Somali PEN Mourns Death of Two Popular Somali Artists in Mogadishu...

A gathering organized by the Somali-speaking Writers Center of International PEN in collaboration with the Somali Women Journalists Organization in remembrance of two popular Somali artists, Ahmed Nur Jangow” and Abdullahi Amir Roble “Aw Kuku”, was held in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Thursday 10 April 2008.

This gathering, which brought together some popular Somali play wrights, poets, journalists, writers, and human rights activists, was hosted by the Ismail Jumale human rights in Mogadishu. Speaking on the occasion Ms. Qamar Salad, Mogadishu representative of the Free Expression Committee of the Somali-speaking Writers PEN Centre and chairwoman of the Somali Women Journalists Organization, detailed in depth about the plight and suffering that all members of Somali creative community have been passing through since the onset of the continuing chaos and lawlessness in Somalia, after they had lost their basic rights to freedom of expression in the ever-worsening situation in Somalia.

Mr. Ahmed Nur, 58, a long-time popular singer and music composer, died in Mogadishu on 25 March 2008 of heart attack as a result of the stress and depression he had suffered for not being able to use his skills and work as a professional singer and music composer to feed his family.

Mr. Abdullahi, 83, one of the most popular Somali comedians, died in Mogadishu on 28 March 2008 of hunger and lack of medication after a long-time illness. Both of the deceased had left behind dozens of children and their mothers who will find difficulties in feeding themselves.

For the members of the Somali creative community who still remain in the country because either they were not able to flee or had chosen so are continually faced with targeted killings, intimidation, injuries, and deprivation of their rights to work and free expression as professional play writers, poets, writers, journalists, artists, singers or comedians as all sides in the conflict are seeking to control, stifle and manipulate information.

Despite all these, the situation of the Somali artists, playwrights, singers, musicians and composers, and comedians is far worse than the one of the Somali writers and journalists.

the Islamic insurgents who have been launching almost daily attacks in Somalia since they were pushed from power in December 2006 view the Somali modern theater and all forms of work of the Somali singers, playwrights, comedians, musicians and composers un-Islamic and thus unacceptable.