How long do you see yourself living in the West?

[Murax]

Are there no other countries on this planet save Somalia and the countries of the west?

You either live in the West or go find Your Tuulo back home and live there. If You're gonna live outside Your Tuulo at least live Where they at least go the farthest to making You feel at home.

[LiquidHYDROGEN]

In America depending on where You live, the Islamphobia isn't really that bad. For the most part, Muslims in America are one of the smallest minorities and there isn't this whole "Muslims are taking over" BS that they have in Europe. That said, whether it is the West or America as Somalis lets ask ourselves this:

What choice do We really have assuming things become unbearable? Say our Somali Muslim Sisters start to be harassed, today Somali Women get raped and harassed in Somalia like there is no tomorrow So You're back to square one literally. Your house and belongings can get stolen in the West one day, but in Somalia it will happen right now. You might say "Oh, well at least its not for who I am" but then You're wrong again, because it IS because of who You are and what Qabil You are (Or are not). As of now there is nowhere better than the West as far as Somalis are concerned.

I can never understand Somalis who are quick to point out how unbearable Somalia is to live in. Well ~10 million Somalis live in Somalia just fine. Secondly, why are Somalis the only people who want to get things for free and eat a pie they have not contributed to making? The reason Somalia is crap is because there are not enough people willing to work hard, make sacrifices and build a better world for the next generation. Why do you think you live in the US? Because the previous generations of Americans have built and laid down a peaceful, prosperous and vibrant country for their descendants. That notion of self-sacrifice does not exist in Somalis. Oh we talk, well enough, about the corruption and poverty of 'back home' but in the end we go back to drinking our shaah and watching America's got Talent/Eastenders or whatever the fck people watch nowadays.

You don't have to go back to Somalia ever again, but please don't pretend it's because it's violent or corrupt. It's because most Somalis would rather hav something for free than work hard for it. Just ask the hundreds that are drowning in the mediterranean and Red sea or being tortured and raped by their muslim brothers in libya and yemen.

[Murax]

Why would you want to live anywhere else? The west has the economic prosperity, the political and legal institutions for a decent life. As for Somalia, waa dhulka hooyo and if things were to improve even slightly, it would be a more desirable destination than many others. Outside of those two places, the only other place I can think of is China and ignoring cultural, liguistic and ethnic barriers - I'm not fond of eating snakes.

Don't tell me you think of living in arab countries?

[Cherine]

Dude if someone has a lucrative job lined up for you dee hadaba anaka cidna wax inoo ma hayso. Aren't you concerned if you fall ill what will become of you? That scares me. I would love to live there, but most likely won't except for a few months every year. I would move elsewhere for the remainder of the year inshaAllah. Won't be anytime soon though.

[Murax]

In America depending on where You live, the Islamphobia isn't really that bad. For the most part, Muslims in America are one of the smallest minorities and there isn't this whole "Muslims are taking over" BS that they have in Europe. That said, whether it is the West or America as Somalis lets ask ourselves this:

What choice do We really have assuming things become unbearable? Say our Somali Muslim Sisters start to be harassed, today Somali Women get raped and harassed in Somalia like there is no tomorrow So You're back to square one literally. Your house and belongings can get stolen in the West one day, but in Somalia it will happen right now. You might say "Oh, well at least its not for who I am" but then You're wrong again, because it IS because of who You are and what Qabil You are (Or are not). As of now there is nowhere better than the West as far as Somalis are concerned.

I can never understand Somalis who are quick to point out how unbearable Somalia is to live in. Well ~10 million Somalis live in Somalia just fine. Secondly, why are Somalis the only people who want to get things for free and eat a pie they have not contributed to making? The reason Somalia is crap is because there are not enough people willing to work hard, make sacrifices and build a better world for the next generation. Why do you think you live in the US? Because the previous generations of Americans have built and laid down a peaceful, prosperous and vibrant country for their descendants. That notion of self-sacrifice does not exist in Somalis. Oh we talk, well enough, about the corruption and poverty of 'back home' but in the end we go back to drinking our shaah and watching America's got Talent/Eastenders or whatever the fck people watch nowadays.

