Abukar Awale -- AMA

[OfficialAMA]

Abukar Awale, also known as Qaad Diid, is a renowned anti-khat campaigner. After struggling with addiction, a near-death experience in 2004 was the wake-up call he needed to quit using the drug for good.


"It took a knife to knock some sense into my head" Abukar Awale



Abukar Awale's road to recovery inspired him to help others struggling with khat addiction. He spent the following 9 years raising public awareness of khat's social harms, campaigning to ban its use, all while receiving death threats. In 2013 Awale played a significant role in successfully campaigning the Government of the United Kingdom to introduce legislation classifying khat as a class C drug. The successes he achieved in the UK encouraged him to take his activism to Somalia where his campaign received significant support from the public but has been met with stiff resistance from the powerful pro-khat lobby ( $840 million a year industry). Despite setbacks, Awale is determined to make Somalia a khat-free and drug-free country.

 

[Invader]

Why do people still chew khat even though it has such a bitter taste.

 

[butANumba]

I have no question. Your activism has been noticed. I just want to Thank You.

 

[Abdalla]

Salam Abukar,

You're very anti qabil. Recently, you've been arrested by Somaliland troops in Las Anod, and you were quickly released. I want to ask you how can you reconcile your anti-qabil stance when it was your clan that made sure you were released.

 

[Abdalla]

I also want to thank you for your huge campaign which led to Khat ban in Europe. Thank you.

 

[Apollo]

Are there religious movements or popular clerics in the Somali peninsula who make khat consumption go down? Do you think clearer and more vocal stances against khat from religious leaders are needed?

 

[Duchess]

Welcome adeer! My question is about the pro-khat lobby. Can you tell us more about them? Who are they and how much influence do they really have?

 

[Apollo]

Another question, do you think Somali governments are afraid of losing legitimacy and/or facing rebellions if they outright ban khat or tax it at high rates? If so, what can be done to ease this tension?

 

[Abdalla]

Another question

I want to ask you how you reconciles with the stiff resistance to your anti drug activism in a Muslim country when you were one of the champions of getting khat banned in Europe, a non-Muslim continent?

 

[Draper]

Do you think khat consumption has decreased over the years due to khat awareness campaigns or because young people are turning to other vices? Do you ever see yourself expanding your activism to include other drugs?

 

[Distant1]

Do you think khat is a coping mechanism like alcohol is to a depressed person?

Should mental health be addressed as one the factors behind khat consumption?

 

[Zoobear]

Do you believe a " war on drugs" style campaign would work in Somalia? By enacting mandatory minimums or 3 strikes styled laws?

I believe the vast majority of people using drugs are trying to cope with misery or have lost hope in life.

How do we help teach people to deal with issues and problems in a positive and constructive way?

Thank you for your hard work and effort.

 

[Abdalla]

My last question

Your anti-Khat campaign is based in the harms of its consequences, that it causes depression and lack of production, and poverty. But isn't it the other way around? Wouldn't you say that poverty and depression is the reason why a lot of young men run to drugs?

 

[Nåture]

Why do people still chew khat even though it has such a bitter taste.

Cause it gets you Marqaan

 

[Karim]

Mr Abukar Awale salamulah Adeer.

Hal Suaal ayaan Qabaa:
Maxay tahay sababta Gobolada waqooyi ay uga Qaad (Khat) cunis badan yihiin gobolada kale ee dalka?!!

 

[Amazonian]

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Khat is the root of all evil when it comes to progressing. Mahadsanid.

 

[Draper]

Are you related to Mohammed Awale Liban the creator of the Somali flag?

 

[Amazonian]

Mr Abukar Awale salamulah Adeer.

Hal Suaal ayaan Qabaa:
Maxay tahay sababta Gobolada waqooyi ay uga Qaad (Khat) cunis badan yihiin gobolada kale ee dalka?!!

Suaal cajiib ah

 

[Sloane Ranger]

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh ,

I grew up watching you on Universal TV and am inspired by your contributions to the community. I would like to know how long you were campaign for before khat became classed as a Class C drug? What obstacles did you face in getting the laws changed ? How is it different trying to achieve this in Somalia ? What can the youth do to support this changed back home ?

Many Thanks
Halimo

 

[OfficialAMA]

Salam Abukar,

You're very anti qabil. Recently, you've been arrested by Somaliland troops in Las Anod, and you were quickly released. I want to ask you how can you reconcile your anti-qabil stance when it was your clan that made sure you were released.

Suaal cajiib ah

Salaam brother

Waqooyi iyo Koonfur isku si ayaa looga cunaa Qaadka