Aw Maki's Xamar

[Lamagoodle]

Hi folks!

At a first glimpse there are hardly any similarities between Muqdisho and Vienna. While Muqdisho is often called the capital of a failed state, Vienna is a city of an industrialized and developed nation. While Muqdisho has been ruined by vicious conflicts during the past decades, Vienna withstood its ground when it was besieged during the Ottoman/Austrian-Hungary wars and even during the second world war it was spared. However to the shrewd mind there are a lot of similarities and commonalities that these two cities share. Despite fadhi ku dirir discourses that turn villages into cities, waterholes into oceans and stones into mountains Muqdisho remains the cradle of Somali civilization. Just like Vienna Muqdisho is home to nearly one in every 3 somalis living in Somalia (according to my estimates). It’s buildings and infrastructure has been destroyed, its people killed, maimed and raped but it has time and time shown to be resilient and the ability to engage in creative destruction.

Just as mentioned by great explorers (e.g. Ibn Batuta in the 11th century called it a vibrant city) Muqdisho is the hub for economic, cultural and social dynamics of our nation and people.

Vienna has the statues a city state meaning it can enact its own laws and is famous for being tolerant and particularly welcoming to bohemians. It is a city that has produced great names such as Mozart (music), Ludwig Wittgenstein (philosophy), Fredrik Hayek (Economics), Karl Popper (Philosophy), Joseph Schumpeter (economics) , Freud (Psychology) .
Xamar has also produced its fair share of intellectuals and bohemians; Aden Abdulle Cisman (who wouldn’t be proud of this guy), the SYL founders were either born in Xamar or were brought them here; Yaasiin Xaaji Cusmaan Sharmarke, Maxamed Xirsi Nuur (Seyeddiin) ,Xaaji Maxamed Xuseen Maxaad, Cusmaan Geeddi Raage ,Dheere Xaaji Dheere, Daahir Xaaji Cusmaan (Dhegaweyne), Cabdulqaadir Sakhaawadiin,Cali Xasan Maslax, Maxamed Cali Nuur, Maxamed Faarax Hilowle, X. Maxamed Cabdulaahi Xayeesi, Huudow Macalin Cabdulaahi Saalax and Maxamed Cusmaan Baarbe Baardheere .

It has also produced the only satirical somali; Faarax Galooley who was a street philosopher and probably cited today all over somalia to describe inefficiency.

It was the homebase of the Kacaan which almost succeeded eliminating tribalism, gave us a written language and revived the dream of a greater somalia!
Great names such as Cabdullahi Ciise, Liqliqito, General Daud and many more called it home.
Recently, Xamar has been home to great poets/playwrights Xadraawi, Kaariye, Axmadey Cabdi Gaashan ( injured yesterday in the heinous cowardly attack by Al-sheydhaans on the theatre). It is where Aw Maki Xaaji Banaadir – unarguably the only remaining intellectual- calls home.

In terms of tolerance in the heart of Muqdisho ( the ceel gaab area, Xamar jajab and near the theatre was known to be the boheimic areas where anything went! Xamar Weyne, Cabdi Casiis and Shingani were homes to significant communities of other faiths; christians, jews (yes, I have met some), Hindus and shias. It was also home to Italians, arabs, persians, indians etc

I make the following propositions to consolidate Xamar’s position as the undisputed somalia’s capital of culture and business:
1. Just as people refer to Vienna as being “Wittgenstein’s Vienna” I propose that Xamar be referred to as Aw Maki’s Xamar.
2. The Bohemian areas of Ceel-gaab area (including xamar jajab), National theatre, Some parts of Bondeere all the way to Bilaajo Xamar should be given a city state statue where ideas and creativity are allowed to flow freely.
3. Make xamar a city state where common sense, intellectual thinking and social cohesion will be the norm.

Aw Maki gave us some memorable catchphrases that all shaxaaris use, he gave us good melodies and more importantly he has become Mr:. Xamar

[greenday]

Maka xaaji banadir and Xamar is naturally cosmopolitan welcoming city

[Twist]

Dude, my brother from another mother, as long as you're alive & breathing, don't dessert this forum & deprave us from your great way of writing & choice of words. I really DO mean it!

Thanks for this piece and the countless of other works you write here!

[Lamagoodle]

Twist,
I also enjoy your contributions. In fact, you are one of a few people whose posts I always read. If the word cool guy could describe any member it will be you. If only we could have a hundred thousand people of your kind and calibre, Somalia will be the nation of envy to many across the globe.

Greenday,
Yes, it is a cosmpolitan city but the sick formulae of 4,5 might destroy it.

[Avicenna]

Lama - Great piece sxb! Thank you.

[Voltage]

Your bias is so evident yet so nuanced. How intriguing yet disappointing at the same time. I suppose you are not as enlightened as I had hoped; just gained the skills to evince transformation...something that's not that particularly impressive to me at this stage.

[TheblueNwhite]

Lama thank you for sharing

[VeiledGarbasar]

Your bias is so evident yet so nuanced. How intriguing yet disappointing at the same time. I suppose you are not as enlightened as I had hoped; just gained the skills to evince transformation...something that's not that particularly impressive to me at this stage.

Seriously my friend maxaa ku haysta, that was a most excellent piece, and he is a most excellent writer in every way possible. Most certainly in a forum way, only he compares the similarity of Somalia to that of other countries and then highlights the culture of Somalia, the men, the beauty.....what is there left to say? Don't hate Vee, appreciate. MaashaAllah.

To the topic starter, I agree with:

2. The Bohemian areas of Ceel-gaab area (including xamar jajab), National theater, Some parts of Bondeere all the way to Bilaajo Xamar should be given a city state statue where ideas and creativity are allowed to flow freely.

some areas of Xamar becoming city state.

I also have absolutely no problem in referring to Mogadishu as Aw Maki's Mogadishu.

[Shirib]

Wa mal hayatul dunyaa ilaa mudhaacul gharuur
And what is the life of this world, except the enjoyment of delusion

[The_Patriot]

Lama thank you for sharing

[TheblueNwhite]

Lama thank you for sharing

Wa mal hayatul dunyaa ilaa mudhaacul gharuur

[The_Patriot]

T.I. welcome aboard.

[TheblueNwhite]

Thanks sxb.

[greenday]

Your bias is so evident yet so nuanced. How intriguing yet disappointing at the same time. I suppose you are not as enlightened as I had hoped; just gained the skills to evince transformation...something that's not that particularly impressive to me at this stage.

What part of what he said made you say this

[Voltage]

I do not want to derail his topic, bias or not it is his and it should be preserved. As for my statement, I stand by it. I am at the stage where I honestly believe I can culturally and socially critique Somali thinking at an academic level. If my friend Lama feigns ignorance with regards to my analysis, then he would be even more a disappointment.