You don't have to go back to Somalia ever again, but please don't pretend it's because it's violent or corrupt. It's because most Somalis would rather hav something for free than work hard for it. Just ask the hundreds that are drowning in the mediterranean and Red sea or being tortured and raped by their muslim brothers in libya and yemen.

The world works on cost benefit analysis. Whether its individuals, families or what have You. If You want to go live in Somalia and try Your best to undo Colonization to a 5th world Country in Ethiopia while wrestling around with selfish illiterate 'elites' feasting on IDP's then I actually admire that and I'll commend You for trying to achieve a noble purpose. As far as I'm concerned again, I'll follow the law of the Universe and be interest driven because I'm selfish. Career wise, education wise, financial wise it makes the most sense for Me to be right Where I am in America and I'm sorry as far as quality of life I cannot compare life here, to what life there would be. Idealism should never trump reality.

[Itrah]

Dude if someone has a lucrative job lined up for you dee hadaba anaka cidna wax inoo ma hayso. Aren't you concerned if you fall ill what will become of you? That scares me. I would love to live there, but most likely won't except for a few months every year. I would move elsewhere for the remainder of the year inshaAllah. Won't be anytime soon though.

My parents do that right now. They live in Somalia for 6 months of the year and the rest in Europe.

They are retired and their pension is not fully exportable to Somalia, so they have to keep coming back temporarily. lol.

[Jugjugwacwac]

I think the answer to this question has a lot to do with where in Somalia someone is from. Xamar is a big city, with many of the luxuries of a big city but it's lacking in security and thus not a realistic option for most. The rest of the country, besides Hargaysa, are just glorified tuulos/towns. I know many people who have gone back home for good, and all of them happen to have been from Hargaysa. It has the big city lifestyle of Xamar, minus the dangers. Bosaaso is also a up and coming business oriented city, with a urban feel that can appeal to many from the West. I doubt Gaalkacyo, Garowe, Baidhabo, Kismaayo or Burco are places where most youth from the West would want to call home on a permanent basis.

The good thing is places like Hargaysa and Bosaaso are becoming increasingly cosmopolitan, so even if u dont have roots there (clan wise) u can still live there without fear. No one will ask you what clan you hail from or such nonsense.

[Itrah]

I think the answer to this question has a lot to do with where in Somalia someone is from. Xamar is a big city, with many of the luxuries of a big city but it's lacking in security and thus not a realistic option for most. The rest of the country, besides Hargaysa, are just glorified tuulos/towns. I know many people who have gone back home for good, and all of them happen to have been from Hargaysa. It has the big city lifestyle of Xamar, minus the dangers. Bosaaso is also a up and coming business oriented city, with a urban feel that can appeal to many from the West. I doubt Gaalkacyo, Garowe, Baidhabo, Kismaayo or Burco are places where most youth from the West would want to call home on a permanent basis.

The good thing is places like Hargaysa and Bosaaso are becoming increasingly cosmopolitan, so even if u dont have roots there (clan wise) u can still live there without fear. No one will ask you what clan you hail from or such nonsense.

Garoowe is ten times better than Bosaso. I lived in both cities. Despite being smaller, Garoowe is much safer, has a cooler climate, better city planning, and has less Oromos and Konfuriaans. I'd pick Garoowe over Bosaso any day.

[Jugjugwacwac]

Garoowe is ten times better than Bosaso. I lived in both cities. Despite being smaller, Garoowe is much safer, has a cooler climate, better city planning, and has less Oromos and Konfuriaans. I'd pick Garoowe over Bosaso any day.

The funny thing is, I'd pick Garowe over Bosaaso too, because I dont care for things like a night life and all that jazz. But I just have a feeling Garowe and places like that would be too small, too quiet and too boring for most youth from the diaspora.

