LITERATORS' CORNER

Following profound exploration of western books and ideologies alongside several observations of our long cultural and traditional practices passed down from one generation to another, I wondered why negative competitions are prominent among Somali societies in all regions. I believe that I have found answers to this nagging question, and here is what I think. Let us Firstly compare good parenting, education, children upbringing, and personal development in general. Children in western societies are encouraged to build personal boundaries, develop individual competence, and embrace their unique and individual identities. This is in contrast to Somali society where one would easily observe that children are raised with an awful or terrible mindset rooted in negative competition and unhealthy comparison. Most times, you hear parents telling their children: 'Be like Hebel and Hebel, Hebel is better than you' , or 'Hebel is crazier than that person!' Not even adults are...

The Rights of Parents, Never Forget What they Did for us                           Marwan Abdirahman Awl First of all, all praise and thanks to Allah who granted us a little part of His knowledge; not the entire knowledge that belong only to Him. Also, Allah is He who planted us in our parents so that they can bring us up and give us their love, attention, guidance, help, understanding, and wisdom. Secondly, we must appreciate our parents because they sacrificed their life to get us where we are today; be it physically, mentally, and socially. They also spur us to succeed in life as they are our first teachers in the world. The rights of parents are infinite because of their ultimate priority in Islam as they come after monotheism(Tawhiid) in several verses in the Holy Qur'an as this verse proves: 'And your Lord has declared that you not worship except Him, and to parents; good treatment,' (Surah Isra, 23r...