There is no doubt that the life of each and every Somali has changed forever for better or worse on January 26, 1991, the day the central Government of Somalia was overthrown.  Though I was convinced the mass uprising that forced the collapse of the regime will only lead us to a regime change and any new leadership that emerges will protect the citizens and steer the country into peace and progress but it turned out that I was wrong.

Not only was I so optimistic about the future but I was adamant in my refusal to leave the city (Mogadishu) until one of my brothers confronted me with the reality on the ground. He told me “don’t be gullible this is civil war, clan against clan, a genocide”. On the fourth day of the war, I drove through the main road (Maka-Al-Mukarama) to the Ministry of planning and foreign service and witnessed thugs ransacking the government offices; the streets were littered with papers and archived materials, you can’t even see anything.

On the fifth day, after I fled my house in Wardhiigley, I became one of the so called “internally displaced” and on my way to Medina, I spent two harrowing nights at my sister’s house. On the seventh day, I ran out of food, water and all other necessities and began to move around – went to one of the elite military garrisons and found it emptied and abandoned. That day and many days after, Mogadishu was devastated and war was raging everywhere. I decided to leave the city for a safer place -- this was the beginning of a long journey. In search of sanctuary and better living, I moved from Kenya to Europe and eventually to North America (from one city to another). To recount the story of what had happened along the way, it will take as much as the Arabian nights.

Mixed Feeling

Nearly two decades later, Somalia remains a killing field and in a constant crises and suffering with no viable government and prospect. I have no word to express the damage inflicted on many families, especially women and children, the displacement, destruction, loss of our culture and religion and the loss of two generations and much worse (there is no hope in sight).

The only option left for the Somali Diaspora is to improve their lives in their new adopted countries, to provide their children education, good guidance and stable communities. One day, my youngest daughter (ten years old) was eager to know why Somalis continue fighting and I suggested to her, when she is old enough that she should help build hospitals and schools for her fellow citizens and later on demand from all Somalis to stop the war. The idea that young generations are willing and well equipped to resolve current conflicts is a wishful thinking, particularly those who grow up outside the country, who don’t have an understanding of the culture and lost all important heritages and acquired foreign values and who identify themselves with whatever foreign culture they grow up with.

What should I do with my life?

While Somali issues still have a paramount interest in my life; but I realize that I have also some responsibility towards my new adopted land; I have to be a productive citizen and be able to look after the well being of my family. As citizen of United States, currently residing in Ashburn Virginia, a village 30 miles west of Washington, DC; I’m grateful to this country for having provided me an ample opportunity for good career, decent living, safe environment  and ability to send  two of my children to college.

Over the last few years, my family and I were actively involved in the Adams Islamic center, a community that serves more than five thousand families in our area. I occasionally serve as member of neighborhood association committee and parent groups involved in local schools. I also intend to volunteer this coming Election Day to be a poll worker.

On every Saturday evening, I spend three hours chatting with a group of Somali friends from Virginia at Falls Church Starbucks – this is our favorite meeting point, a home away from home. We brief each other of news events from home and analyze Somali politics and share sweet old memories.

For my beloved country of Somalia, I will do all I can and hope for the best.

Abdisalam M Garjex
Ashburn – Virginia (USA)
E-Mail: amabdulle@hotmail.com

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