Just finished reading Dr Hawa Abdi's book Keeping Hope Alive

[The`Republic]

Amazing book, amazing woman.

There were times when I felt real and serious sadness for Dr. Hawa. Other times happy for her, proud of her, inspired by her. I've read many memoirs but rarely did I connect so well with the human being behind the voice.

It's not book that makes me happy. It's not a book that makes me sad. It is a book that makes me want to continuing living in the person's life after the last page is turned.

I really think she needs a long and happy vacation, but if there is one thing I learned she wouldn't be satisfied by that.

Dr Hawa tells the good and the bad about Somali culture using real life experience of over half a century. She tells the good and the bad about the Barre government (the championing of women's rights and social development as well as rampant corruption and abuses). She tells the truth about the rebels and warlords who destroyed everything she knew and witnessed daily their destruction (she did not say anything positive about them). She tells the good and the bad about the Islamic movements (at once calling them generous for their provision to the needy and then describing the complete oppression they inspired that unlike anything before them invades someone's space like no other).

Dr Hawa's moral authority makes you hate tribalism and feel ashamed for even dabbling in.

About her life, God gave her the best of children who love their mother and followed after her footsteps. Her deceased husband and father of her children loved her and hurt her. Her family loved her and hurt her.

She is an icon and a hero from Somalia like I have never seen before.

Definitely would recommend it so you too could know a little about our hero Mama Hawa.

[The`Republic]

[GeoSeven]

I think i'll grap a copy even though im not a fan of reading inspirational books my emotions are never stirred for some reason, which is the whole point of reading such books. Hope it sells a lot so she can make good money from it

[CaliBurco]

The only thing you've enjoyed is what she said about the rebels, spare us the bollocks.

[The`Republic]

Warning: Spoilers.

Pass this part if you don't to read the spoilers.

The only thing you've enjoyed is what she said about the rebels, spare us the bollocks.

I would say 75-80% of what she said about Barre government was anti-government. She was highly critical of him AND "his clan" those days. The only thing she like was the colleges built which did not exist in 60's, women's and minority rights, etc.

She was also highly critical of the 60's government calling them corrupt and neo-colonial pawns who didn't eo one positive thing in the country in 9 years before the coup.

She was also critical of the rebels and warlords. Highly critical of the transitional governments and Ethiopian military. Highly critical of the Islamic movements Highly critical of Somaliland decision and her deceased Isaaq/Habar Jeclo husband Mohamed Mire Waqaf destroyed his family by becoming Defense Minister of Somaliland under Riyaale.

Waqaf's uncles are Marehan, half-brothers to his father (Hawa's father-in-law). They saved him quite a bit whn secuity forces accused him of being SNM back in the day she writes in the book. Waqaf's Marehan cousin is now the head of operations at Hawa's camp of Baqawaar family.

Hawa's only son was killed in Burco in middle 2000's on his first trip there after wishing to see his father who abandoned the family for politics there. For a long time Hawa believed he was killed because it was feared he could persuade his father back to Mogadishu which would have been embarassing for Somaliland. She goes through a terrible period of grief.

When Waqaf died in a hospital in Malaysia with his daughters, she traveled to Hargeisa for his state burial. There she forgave everything including Waqa for abandoning her and the kids.

[Thuganomics]

The only thing you've enjoyed is what she said about the rebels, spare us the bollocks.

That's what I thinking

The fruits of the blessed SNM are evident for all non biased people of the world to see.If this "writer" can't bring herself to say even one positive thing about the slayers of the Tyrant.Then she obviously can't be much of a writer.More like an old woman reminiscing of her own little time in Somalia through rose tinted glasses

For a long time Hawa believed he was killed because it was feared he could persuade his father back to Mogadishu

[The`Republic]

Get a life and read the book. And don't ruin a review topic with maalayacni Somalinet talk.

The lady was as pro-Siad as the rebel leaders which is to say she wasn't even pro-Siad but she wasn't pro-rebels either. All of that is a small part of the book anyways.

[Marques]

The only thing you've enjoyed is what she said about the rebels, spare us the bollocks.

I would say 75-80% of what she said about Barre government was anti-government. She was highly critical of him AND "his clan" those days. The only thing she like was the colleges built which did not exist in 60's, women's and minority rights, etc.

She was also highly critical of the 60's government calling them corrupt and neo-colonial pawns who didn't eo one positive thing in the country in 9 years before the coup.

She was also critical of the rebels and warlords. Highly critical of the transitional governments and Ethiopian military. Highly critical of the Islamic movements Highly critical of Somaliland decision and her deceased Isaaq/Habar Jeclo husband Mohamed Mire Waqaf destroyed his family by becoming Defense Minister of Somaliland under Riyaale.

Waqaf's uncles are Marehan, half-brothers to his father (Hawa's father-in-law). They saved him quite a bit whn secuity forces accused him of being SNM back in the day she writes in the book. Waqaf's Marehan cousin is now the head of operations at Hawa's camp of Baqawaar family.

Hawa's only son was killed in Burco in middle 2000's on his first trip there after wishing to see his father who abandoned the family for politics there. For a long time Hawa believed he was killed because it was feared he could persuade his father back to Mogadishu which would have been embarassing for Somaliland. She goes through a terrible period of grief.

When Waqaf died in a hospital in Malaysia with his daughters, she traveled to Hargeisa for his state burial. There she forgave everything including Waqa for abandoning her and the kids.

Damn she went through a lot wallahi.

Anyway , regardless of whatever political views she had (most Somalis will agree with her anyway) she did a lot of community work. Well done to Dotoorada

[The`Republic]

She is an extraordinary lady wallahi. Have you heard of Ceelasha Biyaha? It is basically her property which converted into a hospital and started accepting displaced peoples since 1991.

[The`Republic]

For a long time Hawa believed he was killed because it was feared he could persuade his father back to Mogadishu

And why are you laughing? Waqaf had not been to north since he was a kid. He was pretty much reer Koonfur and ran the camp with Hawa throughout the 90's. Hawa in grief and tears and heartache and even hatred carried that suspicion about the cause of her onky son's death there but she let it go during Waqaf's funeral.

[ManD333q]

Thanks for sharing, I shall grab a copy of this when I have time.

[Thuganomics]

For a long time Hawa believed he was killed because it was feared he could persuade his father back to Mogadishu

And why are you laughing? Waqaf had not been to north since he was a kid. He was pretty much reer Koonfur and ran the camp with Hawa throughout the 90's. Hawa in grief and tears and heartache and even hatred carried that suspicion about the cause of her onky son's death there but she let it go during Waqaf's funeral.

[Daff]

Amazing woman! looking forward to reading her book.

[CaliBurco]

Lol, he's teaching us about Waqaf. Seemeyer, let's not ruin his topic.

Habeen wanaagsan.

[metamorphosis]

What is the title of the book?