Islamist insurgent group Hizbul-Islam may have banned music in parts of Somalia but artists say they won’t heed the call.

“All I know is music, it’s my profession. It’s my life. I can’t do any other work.”

Those are the words of a Somali musician currently based in Nairobi Kenya. Mohamud Goh Qarbosh, a veteran Somali musician says the decision by Hizbul-Islam to ban music in Somalia is unrealistic.

Tapping his feet against the concrete floor of his living room that doubles up as a rehearsal theatre, Qarbosh is already practicing for his next performance in Nairobi. Back home in Mogadishu this might not have been possible.

“Killing our culture”

“Banning the Somali music is to kill part of our culture. The owners of the radio stations in Mogadishu must play music or switch off the transmitters. That is the best option because to stop the music means to say no Somalis,” Qarbosh aged 53 told Radio Netherlands Worldwide.

He is among more than 20 musicians who fled the lawless Somalia to find a safe place in Kenya.

“We are playing a great role in the peace process. We musicians pass the message of peace through our songs like we talk about farming and fishing. We create awareness about diseases and conditions like HIV/AIDS. So is that bad according to the Islamic religion? I don’t think so.”

Qarbosh is adamant that the insurgent group is fighting a losing battle.

“Musicians are the key pillars to stability in Somalia today if their advice is followed by Hizbul-Islam and insurgent groups. Music unites even the worst of enemies and makes the world population united. Without music Somali will continue to butcher each other.”

Music for happiness

Khadija Fodey Nur is one of the most popular and most loved mothers of Somali music. She came to the limelight in the 1970’s and now lives in Kenya. She is still working as a musician and composer.

Nur describes the actions by Hizbul-Islam as destroying the roots of the community.

“Listening to music is the only way to be happy in Somalia. War and bloodshed are everywhere in Mogadishu so people listen to music to feel happy and to stop worrying”.

Nur believes Islamist banned the music after singers blended their peace campaigns with messages to Hizbul-Islam and al-Shabaab questioning the ideologies of the Islamist group.

“To Deny Somalis music is to deny us our voice but we will still work hard to produce more albums,” Khadija Fodey laments.

Sagal Ahmed Muse, a 25-year-old singer, is one of the up and coming artists in the entertainment industry. She is not worried about the decision to ban music.
“These actions cannot stop us from singing. They would have to close down all social media and the internet because most of my fans listen to my music through you tube and other sites,” says Sagal flanking her long hair.

“Music kills nothing”

The ban on music has not dampened the spirits of most Somali artists. Somali musicians living in Kenya have formed a body named HADAF arts and awareness Club, to promote music and peace advocacy. Khadija Isse is the chairlady.

“You stopped the music but still people are dying of famine and fire. The music kills nothing; it is only passion. Before stopping the music please stop the killings.”

According to Hizbul-Islam spokesman Mohamed Osman Arus, who spoke to Radio Netherlands Worldwide on phone from Mogadishu, the group doesn’t condemn all musicians but is against those who use instruments to create rhythm.

“We are not against arts but we don’t want those Somali musicians with western cultures. We are Muslims and we must follow the rules of the religion. Poetry is ok but music with beats and drums is out of the question. We are happy the residents of Mogadishu and the environs have complied to it.” says Mohamed.
Back in Nairobi, the Somali singers living in Kenya can’t do without the drums and want to keep the music scene alive but will Hizbul-Islam soften its stance?

By Kassim Mohamed

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Source:-www.rnw.nl

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