Bashir Goth - "A word of truth used with an ill intention" is a maxim attributed to Imam Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam. This was the first thing that came to mind when I read about the Mogadishu Islamists' decision to ban Khat, the narcotic stimulant, that millions of Somalis use as a pastime and for generating income to feed millions of children in a country where more than 43 percent of the population lives on less than a dollar a day.
Yes, Khat is a curse on the economy, health and family fabric of the Somali people. It props the economies of Somalia's neighboring countries; with Kenya exporting $250 millions worth of Khat to Somalia annually and Ethiopia earning $60 million a year from Somaliland alone. Most of this money is the remittances sent by overseas Somalis to feed their loved ones back home. In addition to its financial burden, the Khat causes numerous health problems; causes family break ups, wastes people's time and energy and increases the ranks of the country's unemployed as addiction forces millions of productive countryside people to quit their farms and livestock to khat markets, towns and villages.
On the surface of it therefore, it seems any sound thinking Somali should applaud such move and thank the clerics for ridding the community of such an age-old curse. But the timing of it may make one question the real motive of the clerics. The ban comes at a time when Islamists view Ethiopia and Kenya, exporters of Khat to Somalia, as hostile countries and accuse them of siding with the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) that they want to topple. They have declared a jihad on Ethiopia and they showed their mistrust to Kenya. By banning the Khat, the Islamists have waged an economic war on both countries. It is also a quick answer to Kenya's ban of all flights to and from Mogadishu.
Banning the Khat, however, is different from all the other bans the Islamist have imposed on the Somali people such as prohibiting music, singing, cinemas, going to the beach for women and even denying women to go out of their house without a chaperon. The Khat is not only a narcotic that almost all Somali men and many of the women use on daily basis, but unfortunately it is the only lucrative business in Somalia that feeds tens of thousands of families. It is the main business for thousands of women who sell the Khat in order to secure food, medicine and schooling for their children. What alternative do the Islamists have for all these families one may ask? Did they think about the reaction of Ethiopia and Kenya? What about if Ethiopia and Kenya decide to slap a trade ban on Somalia? With Khat replacing tea and coffee as a hard currency earner for both countries, it is obvious that both countries will feel the pinch. According to some estimates, Kenya alone would lose up to Sh19 billion and an estimated 500,000 jobs. It is my hope that the Islamists have seriously thought about how they would feed the Somali people if both Kenya and Ethiopia decide to close their borders and airports to Somali trade.
One may also remind the Islamists that when the British colonial authorities attempted to ban Khat in Somaliland it only strengthened the people's resolve for freedom. It was also the ban of Khat that fueled the Somali people's resentment of Siyad Barre and eventually contributed to his downfall.
Will history repeat itself? Will the Islamists revoke their decision when they feel the heat or will they stay the course until either the Khat or the Caliphate wins the battle? Only time will tell. But one thing is sure that the world may soon see an exodus of tens of thousands of Somali Khat refugees pouring to neighboring countries and even to Somaliland, Puntland and the TFG ruled zone of Baidoa in search of their freedom to chew what many Somalis believe to be the nutrition of God-fearing people (quutul awliyaa). Khat may also force hundreds of the young Islamist militia's, the majority of whom were the former mooryan's (drug addicts) of the warlords, to desert the Islamists side and join the TFG, thus reversing the Islamists hitherto unstoppable advance. One may not rule out, nevertheless, that the Islamists may have an agenda to extricate themselves of this brinkmanship by turning the Khat into a blessed black market that could fill their war chest.
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Comments (40)
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Posted on July 10, 2007 19:51
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July 10, 2007 7:50 PM | Report Offensive Comment
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July 10, 2007 7:48 PM | Report Offensive Comment
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July 10, 2007 7:48 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on July 10, 2007 19:48
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July 10, 2007 7:46 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on July 10, 2007 19:46
IAM SOMALILANDER SO THAT I'M VERY VERY SORRY BECAUSE KHAT IS A DRUG IS GROWN IN ETHIOPIA AND HE LOST OWER.......... SO THAT I CAN SAY KHAT IS WASTES PEOPLE'S TIME AND ENERGY AND ALSO THERE MONY
July 10, 2007 1:30 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on July 10, 2007 13:30
IAM SOMALILANDER SO THAT I'M VERY VERY SORRY BECAUSE KHAT IS A DRUG IS GROWN IN ETHIOPIA AND HE LOST OWER.......... SO THAT I CAN SAY KHAT IS WASTES PEOPLE'S TIME AND ENERGY AND ALSO THERE MONY
July 10, 2007 1:26 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on July 10, 2007 13:26
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January 18, 2007 10:23 PM | Report Offensive Comment
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January 17, 2007 2:06 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 17, 2007 14:06
Very interesting.
