Ibrahim Ali

Downtime...

I guess I'm kinda late to the #SOPASucks party. I finalized the transfer of my domain from Go Daddy to Namecheap today, but the process was a bit tedious so the site was down for a couple of days. In any case, I'm happy with Namecheap for now (Go Daddy's interface sucked anyways). And I'm glad to hear that the White House won't support SOPA or PIPA either.

Check out the video below to learn more about the proposed bill:

<p><a href="http://vimeo.com/31100268">

Information Technology vs Technology in Africa

For the past few decades, emerging technologies such as biotechnology, microelectronics, information technology and communications technologies have become central to the socioeconomic development of nations. These technologies improve productivity and facilitate better living standards when they penetrate into societies. Among them, information technology (IT) has become the most dominant; IT has revolutionized almost every aspect of our lives, public and private, by connecting individuals, institutions and governments in mutually dependent ways. With its ease of adoption, this interdependence has scaled rapidly, unlike any other technology in modern history. In Africa, for example, despite decades of using electricity, no one can claim that the continent has fully adopted it. The same applies to the aerospace and biochemical industries, among others.

IT is good for developing countries — it empowers people and improves their lives. But, in many African countries, the successes afforded by IT can backfire if it becomes a too-dominant focus. Take Nigeria for example: Despite decades of crude oil exploration, it cannot claim that it has developed indigenous domain expertise in that industry. If the MNCs depart, Nigeria will cease to remain an oil-producing nation, as it lacks the local ability to explore, extract and sustain production. But in the IT industry, most Nigerian firms are well-positioned for any challenge.

The success of IT in Africa has reached a level where it is being dangerously over-emphasized. From The World Bank to The African Union, everyone is talking about IT. IT events are very common everywhere, not to mention the Google, Microsoft, and Blackberry platform-based competitions that are being endlessly unleashed as these brands jockey for position on the continent. The Nigerian government has created a new ministry to focus solely on IT and related areas. And African leaders are neglecting most non-IT technologies. Across most African universities, the only funded and active labs are the IT labs. University administrators are happy to tout how they equipped IT labs, though everything else is broken. Agricultural engineering students are more focused on IT than on learning to build next-generation farm machinery. It's a troubling pattern, as everyone wants to be seen as IT-savvy.

While IT can be applied to any field, the way Africa is promoting it sets a dangerous precedent. In my continent, "information technology" has become synonymous with "technology" itself. If you don't know IT, you're not a techie. You can master diesel engines and polymer technology, but without expertise in IT, few believe that you belong in the technology sector.

So, what's the danger? Everyone wants to be an IT guy. No one remembers that we still need food. At the University of Nairobi, I recently asked a group of agricultural science students about their plans upon graduation. Only one wanted to stay in agriculture; others are making apps for farmers. Yes, they know more about mobile operating systems and mobile payments than they do about farming! The farms are now IT labs. And while you can simulate farming on tablets, you can't eat the virtual fruit.

Pick up a typical newspaper on the continent, and you'll find that the technology column has been changed to an IT column. Newspapers write about Google, Blackberry, Facebook and Apple in the technology section, but non-IT companies — though they're technology firms — are rarely reported on. Tech journalism is now IT journalism. Even the governments have confused technology policy with IT policy.

I firmly believe that IT has helped Africa, and that it has a role to play as the continent advances. But, there needs to be a balance. The continent needs techies in mining, geology, semiconductors, agriculture, chemicals, and other areas besides IT, and government must ensure that IT does not create a situation that will destroy the continent's capacity to feed her citizens and compete in the future.

via blogs.hbr.org

How much of the focus on IT in Africa is perpetuated by foreign investors & governments versus African governments and investors/entrepreneurs? African economies cannot thrive solely on advanced Information Technologies because the main commodity is exactly that: Information. In terms of Food Security, these countries need to focus on securing sustenance for their people and then in turn exporting those commodities to other countries where there is high demand. But if there are no underlying 'real' technologies then they lose the ability to process those crops and sell them within domestic markets thus benefitting from its intrinsic value and re-circulation of capital. They need to focus less on making green cars and perhaps more on making green technologies that enable sustainable agriculture. These technologies are already being pioneered inside and outside of Africa. Africans should not be blinded to this woeful problem and demand that their priorities be put first in a way that thoroughly benefits them. This phenomenon coupled with the wholesale land grab occurring within the continent (picture below) will put them in a tough spot and has implications beyond just the agriculture sector.

