Tag Archives: Somalia
The Importance of Lawyers in Somalia and Abroad
Like in all societies, a lawyer plays an essential role in providing Somalians with advice and council. In the Somalian legal system, called Xeer, a lawyer is referred to as garxajiyaal and assists Somalians who have to face a jury or provide compensation for a crime that they have committed. The Somali Law Council was formed on February 26, 2005 and membership to the council is open to all Somali lawyers around the globe. It is the aim of the council to organize Somali lawyers to work with other Somali professionals in order to rebuild and reconstruct Somalia. It is the goal of each lawyer who is a member of the council to advertise, protect and restore human rights and civil liberties to Somalians. These lawyers seek to create an index of useful and effective laws that will be available for use by the Somalian people. Each lawyer will be responsible for assisting in collecting existing Somali customary laws, as well as Sharia laws in order to create this index. The lawyers who are members of the Somali Law Council seek to provide advice and support to Somali individuals, as well as the Somali government, institution and organizations throughout the … Continue reading
Doctors Without Borders in Somalia
Since 1991, Somalia has been a war torn country in which opposing clans take part in armed warfare on a continual basis. Violence and death is a reality that the Somalian people are forced to live with. Shootings and bombings are an everyday occurrence in Somalia, especially around the capital city of Mogadishu. However, a recent census showed that only about 9% of the population had access to medical treatment, whereas 91% of the population did not have access to a doctor. In a country where people are the victims of violence everyday, it is essential that injured individuals have the ability to see a doctor. Many Somalians are afraid to venture outside of their homes and they will not seek the help of a doctor, even in emergency situations. In Somalia the majority of medical assistance is provided by foreign doctors and organizations, as there are few educated Somalian doctors in the country today. One organization that is a leader in Somalian relief efforts is Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders has been operating in Somalia since the collapse of the government and the outbreak of the civil war in 1991. They provide access to medical care and assistance … Continue reading
Somalian Physicians Graduate from Medical School
Somalia is a country that is notorious for violence and that has been in the midst of a civil war since 1991. Armed combat and shootings are a daily occurrence in Somalia, especially in and around the capital city of Mogadishu. It is very common for ordinary citizens get stuck in the crossfire between waring clans. The access to medical care is very poor throughout Somalia and many people never see a physician. Physicians are essential in a country that is devastated by ferocity and brutality. The 300,000 Somalians that are suffering from starvation and malnutrition are in need of the medical attention of a physician. Many of these displaced individuals attempt to flee to neighboring countries for help, but they are denied access and not offered help. Many Somalians die near these borders or in makeshift camps. They do not have access to the necessary resources that they need in order to survive, such as water. People who suffer fatal injuries do to the violence of the civil war do not receive the medical attention that they need. This is often because there are no doctors available to care for them. On Dec 4, 2008 twenty men and women … Continue reading
Information about Somalia
Somali is a country rich in culture and history. It is also a country that is well known for the daily violence and brutality that occurs there due to the absence of a central government. If you plan to travel to Somalia, or are just interested in the country, it is essential that you acquire a good deal of accurate Somalia information. The population of Somalia is roughly 9,832,017 people. There are a variety of races and ethnicities that make up this population, including Somali, Arab, Bantu, as well as other. Important Somalia information to keep in mind if you travel to Somalia is that the majority of Somalians are Muslim and therefore follow Islamic law. If you travel to Somalia make sure that you show a great deal of respect for their culture, beliefs and traditions. For example, if you are a female you should dress extremely modestly and show very little skin. Somalians do not eat pork or drink alcohol. Other vital travel information about Somalia includes the climate and terrain. Somalia is typically dry and hot. The temperature ranges from about 68°F in the winter to about 100°F in the summer. Inadequate rainfall often leads to drought … Continue reading
Famine in Somalia
The country of Somalia faces many ongoing problems. Many people are aware of the ongoing political conflicts and the civil war that brings violence and death to the Somalian people everyday. They realize that 30,000 Somalians have been killed since the government was overthrow in 1991. However, few people actually realize the extent to which this fighting has affected the people of Somalia. They forget about the other 300,000 people who have been killed due to famine in Somalia. The irreversible damage that has occurred due to the Somalia famine may have been avoided or reduced with the cooperation of a central government. Famine in Somalia has been brought on in large part due to drought and inadequate and unpredictable rainfall. Crops, such as the sorghum crop, has failed and village water holes have run dry, providing Somalians with no access to food or water, and the clans and factions in Somalia are so busy fighting their civil war that they are doing little, or nothing, to help the people who are suffering from famine in Somalia. Somalia famine has caused thousands of people to flee from their homes, where they have no access to the resources that are necessary … Continue reading
Vacationing in Somalia
