Somali Websites - The Good, The bad, The Ugly and beyond 

A soon to be published paper about the history and the evolution of the Somali websites reveals an amazing hidden cultural phenomenon that escaped the attention of many researchers in this field. There are close to thousand websites about Somalia many owned by Somalis. Abdirahman Aynte of Hiiraan Online wrote about this topic sometime ago...but things have really taken off since then. A related but not directly connected to this issue is the possibility that one can study how we Somali communicate (or not communicate) from the quality and content of our websites.

The major problem with many of the Somali websites (the bad and the ugly category) is the design, the layout and presentation of the content. Many of the websites are just too loud, too many unnecessary whistles and bells that distract the reader. Many have no motive or purpose for their existence, apart from the low nomadic competition of 'me too'...my town, my tribe, my village, my camel, etc. Some are so bad that it is hard to believe they are created or owned by Somalis (the beyond redemption category)- these category really degrade the Somali culture and tradition (if there is anything left of that).

I do not want to give too much away....this is just a kind of announcing about the soon to be published paper. If you can't wait and want a copy in advance, email me ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and I shall do the right thing. 

AUSTRALIA is considering offering Somali students scholarships in Malaysia - rather than inviting them to study here - to increase the chances that they will return home rather than resettle in Australia.

A senior government MP has written to Foreign Minister Stephen Smith with the proposal, after the Somali ambassador to Indonesia raised the idea on his recent visit to Australia.

Parliamentary secretary for multicultural affairs Laurie Ferguson said ambassador Mohamud Olow Barow was concerned to ensure that more talented young Somalis would return to help rebuild their war-torn homeland.

 Australian Parliamentary secretary for multicultural affairs Mr Laurie Ferguson and Ambassador Mohamud Olow Barow

 Who We Are and What We Do?

We believe that it is through exchange of ideas and by focusing on what unites us rather than our differences that will get us develop into a functioning society. We encourage the pursuit of knowledge, entrepreneurship, respect for human rights and the search for excellence in all our endeavours. Last, but not least, the Somali Cultural Association is a source of information for those who are interested in Somali literature and history.

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Somali Cultural Association, PO Box 484, Camberwell, Vic. 312, Australia. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it