For my last article at kih, I thought it  fitting to write about Somalia, as its Independence Day was this past week, (though the validity of an Independence Day for any country is debatable).

July 1st was Somali independence Day. The country has been free from physical imperial occupation for 50 years. However, it's been mired in war and opposing international interests since.

The state of Somalia is unique in Africa. The population is the most homogeneous on the continent. It shares the same religion (the same madhab, even), the same language, and the same basic features. With the exceptions of Ogaden and Djibouti, the large part of the Somali population is actual within the borders, thereby making Somalia the only true nation state in Africa.

Despite that fact, Somalia is still in a constant state of war. Why? Despite all the common ground, clans are the main cause of division. Clans are groups of people that can trace their ancestry to a common patriarch.

Not to bash the values of Somalis, because Allah created diversity so that we learn to appreciate each other. Allah says in the Qur'an (translation): “O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another." [al-Hujuraat 49:13]

However, it's a curious thing that in a continent of artificial states that the one legitimate nation state is tearing itself apart from what, on the outside anyway, seems like really minor differences. Although, it might just be that clan relations are used for political leverage so that existing hostility is exacerbated.

May Allah unite the people of Somalia and this Deen. And may He (swt) bring peace to Somalia, and victory to this Deen.

I've heard it said about Arabia that Allah purified it with the blood of martyrs. May He (swt) grant the same to Somalia, and hasten the coming of peace.