Hargeisa, Somaliland – Abdul Rafay Afzal, Editor-in-Chief of The Advocate Post, international journalist, and lawyer-activist, deepened his engagement with Somaliland’s heritage during an official visit to the Hargeisa Cultural Centre, where he held a high-level discussion with Dr. Jama Musse Jama, the renowned scholar and Managing Director of the institution.
The meeting centered on the indispensable role of cultural identity in nationhood, with Dr. Jama asserting,
“A people who discard their roots erase their future. Somaliland’s endurance is not just political—it is cultural.”
Afzal echoed the sentiment, noting the palpable national pride visible across Hargeisa—from ubiquitous Somaliland flags to vibrant artistic expressions.
Inside the Cultural Nerve Center
Dr. Jama personally escorted Afzal through the Centre’s treasure-filled galleries, revealing:
– Old caskets documenting Somaliland’s intellectual traditions
– Provocative contemporary art interrogating identity and sovereignty
– Archaeological exhibits tracing ancient Somali civilizations like the Ziela Mosque model etc.
*“These artifacts aren’t relics—they’re living testaments,”
observed Afzal, examining a display of nomadic cultural implements.
The Diplomacy of Culture
Their dialogue explored how Somaliland’s cultural capital compensates for diplomatic isolation.
“While states debate recognition, our poetry, music and artifacts speak directly to the world,”
Dr. Jama explained, highlighting the Centre’s international collaborations.
Afzal remarked:
“This institution proves culture is the ultimate soft power—it makes Somaliland’s case more eloquently than any petition.”
A Legacy in Curated Form
The visit concluded at the Centre’s digital archives, where Somaliland’s oral histories are being preserved for future generations.
“Dr. Jama’s work here isn’t just curation—it’s cultural guardianship,”
Afzal noted in the guestbook.
This encounter between two champions of narrative sovereignty one preserving Somaliland’s past, another documenting its present—underscores The Advocate Post’s commitment to amplifying underrepresented stories of resilience.
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What struck me most was Dr. Jama’s powerful assertion that cultural survival is at the core of national endurance—something many nations overlook in political discourse. Afzal’s visit really highlighted how deeply rooted Somaliland’s identity is in its art, history, and storytelling. It’s inspiring to see such intentional preservation of heritage in action.