The "Constitution" and Somali public perception.

[The`Republic]

So today I was in a Somali establishment and the constitution was the hot topic (as it has been recently). Both men and women were equally animated (and agitated?) by it. Among some of the things I over heard was

1. Two ladies discussing whether the constitution allows "gay men" to marry (imagine the horror on their faces)
2. A group of men discussing the "citizenship" aspect saying the Somali people face an "existential threat"
3. A mixed group discussing Sheekh Umal's sermon about the un-Islamic nature of the constitution (they were all fans of his I assure you...I have never seen a guy who has so much support among middle-aged Somali women especially, including my own mom)
4. Another group it has nothing to do with them and the world can try to force on them but Somalis cannot be controlled willingly

I was actually surprised that I did not see a single person supporting it and if this is the case here among the Somali diaspora in the West, can you imagine what public perception must be in Somalia's streets?

[Shirib]

I haven't read it yet, but haven't seen a person who likes it yet.

The people who support it, are more of, let's just have something more than anything else. The citizenship clause bothers me the more.

[VeiledGarbasar]

One of my Aunts hates Shaykh Umal...

Why don't you just say Somali maqayaad?

[Shirib]

One of my Aunts hates Shaykh Umal...

Why don't you just say Somali maqayaad?

why does she hate him?

[VeiledGarbasar]

He made a comment during the Ethiopian invasion, which was pretty shocking, but apparently he also apologised and said he was wrong. She still doesn't like him though.

[Estarix]

I haven't read it yet, but haven't seen a person who likes it yet.

The people who support it, are more of, let's just have something more than anything else. The citizenship clause bothers me the more.

What is that causes people to dislike the new constitution?

[DR-YALAXOOW]

So today I was in a Somali establishment and the constitution was the hot topic (as it has been recently). Both men and women were equally animated (and agitated?) by it. Among some of the things I over heard was

1. Two ladies discussing whether the constitution allows "gay men" to marry (imagine the horror on their faces)
2. A group of men discussing the "citizenship" aspect saying the Somali people face an "existential threat"
3. 4. Another group it has nothing to do with them and the world can try to force on them but Somalis cannot be controlled willingly

I was actually surprised that I did not see a single person supporting it and if this is the case here among the Somali diaspora in the West, can you imagine what public perception must be in Somalia's streets?

all of this things which people claime to be part of Somalia constitution articles like Gay marriege and citizenship are just lies and untrue. even this fake sheikh UMAL iam sure like most of fadhi ku dirir soomaalis he did not read not even one page of the somali constitution and umal still he held whole jumca khudba something he did not knew nothing about it..


just look this hypocrisy here. mr Umal is the man who live under athiest Secular constitution of Kenya and he pays taxes for the protection of that Secular Kenyan constitution also UMAL he blessed the Somali rebells in Somali region in Ethiopia to accept the Ethiopian non religios constitution´. so same UMAL IS NOW against a 100% Muslim country Somalia which the first article of the Somalia constitution says all laws of the nation somalia should be based on Islamic religion and everything whichs against islamic shari should not be´AND can not be a somali republics law.

so i see i see big hypocrisy here. Mr umal kiving under Athiest secular kenyan constitution and enjoying living peacefull NAIROBI while hes calling people to be against a 100% MUSLIM country somalias constitution .

[The`Republic]

Dr Yalaxoow, you are a secular Somali, we get it. No need to engage in ad homeniems and personally attack Somali religious leaders. Just address the topic constructively.

[Talo alle udaa]

The religious argument aside the bottom line in my view is, certain tribes feel they were "side" stepped in the planning process. The very fact that session was held in Garowe did not go down too well in certain corners of society. The fact that the most ardent supporters come from certain tribes that feel the new constitution would put their tol in a better position of power also speaks volumes.

Cantraqabash aside, Yalaxow, I for one agree with your overall sentiment concerning Sh. Umal. He was better off not spoken since he supported the WSLF agreement with Ethiopia.

[kambuli]

Yaan la is daalin..Haddii Nebi Maxamed Caylihi Salaam loo keeno, Somaalida qaarkood ma doonayaan... They just want the mayhem and anarchy..If a government and constitution is adapted they will lose unlawful business/houses/farms..They just don't want peaceful Xamar and governance...All they know is destruction and no....no..no.... Everytime we hope for some gov't, here they are... Axmed Cali Cigaal's song comes to my mind:

Maba doonayaanee, inaan dawlad ahaanoo....

[Jaidi]

I haven't read it yet, but haven't seen a person who likes it yet.

The people who support it, are more of, let's just have something more than anything else. The citizenship clause bothers me the more.

lol How is that even relevant? People are acting like there is active foreign immigration to Somalia or something.

A lot of these arguments against the constitution are irrelevant/ based on hearsay. There are plenty of tangible arguments to be made against it( lack of consultation, its vision of federalism) but the religious argument doesn't make sense to me. For those who agree what's an example of an acceptable constitution that can be referred to?

[Murax]

What is the citizenship clause about?

[eliteSomali]

IT will not work. Dictatorship.

[SultanOrder]

The constitution of the united states of america has a great history. It was finally ratified 10 years after the war ended with britain, and put into action 1 1/2 years after that. It took the greatest minds of the united states, working tirelessly, researching, and making a constitiution that worked for them. Some delegates couldn't even be in the same room without resorting to fist fights. People think constitutions is something easy. And the disappointing thing is the brightest Somali minds, are not given a chance to make one for themselves. We are told what is a state, how to run it, what to do and not do, regardless of our history, conceptions, world views, mentalities. That is why these things will never succeed in my view. You can put a suit on a Nomad, but that wont make him a westerner. Matter of fact, it will hinder him as he moves about in his natural environment.

[waryaa]

I was actually surprised that I did not see a single person supporting it and if this is the case here among the Somali diaspora in the West, can you imagine what public perception must be in Somalia's streets?

Somalis in Diaspora are divided and it is very difficult to find all inclusive bars, even mosques. From your observations, the crowd you were with are no different and are not all inclusive. VOA Somali service did a poll and said it was like 30 something disapprove very much and another 30 something approve it very much. From my own observations, a lot of people support it but the ones who disapprove it are shouting because they are on the loosing end.

Go to VOA Somali and search for that poll.