AwdalPress Editorial: Somaliland’s Slide Towards an Extremist Take Over From Within

Awdalpress (London) - Although many Somalilanders were shocked by the newly elected President’s decision to appoint elements with well-known extremist views to sensitive positions in his government, the majority of the people opted to exercise caution before they pointed a finger at the impending unholy alliance between Somaliland’s democratically elected President and the extremists who see democracy as an anathema to Islam. Some of the people thought once they got posts, the extremist elements might mellow out and enjoy power instead of beating war drums. The general mood was “let us not prejudge, let us see and wait” despite the writing on the wall.

However, the people’s optimism has dissipated sooner than expected as the Minister of Islamic Affairs and Awqaf Sheekh Khaliil Abdillahi Ahmed, an extremist cleric, ordered Radio Hargeisa to stop the traditional programs and religious songs that the Radio used to air in the month of Ramadan. He also ordered that a new religious program with extremist stamp has to be aired.

This is an ugly wake up call for the Somaliland people who have thus far enjoyed their moderate brand of Islam they practiced over the centuries. Somaliland media was quick to underscore the audacity of the Sheikh and the dangerous road of religious conflicts that his action could start.

The extremist cleric Minister wants to change the religious course of the county and impose his narrow-minded and austere brand on the people. Since time immemorial, Radio Hargeisa used to play religious music in praise of the holy Prophet and the virtues of the month.

For those who grew up with the Ramadan atmosphere in Somaliland, the joy of fasting was not complete without listening to songs such as Marxab, Marxab Yaa Ramadaan, Nabi Allow Ninba Afkii Nuur Allow Kugu Ammaan, Asalaamu Calika Yaa Qamaral Makka and others. And sure the breaking of the fasting in the evening will never be the same without the appetizing lyrics of “Immikay Cuntadu Cad Xalaalatee, Cisi Ku Afuroo, Cuna, Cuna, Cuna, Cuna oo Cabba..”

The extremist cleric Minister wants to ban all this religious music along with the programs run by moderate Sheikhs such as Sheikh Yuusuf Cabdi Xoore. This is a catastrophe of national proportions and one that demands an immediate response from the President himself.

It is now or never to stop Somaliland from a dangerous slide into extremism; an extremism that once it takes root could end the peace and democracy that made the country the pride of the Horn of Africa. It is time that the President has to take the issue seriously and cleanse his government of the extremist personalities that crept into his administration under the cloak of loyalty and cronyism.

The world has admired Somaliland’s recent Presidential elections and the peaceful and civilized exchange of power, but it is also aware of the huge infiltration of the apocalyptic forces in Somaliland. It is therefore up to President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo to allay the fears of the world and show to it that the iron shield erected by the previous government against extremism is here to stay.

It is baffling Mr. President how your new administration wastes time in suppressing the media on trivial things while the real danger is dancing under its nose. Mr. President you should act, if not for anything else, at least for your own security.

Awdalpress.com