A jihad against Somali music in the land of freedom

It seems as if these Mullahs are telling us that these cultural giants have died in vain and that they were obliged to warn those still alive against falling into the fires of hell. They insinuate that if you do not live the way they tell you to, you are doomed in the afterworld. But they also know that long after they are gone from this world, the names of the singers and artists will still be remembered and celebrated. They are deadly sure that Somali people will be enchanted by the music and words of our playwrights, singers and musicians for generations to come. They know that the names of such giants as Ali Sugule, Hussein Aw Farah, Xasan Sh. Muumin, Maxamuud Cabdillaahi Sangub, Xasan Ganay, Saxardiid Maxamed Cilmi (Jabiye), Xasan Cilmi, Cabdillahi Qarshi, Cumar Dhuule, Magool, Maandeeq, Dalays, Baxsan, Maryan Mursal, Farxiya Cali, Maxamad Suleyman, Axmad Cali Cigaal, Sahra Axmad, Amina Feer, Saado Cali, Amina Cabdillaahi, Fadumo Qasim, Khadiija Qalanjo, Khadra Dahir, Ahmed Naji, Nimco Jaamac, Cabdinuur Allaale, Maxamed Mooge, Xasan Adan Samatar and many others will ring precious memories for the Somali people. And people who are remembered with cherished memories by their fellow human beings will definitely be handsomely rewarded in the hereafter.

I think the Muslim world has more than its share of ugliness if the Mullahs want to put their efforts into good use. I have never seen them condemning the barbarity committed in the name of Islam by terrorist groups like Daesh, Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Al Qaeda and their ilk. But on the contrary, they seem to be in cahoots with them by carrying out such cultural cleansing campaigns.

It might help to remind these Mullahs that a number of eminent Egyptian Islamic scholars had enjoyed the songs and music of Umm Kalthoum, the most celebrated Arab woman singer at all time. These clerics included Sheikh Mohamed Al Ghazali, Sheikh Ali Tantawi, and Sheikh Mustapha Abdirazik who sheltered her and protected her from the onslaught of ignorant clerics. There are also famous Quranic reciters such as Sheikh Mohammad Sdeq Al Menshawy who described her voice as having: “soft power and the sweetness of music”, Sheikh Abd AlBasit Abd AlSamad who used to call her “the star of the east and the west”, and others.

This is how the enlightened scholars value the singing and music as a God-given talent that has to be nurtured, enjoyed and admired. But it seems that the Somali Mullahs are trapped in a time capsule of their own to the extent that they never heard the words of the great theologian and eminent Sufi, Al Rumi, who said: “There are many ways to reach God; I have chosen dance and music as my path.” And this is exactly what Professor Ahmed Ismail Samatar, an eminent scholar who I call the Singing Professor, demonstrates every time he lectures in a Somali public forum. Knowing the sublimity and power of music, he never misses the opportunity to perform a song or two and never without the presence of the Oud (lute) at the end of the gathering. Just like Rumi, Professor Samatar must have realized that the beauty of music is the best way to be closer to the heavens. And why not did Allah not give Prophet Dawood the beauty of singing and music as his miracle and did He not command the mountains and birds to sing with him. And was it not the Prophet of Islam who after being delighted by Abu Musa Al  Ashari’s recitation of the Quran said about him: “…You are in fact endowed with a sweet voice like that of (the Noble Prophet of Allah) Dawood (David)(a.s.) himself.”

Music is one of the first things that babies learn through the mother’s lullabies. It is also how nature communicates with us. You cannot miss to hear music wherever you turn. The sound of rain, of waterfalls and waves, the singing of birds, the howl of wind, the rustle of leaves, and the rhythmic movements of the planets, are all parts of the universe’s gigantic musical orchestra. No wonder Imam Al Ghazali said: “Whoever says that all music is prohibited let him also claim that the songs of birds are prohibited.”

Music is also used for a therpeuaitc purposes and academic degrees are offered in music therapy. I would love to see if any of these Mullahs could refuse such treatment if their life depended on it.

But despite this concerted onslaught on music, it is heartwarming to see the herculean efforts carried out by some individuals like Dr. Jama Musa Jama and Ayan Ashour for their distinguished service to Somali music through many initiatives such as London Somali Cultural Week, and Hargeysa Cultural Center. The recently opened Hiddo Dhow Center in Hargeisa pioneered by the famous singer Sahra Halgan is another shinning initiative that warms the heart of Somali culture and music lovers. One cannot but also praise the dedication of some of our iconic cultural custodians such as Said Salah Ahmed, Boobe Yusuf Du’ale, Ahmed Farah Cali (Idaajaa), Dr. Mohamed Dahir Afrah, Saeed Jama Hussein and others who are veteran warriors for the preservation and handing over Somali culture and music to future generations.

Definitely, we should also applaud all the public and private Somali television stations and websites that constantly celebrate and delight us with Somali music despite the pressure exerted on them by the Wahhabi Mullahs. I must give special salute to Caasha-Luul’s program “Erayga Abwaanka iyo Odhaahda Fanaanka” on Somaliland National Television and Nicmo Samriye’s “Tartanka iyo Fanaaniinta” of Horn Cable TV which reminds us of the successful 1970s “Heesaha Hirgalay” held at the National Theatre that produced a number of today’s famous singers such Hassan Adan Samatar. These two courageous women are doing commendable service for the Somali music and culture. History will also not forget the enormous attention and resources given by the Djibouti Government and the government of the Somali Region of Ethiopia in filling the void vacated by the Somali government in promoting and spreading Somali music, poetry, and folklore.

It is a matter of great regret, however, that Somali businesses which are mostly dominated by religious people do not extend any support to music and cultural activities. I know some Somali television stations owned by such businesses which have succumbed to the blackmailing of the religious establishment and made it a policy not to play music. I am not sure how they would avoid playing the Somali National Anthem when covering national events.

Finally,  I cannot find better words to conclude this piece than to echo the words of Imam Al Ghazali, a man known as Mujadid, reviver of Islamic scholarship, and the author of some of  Islam’s canonical books such as the Ihya' Ulum al-Din or Ihya'u Ulumiddin (The Revival of Religious Sciences). Commenting on music, he said:

(من لم يهزه الربيع وأزهاره والعود وأوتاره فاسد المزاج ليس له علاج)“He who is not moved by the spring and its flowers; the Lute (Oud) and its tunes, has a sick mood that cannot be cured." And now let me leave you with Raaxeeye and the legendary voice of Maxamad Axmad Kuluc and let the Mullahs plug their ears: (Raaxeeye)