I felt like the UIC and in particular Sh. Shariif disproved my opinions and perceptions of Somalis. To be honest I didnÂ’t think Somalis had any good in them and the few good people were too inactive to ever make a difference. He made me change my mind and I started to see Somalis in a better light.
I think the UIC and its leaders helped to reawaken the peopleÂ’s sense of pride, nationalism and hope. They managed to unite people and for once the people started seeing other Somalis as their brothers and sisters in Islam instead of their rival clansÂ…..instead of remembering their dead relatives or their humiliating experience at checkpoint or even their hardship inside SomaliaÂ….they united to clean the streets, to help the poor, to fund education, to illuminate discrimination, to fight for justice, to disarm and work for peaceÂ…..they searched for the good in others and trusted in Islam and their Muslim leaders.
For as long as I live and consider myself a Somali, my leaders will be the leaders of the UIC. Leaders are chosen, heroes are born and no matter how what they do, the heroes of SomaliaÂ….will always have the support patriotic Somalis.