The session has just started. Please feel free to join us with your questions.
After the session has ended, you can view the whole dialogue by clicking Recent Sessions, or later on Archive.
For feedback and suggestions, please e-mail Youth 4 the Future at: youth_campaign@islamonline.net
Yours,
Islamonline Youth 4 the Future Desk
Name
Nora
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikom Br. Jamsheed. I would like to thank all members of the Islamic relief organization for their efforts to help needy people everywhere. I'd like to know what is the situation in Somalia now?
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thank you for your nice words.
The people in Somalia have had a rough time. Not only because they suffer from food shortages but they had the floods at the end of last year and now they have this conflict. This has left many people desperate and scared. Thousands left there homes as a result of these happenings. During the floods many homes were submerged in water.
At the present time there is a desperate need for food. There is also a need for temporary shelter as many people left their homes after the recent fighting - people are unsure of how the situation will develop - especially in the capital Mogadishu.
The situation is still a bit tense and there are still gun fights in Mogadishu. Security is still a concern. We have about 15 local staff in the country and they are trying their best to assess the situation and act accordingly.
Name
Mahbob
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Question
Salams. Would you tell us what kind of services do your organization provide for people in Somalia now? And do you face any obstacles there?
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thanks for your question.
We have been working in Mogadishu and the northern areas. We have rehabilitated a health centre and are in the process of constructing a second. We are also working to improve water provision. We have also signed a contract to build a secondary school in Ba'adweyn. During Ramadan we distributed food to 2,025 families in Puntland. We also did qurbani distribution 'the distribution of meat slaughtered for Eid Al-Adha'. We have also been doing emergency food distribution for those people who have been forced to leave their homes - theses are some of the things we are doing.
Name
Lamya
- Algeria
Profession
Question
Salamu alaikum. Please tell me how can I help? I live in France and I want to help those needy people there.
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thanks for your good intention.
First of all, as always the most important thing anybody can do is dua'a. Secondly Islamic Relief has an office in France and you can give them a donation if you are able to. If you are not able to donate you could possibly help to distribute fundraising leaflets. Help to raise general awareness of the situation in Somalia.
Name
Saly
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Hello, what is the extent of the damage done in the area of the floods?
Answer
Hello, and thanks for your question.
The floods did cause extensive damage. One member of our team who went out there came back and told us about villages where only the roofs of houses could be seen because they were submerged in water . The floods were a result of abnormally high rainfall in the area. During this time we did emergency food distribution. The floods affected thousands.
Name
Sondos
- United States
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaykom, thanks for your efforts and time. I am wondering about what do you plane to do with the orphans there? I think you have now hundreds of nowhere children… What will happen to them?
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thanks for your question.
Taking care of orphans is something that Islamic Relief takes very seriously. To date we sponsor over 18,000 orphans all over the world. We sponsor orphans in Somalia too. We are also planning an extension project in the Orphan Girl's Centre in Harfo. We wil try our best to take care of orphans - but we are one organization and Somalia needs the full attention and help of the world.
Name
Jihad
- Qatar
Profession
Question
Salam Br. Jamsheed. I want to ask you if there are any Islamic organizations helping in Somalia, as well as, Islamic Relief do?
Answer
Asslamo alaikum
As far as I know other Islamic organisations do work in Somalia. At the pesent time some of them may have suspensed some of their work due to the security situation - but I cannot say that for sure. I know other Islamic organisations are also working hard.
Name
Jannah
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Salams and thanks for your time today. What is the usual life conditions of people in Somalia? I think they've been living in disaster conditions for a long time. is that right?
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thanks for your question.
Poverty is rife in Somalia which is one of the poorest countries in the world. For the last fifteen years they have suffered from fighting within the country which has damaged much of the infrastructure. Added to this the country is in the Horn of Africa which has consistently suffered from famine. Then of course there was the floods last year. So in all you can see that their conditions are poor.
Name
hany
- Egypt
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikum, has there been a positive and strong response from people around the world - like there has been for other disasters?
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thanks for your question.
The response is pretty slow at the moment. A lot depends on how much media coverage a certain situation attracts. If it is on the front pages of newspapers and tops news bulletins then people are more likely to respond as they can see the situation on the TV screens. That's not to say that people have not donated because they have, but we still need more donations to help people there.
Name
Ayesha
- South Africa
Profession
Question
Salamu alaykum. In light of the floods and the conflict that happened in Somalia. How is the general population coping with all this? And what is the government doing to help?
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thanks for your question.
As you can imagine these are very difficult times for the Somalians. Most of them are relatively poor and they already suffer from food shortages. The floods caused extensive damage and then on top of all this we have the current crisis. People are coping as best they can. I do not know what the government is doing - as it has only just come into power and things are not clear at the moment.
Name
Mandarine
- Malaysia
Profession
Question
I have Somali neighbors and friends in my neighborhood and at work. When I talk to them about the war in Somalia they back down and start talking about anything else either than this topic. I really would like to help them, but I don't know how? And what's more important is that I don't want to hurt their feelings... so what can I do?!
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thanks for your question and nice feelings.
It's understandable that people may not want to talk about the war as it can be sensitive and personal. In all the situation of the average person living in Somalia is poor. The war is just one factor which is making things worse. Prior to the recent conflict there was already poverty in the country. You can talk to them about the situation of the average Somali in Somalia and they should be able to tell you, you do not have to mention the current fighting. If you wish to help Islamic Relief has an office in Malaysia whom you could call.
Name
X
-
Profession
Question
Why is that the provisional government in Somalia is taking the support of US (we Muslim know very well the policies of this country and intentions too) rather than calling on Muslim nations, Arab league, or OIC for resolving their issues with Islamic courts?.
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thanks for your question.
I'm afraid that I cannot and do not know the answer to that question. Islamic Relief is a humanitarian organization which does not involve itself in any political issues.
Name
X
-
Profession
Question
Does Somali people feel that the outside Muslim world is indifferent to them and their sufferings?.
Answer
Asslamo alaikum
That's a difficult question to answer. I think when they see aid reaching them they remember and know that there are people out there who care. However, their situation is desperate and their needs to be a bigger response from the whole world.
Name
Asa
-
Profession
Question
Salamo Alykom, and thank you brother for spending this time with us. I would like to ask, is it true that the Islamic Courts had a considerable contribution in lifting the hunger and suffering of the Somali people?
Answer
Asslamo alaikum, and thanks for your question.
Somalia is a poor country and whatever government is in power there will have to deal with this undoubting issue. During the brief rule of Islamic Courts it is acknowledged by all parties that the bitter in-fighting in Mogadishu had stopped and there was a period of peace.
