29. Februar 2016

 

Laut einer älteren Anfragebeantwortung des kanadischen Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) vom Oktober 2001 sei der Stamm der Arab Salah ein Nicht-Darod-Clan, der auch unter dem Namen Meheri (oder Mehri) bekannt sei. Der Stamm Arab Salah sei hauptsächlich in der Region um die Stadt Galkayo beheimatet. Galkayo, die Hauptstadt der Region Mudug, befinde sich etwa 750 Kilometer nördlich von Mogadischu. Das IRB beruft sich zudem auf einen im Juli 1999 auf der somalischen Nachrichtenwebsite Sahanonline.com veröffentlichten Artikel, laut dem Puntland von den Völkern in Sool, Eastern Sanaag, Bari, Northern Mudug, Nugaal und dem Bezirk Buuhoodle gebildet werde, die großteils den Clans der Darod und Meheri angehören würden. Laut dem Artikel sei die Bildung Puntlands ein Versuch der Darod und Meheri gewesen, den „herrschsüchtigen politischen Ambitionen der Hawiye und der sezessionistischen Aktionen der Isaaq-Clans“ entgegenzutreten. Das IRB bezieht sich zudem auf einen von Mohamed I. Farah in der Zeitschrift Life & Peace Review im Jänner 1995 veröffentlichten Artikel, der anführe, dass die nordöstlichen Regionen Mudug, Nugaal und Bari die traditionelle Heimat des Clans der Majerteen seien, jedoch Clanfamilien wie die Meheri die Region ebenso bewohnen würden. Die Meheri seien Anfang der 1990er mit dem Clan der Majerteen verbündet gewesen, jedoch habe das IRB keine neueren diesbezüglichen Informationen finden können:

„The Arab Salah tribe, also known as Meheri (or Mehri), is a non-Darod clan, and is found mainly in the region around Galkayo. Galkayo, the capital of the Mudug region, is located approximately 750 km north of Mogadishu. An article posted on a Puntland news Website describes Puntland as being formed by the people of Sool, Eastern Sanaag, Bari, Northern Mudug, Nugaal and the district of Buuhoodle, who were mainly from Darod and Meheri clans. The article reports that the formation of Puntland was an attempt by the Darod and Meheri to counter the ‘domineering political ambitions of the Hawiye and the secessionist moves of the Issaq’ clans. The United Nations considers Puntland as one of the ‘most stable areas of Somalia’. A report published in Life & Peace Review states that although the north-eastern regions of Mudug, Nugaal and Bari are the traditional home of the Majerteen clan, clan family units such as the Meheri also inhabit the region. The Meheri are reported to have been allied with the Majerteen in the early 1990s, however no recent information could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.” (IRB, 29. Oktober 2001)

Laut dem oben bereits erwähnten Bericht von Mohamed I. Farah vom Jänner 1995, seien die Mehri (die besser als Arab Salah bekannt seien), die Ortable, die Lel Kase und die Madhibaan neben dem Clan der Majerteen, die größten Gruppen, welche Mudug, Nugal und Bari bewohnen würden:

„Northeastern region's three political administrative areas, namely Muduq, Nugal and Bari constitute the traditional homeland of the Majerten Clan. Other clan-family units, such as the Mehri (better known as Arab Salah), the Ortable, the Lel Kase and the Madibaan are the other major group population inhabiting the region. […] North-Eastern Region Since 1991 […] In the north-eastern region, the political loyalties of the Majertein and that of their two major allies, the Arab Salah and the Ortable are to the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF). […] In response to military threats from the forces of SSDF, Barre resorted to a scorched-earth policy against all clan units associated with SSDF. The group that suffered most from Barre's atrocities are the Umar-Mahamud sub section of the Majertein clan, who live in Muduq area. The Arab Salah had also been singled out for the same treatment, first because of their affinity to the Majertein clan and second because of their adamant refusal to cooperate with Siad Barre's regime.” (Farah, 29. Jänner 1995)

In einer von der somalischen Nachrichtenwebsite Qaranimo Online im August 2012 veröffentlichten offiziellen Liste zu den Abgeordneten des somalischen Parlaments von 2012 bis 2016 finden sich die Namen dreier Abgeordneter, die dem Clan der Meheri angehören würden:

