Soul-Searching Questions

By Muuse Yusuf, "somalia:Al-Shabab: who are they and what they want?-Opinion" - Maareg Online - London, England, UK
Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Social movements and revolutions go through incubation and evolutionary periods under which progressive, reactionary, conservative, and radical elements come into display until one of them emerges as a winner.

This also applies to Al-Shabab or any religious group in Somalia. Even though these forces and their ideologies have been around for sometime, it is probably a year or two since they have emerged as a formidable resistance or political force.

A year or so is not a very long period and therefore to be fair on them one cannot really say that much about their real identities and political agendas. However, concerns over their identities and political programs are crucial and legitimate. Therefore one should start asking some questions right now rather than “wait and see” until it is too late.

To enhance the debate, let me share with readers some soul-searching questions, which reflect the anxieties of many Somalis. Although I use the term Al-Shabab, these questions are for all those socio-political forces whether be it in Hargeysa, Boosaaso or Baydhabo, who might have similar ambitions or aspirations as of Al-Shabab.

Who are Al-Shabab?

Politics:
Are they a concoction of clan demagogues whose main aim is to ensure their clan’s perpetual dominance over our country’s scarce natural resources?

Do they want to plant the seed of another totalitarian regime in Somalia only this time in the name of religion under which public and private spheres of its citizen will be controlled by a theological doctrine so that if yesterday it was “Aabbaha Ummadda iyo Hanti-wadaaga Cilmiga Ku Dhisan” – the father of the nation, tomorrow it will be the “Sheekha of Ummada”?

Do they want to create a Saudi Arabian model state – a total monarchy – in which peoples’ right to elect their leaders is denied? Are they zealots who would use their narrow interpretation of Islam to silence any opposition and dissent in opinion and in faith?

Are they ideologues who do not like concepts of human rights, democracy, freedom, liberty, public participation in politics and would see them as alien concepts that must be erased from our nation’s conscience?

Or:

Are they moderates who - even if they have political ambitions - would work very hard to pave the way for the creation of a modern secular state based on the Malaysian model win which Islam lives side by side with other faiths such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism? Thus creating a more tolerant society that is happy with it self and can also live with its neighbours in peace and harmony.

Culture:
Are they reactionaries who would desecrate and dismantle national heritage, emblems and symbols that national heroes paid a heavy price for their realisation?

Are they cultural revolutionaries who would scorn culture and would eradicate national folklore and dance so that shir, gabley-shimber, dhaanto, saar, heello, jiifto, sheeko-xariir, buraanbur, geeraar, maahmaah, gabayo, maanso, heeso jaceyl, and countless beautiful cultural expressions will be destined to the dustbin?

Are they revolutionary forces that would be prepared to sacrifice millions of lives in order to destroy identities and create new ones consequently repeating and reminding the world of the atrocities committed under bloody revolutions of Mao, Stalin and Pol Pot?

Are they Arabised fanatics who would prefer Abu Hafsa, Abu Cusman, Um Cumar over indigenous Somali names such as Geedi, Xaayow, Garaad, Gacal, Raage, Dhaayow, Keenadiid, Ceydiid, Maandeeq, Dheerow, Caraweelo, Culusow, Ceynte, Samatar, Marwo, Meygaag, Eenow, Deerow, Iidow, Madoobe, Mukuy?

Are they Wahabiyah enthusiasts who would exterminate Qaadiriya, Saalixiya, Ahmadiya, Rufuaaciya, Saylaciya and other Sufi sects whose teachings based on tolerance, love, wisdom, philosophy, reason and non-violent methods had enabled Islam to spread to all corners of Somalia from Saylac-to-Ras Kaambooni? The Sufi orders that encourage their disciples “xerta” to study different schools of thoughts including the Shaaficiya School of jurisprudence. The Sufi sects of national heroes such as Sayid Maxamed Cabdulle, Sheikh Hassan Barsane, Sheikh Aweys Al-Qadiri, Sheikh Nur Hussein who played a major role in defeating colonial powers.

Are they Wahabiyah fans who would outlaw Ziyaarada qubuuraha – a visit and reverence of the shrines of the saints such as Sheikh Aweys Al-Qadiri of Biyooley? A tradition deeply held by many Somalis.

Are they Wahabiyah fanatics who would issue fatwa, declaring Sufi sects followers as heretics under the pretext of the usual mantra “bidcah wat takfiir”? Because according to their version of Islam these practices resemble idol worshipping, and as a result of their actions stir up division, suspicion, animosity within the religious community.

Are they zealots whose main purpose is the application of and adherence to the Wahabiyah doctrine? An order whose strict interpretation of Islam failed the Muslim world by dismantling Sufi traditions and their institutions that encouraged logic, reason and enquiry into all fields including theology, social and natural sciences? Sufi orders under which science, philosophy and theology flourished thanks to their liberal interpretation of the Islamic faith.

Or:

Are they wise men who can bring themselves to the reality that above-mentioned traditions are facts in Somalia and have been so for a very long time, and that any attempts to erase them are bound to fail?

Are they an accommodating group that will help nurture and protect Somalis’ multiple-identities including their African, Arab and Western heritages and ideologies thus helping to create a balanced society that is at ease with its multi-layered identities?

Education:
Are they fanatics who - in order to implement their strict doctrine - would prefer theological schools over secular thus oppressing inquiring minds of the young who, otherwise if encouraged, would use their brilliant brains to acquire knowledge through balanced curriculum and well researched information?

Are they dogmatists who would violently suppress scientific explanation of the matter and universe? And because of their oppressive action many gifted minds will be wasted and Somalia will be left out of science and technology race hence perpetual poverty?

Or:

Are they a liberal minded group who will nurture talent and encourage it to excel in science and knowledge?

Women’s sphere
Are they copycats of the Mutawiciin – the virtue and vice police of Saudi Arabia that would indoctrinate girls to cover up all their bodies from toe to head?

Are they zealots who would spend millions of dollars to buy special busses in order to separate women from men?

Are they Wahabiyah chauvinists who are so anti-modernity that even in the 21st century they cannot bring themselves to the reality that women can be drivers, doctors, pilots and astronauts and can rob shoulders with their male counterparts on equal terms?

Are they Wahabiyah women-haters whose attitude towards women is based not on Islam but on a pre-Islamic Arabian tradition where baby girls were buried alive as they were perceived to bringing shame to their families?

Or:

Are they a blessed group who will treat women as fellow human beings who have equal rights and responsibilities as men?

Freedom of expression
Are they a totalitarian faction whose main aim is to control expression of personal thoughts, feelings, and ideas that differ from theirs?

Are they control freaks who will not tolerate any artistic expression of dissent and opposition in ideology and faith?

Are they reactionaries who believe sword is mightier than the pen, hence would condemn those who dare to ask questions to death by chopping off their heads?

Are they a group of enthusiasts - who because of their tribal allegiances - will succumb to pressures of clan demands and will therefore abandon their revolutionary ideologies like the old military regime have done when they abandoned their “Hantiwadaaga Cilmiga Ku dhisan” - “Scientific Socialism?”