Chased by a crackhead...

I apologize for this hastily written post, but it's personal.

This year is already shaping up to be quite interesting. So much has happened in the last 24 hours for me to even write about. But to the crux of the matter: I've resolved to spend less time engaging social networks and more time engaging my personal life: understanding myself, righting my wrongs, rebuilding bridges, and spending more time with family and close friends (not in any particular order). I'm not suggesting that social networks completely got in the way of that, but I believe that the costs (i.e. mindshare) have outweighed the benefits (i.e. productivity/connectivity) or maybe I've placed more importance to them than I'd like. I've suffered from information overload for quite sometime now (see: Instapaper backlog/Twitter Favorites). I feel the need to fine-tune my lifestyle preferences. I may be wrong however and time will only tell if and when I give in. Meanwhile you can hopefully look for more long-form quality posts here.

P.S. Although it's 2012, I am still not a Malaysian M.P. so if you were looking for him, sadly you came to the wrong place.

P.P.S Here's an awesome email I received today:  

Hey,

Did you have an epiphany earlier today and decide to delete/deactivate Facebook & Twitter? I can't believe I am emailing you!! 

I am emailing you to tell you that while you called me I was being chased by a crackhead. I was running for my life. I have no minutes so please do call me back.

Thanks,

H  

Tyrone Biggums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Tuned!

- Ibrahim

Rasta Monsta!

The 'Luis Guzman' promo for How to Make It In America was released a mere 48 hours ago and has already racked up over a half million views at the time of this post (no thanks to Justin Bieber). The Barbara Streisand song by Ducksauce is appropriated here for a lesser-known but marquee fictional character we've all come to adore (if you're a fan that is)--Rene Calderon. 

I'm sharing this for a few reasons: I'm a huge fan (a budding entrepreneur as well). I recently had the chance to visit the inspiring mecca for hustlers for the first time in Late August/Early September (it's the real deal). And lastly it debuts on my birthday. Sweet, right?

You can find the promo and some pictures I'd like to share from the trip below:

(download)
(download)

Why Arabic is Terrific

No other language will make you work as hard to avoid speaking formally to pairs of women.
via idlewords.com

It's funny that Posterous chose that particular excerpt by default because it's actually my favourite one from this well-written post about the joys and struggles of learning this fascinating language which I stumbled across from the Hacker News twitter feed (of all places).

I started learning Arabic at a very young age while attending an American Curriculum Private School in Qatar. And it's a language that I'm still grappling with today. I'm glad that the writer pointed out the gap between 'fus-ha' (standard arabic) and 'amiya' (general arabic). Becoming a master of the language is tough, but the journey is well worth it. I shall continue to learn and awkwardly converse with native speakers until I figure when to use which vocabulary.

There's a nice gift for those of you who can relate at the end of the blog post.

An Evening with Dr. Hawa Abdi

I had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the youth at an engagement held by Toronto's Somali Community for Dr. Hawa Abdi. Below is the transcript of my speech:

Asalamu Alaikum,

 

