According to a representative of Somali Immigrant Aid in Toronto, the Reer Hamar (FIQI) means "inhabitants (Reer) of Mogadishu (Hamar) and they are a mixed "race" of Arabs, Africans and Indians" (21 June 1994). They do not belong to any clan or subclan, because they are none of these sociological categorizations (ibid.). The source stated that the Reer Hamar have always lived in Mogadishu, where they have controlled the small business establishments of the city. No one really knows where they came from; the clans and subclans of Somalia consider them to be immigrants.

The Reer Hamar have not been well regarded by non-Reer Hamar in Mogadishu, principally because of their economic influence. The source believes the Reer Hamar will always be victimized in one way or another during Somalia's inter-clan conflicts (ibid.). The source attributed this to the group's lack of strong alliances with powerful clans or sub-clans, which are essential for a group's safety in Somalia (ibid.).

The representative noted that during the Siad Barre era, the Reer Hamar were protected by the authorities because they paid "bribes to government officials." Because they are a small group that is linked with essential economic activities in the capital, they became an identifiable target after the overthrow of the Siad Barre regime and the collapse of recognized authority in the country. For instance, their shops were looted and there was no authority to protect them from such attacks (ibid.).

Representatives of the Somali-Canadian Association of Etobicoke and the Southern Somali Community Organization of Ontario in North York corroborated the above information provided by the representative from Somali Immigrant Aid (21 June 1994).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Somali-Canadian Association of Etobicoke. 21 June 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Somali Immigrant Aid, Toronto. 21 June 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Southern Somali Community Organization of Ontario, North York. 21 June 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Amnesty International Report. Yearly.

Cassanelli, Lee, V. 1982. The Shaping of Somali Society. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Yearly. U.S. Department of State. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Country files (Somalia).

Human Rights Watch World Report [New York]. Yearly.

The Indexed Media Review (IMR).

On-line Searches.