By Saeed Furaa

SNM is a monument reflecting the triumph of the human spirit against the forces of evil. A triumph of keeping Somaliland future generations at peace with one another over chauvinism and intolerance. A triumph of a new Somaliland over the untold misery of the past.

“It is every Somalilander’s responsibility to ensure that the young minds of our nation are developed to their full potential in a productive and nurturing environment by teaching them about the past, esp. the liberty struggle of SNM” Saeed Furaa
The opening lines of major constitutions of the world start with the preamble and what is usually contained therein is a statement reflecting upon the past and visualizing the future. This statement is a covenant that unites people at all levels and it is a frame work of which governments and states are going to be built.

History is part and parcel of who we’re. The Somali National Movement (SNM) had a history which seems to be fading away slowly in the corridors of public discourse in Somaliland and is a matter of concern for those inside and outside of Somaliland. History is something that defines us as a nation, it gives us a sense or place in the community of nations, it tells the people about who we are. The history of the Somali National Movement is an important aspect which has a place in the teaching of our history.

South African constitution is a piece which touched my heart in as far as history is concerned. People celebrate different days during the year which reminds them of certain events that have occurred to and about their people. This is done not within an academic context but in the public corridors of ideas. E.g. School children are taken to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years to teach them the harsh realities of the apartheid, days like 16th June (youth day) are greatly commemorated in South Africa annually to remember the Sharpville Massacre etc etc, these and more about the past apartheid are in the syllabus of the South Africans.

Deleting a history of a movement such as that the Somali National Movement is an assault on humanity and we cannot afford to be selective when it comes to that.

Schools across the world teach their history and they don’t do that selectively like what is happening here now. In Germany they still teach the holocaust despite the harsh inhumanity of the event itself. One could wonder how was it not deleted because it’s seen as atrocious human history. The importance is in teaching so it could not be repeated.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident”

This an extract from the US constitution and this applied in our circumstances it is that the truth we hold is we have a truthful history which is that the Somali National Movement which has played a part in the history that has defined us as a nation and we have to participate in the making and development of it by teaching it in schools without prejudice and fear. I propose that in the light of the above facts and perhaps not very much explained that we must teach the history relating to this party (SOMALI NATIONAL MOVEMENT). LONG LIVE SNM LONG LIVE SOMALILAND.

Learning from the Past.

“Thomas Jefferson wrote that schooling in America should be “chiefly historical.” He said, “The people are the ultimate guardians of their own liberty. History, by apprising them of the past, will enable them to judge of the future. It will avail them of the experience of other times and other nations; it will qualify them as judges of the actions and designs of men.” A century later Woodrow Wilson agreed that history endows us with “the invaluable mental power, which we call judgment.”

That’s my humble proposition…

Saeed Furaa,
University student & a freelance Journalist,
South Africa
E-mail: somalilandjournalist@yahoo.com

First Somalilander to tour Robben Island http://www.awdalnews.com/wmview.php?ArtID=6642