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Many people have forgotten, or are unaware of, the sacrifices they made in the two world wars , serving with distinction in the Royal Navy and the Burma campaigns.
But the situation changed with the arrival of refugees fleeing civil war in the 1990s.
After the collapse of the Somali government in 1991 much of the country descended into chaos.
Ever since, the east African country has been in a state of anarchy.
Many Somalis in Liverpool still recall the horrifying experiences they went through.
Shamsadeen Jama, 35, said: “I remember the war. I saw my neighbour killed.
“Everybody was a target, women, children, the elderly, the warlords made no exemption.”
Nobody knows exactly how many of the young Somalis have brought their traumatic experience of war with them.
Certainly some community leaders suggest the internal tribal disputes were not left behind.
Mohamed “Jimmy” Ali said he has witnessed the pain, and he said questions must be asked about how the city council helps integrates troubled minorities.
Two years ago the Liverpool social worker became Britain’s first Somali councillor, although he has since lost his seat.
He said: “Somali kids just don’t get any help. They come from a war zone and they have no idea about Britain.
“And that is why they need support.”
A large number of small Somali groups are directly competing with each other for the same funding – a pitfall avoided by other ethnic minority groups who don’t suffer from the same inter-communal differences.
It is in this vacuum of missing social networks some alienated young Somali men have forged a defensive gang identity.
According to academic Dr Jo Arthur, who conducted a research project on the community, there are clear tensions over cultural identity, social issues and education.
These tensions are linked to a gap between the older community and the younger generation.
Merseyside Somali community co-ordinator Insaf Hagelsafi said lack of investment was a major issue at the local centre.
She said: “The community relies on very few donations and the level of service we provide is huge.
“But we don’t get the money to cover the cost or expand the level of service.”
Everybody within the ever-growing Somali community seems to want more from the city council which last month announced it was to include Somali in the school timetable for the first time.
Mr Ali claimed the authority authorised the building of a new educational, cultural, and sporting facility while he was serving on the council.
He added: “The council approved the facility but since I left nothing has happened.
“They have neglected the Somali, and to a certain extent the Yemeni communities, and it’s high time they did something.
“I found children unofficially excluded from lessons, sitting alone in the corridor because teachers have effectively given up trying to communicate.”
His claims were denied by a Liverpool council spokesman who said: “What we said to the Somali community was that if land becomes available within the Granby area we would donate it for educational purposes.
“But the land never became available and we never promised anything.”
The blame game may go on, but locals feel progress can be made only if council and the community representatives come together and address the serious problems of alienation and frustration.
Youth worker Ali Warsame said: “This community is already behind other minorities. The gap will continue to grow.”
Local man Casey, 18, said: “The community doesn’t get anything jobs wise. That’s why there is high unemployment.”
Liverpool might call itself the “World in One City” but if it continues to neglect one of the biggest and oldest communities it might lose the colour, vibrancy and culture it brings.
The danger is the emergence of more gang culture.
There is a feeling the older generation within the Somali community must help and encourage younger members. The younger generation must step up and do more for their community, rather than expecting the community to do something for them.
Five men accused
FIVE men were charged in connection with the murder of Ahmed Mohamed Ibrahim.
Khadar Mohammed, 22, and Essa Mohammed Ismail, 21, of Ritson Street, Toxteth, both appeared at Liverpool magistrates’ court on March 14 charged with the teenager’s murder.
They were remanded in custody for a preliminary hearing at Liverpool crown court on March 28.
Ahmed Kayse Ahmed, 29, of London; Ali Mohammed, 19, of Ritson Street, Toxteth and Ibrahim Ahmed, 22, of Beaconsfield Street, Toxteth, were also charged with murder and appeared in court on Saturday, March 15.
Saeed Hassan Essa, 21, of Northbrook Road, Toxteth, was charged with violent disorder.
The ECHO revealed how teenager Ahmed fled his native Somalia to come to the city nine months ago.
His devastated family said he was recently reunited with mother Asiya who left war-torn Mogadishu two years earlier.
Ahmed remained behind in the capital before escaping the east African country.
He arrived in Liverpool last summer to join his family of four sisters and eight brothers.
Source:
Liverpool Echo
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