Mogadishu Book Fair proved the might of the pen – USAID

The US aid agency USAID has lauded the just concluded Mogadishu Book Fair in Mogadishu terming it a success in promoting national cohesion, tolerant and literate Somali societies.

In a statement, the agency which was the principal sponsor said of the event provided a forum for free flow of ideas, love, heritage and a proved the might of the pen.

“The Mogadishu Book Fair was a resounding success, attracting thousands a day. We are building a more peaceful, tolerant and literate Somali societies through activities like this,” said USAID Deputy Mission Director for Kenya and East Africa, Steve Olive.

USAID said through it’s Transitional Initiatives for Stabilisation programme, TIS+ it has been able to ‘renew a sense of shared Somali identify’. In collaboration with the US Mission to Somalia, USAID said they donated more than 100 books to City University in Mogadishu which hosted the Book Fair at City Palace Hotel in Mogadishu.

The Book Fair attracted some of the finest authors in the Somali literary arena and junior writers some of whom were inspired by the inaugural book fair in 2015. Notable among the writers included Los Angeles based author and playwright Abdi Latif Ega whose novel, Guban which is part of trilogy on Somalia from the mediaeval times to the present was featured.

Other writers included Somali-Canadian novelists and journalist the author of ‘Something Remains, Hassan G. Santur and The Mayor of Mogadishu author Andrew Harding, a former BBC Africa correspondent.

The founder and organizer of the event, Mohamed Diini also praised the fair terming it a milestone and a platform for constructive dialogue among Somalis.

“In an environment of dialogue, beliefs and ideas were shared and discussed in a productive forum rather than fought over,” explained Mohamed ‘Diini’.