„The Other Communities

4. Maxamuud maxamed xassan (Meheri Clan)

5. Dr:Faarax Xassan Maxamed (Meheri Clan)

6. C/llaahi Abuukar Jaamac (Meheri clan)” (Qaranimo Online, 18. August 2012)

In einer Fußnote in einem Bericht der Minority Rights Group (MRG), einer internationalen Menschenrechtsorganisation, die sich für die Rechte von ethnischen, religiösen und sprachlichen Minderheiten und indigenen Völkern weltweit einsetzt, vom November 2010 wird in Verbindung mit der Vertretung von Minderheitengruppen innerhalb der somalischen Übergangsregierung in den Jahren 2000 und 2004 ebenfalls der Clan der Arab Salah (Meheri) erwähnt:

„The minority allocations were as follows, according to a TFP [Transitional Federal Parliament] source: Jareer 7, Benadiri 6, Madhiban 2, Rer Aw Hassan 3, Arab Salah (Meheri) 2, Musse Deriyo 2, Ajuran 2, Tumal 1, Yahar 1, Yibro 1, Arab Somali 1, Garjante 1. Some appear to be ‘noble minorities’ rather than discriminated against minorities.” (MRG, 23. November 2010, Fußnote 62, S. 34-35)

In einem im Jänner 2005 veröffentlichten Buch zu Somalia des Autors Hassan Ali Jama, der 1942 in Somaliland geboren ist und bis 1991 in Somalia gelebt hat, wird erwähnt, dass Meheri ein somalischer Sub-Clan sei, der seine Herkunft auf den Stamm Mahara im Südjemen oder der Insel Sokrata nahe Cape Gardafui im Indischen Ozean zurückführe. Der Clan würde mit den Mijertein [Majerteen, Anm. ACCORD], insbesondere mit Subclans an der Küste, leben:

„Meheri, a Somali sub-clan which traces its origin to the Mahara tribe of South Yemen or the Island of Socatra near Cape Gardafui of the Indian Ocean. Lives with Mijertein, especially with coast sub-clans” (Jama, 1. Jänner 2005, S. 148)

In einem Artikel von Somalia Report vom August 2012 wird in Zusammenhang mit der Bildung des „Mini-Staates“ Galmudug, insbesondere durch Mitglieder des Clans der Sa’ad, erwähnt, dass unter anderem der Clan Arab Salah um Unterstützung gebeten worden sei, um die Basis und den Einfluss der Sa’ad weiter zu stärken:

„A ‘merger’ between two regions would have assumed, however, that both regions possessed functioning governments at the time, which was not the case. Instead, this was an attempt by the most powerful clan of the region, headed by members of the the Sa'ad clan diaspora, to consolidate their power. To further solidify its base and influence, Galmudug solicited the support of the Shiikhal, Marehan, Madhiban, Suduble, Arab Salah, Saruur, and Ayr clans. In addition, at the end of last year the Wagar-dhac (a sub-clan of Marehan) officially joined the other clans supporting the Galmudug project. The state is currently trying to engage the Biyo-Maal clan (a sub-clan of Dir) to join the state and extend their reach into Hiran region. Despite the clan mergers, the rivalry between the Sa'ad and their big rival, the Salebaan (who have a bigger presence in Harardheere, Hobyo and the other coastal areas), remains. Galmudug has always been a Sa'ad project, but they claim territory based on Mudug's lines on a map drawn by Siad Barre.” (Somalia report, 4. August 2012)

Die somalischen Nachrichtenwebsite Allgedo veröffentlicht am 25. August 2012 einen Brief von Ältesten des Clans Arab Yahya Salah an Augustine P. Mahiga, den UNO-Sondergesandten und Vorsitzenden des Politische Büros der Vereinten Nationen für Somalia. Laut der Betreffzeile handle es sich um einen Beschwerdebrief wegen der Verweigerung des Rechts auf Vertretung des Subclans Arab Yahya in der somalischen Nationalversammlung. Der Subclan stamme dem Brief zufolge aus der Region Mehra im Jemen und verfüge über nur zwei große Untergruppen, Bin Halane und Bin Nahar („it has only two big branches such as Bin Halane and Bin Nahar“):

„H. E. Ambassador Augustine P. Mahiga, U.N. Special Representative and Head of the U.N. Political Office for Somalia

Dear Sir,

RE: A letter of complaint about denying the right representation of Arab Yahya Salah sub-clan in the Somali National Assembly.

