Lifestyle

Reviving Somali music industry

After 20 years of uncertainty in Somalia, the re-birth of the country’s capital city, Mogadishu, is now   being watched.

The city’s major roads are open to the motorists; the shrubs are trimmed and waste is being deposed away. The Transitional Federal Government led by Sheikh Sharif Shiekh Ahmed is also busy scrubbing off cobwebs in various public institutions. Barely two weeks ago the government announced that people should voluntarily relocate themselves from all public land on which  they are living as the time to refurbish them is approaching for the one- and only civil services.  Almost all corners of Mogadishu are under the banner of peace and order as African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) earlier said that more than ninety-five per cent of the city ‘s control was seized from the hand of Al-shabab insurgent fighters.   But low degree of hit and run nocturnal attacks is against security personnel. It is also important to note that the incident tempo by the tribal-based militias posing as the government security officers is retreating. It is this situation that triggered many societal activities in the country to stop hibernating. President sharif and loads of his government officials including minister for information Abdikadir Mahamed Husein Jahweyn, dozens of security officials, more than 140 musicians, lawmakers, civil society organization heads attended a full-size forum to lay a milestone for the revival of the country’s music industry in Mogadishu. Sharif described the Sunday’s symposium as a historic breakthrough to revive the role of Somali musicians.

“It always remains clear that you (musicians) have a fundamental role towards the reconstruction of the nation”, said president Sharif while encouraging musicians to apply their musical talent to bring in the doctrine of peace restoration.  He appealed for a special day to mark music industry and its role in the society.

“I would like you to agree with me a day like today (5th February) to be a special one to celebrate music

and its role in our society”, he requested while promising his administration will Incubate the industry at an utmost level.  This comes a few months after Somali National Theater in Mogadishu has been nurtured.

Image:Somali singer Aar Maanta performs with his band at Pier Scheveningen Strandweg, Den Haag Netherlands. Photo taken from wiki images

BY Abdirashd Abdi Diis