U.S. decision to withdraw troops dismays some Somalis

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Masjid Kiblatayin in Zeila, Somaliland, The great historical and tourist potential!

Image
Masjid al-Qiblatayn also known as Labo-qibla mosque is a mosque in Zeila, situated in the northwestern Awdal region of Somalia.The construction of this Mosque is tied to the History of Islam in Somalia. In Zeila, A Dir city, the mosque Masjid al-Qiblatayn is known as the site of where early companions of the Prophet, and the local Somalis, established a mosque shortly after the first Migration to Abyssinia. By the 7th century, a large-scale conversion to Islam was taking place in Somalia, first spread by the Dir People, from their construction of this mosque, to the rest of the nation afterwards. The mosque, which translates to "Mosque of the two Qiblahs", dates its construction to the 7th century CE, shortly after the Hijrah of Muslims to what was then Abyssinia. It is one of the oldest mosques in Africa. It contains the tomb of Sheikh Babu Dena. Though now mostly in ruins, the edifice features two mihrabs: one oriented to the north toward Mecca, and the other or...
Read more

Genesis of Music in Somalia

Image
The first major form of modern Somali music began in the mid-1930s, when Somaliland was a part of the British Somaliland protectorate. This style of music was known as dhaanto, an innovative, urban form of Somali folk dance and song. This period also saw the rise of the Haji Bal Bal Dance Troupe, which became very influential over the course of its long career. Introduction of melody in modern Somali song is credited to Abdullahi Qarshe, who is recognised for introducing the kaban (oud) as an accompaniment to Somali music. Qarshe is revered by Somalis as "father of Somali music". Many qaraami songs from this era are still extremely popular today. This musical style is mostly played on the kaban (oud). Prominent Somali kaban players of the 1950s include Ali Feiruz and Mohamed Nahari.  Bands such as Waaberi and Horseed have gained a small following outside of the country. Others, like Ahmed Ali Egal, Maryam Mursal and Waayaha Cusub have fused traditional...
Read more

Conflicting reports over release of Cuban doctors by Somali militants

  The Somali government has denied reports widely circulated by both local and international media that two Cuban doctors held captive for over a year by suspected Somali militants have been released. “Somalia has denied that two Cuban doctors held hostage by Al-Shabaab were released. Our interview with Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Isse Awad goes on air in 10 minutes,” Prominent VOA journalist Harun Maruf said in a tweet. Earlier, Maruf also tweeted that the Cuban government had also denied the release of the doctors, citing a report by AFP. Reports by both AP and AFP earlier in the day indicated the doctors had been released. Both Kenyan and Somali media outlets widely reported on the story too. The two Cuban doctors were abducted in a daring attack in the northeast Kenyan town of Mandera near the Somali border in April last year.
Read more