Somalia is a country that has a history of violence and brutality. In 1991 the central government was overthrown and warring clans took control of Somali. These clans continue to fight amongst themselves in cities throughout the country. Gun fights and bombings take place on a daily basis in city centers, on the streets and in broad daylight. Many innocent bystanders are injured and killed because of clan wars. Somalia is not a safe place for independent travel, and vacation to Somalia is not recommended. Should you choose to ignore the travel warnings and vacation to Somalia anyway it is imperative that you consult an expert on the best ways to remain safe while in a war torn country. That being said, Somalia has a unique history of trade and commerce, and a vacation to Somalia would provide individuals with the opportunity to experience a country with an extraordinary blend of cultures. Most travel agencies do not offer Somalia Vacation packages due to the danger presented by the current strife within the country. People who have planned a vacation to Somalia have visited cities such as Hargeysa, Mogadishu, El Harar, Darin Tog and Badhan. Any Somalia Vacation should include a … Continue reading
What to Know When Traveling to Somalia
Because Somalia is a country that is rife with violence and war, travel to Somalia is not recommended. There is a great deal of violence that takes place in Somalia everyday, and therefore independent travel to Somalia is not safe. People who must travel to Somalia for academic, research or business purposes should seek guidance from an expert on how to remain as safe as possible in a war torn country. That being said, if you do have to go there Somalia travel offers a great deal of beautiful sites for people to bask in, as well as a rich culture for people to experience. The beaches of Somalia are gorgeous, especially the beach around Mogadishu, however this may not be a safe option due to the presence of warlords and pirates along the coast. Las Geel is a site that contains hundreds of Neolithic cave paintings that have been well-preserved throughout history. Language may also be a barrier during Somalia travel. The use of language is very important to Somalians, therefore you should talk. Many Somalians are able to speak some English, as well as Arabic, however, if you are able to learn some Somali words locals will be … Continue reading
A Brief History of Somalia
The history of Somalia is a history rife with political conflicts and violence. During antiquity Somalia was a popular center for trade and commerce and was important for the resources that they provided to the rest of the ancient world. Ancient Phoneticians, Egyptians and Babylonians relied on Somalia for coveted items such as spices and myrrh. Through the trade contacts that Somalia upheld with Islamic countries, The religion of Islam flourished throughout the city states. Throughout Somalia history the regional trade was dominated by an array of small empires. These Somalian empires included the Sultanate of Adal, the Ajuuraan State and the Gobroon Dynasty. One of the most famous success stories in Somalia history took place after the Berlineise Conference ended and the General Act of the Berlin Conference was no longer held in regard during colonization. The General Act of the Berlin Conference regulated the colonization of Africa in an organized matter, giving certain areas of Africa to different European nations to colonize. Once it was no longer in affect European nations traveled around the Horn of Africa looking for land to colonize. In Somalia history Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, the leader of the Dervish State, is recognized for organizing … Continue reading
Somalis in the United States
Somalia has a long history of war, violence and famine. Thousands of people are killed every year because they are caught in the cross fire between warring clans. People are kidnapped and held for ransom, and Somali pirates have control over the coast of Somalia. 300,000 people have died because of famine and malnutrition. Town watering holes often dry up and Somalians can not gain access to vital resources that are necessary for survival. As a result of this brutal history, many Somalis have chosen to immigrate into the United States. Currently, the United States has the seventh largest Somali population in the world. Countries that contain a larger Somali community include Ethiopia, Kenya, Canada and the United Kingdom. A Somali American is a resident of the United States who has gained citizenship and who was born in or who has ancestors from Somalia. In the 1920s Somali sailors came to the United States and settled in New York. These were the first Somalis to come to the United States. Somali immigration began to increase in the 1970s. After the Somali central government was overthrown and the Civil War began in 1991, a great deal of Somalis began to arrive … Continue reading
Overview of Somalian Culture
Due to Somalia’s long history of trade and it’s importance as a center for commerce, Somalia culture is a blend of cultures from surrounding countries. These countries include Ethiopia, Yemen, Persia and India. Much of Somalian culture has been influenced a great deal by Islamic culture, as Somalia has been ruled by Muslims for many years. Somalia culture places a great deal of importance on language and an individual’s ability to use words as a means of expression. The majority of Somalia speaks the Somali language. The dialect called common Somali is the most popular dialect and is used by television and radio stations in Somali. Somalians often judge an individual’s capability and potential based on their ability and skill with words and language. Words are carefully chosen and common, everyday exchanges between individual’s tend to be poetic. Because of this oral poetry and story telling in considered an important form of art in many Somalia cultures. An official Somali Latin script was required to be used in the government. After the introduction of the script Somalia culture began to progress because academics were able to create a vocabulary that was used to write books on subject such as science, … Continue reading