Reflections On The October 14th Terror Attack

-
©Image ANSA
The attack on October 14th, 2017 in Mogadishu, Somalia forever changed the lives of countless numbers of families.
A day forever etched in to the minds of Somalis and forever changing the way we view terror attacks and how we should be prepared to react to them.

Through the chaos and panic that ensued what stood out to me the most as the way that Somalis from all over the country banded together to do whatever they could in order to help there fellow brothers and sisters.
©Radiomuqdisho
From students, to government officials, to the armed forces, everyone came out in full effect in order to lend a helping hand.

Many things were learned on that day but I believe that the greatest thing we learned is that we are greater as a nation when we are united as one then we can ever be divided.

It is quite clear that before the October 14th attack that Somalia didn't quite have any emergency action measures in place for an attack of such a scale. However even with the lack thereof of emergency services regular everyday people took whatever role they had to in order to be apart of the process to piece things back together.

Amazingly we got the chance to see what who the real everyday heroes of the country are. For example the ambulance service Aamin Ambulance a volunteer ambulance service swept into action carrying as many victims of the attack as they could to be treated.
It became clear to me that in Somalia while many basic emergency services are not present there are everyday heroes who fill the gaps and do whatever they can to minimize the burden to the everyday citizen, and I believe that it is groups like this that are a shining light in times of darkness.

Another thing that became clear after the October 14th attack was that Somalia has a huge force of youth who are willing and ready to serve their country to help move it forward.

Following the attack the youth came out in great numbers to help take part in the clean up and restoration of the attack site. I myself got the chance to take part in the clean up process. While it was heartbreaking to see the carnage and destruction at the attack site one thing that was truly uplifting to see was how much the youth of Somalia truly care about their country.

High school students, and university students banded together and worked hand in hand with the armed forces to do whatever they possibly could to heal the wounds of the nation.

Somalia has a bright future ahead knowing that the young population is so willing and ready to work together to move the country forward.

In conclusion the attack on October 14th affected almost every single person in Somalia, and even families abroad. It was a devastating day in the history of Somalia, but I also hope that it is a turning point and a wake up call for all Somalis to unite and realize that we have more in common with one another then we can imagine.
October 14th was a day that will be remembered for great loss but also for how each and every Somali did anything and everything they could to ease the pain of their fellow citizen and I hope that moving forward we can learn from that moment in time and use it as a reminder that united we will stand, but divided we will fall.

By: Mohamud Adan Mumin
Email: Haashi252@gmail.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shumicii Kismaayo Ee Shanta Soomaaliyeed Q.2aad.

-
Image
Dabshidka Bugaagta Kismaayo (Kismayo Book Fair). Waa goor hore salaadda subax inta aan la gaarin ayaan kasoo toosay huradada, maxaa yeelay waxaan aad iyo aad ugu xiisa qabaa in aan arko guud ahaan bulshada Kismaayo iyo qaabka ay magaaladda u egtahay, maadama aanan waligey iman safarkaan ka hor, kolkii aan tukannay saaladda waxaad moodaa in waqtiga uu noo hiillinayo, waxaan usoo baxay banaanka si aan u quraacdo. waa aroor hore jawigu aad u daganyahay, saxansaxada udgoonkeeda iyo qoyaanka dhadadii xalay oo dhibicdeedu ay dhirta ka muuqato, waxaa la ii keenay caano geel saafi ah iyo suqaar laga diyaariyay isla hilibka geela, marka aad intaas nabadda ku hesho show waa jaannadii adduunka Yaa Salaam!.  isdiyaarin ka dib waxaa illinka Hotelka noo soo istaagay gaarigii noo ka xayn lahaa xarunta lagu qabanayo Dabshidka Bugaagta ee Kismaayo( Kismayo Book Fair ) oo haatan seddex jirsaday. Waxaan si daggan u raacnay gaarigii uu ka xaynayay Suheyb Xassan Maxamaed , wuxuu bilaabay in ...
Read more

Dear Diary

-
Image
 As usual today I woke up around 5 am to start my day off early and ensure it is as productive as possible. After some short exercises and stretches I eat my breakfast and help get my kids ready for school. Once they are ready and on their way to school I make the drive down to my office and prepare for my usual morning meetings with my team.  We have morning briefings three days a week in order to ensure that we are all on the same page and working towards goals effectively. As an MP and head of an NGO which provides basic service to the most marginalized sections of society my day to day tasks are anything but easy, however it's the feeling of knowing I am making a positive change for others that keeps me driven to work hard each day.  After the routine morning briefings I am off to the parliament for regular sessions, on my way there I read through a new law, which is being tabled and make calls to see what other lawmakers think about the law and if the par...
Read more

The Real Friend Motivates You Every Situation In Your Life

-
Image
     It feels like it has been ages since I last wrote you. How are things going with you? I hope all is well with your family. I just thought I would write to you and let you know about a friend of mine. In 2015 when I began attending Somali National University I met many new people in my year and made some great connections, however one stood out to me from the others and we have been great friends ever since. I met  Mohamed Salaad Ahmed  on the first day I started classes and we realized we had a lot in common.             Mohamed is about the same height as me, has broad shoulders, and is quite an outspoken student just like me. We both always believed that as students we have a role to play in working towards helping in the education reform process in Somalia. We would spend hours drinking tea and discussing different ideas between one another of ways we felt we could play a part in help...
Read more