Friday, 1 November 2013

Anniversary of the adoption of the Somali flag.

Today marks the 59th anniversary of the adoption of the flag of the Somali people. 
The flag was created by Somali scholar Mohammed Awale Liban after he had been selected by the Somali labour trade union to come up with a design in preparation for independence. It was officially adopted on October 12, 1954.

Liban chose the blue color to represent the United Nations who helped Somalis reach their dream of independence, the white color represented peace and prosperity, the five-pointed white Star of Unity in its centre represents the Somali ethnic group found in Djibouti, the Somali Western region in Ethiopia, the North Eastern Province in Kenya, and the former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland territories ( present-day Somalia) which had been divided by the colonial powers.

Today the Somali flag is seen in every place all over the country but it flies not for the whole nation but for communities and tribes. It has to regain its lost dignity by uniting under the banner of Somali nation.

My dear flag 
Fly high in sound style 
Flap for all of Somalia 
Beside you I always stand 
To guard and protect you 
To keep you away from harm 
Though warlords reviled you 
You are still the symbol of glory 
You are the bedrock of Somali unity 
Keep fluttering in the air of freedom.

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