[LiquidHYDROGEN]

In America depending on where You live, the Islamphobia isn't really that bad. For the most part, Muslims in America are one of the smallest minorities and there isn't this whole "Muslims are taking over" BS that they have in Europe. That said, whether it is the West or America as Somalis lets ask ourselves this:

What choice do We really have assuming things become unbearable? Say our Somali Muslim Sisters start to be harassed, today Somali Women get raped and harassed in Somalia like there is no tomorrow So You're back to square one literally. Your house and belongings can get stolen in the West one day, but in Somalia it will happen right now. You might say "Oh, well at least its not for who I am" but then You're wrong again, because it IS because of who You are and what Qabil You are (Or are not). As of now there is nowhere better than the West as far as Somalis are concerned.

I can never understand Somalis who are quick to point out how unbearable Somalia is to live in. Well ~10 million Somalis live in Somalia just fine. Secondly, why are Somalis the only people who want to get things for free and eat a pie they have not contributed to making? The reason Somalia is crap is because there are not enough people willing to work hard, make sacrifices and build a better world for the next generation. Why do you think you live in the US? Because the previous generations of Americans have built and laid down a peaceful, prosperous and vibrant country for their descendants. That notion of self-sacrifice does not exist in Somalis. Oh we talk, well enough, about the corruption and poverty of 'back home' but in the end we go back to drinking our shaah and watching America's got Talent/Eastenders or whatever the fck people watch nowadays.

You don't have to go back to Somalia ever again, but please don't pretend it's because it's violent or corrupt. It's because most Somalis would rather hav something for free than work hard for it. Just ask the hundreds that are drowning in the mediterranean and Red sea or being tortured and raped by their muslim brothers in libya and yemen.

The world works on cost benefit analysis. Whether its individuals, families or what have You. If You want to go live in Somalia and try Your best to undo Colonization to a 5th world Country in Ethiopia while wrestling around with selfish illiterate 'elites' feasting on IDP's then I actually admire that and I'll commend You for trying to achieve a noble purpose. As far as I'm concerned again, I'll follow the law of the Universe and be interest driven because I'm selfish. Career wise, education wise, financial wise it makes the most sense for Me to be right Where I am in America and I'm sorry as far as quality of life I cannot compare life here, to what life there would be. Idealism should never trump reality.

But it's ideals that influence reality. Liberty? Justice? Pursuit of Wealth? Ring a bell?

I am the kind of person to go and help undo all the ills of Somalia. I'm just that kind of person. I might fail, I might die or I might become burnt out and disillusioned but I at least tried and contributed. That's all that matters to me.

[Jugjugwacwac]

But it's ideals that influence reality. Liberty? Justice? Pursuit of Wealth? Ring a bell?

I am the kind of person to go and help undo all the ills of Somalia. I'm just that kind of person. I might fail, I might die or I might become burnt out and disillusioned but I at least tried and contributed. That's all that matters to me.

And this is what seperates great men from lesser men. Great men live for a purpose beyond themselves. They live to uphold lofty ideals, often to their own physical and financial detriment, and serve as beacons of hope and guidance for the common man. These are the men who make history. Lesser men live for material comforts and security because they are selfish and cowardly, and their legacies don't live beyond their eulogies.

[HorseedS]

Reason why Garowe has better city planing than Bosaso and Galkacyo is because it's smaller and just started being built. When I left Garowe in the early 2000 mesha waxba ma oolin you could walk from one side of the city to the other. But now Alhamdulilah Garowe is big, has beautiful city planing and everything you could ask for. Bosaso is nice only downside is the hot climate but it's a nice city overall. Business wise Bosaso meel ka fiican majirto.

[Cherine]

But it's ideals that influence reality. Liberty? Justice? Pursuit of Wealth? Ring a bell?

I am the kind of person to go and help undo all the ills of Somalia. I'm just that kind of person. I might fail, I might die or I might become burnt out and disillusioned but I at least tried and contributed. That's all that matters to me.

And this is what seperates great men from lesser men. Great men live for a purpose beyond themselves. They live to uphold lofty ideals, often to their own physical and financial detriment, and serve as beacons of hope and guidance for the common man. These are the men who make history. Lesser men live for material comforts and security because they are selfish and cowardly, and their legacies don't live beyond their eulogies.

LH

[Jaidi]

Is there a single example of a Somali killed for being Muslim in the entire diaspora? The kid in Kansas was killed by an unstable Somali guy.

