Xamaals sometimes use cardboard to block the peripheral vision of donkeys to prevent them from getting distracted by cars and people on the busy downtown streets.
During a flood a few years, a bridge in Hargeisa was destroyed. A new bridge was built in a matter of months by the new democratically elected government of Somaliland. It is a source of pride for the citizens of Hargeisa as it was built by Somali engineers without any external funding.
On the bottom of these hills, SNM (Somali National Movement) soldiers were killed by the Siad Barre regime.
Nice cool pics
ReplyDeletewoww... the pictures are lovely!
ReplyDeleteI was looking at the picture of you and the donkey and the contrast between your face and that of the owner of the donkey. Inaa lilaahi wa inaa ileyhi raajicuun. You know our faces tell a tale of what kind of life we have led. In your face, you can see that you led a life of decency and few hardship if any. You look at his face you see a face that went through lifes trials and tribulations, life of utter despair and difficulties. I am so glad that you mom gave him a dollar because thats how much he would've had made that whole day.
ReplyDeleteBtw, ive been to Somaliland twice over the past 9 years. My last time there was back in 05. Seeing the poverty makes you re-evaluate your perspective in life. You ask youself, "why has god made this person unfortune and me so fortunate, arent we both his creation"..Then I found out that the more you given in this life the more you will be accountable for in the hereafter..But alhamdulilaah, I have made people happy when I was there. I enjoyed giving unexpected money to the downtown beggers. I have stopped by a hut near my neighborhood bc these kids were staring at me carrying a watermellon from downtown in midafternoon, I stopped and slaughtered that watermellon to give them some portion. I am not revealing my act of kindness(it is forbidden to showoff about it in Islam) but I just want to give you more ideas to be kind and make someone's day over there. And I realize that your contribution now is absolutely important and is an act of kindness. Remember that teaching knowledge is a big deed in Islam and it is credit towards your aakhira. Big up to you sister.
You're absolutely right, Hajj, there is an immense difference in the lives we've lived; a contrast that is reflected from our faces. I'm glad you enjoyed your trip back home; I found it to be a truly eye-opening experience as well (for example, I've never seen kids begging for money). In the end, it made me feel truly grateful for my life. Thank you for your very kind comment and suggestions.
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