By Abdihakim Haji Saeed

With a great sense of loss we mourn the loss of Omar Jama Ismail..one that is tragic loss for all Somali Landers. Omar died at the hospital in Djibouti, I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Mujahid Omar Jama Ismail, and a man I considered both a friend and Visionary. I know how this must be difficult for the family and I want to sincerely give my condolence to his family and all Somali Landers.

Barrowing the unconquerable words of Jawaharlal Nehru: “The lights has gone out of our lives and there is darkness every where, our beloved leader is no more”. A great leader has fallen, but his legacy lives. Omar was a man of principle with courageous and truthful commitment, as one of the

Founders of SNM, Omar stood side by side with late president Mr Egal forging the formation of the Guurti(Somaliland Elders), he was know for his honesty and commitment in fighting for democracy in Somaliland. I remember hearing of the time Omar was a member of the first parliament, he was invited by the late president Mr Egal for a parliament lunch and chewing chat (fadhi ). Omar ate his lunch prior to the meeting, and brought his chat with him. The President, somewhat befuddled as to why Omar had his own chat, asked him, “why is it you brought your own chat when we have plenty here?” Omar contemplated the question posed to him by the president, and responded, “The chat here is the chat of the people  ... paid for and belonging to the people .I am unable to use public money to provide my chat”. As was Omar’s way, he could convey this sentiment with the utmost respect and poise, offending the president none, while illustrating his point with grace.

When I met with Omar for the first time in Hargeisa, I was left with the lasting impression of his determination and willingness to make difference the lives of Somali Landers. Aldous Huxley once said, “Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happiness to him”.

Omar’s experiences could have shaken most, but he remained resolute, giving and hopeful even under the most uncertain circumstances. I am reminded of the courage’s decision displayed by Omar when he volunteered to give up his seat to his friend and chairman of the Guurti Sheikh Ibrahim Sheikh Madar who was enduring pressure and mortification at the hands of those in power, Omar volunteer his own seat to a friend, in an effort towards long- term reform. Most men would have assumed their own right to remain seated, through silence and inaction, to the detriment of the greater good.

Finally, Omar revives in me loyalty to principles rooted in peace, change and justice. When Omar’s friend Eng Mohamed Hashi Elmi took the paradigm- breaking position of running against   

An incumbent president (Egal) based on a campaign of change and hope, to root out the corruption and form a government base on merit, Omar was the lone voice of support. Incidentally, Omar was also one of the very few actual votes of support. Despite the very real threat of retaliation against him for his position of supporting Eng Mohamed Hashi elmi , he was guided by a larger, unshakable truth; one that employs diplomacy , equality and liberty as the intractable foundation upon which future leaders will build.

This is the Omar we honor today...a man not seduced or intimidated by the fleeting benefits of worldly incentives, but a man deeply behold to the ideas of a fair and hopeful tomorrow. I am honored to have the opportunity to reflect upon the life, work, wisdom and heart of Mujahid Omar Jama Ismail. May allah Grand him Jannah.

By Abdihakim Haji Saeed

asaeed@aeonhomes.org