Story & photo: Lisa Swift
Unity was the word at the launch of Sheffield Somali Forum on 3rd March. Hundreds of Somali residents gathered at the Burngreave Vestry Hall to launch an umbrella organisation which will bring together Somali organisations from across the city.
The attendance of MPs David Blunkett and Paul Blomfield, local councillors and the new Police Commissioner, alongside the Somali community’s leading figures, demonstrated the significance of this event. It is something many people have been hoping to see for a long time.
Mohamed Ali, Imam at Al-Taqwa mosque, will be taking the role of chair of the Forum. He told the meeting:
“I am very proud to be standing in front of you today. I’m trembling because of the importance of today. There is nothing better than being united; together we are stronger. Today I am proud of our elders for making this day a reality. I have to practice what I preach and that is why I take on this responsibility: because community is more important than the individual.”
The meeting was inspired and informed by Somali professionals, who spoke about the issues faced by the community. Mulki Galal, whose father was part of the committee that first wrote down the Somali language in 1972, is a teacher at Fir Vale School and Somali Education Breakthrough. She spoke about the culture of the Somali people:
“We are a proud people, we have strength of community, we are generous and help each other and we have strong loyalties.”
Those present were proud to welcome Abdi Suleiman, President of Sheffield University Students’ Union, who told the meeting:
“I was born in Somalia and moved to the UK at the age of 3. Now I represent 25,000 students. I have met many intelligent and quick-minded Somali young people and many are not reaching their potential. Somali students are as good as other students but their talent is not recognised. We should be inspired by the trade union movement – that, working together, we can change things. I am extraordinarily proud to be here today.”
David Blunkett MP addressed the meeting saying,
“I am very grateful and proud to be here and I am encouraged by what has been said today about working together. We have talked about the services for those in greatest need but the government now has a deliberate policy to undermine public services. When there is a willingness to work together, we will find new ways to deliver services and help those in greatest need. We can come out of it better; we will come through it together.”
Bringing the event to a conclusion, event presenter Safiya Saeed, who will be part of the Forum committee, said:
“I have 5 children and I have no time but this is so important that I want to help. Please, if you can, come and help us.”