Muhammad Abdallah bin Hasan
Muhammad ‘Abdallah bin Hasan (popularly known as “Mad Mullah”) was the most important historical figure in Somali history. In 1860, he was born and and he devoted his early life to religious studies. Muhammad ‘Abdallah bin Hasan declared war against Britain, Italy, and Ethiopia with the Salihiyyah confraternity, who were his followers. Muhammad ‘Abdallah bin Hasan resisted the British up until his death in November 1920. Not only was Muhammad a leader, but he was also a poet. In fact, he was one of the greatest poets of Somalia. Muhammad was the first person to ever call for unity in Somalia, which really showed how respected he was by Somalis.
You have died, Corfield, and are no longer in this world,
A merciless journey was your portion.
When, Hell-destined, you set out for the Other World,
tell them how God tried you.
Say to them: `From that day to this the Dervishes never ceased their assaults upon us.
The British were broken, the noise of battle engulfed us;
"With fervour and faith the Dervishes attacked us.'
Say: `They attacked us at mid-morning.'
Say: `Yesterday in the holy war a bullet from one of their old rifles struck me.
And the bullet struck me in the arm.'
Say: `In fury they fell upon us.'
Report how savagely their swords tore you,
Show these past generations in how many places the daggers were plunged.
Say:' "Friend," I called, "have compassion and spare me!"'
Say: `As I looked fearfully from side to side my heart was plucked from its sheath.'
Say: `My eyes stiffened as I watched with horror;
The mercy I implored was not granted.'
Say: `Striking with spear-butts at my mouth they silenced my soft words;
My ears, straining for deliverance, found nothing;
The risk I took, the mistake I made, cost my life.'
Say: `Like the war leaders of old, I cherished great plans for victory.'
Say: `The schemes the djinns planted in me brought my ruin.'
Say: `When pain racked me everywhere
Men lay sleepless at my shrieks.'
Say: `Great shouts acclaimed the departing of my soul.'
Say: `Beasts of prey have eaten my flesh and torn it asunder.'
Say: `The sound of swallowing the flesh and the fat comes from the hyena.'
Say: `The crows plucked out my veins and tendons.'
Say: `If stubborn denials are to be abandoned, then my clansmen were defeated.'
In the last stand of resistance there is always great slaughter.
Say: The Dervishes are like the advancing thunderbolts of a storm, rumbling and roaring
(from http://forums.islamicawakening.com/f41/koofil-corfield-by-sayid-muhammad-abdullah-44221/)
Muhammad Abdallah, one of the most important figures in Somalia, is also one of the country’s greatest poets. This is a classic poem entitled “Koofil (Corfield)" that “Mad Mulluh” wrote. This emphasizes his anger towards the British, because of his resistance towards colonization.
You have died, Corfield, and are no longer in this world,
A merciless journey was your portion.
When, Hell-destined, you set out for the Other World,
tell them how God tried you.
Say to them: `From that day to this the Dervishes never ceased their assaults upon us.
The British were broken, the noise of battle engulfed us;
"With fervour and faith the Dervishes attacked us.'
Say: `They attacked us at mid-morning.'
Say: `Yesterday in the holy war a bullet from one of their old rifles struck me.
And the bullet struck me in the arm.'
Say: `In fury they fell upon us.'
Report how savagely their swords tore you,
Show these past generations in how many places the daggers were plunged.
Say:' "Friend," I called, "have compassion and spare me!"'
Say: `As I looked fearfully from side to side my heart was plucked from its sheath.'
Say: `My eyes stiffened as I watched with horror;
The mercy I implored was not granted.'
Say: `Striking with spear-butts at my mouth they silenced my soft words;
My ears, straining for deliverance, found nothing;
The risk I took, the mistake I made, cost my life.'
Say: `Like the war leaders of old, I cherished great plans for victory.'
Say: `The schemes the djinns planted in me brought my ruin.'
Say: `When pain racked me everywhere
Men lay sleepless at my shrieks.'
Say: `Great shouts acclaimed the departing of my soul.'
Say: `Beasts of prey have eaten my flesh and torn it asunder.'
Say: `The sound of swallowing the flesh and the fat comes from the hyena.'
Say: `The crows plucked out my veins and tendons.'
Say: `If stubborn denials are to be abandoned, then my clansmen were defeated.'
In the last stand of resistance there is always great slaughter.
Say: The Dervishes are like the advancing thunderbolts of a storm, rumbling and roaring
(from http://forums.islamicawakening.com/f41/koofil-corfield-by-sayid-muhammad-abdullah-44221/)
Muhammad Abdallah, one of the most important figures in Somalia, is also one of the country’s greatest poets. This is a classic poem entitled “Koofil (Corfield)" that “Mad Mulluh” wrote. This emphasizes his anger towards the British, because of his resistance towards colonization.
Abdullahi Issa Mohamud
Another important figure in Somali history was 'Abdullahi 'Issa Mohamud, who was Somalia's first prime minister. He was prime minister during the Italian trusteeship period, from early 1956 to mid 1960. He worked basic jobs through his young adult years, mostly in the business and economic fields. Around the age of 38 he joined the Somali Youth League, which was the first political party in Somalia. It was a very significant part of Somalia's independence. He soon became one of the leaders of the party. Abdullahi Issa then traveled to Paris and New York as a delegate, or a representative, of the SYL. He spoke about the right the people of Somalia had to independence. In 1956, shortly before Somalia became officially independent, the newly formed government called Abdullahi Issa Mohamud in to become the first prime minister. In 1960, he became the country's first foreign minister; traveling to many conventions around the world. When the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) took power, they appointed Mohamud to be the Somali ambassador to Sweden. He remained in that position until 1983, when he resigned. In March of 1988, Abdullahi Issa Mohamud died in Rome to end a long life of an important politician.
Asha Haji Elmi
Asha Haji Elmi is a well known Somali politician, women's rights activist, and peace activist. She has founded multiple foundations and organizations for women's and children's rights. The most significant one is SSWC (Save Somali Women and Children). Elmi has also won many peace awards including the Right Livelihood Award. She currently serves as one of the few woman legislators in the Federal Parliament of Somalia.