Khat Merchants

[Faheema.]

I came across this bit of news today (though it’s few days old ) and I think it’s a fantastic idea…however, implementing it would be all but impossible without the publics support and cooperation… So Nomads… do you think it’s going to work? If not, how would you tackle this growing problem?

 

According to the article below…Eradicating it will not be a smart move

 

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A mayor in Somaliland is trying to cut down on the problems caused by khat, a mild stimulant, by moving dealers to the outskirts of the city.

 

 

Hussein Mohamud Jiir, mayor of the capital Hargeisa, has set aside tracts of land where he hopes to install the khat merchants. Dealers, however, say there is no point trying to restrict their activities.

 

Khat is a natural amphetamine derived from the leaves of the Catha edulis plant.

 

The problem of addiction in Somaliland - which has broken away from Somalia - is huge.

 

Addicts - mostly men - will spend all their money on the drug, while their children have nothing to eat.

 

And khat is also blamed for the small plastic bags which litter the city.

 

Pink, blue and red bags, used to hold khat, block drains, hang on trees and fences, stick to telegraph and electricity poles, or are even eaten by goats.

 

The mayor's plan would give each of the city's five districts its own khat "areas".

 

Bursts into life

 

He was confident that the plan would work.

 

"The same thing that happens here today, used to happen in Mogadishu. Sinai market was a similar initiative. People will go to wherever there is khat," he said.

 

The drug is grown in Ethiopia's highlands. Every day, dozens of trucks loaded with tonnes of it arrive in Hargeisa, flooding the streets by mid-morning.

 

The city bursts into life with their arrival. People run after the trucks, some pushing carts and wheelbarrows.

 

There are the khat sellers, bystanders, the jobless, pilferers and pickpockets, all wanting to make something out of the excitement.

 

Khat dealer Ali Omar says there is no point trying to control the trade.

 

"It is a silly question asking why I sell khat. Can you just walk over to the opposite store and ask why he sells foodstuffs? What a laughing matter," he said before resuming his shouts to attract customers.

(this made me laugh markaan hooyo u translate gareenayey, how dare he compare the two)

 

Single mother-of-three Amina Derie has been selling khat for three years and is unrepentant.

 

She says the trade allows her to buy food for her children.

 

"I even pay their school fees through it. Thanks to God, I am comfortable," she said with a knowing smile.

 

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[Jacaylbaro]

yeah ,, it is really a smart idea ,,, to also increase the TAX on khat would be also another good idea ,,,,,

[shyhem]

What so hard about stopping khat.All you need is to arm the women and the children with laws that enable them to sue any father who puts khat before his family.

A man should only buy khat after he has taken care of his family,anything short of that will have the state interfereing in his private affairs and the state will decide how he spends his money.

[FatB]

lol seperating somalis and there khat is like telling Bush to stop beeing an ***** lol

[Janna]

I don't believe this Khat epemdic will ever be resolved. However Khat prices should be increased, so therefore these silly men will use that money to feed their children knowing they are unable to afford the Khat.

[Animal Farm]

Khat is cheap in the UK, compared to North America --- so raising the price up here in North America would only cause chaos, and would produce dreadful conditions for Somali families – the parents would deduct funds that might have been nutritionally sanctioned towards the purchase of food, instead buying khat and leaving the children to starve.

[Janna]

The Khat in Somalia should be increased. As for other countries, someone should call authorities making them believe Khat is as serious as heroine. "Arrest them".

[Faheema.]

^^^ It is very simple …what is more important…the future and welfare of your children or few leafs?

 

Having a designated area for khat is a good. Look at Amsterdam, selling marijuana is legal but only in certain areas and the same rule can be applied if only people are willing to work with the system.

[Animal Farm]

Cawo Are you talking about Europe or Somalia?

If you’re talking about Europe, in the UK they’ve got khat houses, you come in and sit down beside the dealer and chew til your teeth fall off. In Somalia, I doubt they’d accept that concept, khat is part of the lifestyle there.

[Faheema.]

^^ I am talking about Somalia and according to the article it's a growing problem that needs to be addressed, you can't just dismiss it by saying oh well it's part of their lifestyle therefore it can not be tackled :confused:

[SouthCboi]

Islam does not say that we can not enjoy life. Of course we want things in life, but its so essential to strike a balance between deen and duniya. That balance is now becoming incredibly difficult for many brothers and sisters who are trapped in the wrath of the Shaytaan..

 

QAAT-causes some sticky yellowish substance which makes the teeth yellow, causes tooth decay and inflammation of the gums. This is so harmful to humans. why to somali ppl !!

 

Allah (sw)Says-- He commands them to do good and stops them from evil and makes halaal for them that which is pure and makes haraam upon them that which is impure." [Quraan 7: 157]

 

The prohibition against wastage has clearly been revealed in the Quraan.

 

"And do not squander (your wealth). Indeed the spendthrifts are the brothers of Shaytaan." [Quraan 17:27]

 

Another verse of the Quraan-e-kareem states:

 

"And do not waste, for indeed Allah does not love those who waste." [Quraan 6:141]

 

An incurable disease and a cause of weakness in human strengths.

 

O Intelligent Being - in all important affairs,

 

set aside from yourself that which places you in doubt

 

and betake to all that which does not cause you doubt. Ameen !

 

 

 

Mac-salamah all

[Kashafa]

Public humiliation would work perfectly. I got the idea from a newspaper that publishes the names of of men who don't provide for their 'baby mamas' and kids.

 

Front page picture of Deadbeat Daahir with his address and hang-outs, documenting how much he spent on Khat this month...and how it affected his family. Column could called "Chronicles of the Khat-chewers".

 

Which brings us to the central question that could either make or break this idea: Do the Khat-Chewers understand the concept of shame ?

[Castro]

Originally posted by Kashafa:

Do the Khat-Chewers understand the concept of shame ?

There's a stage which addicts reach where shame, responsibility, duty and other normal life give-and-takes become meaningless. You can shame a Faarax into giving up frequent visits to the red light district in Hargeisa but you can't shame an addict into giving up the pipe. An addict must be asking for help and only then would rehab, if even available, would work. Everything else is an exercise in futility.