January 16, 2007 12:21 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on January 16, 2007 12:21
America prohibits cocaine and that is her choice if Islamic ban Khat why the fuss and why care. Goth i dare you say America should legalize Marijuana because the native indians used it for centuries.
Ethiopia and Kenya are enemies of Somalia.
Ethiopia has the weakest Muslims on the world. with over 65% Muslims they cannot build mosquest in Addis Ababa. in Kenya they are 35% Muslim and they have no power too.
December 11, 2006 2:21 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 11, 2006 14:21
America prohibits cocaine and that is her choice if Islamic ban Khat why the fuss and why care. Goth i dare you say America should legalize Marijuana because the native indians used it for centuries.
Ethiopia and Kenya are enemies of Somalia.
Ethiopia has the weakest Muslims on the world. with over 65% Muslims they cannot build mosquest in Addis Ababa. in Kenya they are 35% Muslim and they have no power too.
December 11, 2006 2:21 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 11, 2006 14:21
Bashir Goth, you are an enemy of somalis. I am somali and you act like Thomas Friedman and I think he interned you. You are poor Somalilander and hater of Islam that is why they are promoting you.
Goth has not credit whatsover among the Somali masses and intellectuals.
December 11, 2006 2:16 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 11, 2006 14:16
I'm Somali under Ethiopian Occupation and I agree with the UIC measurement against Khat because first, it is only for Ethiopian economy, second, if it is banned in Tegray Region of Ethiopia which is the home of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles, so why not in Somalia. I think Mr. Goth you have no reason to defend the economy of our traditional enemy ETHIOPIA
December 8, 2006 7:25 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 8, 2006 07:25
For your information Khat is banned in TEGRAY REGION OF ETHIOPIA! So let Somalis rule their country the way the like
I am also with MUUMIN Somali refugees were given a shelter by their brothers in occupied territories of Somali Region (Kilil 5) and NFD of Kenya.
December 8, 2006 7:13 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 8, 2006 07:13
Iam somaliland upper houws parliament mp cherman h/rights and soicel affers in sup commete
December 6, 2006 2:27 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 6, 2006 14:27
2
December 6, 2006 2:01 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 6, 2006 14:01
"In addition to its financial burden, the Khat causes numerous health problems; causes family break ups, wastes people's time and energy and increases the ranks of the country's unemployed as addiction forces millions of productive countryside people to quit their farms and livestock to khat markets, towns and villages." MR Bashir Goth can you prove what you said is true? You are completely lying. Khat never causes any health problems, never breaks ups family; your soty is completely a lie. You should be fired soon.
December 6, 2006 11:43 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 6, 2006 11:43
Quick respond to Yacob....first the name is Mr. Muumin.
Second let me set the record straight, both Kenya & Ethiopian economy can not sustain it self with out the Somalis/business. Third, both Kenya & Ethiopia Occupy Somali land given to them by colonial powers, so you did not provide me a shelter nor did you welcome me.
December 6, 2006 8:53 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 6, 2006 08:53
Mr Goth saw the problem from diffrent angle.His approache of the issue is really based on the fact of the region.Most of you guys also posted your comment which was fair on my view except Mr or Mis MIUUMIN.He or She comment was simpley arrogant.She insulted Kenyas & Ethiopians.
At least both countrey u insulted have given you a shlter for the last 15 years till now when you have no place to go.
December 6, 2006 7:00 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 6, 2006 07:00
Hi. Does any body know the business of Khat is estimated to be in 1.6 billion dollars per annum in USA alone , although the active constituents of Khat Cathinone and Cathine are under the class 2 and Class 4 Controlled substances act. Still the known smugglers, beneficiaries and users are Somlians in Britain, Yemen and USA.
