010 (please note: we are urging attendees to arrive the early afternoon of Thursday, April 1 as the official program begins at 7:00 p.m). We hope you will confirm that you will be joining us, and (if you are coming from outside of Minnesota) will make your travel arrangements as early as possible. Please send your reply to this e-mail NO later than DECEMBER 31 (Thursday), 2009.

Thank you

Organizing Committee, on behalf of the Minnesota Community.

December 15, 2009