Another heated political history debate regarding Siyaad Barre.
During his rise to power in 1969, Barre became known across the world as the leader trying to make Islam and communism compatible. According to many observers, communism and Islam were seen as oil and water, two entities that could not mix. Barre had his work cut out for him in press conferences, in which Arab and Western journalists tried to get Barre to explain how the two ideologies could work. In a quote that was widely reported in the West, Barre stated: "“There is no chapter, not even a single word, in our Koran that opposes scientific socialism. We say, ‘Where is the contradiction? The contradiction was created by man only.’”"
The comedic juxtaposition by the Kacaan was so ridiculous that in 1977, the New York Times dedicated an article called: "Somalia Trys to Live by Both the Koran and ‘Das Kapital’"
www.nytimes.com
Now, in order for clarity, allow me to state: Neither the USSR or Saudi Arabia agreed with Barre's position.
For Saudi Arabia, as an ally of the Western powers, it used its dominance as the home of Islam to rally against communism. It issued fatwas and threw money at the opposition of communism. The Saudi royalty and Islamic leadership made it extremely clear that communism did not align with Islamic interests, placing domestic pressure on USSR friendly muslim-majority countries. This was part of the Nixon doctrine, in which the US funded and provided complete support for Saudi Arabia to clamp down on communism in the region. As the second-oldest Muslim society and strategic location, Somalia was the centre of many of Saudi's efforts.
For the USSR, the situation was simple. They wanted the promotion of communism similar to that of the USSR/Soviet Bloc inside Somalia, which entailed the suppression of religion. Their diplomats in Somalia were frustrated in the religiosity of the Somali people, which was regarded as an affront to communism. Even the Somali students sent to the USSR were known for their disdain of communism lessons and were furious at the restriction of religious freedom.
Now the question that remain is: Did Barre know that Islam and Communism were incompatible or was he ignorant?
I think he knew and I will attach some evidence as to why he may have knowingly promoted communism in Somalia whilst being cognisant of his religion's aversion to it.
During his rise to power in 1969, Barre became known across the world as the leader trying to make Islam and communism compatible. According to many observers, communism and Islam were seen as oil and water, two entities that could not mix. Barre had his work cut out for him in press conferences, in which Arab and Western journalists tried to get Barre to explain how the two ideologies could work. In a quote that was widely reported in the West, Barre stated: "“There is no chapter, not even a single word, in our Koran that opposes scientific socialism. We say, ‘Where is the contradiction? The contradiction was created by man only.’”"
The comedic juxtaposition by the Kacaan was so ridiculous that in 1977, the New York Times dedicated an article called: "Somalia Trys to Live by Both the Koran and ‘Das Kapital’"
Somalia Trys to Live by Both the Koran and ‘Das Kapital’ (Published 1977)
Article on Somalia, nation struggling to move into modern world under banners of Islam and Marxism; notes attempt to straddle, if not to merge, 2 is most striking feature of Siad Barre Govt (M)
Now, in order for clarity, allow me to state: Neither the USSR or Saudi Arabia agreed with Barre's position.
For Saudi Arabia, as an ally of the Western powers, it used its dominance as the home of Islam to rally against communism. It issued fatwas and threw money at the opposition of communism. The Saudi royalty and Islamic leadership made it extremely clear that communism did not align with Islamic interests, placing domestic pressure on USSR friendly muslim-majority countries. This was part of the Nixon doctrine, in which the US funded and provided complete support for Saudi Arabia to clamp down on communism in the region. As the second-oldest Muslim society and strategic location, Somalia was the centre of many of Saudi's efforts.
For the USSR, the situation was simple. They wanted the promotion of communism similar to that of the USSR/Soviet Bloc inside Somalia, which entailed the suppression of religion. Their diplomats in Somalia were frustrated in the religiosity of the Somali people, which was regarded as an affront to communism. Even the Somali students sent to the USSR were known for their disdain of communism lessons and were furious at the restriction of religious freedom.
Now the question that remain is: Did Barre know that Islam and Communism were incompatible or was he ignorant?
I think he knew and I will attach some evidence as to why he may have knowingly promoted communism in Somalia whilst being cognisant of his religion's aversion to it.