[SummerRain]

While we are on this topic, I find it fitting to share:

http://www.hiiraan.com/op4/2015/mar/984 ... ehind.aspx
An increasing number of Somali diaspora men and women are returning to Somalia by choice leaving their families in the safety and security of Britain. In taking the formidable decision to serve Somalia and bid farewell to their loved ones on the premise of deferred gratification in the future is a growing trend with notable implications for the changing face of Somali diaspora families.

At a glance one finds it most difficult to fathom why anyone would want to be intentionally separated from their loved ones. However dig a little deeper the issues which present themselves appear more complex. As a start, spending a great deal of time with Somali diaspora community it is apparent the pervading sense of ‘Somali Nationalism’ which manifests itself in various forms. Coupled with strong moral obligatory feelings to contribute toward the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia and further encouragement from political and social figures beckoning diaspora to bring forth their skills and western education to aid development.

On the ground speaking with many diaspora it is clear Somalia is their ‘long term goal’ as described by Abdilkaliq Hussein a taxi driver from Birmingham. To be blunt “Somalia is our home, it’s where we belong” said FadumoJibril a first generation Somali mother. Interestingly I have observed strong perceptions by many diaspora that jobs are readily available in Somalia at the highest level. “They step off the plane and want to walk straight into the presidential palace” said Omar Yusuf who left England to pursue an advisory role in the Somali Government. He claims the realities faced on the ground in Somalia are far removed from chit-chat in the "Makayaad".

More than an inner yearning toward the motherland it seems the nature of work opportunities available for diaspora in Somalia are attractive to many, who can impart and utilise their skills to the best of their ability. Instead of “being forced to work in a job which is not your passion” said Osman Abdikarim a masters graduate. For many well-educated diaspora, fulfilling their ambitions in the UK is often out of reach due to the reality of institutional racism and having a lack of ‘cultural capital.’ For many it seems returning is their only option.

Is returning as feasible at it seems? I spoke to a Somali Government worker “Of course it’s a challenge but in my new role I am actively working toward a better future for my country and myself, more so than when I was working in lower level positions in the UK. In Somalia the opportunities for diaspora are far greater and on a different scale” said Abdullahi Yusuf. It appears certain job prospects in Somalia for diaspora bring a strong sense of prestige, satisfaction and fulfilment which they are far from feeling in the UK.

Many returnee’s families are settled and adjusted to life in the UK and as my small case study indicates parents wish to maintain their children the safety, security and education available to them. I spoke with some Somali mothers whose husbands had returned to Somalia to understand how they cope. The reaction was mixed as experiences differ, for some families the period of estrangement is only for the short term and a spouse may return after a certain period of time. However for others they simply did not know when they would see their husband again.

It seems the husbands wish to go to Somalia is justified on the grounds of better financial outcomes for all the family. “I’m happy he got a good job, it will benefit us in the long term, the kids got school so now we can’t go with him, but when we’re ready InshaAllah we will join him” Maryam Abukar told me.

For other mothers the pain of separation cuts deeper and is visible, “Its not easy when your family is suddenly torn apart, I think our men don’t consider the consequences of how big an adjustment it is for us wives and children” said Safia Jama. Another mother expressed her experience of anguish and feelings of isolation without her husband and the impacts this has upon her children’s wellbeing and education.

As well as the emotional impacts, there is the added strain of dealing with late salary, poor communication and security concerns. “My husband sends me our rent through Dahabshiil, his salary is often late which causes me anxiety, and there is the added anxiety of his safety which sometimes keeps me awake at night.”

In retrospect, although real challenges present themselves for diaspora returnees it seems the impacts are felt most by the women and children who bare the brunt of a husband’s decision to pursue his ambition. The women I spoke had to also support their husband out of financial necessity when they were unable to find employment or were struggling on low salaries in Somalia. With a stark increase in mainly diaspora men returning to live and work in Somalia, whether it is for the long or short term, it is vital they take responsibility into their own hands and carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of whether returning or staying in the UK is really beneficial to their families.