Ladies and Gentlemen before I begin, I would like to thank you for attending this wonderful event. I would also like to thank Dr. Hawa Abdi for embarking on this long journey and blessing us with her presence. At the same time I would like to extend her an apology on behalf of Toronto’s Somali Community for not inviting her sooner to share her experiences with us and assist her with her endeavours back home.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen we have been gathered here by a common cause. This cause is greater than the sum of our individual problems and arguably one of the greatest we’ll ever face. What is occuring back home is no secret. It is well-documented and well-known both outside and within the Somali community. At times, one cannot help but feel helpless. Dr. Abdi is a heroine to mankind (and women), but who is to succeed her? The crisis we are facing back home is a Somali-issue. And it is our task to tackle it ourselves. Often we find ourselves at the peril of others’ hands. Even here in Canada, the narrative being told is not ours. We need to learn how to interact with the media and amplify our voice. At the same time, we must not shy away from the challenge of interacting with non-Somalis. Yes we hail from an anarchic state, but we are certainly not the only ones to have experienced civil war and its subsequent manifestations. I believe there is much benefit to building bridges of understanding between us and other communities much like Dr. Abdi is trying to accomplish today.

 

For me, I have no choice but to tread such waters. I sometimes find myself considered to be too Somali to be Canadian and too Canadian to be Somali. And I’m sure there are others who share this experience. However, it also provides us with the opportunity to redefine who we are in this world. Somalia has the potential to become host to one of the greatest brain drain reversals in modern history. With a significant amount of its global population living outside its borders, we can return and rebuild a country to the likes of which has not been seen. That reality will not be possible if we don’t take advantage of the resources we have here. For example, in Toronto, the Somali community is suffering from an almost 30% drop-out rate in high schools. Late last year, I along with my executives at the Somali Student Association at York established the first official partnership between us and the Toronto District School Board for our Annual Somali Education Conference to entice students to pursue a post-secondary education. However if such initiatives are not met with a sustained effort to drive them forward then our community will continue to flounder.

 

As a whole, we have commitment issues. Although a narrow conclusion, I believe it’s an accurate way of describing how we ended up here. Allah says in the Qur’an:

 

(Bis-millahi Al-Rahmani Al-Raheem)

 

“Wal Asr” He swears by the time.

“Ina Al-Insana Lafi Khusr” Verily, man is in loss.

“Ila Al-dheena aminu wa amilu as-salahati, wa tawasow bil-haqi wa tawasow bil-sabr.” Except for the those who believe and do good deeds, abstain from all sins and evil, and recommend to one another patience.

 

Our time is finite, our time is borrowed, and our time will serve as a witness against us on the day of judgement. We have strayed and we need to go back to our teachings, establish a dialogue, and reconcile our differences as a community and as a nation. I don’t have to go in details about how fortunate we are to share so much in common with one another beyond merely religion (as opposed to other African nations). Although I suppose that would have been the ultimate differentiator considering developments in that region as of late. And yet we face tribulations here and we face tribulations back home. At a time when we need each other the most, our community has become more fragmented and isolated as quibble over meaningless ways of organizing ourselves. Everyone can’t be a leader, but they can be leaders in their own right.

Narrated Ibn Umar (): The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of the people of his house and he is responsible. A woman is the shepherd of the house of her husband and she is responsible. Each of you is a shepherd and each is responsible for his flock.”

[Bukhari, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad #212]

 

They can be leaders within their families, communities, or townships. At their local mosque, community center, or workplace. We are not looking for great numbers, but great people amongst those numbers. Exemplary men, women, and children who will dedicate themselves to this cause. Who will stop at nothing to restore what was once known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean to its former glory. And if they said that one person couldn’t make a difference, then they lied to you. For if everyone focused on improving themselves, then society itself will change. The youth today are stale. They are unimaginative and uninspired because they have nothing to look up to and nothing to look forward to. Above them lies darkness, in front of them lies darkness, and to the right and left of them is darkness. They are lost in translation looking for a shimmering light of guidance. But who will lend them a helping hand? These are the questions that we must answer to.

 

Often we hear about the ‘American Dream’ as we are prey to the Dominant Fantasies of the West. But what about our dreams? Are we entitled to dreams or should the dreams of others be built on our backs? Have ye not realized that ‘One Man’s Misery is another Man’s Fortune?’ How long are we going to wait until the ‘International Community’ comes to our aid? How many voices will be unheard? How much sweat, blood, and tears need to be spent in order for us to wake up one day and say that enough is enough? 