Banning is a lucrative business for some but not a solution. Education is the right way!!!
December 6, 2006 3:05 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 6, 2006 03:05
I congratulate Mr. Goth for this thought-provoking article. This is very informative and considered possible reactions from the people who live under the rule of Islamic Courts as well as Somalia's neighbors (Ethiopia and Kenya).
Kudos to Mr. Goth again. Somaliland and its people are proud of you.
December 5, 2006 10:06 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 5, 2006 22:06
Thanks for this educational article.
Months ago I have read a few interesting articles at Ethiopian Portal site
http://www.EthioPortal.com regarding khat.
May be you can search at the site if it is still posted.
Cheers,
December 5, 2006 4:47 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 5, 2006 16:47
I am from Ethiopia, and I hate the way a large portion of the population is hooked on khat. Having said that, I do think that the UIC banned khat because they are control freaks. Mr. Bashir hates islamists and knows them for the control freaks that they are. The way to get rid of khat is through education. A khat ban will not work any more the prohibition in the US did. I think Mr. Goth is right for being suspicious of the intentions of the UIC. However, I am surprised by his argument about the economies of Kenya and Ethiopia. That should be the least of his concerns.
December 5, 2006 4:06 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 5, 2006 16:06
Bashir Goth has once again showed his two cents.. Mr. Goth please leave Somalia and its affiars alone. You have no idea what's good or bad for the Somali people. We all know the only people who benefit from Khat are Ethiopians and Kenyans and that there is no benefit in it for Somali's. So, if you are indeed Somalian, why are working for their downfall? I have read many of your articles and I think that you have evil intentions towards Somalian people who are finally rising up against oppression. Mr. Goth, you are staunch defender of so-called "Somaliland" which burns people and puts elders in jail....and now you want tell us that you care about Somali's. Please go to hell.
December 5, 2006 2:59 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 5, 2006 14:59
Malcolm X ones said "the worst crime one can commit is to teach a man not to defend him self". As a USA citizen I command our leader of spending billion of dollars fighting narcotic drugs here & abroad. My question is what is wrong if Somalis do the same? Or we just want them (Somalis) to be beggars like the Ethiopians or be good servants to the master (Britain) like the Kenyans. In addition to that let me tell you why I think banning Khat will be walk to the park for Somalis. Somalis are 99.99% Muslims & Muslim teachings prohibit any thing that alters the state of human mind.
In calculation, to an outsider's eyes this article is full of facts, but the fact is that the article is full of fiction.
December 5, 2006 2:33 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 5, 2006 14:33
Having spent many months in the Horn of Africa area, I can attest to the author's view that Khat is the crux of the regions' economies. Much like cocaine is important to the Colombian farmers, Khat provides a lucrative source of income. Khat is a terrific source of control for regional dictators in that tens of thousands of citizens walk around all day stoned instead of worrying about food, work, or the basic necessities of life. The Khat using countries essentially have a whole population of junkie citizens, who care only about getting the next fix. Don't believe me? Go there and see the depressing results for yourself. It is hard to wrap one's mind around the effect the drug has on an entire country. I disagree with the Islamists on many things, but banning Khat is a necessary step if the ultimate goal is to produce a citizenry that has a desire to work and sustain itself.
December 5, 2006 2:19 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 5, 2006 14:19
What about all the poor families in South America that could make a living off their sale of the Coca plant? Why is it okay for the US to ban that but not for the UIC to ban Chat?
In fact it should be banned in Ethiopia too...
December 5, 2006 1:54 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 5, 2006 13:54
It raises alot of questions as to why Washington Post recruits people like Goth who are known for their attack on Islamic movements. Many of his articles are online and by reading them one gets that he leans to the insincere, grudge-holding anti-islamist. He even accused of Muslim women who cover like penguins in Black. Such individual with sexist, racist background should never be allowed to write in Washington Post.
December 5, 2006 1:31 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 5, 2006 13:31
Khat is NOT a narcotic. It is a stimulant herb.
December 5, 2006 11:24 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on December 5, 2006 11:24