The Ministry of Communications and Know-how organized a convention at its headquarters in Mogadishu, the capital metropolis. The occasion, led by the Ministry’s Director Basic, introduced collectively teachers, researchers, and nationwide activists, with members becoming a member of each domestically and internationally. The dialogue centered on the importance of digitization in right this moment’s world, underneath the theme, “Preserving Our Mom Tongue, Cultural Heritage, and the Wealthy Historical past of Our Nation.”
A variety of challenges and threats was explored, together with the very important position of digitization in safeguarding and offering entry to the cultural heritage and linguistic rights of the Somali individuals for presidency our bodies, consultants, and different stakeholders.
In his opening speech on the conference, Mr. Abdul Aziz Duwane Isaac, the Director Basic of the Ministry, emphasised the importance of safeguarding the Somali language, tradition, and historical past amidst the challenges of globalization and conflicts. He acknowledged, “Our language lies on the core of our tradition, embodying our tales, knowledge, and the values handed down by our ancestors. In the meantime, our heritage and traditions stand as testaments to the resilience and creativity of the Somali individuals. Nonetheless, each our tradition and heritage are underneath grave menace attributable to publicity to overseas influences by globalization, neglect on our half, and the conflicts surrounding us.”
The conference underneath the title, “Preserving Our Mom Tongue, Cultural Heritage, and the Wealthy Historical past of Our Nation.”was facilitated by Mr. Mohamed Abu Bakr Ismail, the Director of Broadcasting and Satellites, and attended by Mr. Abu Bakr Hassan Moallin, the Head of the Tutorial Affairs Division on the Nationwide Institute of Communications and Know-how inside the Ministry.
Benefiting tremendously from the insights shared by attendees, the conference was blessed notably by the attendance of Professor Mohamed Elmi “Tohow,” the Director of the Tradition Division on the Academy of Sciences, Tradition, and Literature. He offered a succinct overview of Somali historical past, emphasizing the traditional achievements of the Somali individuals each on their land and past. He highlighted that the present interval of decline is merely a fleeting chapter in a historical past marked by self-assurance and respect from nations throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Mohamoud Mohamed Hassan, a researcher and media skilled with a eager curiosity within the Somali language and dictionaries, offered an insightful overview of the importance of digitization for preserving and sharing historic and cultural supplies. He emphasised the substantial advantages it may deliver to the Somali individuals, discussing the alternatives obtainable for these invested within the Somali language and tradition, in addition to the applied sciences that help of their conservation and dissemination. Mr. Hassan highlighted the significance of making programs for archiving, recording, and sharing these sources on the World Vast Internet, alongside creating translation packages that leverage current dictionary information in collaboration with nationwide academies. This initiative goals to boost entry to data and information about Somalia for its residents, catering to their pursuits in varied fields, together with science, arts, and crafts. He additionally referenced the profitable Swedish expertise with the “Wikipedia” encyclopedia as a mannequin, suggesting that related methods may very well be applied on a broader scale to fulfill the wants of the Somali context.
Historic researcher Ardon Sheikh Ibrahim addressed the dangers confronting our heritage each domestically and overseas. He emphasised the significance of precisely documenting information and artifacts inside and outdoors the nation, in addition to disseminating this data by the Worldwide Community. Ibrahim drew consideration to the precarious state of the shrines of great Somali figures within the Arab Republic of Egypt, particularly highlighting the tombs of the good Somali students Fakhr al-Din al-Zayla’i and Abd al-Rahman al-Jabarti, alongside their related relics and manuscripts, that are prone to demolition and elimination after years of neglect. He additionally talked about the actions of sure museums that distort Somali historical past, feeling unmonitored, and careworn the pressing want for presidency businesses to take motion to guard what may be preserved.
Ms. Bushra Ali Nadir of the Somali Ladies Journalists Union shared insights on the importance of selling consciousness of the Somali language’s roots and historical past. She emphasised the necessity for dependable historic supplies to be made obtainable digitally, aiding each researchers and media professionals with out specialised coaching. Journalist Salma Hassan Abdullah from TV Shabelle echoed this sentiment, stating that the shortage of digital data permits some ill-intentioned people to query the very existence of the Somali individuals. The contributions from each Ms. Nadir and Ms. Abdullah had been met with enthusiasm from the members, invigorating the dialogue.
Ahmed Samir Sulub from Himilo TV platform, an activist and historian, identified that Somali society is at important threat as a result of lack or inadequacy of historical past curricula. He highlighted the scarcity of instructional supplies and the challenges in accessing them, notably emphasizing the restricted sources obtainable to college students in public, neighborhood, and personal faculties. In consequence, total generations stay unaware of their historical past, the notable figures amongst their ancestors, the lands their forebears ruled, and their standing in relation to different peoples. Some generations even come to imagine that lots of their historic luminaries originated from different nations. Mr. Sulub views this case as a pathway to the potential extinction of our individuals, given the ethical and mental decline it represents. Nonetheless, he believes that efforts to digitize instructional sources may assist make these supplies accessible till complete curricula are developed to deal with this essential want.
Mr. Abdul Nasser Omar Osman, the advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, offered a concise abstract of the distinctive and uncommon crops and plant species indigenous to our nation, together with efforts to protect and catalog them. He up to date the viewers on the nearing completion of a requirements and specs division inside the ministry. He emphasised {that a} essential a part of the ministry’s conservation initiatives for the nation’s vegetation and biodiversity depends on the profitable digital assortment and preservation of information. This data might be shared with varied state businesses, researchers, and events to maximise the advantages of our pure sources. Moreover, he mentioned the necessity to set up packages aimed toward defending uncommon and endangered species, in addition to these of cultural significance to our individuals. He additionally careworn the significance of showcasing the cultural elements of agricultural and forestry practices, highlighting the distinctive traits of our land, setting, and neighborhood as a way of fostering each distinction and unity amongst our inhabitants.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Mohamed Abu Bakr Ismail prolonged his heartfelt due to the convention attendees on behalf of the Ministry of Communications and Know-how, recognizing their important contributions. He careworn the significance of taking all of the concepts offered throughout the convention significantly and taking motion on them. Moreover, he reassured members that this conference wouldn’t be the final, and each he and the ministry would attempt to boost participation in future occasions by together with representatives from all pertinent ministries and businesses.
