A book that examines the life and role of Somali freedom fighter Sayid Mohammed Abdulle Hassan was launched in Nairobi on Saturday, bringing together scholars, leaders, and members of the Somali community to discuss his place in history.<\/p>\n
\nThe book titled \u201cKuma ayuu ahaa Sayid Maxamed,\u201d which translates to \u201cWho was Sayid Mohamed,\u201d was written by Mohamed Deeq Abdi Maar, who is known by the name Haldhaa.<\/p>\n
\nThe author said the book seeks to explain who Sayid Mohamed was and the role he played in Somali resistance during the colonial period.<\/p>\n
\nThe launch event was held in Nairobi and attended by community members, researchers, ulamaas and political leaders.<\/p>\n
\nSayid was born in 1856 in the Sa\u2019Madeeq valley near Buuhoodle. He received Islamic education from 72 teachers in different places before travelling to Mecca to perform the Hajj.<\/p>\n
\nDuring his stay in Mecca, he joined the Salihiyya order. After returning to the Somali territories, he opposed the presence of Christian missionaries and rejected colonial taxation.<\/p>\n
\nIn 1899, he formed the Dervish movement, which aimed to resist British, Italian, and Ethiopian expansion in Somali areas. His campaign turned into a long conflict that lasted more than 20 years.<\/p>\n
\nBritish authorities referred to him as \u201cThe Mad Mullah,\u201d a name used during the colonial period, while at the same time acknowledging his influence as a speaker and military planner.<\/p>\n
\nSayid used Somali oral poetry as a means of communication. Through poetry, he addressed clans and called for unity against foreign rule. His leadership led to the formation of a Dervish administration, with its centre based in Taleex. From there, his forces controlled large parts of the Somali interior for many years.<\/p>\n
\nDuring this period, the Dervish movement resisted four British military campaigns. The movement also gained attention beyond the region. During the First World War, the Ottoman and German empires treated Sayid as an ally in their wider conflict with Britain.<\/p>\n
\nIn 1920, British forces launched a campaign that ended the Dervish resistance. The operation included the use of aircraft by the Royal Air Force, marking the first time air power was used in sub-Saharan Africa. The attacks destroyed Dervish bases, including those in Taleex.<\/p>\n
\nSayid escaped the final assault with a small group of followers and moved into the Ogaden region. Later that year, he died of influenza on December 21, 1920. He was 64 years old.<\/p>\n
\nToday, Sayid is remembered as a central figure in Somali history. Many regard him as the father of Somali nationalism and a symbol of resistance against foreign rule. His role in opposing three colonial powers at the same time remains part of public memory and debate.<\/p>\n
\nSpeaking to Eastleigh Voice during the book launch, author Mohamed said he aimed to present a record based on facts. He said the book was written to help readers understand the history of Sayid Mohamed without distortion.<\/p>\n
\nHe explained that he decided to write the book after noticing accounts that, in his view, misrepresented Sayid’s history. He said this prompted him to begin the project.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI felt it was the right time to write his biography, who he was and what he did,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\nMohamed said the writing process took almost five years, noting that he received support from other researchers and contributors during this period. He also said the book has now reached its third printing.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cReaders of this book will understand that what Sayid spoke about more than 100 years ago is happening now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\nKamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, who addressed the audience at the launch, spoke about Sayid Mohamed\u2019s role in Somali society. He said Sayid Mohamed defended his community and faith and had knowledge of Islamic law.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cHe defended his people and religion and understood Islamic law,\u201d said the MP.<\/p>\n
\nThe MP added that Sayid Mohamed\u2019s contribution to Somali history continues to shape discussions about identity and resistance. He said his place in history cannot be replaced.<\/p>\n
\nAccording to the organisers, the book launch in Nairobi is part of a wider plan to reach more readers. The book is expected to be relaunched in other parts of the city, including Eastleigh and South C, in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A book that examines the life and role of Somali freedom fighter Sayid Mohammed Abdulle Hassan was launched…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15855,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[10289,10294,65,84,10293,10292,10290,5814,1984,10291],"class_list":{"0":"post-15854","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ethiopia","8":"tag-book-on-somali-freedom-fighter-sayid-mohammed-launched-in-nairobi","9":"tag-dervish-movement","10":"tag-ethiopia","11":"tag-headlines","12":"tag-mohamed-deeq-abdi-maar","13":"tag-sayid-mohamed","14":"tag-sayid-mohammed-abdulle-hassan","15":"tag-somali-community","16":"tag-somalia","17":"tag-who-was-sayid-mohamed"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15854"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15854\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}