It is our intention to inform you and your good office that the Arab Yahya Salah sub-clan is not represented both Somali traditional body sitting in Mogadisho and newly sworn Somali national Assembly. When our traditional leader Sultan Hagi Abdullahi Hagi Hassan met Ambassador Dr. Augustine P. Mahiga on 12th June 2012, Mr. Mahiga told him that he instructed the technical committee to invite the Sultan to take part the activities of the Somali Traditional Body. However, that did not happen as the Technical Committee shied away their responsibilities and totally ignored the advice and instructions of the Ambassador. Sultan Hagi Abdullahi has been trying to pinpoint where the problem lies and who has been obstructing him to join and work other Somali traditional representative to choose the new members of the Somali National Assembly. He also wants, even if he was not allowed to part of the Somali Traditional Representative, to know why any of his clan members were not chosen to represent our sub-clan in the Somali National Assembly. The Arab Yahya Salah sub-clan believe that they deserve to have two of their members, who are qualified, to be representing them in the Somali National Assembly. The Arab Yahya Salah sub-clan has been the fabric of the Somali political life since 1960s; immediately after the independence throughout the military adminstaration of the late Gen. Mohamed Siyad Barre. The sub-clan originates from Yeman region of Mehra and it has only two big branches such as Bin Halane and Bin Nahar. Therefore, we the undersigned members of the Arab Yahya Salah would be grateful if you and your good office intervene to stop this humiliation and denial of basic rights of our sub-clan to be represented in the Somali National Assembly. We look forward to hearing from you.

The elders of the clan Sulan Haji Abdullahi Haji Hassan C/o 00252615283092” (Allgedo, 25. August 2012)

Im Folgenden werden nutzergenerierte Inhalte aus sozialen Medien angeführt. Bitte beachten Sie bei der Verwendung solcher Informationen, dass diese in vielen Fällen nicht hinreichend überprüfbar sind.

 

·      Somalinet Forum: Darood origin and his relatives; research; verfasst von Nutzer Adali, 9. Dezember 2011
http://www.somalinet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=296889

„Arab Salah or Meheri (Al-mahra) is the brother of Darood and it is this man and his descendants i have been researching. we all know the character Darood and his descendants but know little about his brothers and where exactly he came from. My research let me to southern Arabia that is Yemen, Oman and Qatar, and i came across some historical data that shocked me, apparently that area used to be a non-arabic speaking society. a millennium ago arabs started moving south and settling in what is today know as Yemen, Oman and Qatar, this incursion was entirely peaceful but it lead to arabization of the people. The non-arabic speaking people who are known as Al-Qara and Khatiri still survive though although most of them speak only arabic today. Explores described them as beardless, dark skinned people who are camel herders, they live amongst arab Shia people but are themselves Suni-Shafi, their society is on decline as they lose their language and their influence due to arab speaking tribes establishing their kingdoms in their land during the 1700-1800. The historians of last century could not explain the origin of these people including Al-Qara, but described the similarity they had with Somali and Ethiopian people, the Al-Qara which is the largest of these tribes and the Khatiri have the longest lineages, but the Al-Mahra(Arab Salah) the Arab say has only been noticed as a tribe for the past 700 years, being a tribe for the last 700 years means Arab Salah himself was more than 700 years ago as his descendants were a noticeable tribe at that time. Darood is roughly a 1000 years old and was noticed as tribe roughly 300 years later which is the same time Arab Salah was noticed as a tribe. Another interesting fact, Arabs(this term is becoming misleading) consider Al-Mahri(Arab Salah) as native to the land and they consider themselves immigrants, this is especially true in Oman where there is a large population of slave descendants who speak only arabic(the Rer Hamar of Oman). […]

