We were saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Abdishakur Ali Jowhar this week. His death not only shocked Somali people around the world but struck a deep cord with the mental health community in Owen Sound, Canada where he was loved and admired by many of his colleagues and patients. Dr. Jowhar, Chief of Psychiatry at Grey Bruce Health Services, was killed Sunday in a car crash in his native Somaliland. He was a tireless advocate for mental health, particularly given the estimates by the World Health Organization that 1 in 3 Somalis suffers some form of mental illness. Read the Somaliland Sun’s coverage of Dr. Jowhar’s unfortunate tragedy here and take solace in the poetic words of tribute by Idanka here. 

We were saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Abdishakur Ali Jowhar this week. His death not only shocked Somali people around the world but struck a deep cord with the mental health community in Owen Sound, Canada where he was loved and admired by many of his colleagues and patients. Dr. Jowhar, Chief of Psychiatry at Grey Bruce Health Services, was killed Sunday in a car crash in his native Somaliland. He was a tireless advocate for mental health, particularly given the estimates by the World Health Organization that 1 in 3 Somalis suffers some form of mental illness. Read the Somaliland Sun’s coverage of Dr. Jowhar’s unfortunate tragedy here and take solace in the poetic words of tribute by Idanka here. 

Meet Ilwad Ellman, one of the speakers at TEDXMogadishu today.  Ilwad runs the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center in Mogadishu with her mom, Fartun whom we’ve featured before. Her father was an ardent peace activist in the 1990s, spreading the mantra “Put down the gun, pick up the pen” around Somalia, but was assassinated in 1996.  lwad  returned to Mogadishu three years ago while the conflict still raged on in the city. She works closely with victims of rape and sexual assault, as well as rehabilitating child soldiers by teaching them vocational skills. Visit TEDxMogadishu here to see a list of other speakers.

Meet Ilwad Ellman, one of the speakers at TEDXMogadishu today.  Ilwad runs the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center in Mogadishu with her mom, Fartun whom we’ve featured before. Her father was an ardent peace activist in the 1990s, spreading the mantra “Put down the gun, pick up the pen” around Somalia, but was assassinated in 1996.  lwad  returned to Mogadishu three years ago while the conflict still raged on in the city. She works closely with victims of rape and sexual assault, as well as rehabilitating child soldiers by teaching them vocational skills. Visit TEDxMogadishu here to see a list of other speakers.

Are you a fan of TEDx Conferences? Watched the countless inspiring, emotional, enduring and educational videos? You’ll be glad to know that TEDx has extended itself to Somalia with TEDxMogadishu whose theme is Rebirth! The Conference is based on the notion that sustained peace is on the horizon with the Somali diaspora returning home and starting businesses and international investors exploring vast opportunities. TEDxMogadishu celebrates the power of ideas to positively change the world by bringing together like-minded people who believe in this mission. If you’re not in Mogadishu today, then visit the TEDxMogadishu website here where you’ll see live Somali speakers sparking deep discussion and connection. This is yet another sign that there is rebirth in Somalia!

Are you a fan of TEDx Conferences? Watched the countless inspiring, emotional, enduring and educational videos? You’ll be glad to know that TEDx has extended itself to Somalia with TEDxMogadishu whose theme is Rebirth! The Conference is based on the notion that sustained peace is on the horizon with the Somali diaspora returning home and starting businesses and international investors exploring vast opportunities. TEDxMogadishu celebrates the power of ideas to positively change the world by bringing together like-minded people who believe in this mission. If you’re not in Mogadishu today, then visit the TEDxMogadishu website here where you’ll see live Somali speakers sparking deep discussion and connection. This is yet another sign that there is rebirth in Somalia!

This Friday 18 May, celebrations will be conducted in various cities around the world to mark the 21st Independence Day celebration of Somaliland. The day is an annual celebration held on May 18 to mark the polity’s declaration of independence from the rest of Somalia. While we may argue about the merits and politics of independence, the day is mainly a jubilation of Somali people to celebrate how they’ve come and how far they have to go in terms of rebuilding their country. The celebration will kick off at the National Palace in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, with shops closing down for the day. Visit the following Facebook page to keep track of celebration around the world and watch last year’s celebration in pictures from the BBC. 

This Friday 18 May, celebrations will be conducted in various cities around the world to mark the 21st Independence Day celebration of Somaliland. The day is an annual celebration held on May 18 to mark the polity’s declaration of independence from the rest of Somalia. While we may argue about the merits and politics of independence, the day is mainly a jubilation of Somali people to celebrate how they’ve come and how far they have to go in terms of rebuilding their country. The celebration will kick off at the National Palace in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, with shops closing down for the day. Visit the following Facebook page to keep track of celebration around the world and watch last year’s celebration in pictures from the BBC. 

The Somali Athletics Federation will select one female runner from a field of 10 to compete in the 400-metres at this year’s London Olympics. The youngest of those currently training in Mogadishu is Najma, 10.  Najma and Leila, 15, meet every Saturday to race around the 400m track at Konis Stadium in downtown Mogadishu.  The head of the Somali Women’s Federation, Asha Omar, is another determined character. She was responsible for organizing Women’s Day celebrations in Mogadishu this year. Omar returned to Somalia two years ago after 21 years in Sweden. “We are the peace-lords, we’re working hard,” she said. “It’s the men who left their work - they’re just fighting between themselves. Everyone wants to be a president. I tell them, be a president in your own home.” Read more. 

The Somali Athletics Federation will select one female runner from a field of 10 to compete in the 400-metres at this year’s London Olympics. The youngest of those currently training in Mogadishu is Najma, 10.  Najma and Leila, 15, meet every Saturday to race around the 400m track at Konis Stadium in downtown Mogadishu.  The head of the Somali Women’s Federation, Asha Omar, is another determined character. She was responsible for organizing Women’s Day celebrations in Mogadishu this year. Omar returned to Somalia two years ago after 21 years in Sweden. “We are the peace-lords, we’re working hard,” she said. “It’s the men who left their work - they’re just fighting between themselves. Everyone wants to be a president. I tell them, be a president in your own home.” Read more. 

Last week, Toronto Star featured the efforts of Safia Nur Ahmend, a Somali nurse from Toronto on her first day volunteering at a pediatric hospital in Mogadishu. Safia  graduated from Laurentian University and worked with Ontario’s Healthy Families program where she was assisting new and at-risk mothers. Her vow of returning home one day was recently fulfilled as a volunteer with the U.S. non-governmental organization, American Refugee Committee. Read more. 

Last week, Toronto Star featured the efforts of Safia Nur Ahmend, a Somali nurse from Toronto on her first day volunteering at a pediatric hospital in Mogadishu. Safia  graduated from Laurentian University and worked with Ontario’s Healthy Families program where she was assisting new and at-risk mothers. Her vow of returning home one day was recently fulfilled as a volunteer with the U.S. non-governmental organization, American Refugee Committee. Read more.