 

The saddest part of our misfortune is that it is one that can be reversed. And I hope this serves as a reminder of patience and perseverance. I cannot say how long it’s going to be: 5 years, 10 years, 15, maybe another 20 altogether. But it is a route worth taking. After all, we had it briefly figured out, didn’t we? In the end, I invite you to ask yourself: When you’re time comes, what do you want to be known for?

 

I would also like to note the fact that our community (and our nation) is going through a transition. We seem to be waking up from our long slumber. The Old Guard along with their archaic methods seem to fading amongst the diaspora and it's youth. We are increasingly holding such institutions accountable, transparent, and effective. The New Guard is all too familiar with the practices of yesteryear. And we are poised to bring about tangible change.

 

And now on to Women who are at the forefront of that change. In the UNDP's Human Development Report for 2010, it stated that the ratio for higher education attainment was 132 females for every 100 males. Although Somalia is considered an Arab State, this a global phenomenon also existing within our community and larger diaspora. As a matter of fact, my successor at the Somali Students' Association at York is a female--and so are the rest of her executives marking the first time in its short 13-year history that our organization has been entirely staffed by women. At this rate, I would not only be worried for the Old Guard, but for my sake as well. So with that said, the more power to you (women). And before I bid you adieu, I'd like once again to thank Dr. Hawa Abdi, the organizers, Taric Mosque, and everyone who made this event possible.

 

Jazak-Allah

 

Asalamu Alaikum.

 

CongoSapiens

I don't typically care to blog about fashion for the sake of fashion. But I found this particular story fascinating. It's about a movement called Le SAPE in Congo which represents a group of decadently dressed men that obviously don't emanate from wealthy backgrounds. It's not the act of distinguishing oneself contrary to one's circumstances that intrigued me, but the strict guidelines that shape their character. I wanted to share this because it's refreshing since there isn't much good news that comes of out Congo anyways. Click the photo to read more.

Jessie

At the tender age of 10, my Father had to make a decision that determined the course for the rest of his life. With no one to provide for his family, he had to drop out of school in Somalia. An avid swimmer, he decided to become a sailor after various menial jobs. At the age of 18, after having travelled much of the Eastern world, he decided to settle in Qatar, a small peninsula off the Persian Gulf. A decade later he met my Mother and I was their firstborn child. Without mentioning the hardships that he endured up to that point, I'm grateful that I am the fruit of his labour. And I will undoubtedly be unable to repay him for the countless sacrifices he made thereafter. 

The video below reminded me of my Father. It is part of an Al Jazeera program called 'Risking it All', a thought that is widely held in entrepreneurial circles. It is believed that to be a successful entrepreneur, one must be willing to risk it all: drop out of school, raise money, strain relationships, risk financial well-being, lock yourself in a room, have laser focus, don't sleep, etc. It is 25 minutes long, but it's good. More after the video.

There are voluntary risks and there are desperate measures. This program discussed the latter. The same route my Father took as a kid is now being pursued by other enterprising individuals. Young, brash, and daring 'coast guards' as they call themselves. Hard pressed to find meaningful work in an archaic society ruled by regional governments that have not been able to stand on their own over the last two decades. They turned to the lucrative industry of maritime piracy--preying on shipping lines along the Gulf of Aden.

I'll admit there is some empathy on my behalf. Simply because the illusion of unity and goodwill amongst the international community does not seem to apply to Somalia. All the troubles it is experiencing due to the fall of the government could have been avoided with some degree of intervention. On the same token however, I'm unsure if the ill-gotten gains received from piracy are being redistributed amongst those who need it most. But then again, this is not Robin Hood. The motivation here is not altruistic. It's every man for himself. And that is supposedly the natural state of things with the absence of government intervention. I've yet to understand how exactly the influx of profits from this racketeering is benefitting the average Somali. As a person's wealth grows, so does preference. Even with the assumption of high-turnover within this industry, what is preventing former pirates from migrating elsewhere and thus, contributing to another economy?