also Al-Mahri settle in Socotra and speak both Arabic and a dying language known as Meheri. Al-Mahri tribe in Arabia is several hundred thousands numbers and they live in Saudi Arabia, Yemen (hadramout), Oman(dhofar) and also Qatar, Dubai. They are held at high esteem amongst arabs and respected very highly, but most of the power of Oman and Yemen goes to the Arab and the slave descendants who have been instilled by European imperialist, similar to what happened in Somalia, but these people are not disturbed infact their lands are ruled by their own Shiekhs and not government. apart from language differences(arabic and meheri) they have a strong distinct culture in the region, a culture similar to Somali, for example their women are not subject to arranged marriage, they herd camels and ari, arabs do not herd camels they use them for transport only, they also eat digir during rainy season, they practice fircooni circumcision, their tribal structure is identical to Somali Darood tribal structure and slightly different from arabs etc. You may ask how they have kept their culture, well the area they live in is surrounded by mountains and deserts and ocean, they travel through sea only. their connection to their Darood brethren is one that is alive, they recognize Al-Jabarti, infact you may have confused a proud Al-mahri with an arab, the Al-mahri who live in Somalia are known as Arab Salah, Daroods have also welcomed them to Somalia in Nugaal, Mudug etc. here is a promotional video of Dhofar the strong hold of Al-mahri and traditional land.“ (Somalinet Forum, 9. Dezember 2011)

·      Mereja: Somali is not Somalia & Somalia is not Somali; verfasst von Nutzer Zack, 26. April 2013
http://mereja.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51944

„Also another correction absame is not harti they are separate sub clan, on the daarood list is missing also yusuf daarood and daaroods brother Mehri ismaail the sub clans of mehri ismaail are arab salah. They migrated to Puntland area of Somalia much later 17 century. They intermarry with Majeerteen.” (Mereja, 26. April 2013)

·      Forum Biodiversity: Thread: Meheri or Mahra people; verfasst von Nutzer brainblaster456, 27. August 2012
http://www.forumbiodiversity.com/showthread.php/36666-Meheri-or-Mahra-people-%28%D8%A2%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%29

„Mehri, Meheri, Mahri or Mahra (Arabic: مهري‎), also known as Arab Salah (Somali: Carab Saalax), is one of the largest tribes and a sub-tribe of the Himyarites inhabiting the Al Mahrah Governorate in Yemen, and other countries in the Arabian Peninsula such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The Meheri also inhabit the autonomous region of Puntland in northeastern Somalia. they have been proud nomads and fishermen for thousands of years. the mehri population are an estimated 136,000. they're mother tounge is Mehri but they also speak Arabic and Somali.” (Forum Biodiversity, 27. August 2012)

 

 

Quellen: (Zugriff auf alle Quellen am 29. Februar 2016)

·      Allgedo: Warqad furan: Cabasho ka timid Suldaanka Beesha Carabta Yaxye Saalax, Suldaan Xaaji Cabdullahi Xaaji Xasan, 25. August 2012
http://www.allgedo.com/2012/08/25/warqad-furan-cabasho-ka-timid-suldaanka-beesha-carabta-yaxye-saalax-suldaan-xaaji-cabdullahi-xaaji-xasan/

·      Farah, Mohamed I.: Politics and Society in Somalia's North-Eastern Region, in: Life & Peace Review, October - December 1994. Vol. 8, No. 4, 29. Jänner 1995
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Newsletters/peace.html

·      Forum Biodiversity: Thread: Meheri or Mahra people; verfasst von Nutzer brainblaster456, 27. August 2012
http://www.forumbiodiversity.com/showthread.php/36666-Meheri-or-Mahra-people-%28%D8%A2%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%29

·      IRB - Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada: Information on the Arab Salah tribe: location, treatment and affiliations [SOM37930.E], 29. Oktober 2001 (verfügbar auf ecoi.net)
http://www.ecoi.net/local_link/194760/313388_de.html

·      Jama, Hassan Ali: Who Cares about Somalia: Hassan's Ordeal ; Reflections on a Nation's Future, 1. Jänner 2005
https://books.google.at/books?id=lAyeNqKK7bQC&printsec=frontcover&hl=de#v=onepage&q&f=false

·      Mereja: Somali is not Somalia & Somalia is not Somali; verfasst von Nutzer Zack, 26. April 2013
http://mereja.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51944

·      MRG - Minority Rights Group International: No redress: Somalia's forgotten minorities, 23. November 2010 (verfügbar auf ecoi.net)
http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1226_1428570000_downloadmrgi.pdf

·      Qaranimo Online: The Official List Of The New Members Of Somali Parliament In 2012-2016, 18. August 2012 (verfügbar auf Archive.is)
https://archive.is/xS4Wr

·      Somalia Report: Special Report: What is Galmudug?, 4. August 2012
http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/3120

·      Somalinet Forum: Darood origin and his relatives; research; verfasst von Nutzer Adali, 9. Dezember 2011
http://www.somalinet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=296889