While Somalia is a country in a chaotic state
today, it is not only a result from economic and political matters, for
religion plays a huge role in Somalia. Almost all of Somalia’s population are
followers of the Islamic religion, particularly the Sunni sect. Religion played
a huge role in uniting the people of Somalia, but when Barre became President
in 1969, everything changed. In modern times, religion only causes more chaos
throughout the country.
Mohamed Siad Barre began discriminating members
of the Mijertyn and Isaak clans by denying them access to political positions
in government. Barre’s actions caused many revolts from civilians throughout Somalia,
to which the government reacted back by attacking and torturing thousands of
people who were claimed to be associated with the rebels. While the citizens of
Somalia saw this discrimination from a political standpoint, many also believed
that Barre was attacking them for their religious customs and beliefs. Somalis
did not believe that the regulations of scientific socialism went along with
the Islamic religion, which is why there is still disunity among the people of
Somalia today. After the Barre regime fell in 1991, different corrupt Muslim warlords
took over areas in Somalia. The Shabab extremist Muslim group in particular is one
that controls the southern part of the country, and uses the jihad as a means to attack and kill
others in the name of Allah. In the Qur’an, it clearly defines that anyone who
is to kill another is the same as killing all of humanity. These extremist
Muslims inside of Somalia have forgotten what it truly means to be a part of
the Islamic faith.
Religion in Somalia can help unite the people.
Since many citizens in Somalia are part of the extremist sect of Islam, they
have forgotten what it truly means to be a Muslim and have been using the
religion merely to gain political power. This has been a problem found with in
many Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq and Iran. However, if Somalis
realized how wrong it is to kill one another just for power and wealth, the
people could see how they can unite the country and bring themselves out of a
chaotic, war-like state.
Overall, Somalia will not be able to change
from a corrupt country in one day alone. However, if the people of Somalia can
clearly see how killing and war is not the way to live a true Muslim life, the
country will have a chance of starting over and becoming a united whole.
I agree with your explanation for how religion related to Barre's regime especially how his discrimination towards specific Islamic sects led to rebellion and how after the fall of his regime warlords took over. However I think that you could have talked about the recent acts of violence the Al-Shabaab faction have committed in addition to what their beliefs are. You also did not mention the other branch of Islam which exists in Somalia known as the Sufi. The Sufi were nonviolent at first and at one point got along with the Al-Shabaab faction but as a result of the Al-Shabaab’s actions, grew opposed to them and took up violence as a means of defense. I do agree with your solution as too how religion can be a unifying force.
ReplyDelete-Christina
I agree with most of the things you said, except for the fact that you said that religion can become a unifying force within Somalia. The main causes of civil war within Somalia have been almost exclusively caused by religious tension. Islam is the religion of almost every Somali person and the fact that they are of the same religious background and yet are killing one another is a testament to the fact that religion cannot solve the Somali crisis. Al-Shabab and the Sufi's have a had a violent war that has no end in sight, and there is no possibility that Islam can solve it alone.
ReplyDelete-DANDAMAN
Overall, both of your evidence does support my post. The Sufi people in Somalia are a large sect that oppose Al-Shabaab's violent attacks. I should of dicussed how the Al-Shabaabs are attacking other clans and starting more trouble within the country. However, I do believe that religion can become a unifying force. In The Great Theft, El Fadl discusses how the moderate Muslims have been trying to change the Puritans beliefs and convert them to modern Islam rather than the old ways. The people of Somalia follow an extremist sect of religion, and while religion may cause tension among the Somali people, it can also help them become a united people. If we can change these extremist ways to more non-violent ones, we can show these people how religion can help bring them together rather than separating them.
ReplyDelete-Francesca M.