direpress volume – ii, issue

VOLUME I1, ISSUE 1
JANUARY
2014
DIRE PRESSs
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
As we end this fiscal year, I want to thank all and men-
tion that our community benefited from Professor Ismail
Abdullahi’sworkshop held on June 15, 2013 in Minneapolis at
the University of Minnesota. Professor Abdullahi’s dedication
and tireless work to educate his fellow citizens is always appreciated and valuedenormously.
Our community acknowledges Professor Ismail’s services and
support with great honour. The lesson learned from the workshop shaped this community in a better way. The members are
working harder than ever because of your encouragement. As
always we look forward to your next education sessions. Thank
you Professor Ismail!
This year, our community invited many individuals and jam’aata throughout the states to participate in our
historic event held in Minneapolis on June 30, 2013. More than 250 people participated in Dire Networking
event where they enjoyed the occasion and learned what our community stands for. Our message was briefly
explained by different speakers. We received several feedbacks from many individual about their experience of
the event.
This event would not have been possible without the dedication of our members. Their contributions
and hard work has brought many brothers and sisters to join such historical event held in North America for
first time by Dire Community. As a president, I would like to thank you all for your dedication and commitment, your contribution to your community is appreciated. I would also like to thank our brothers and sisters in
Canada for their contribution and hard work. Their willingness to be part of Dire Community under the same
umbrella as one body is a plus.
I am very proud of our talented board members. They used all the resources to encourage the members of the
community and volunteers to participate in this project. They worked hard and put in valuable time to bring
about such successful event. I would like to express my especial thanks to our board members who have done
such a great job. It would be unfair not to mention their names who have served this community tirelessly in
steady pace. Our board members include Abdulahi Musa (Kamal), Falmata Gemechu (yasin), A. Ibrahim, Basha
Salah, Fathi Salah, Abdulwasi Rabsa, Abdurahman Adem (Dire). These are the backbone of our community and
their hard work and dedication is always appreciated.
Thanks to my wife Karima, who is always supportive of our mission and what we stand for and respects the
work of our community. Without her the event would not have been possible.
I would also like to mention the hard work and dedication that was undertaken by Layla and her entire group.
They contribute a lot to our community event. They enlightened the event and encouraged our guests to take
part in this community event. My big thank you goes to each and every one of these ladies who has contributed
their time and energy to make this event a successful one.
All in all the success of the event is the fruit of hard work of many individuals. Guests were entertained and
enjoyed cultural meals. Moreover, they had interacted with each other and had good time.We conveyed our
message briefly and invited our people to join us in building a stronger network and be united. Most of the participants accepted our invitation to be part of Dire global networking. It is encouraging to hear a good feedback
from many people. Unity is power and will help to strengthen the community. I urge all members of the community to keep up good job in building the stronger community. I am honoured to serve this community.
Amin A Mohammed
JAMATA DIRE DAWA CELEBRATES
Ali Birra was born on May 26, 1948 in Humbanna, Dirre Dhawa (Dawa), Oromiya . He is the o
lection of his mother as the couple got divorced when he was at a tender age He was raised by a
He started his education in an Islamic school at the age of six. He then was transferred to the ge
for music and the urge to perform. As a child, he takes pride performing in front of an applaudi
His father, a devoted Muslim worried about the route that his son is going, enrolled him in an A
schooling. At age fourteen, he found himself teaching young children the Holy Koran and the A
in his forthcoming profession that enabled him to sing in
Arabic, Oromo, Somali and Harari.
In 1962, while he was teaching, he got fascinated by a newly organized musical band called “U
left teaching Arabic to be with the group. During this time there were three Alis In the band. To
and sang a song entitled, “Birra dha barihe” meaning “ the break of Spring”. Ali Birra and the s
and early fame.
From 1964 to 1984 Ali had worked with various musical bands in different hotels in Addis Abab
peror and his high ranking officials. After three years with the Imperial Body Guard band he lef
one of the top and well known singers in Ethiopia. He was claimed to be the highest paid artist a
stars band. In 1984, Ali was at the peak of his musical career but had to leave Ethiopia heading
Ali’s stay in the United States did not hinder his quest for his personal growth. He went to scho
Monica College in California. Between his wife’s tight diplomatic engagements and his school
weekends he would travel performing with other musicians for weddings and public shows in d
In 1989, he moved to Sweden from Saudi Arabia. While living in Sweden, he went to school le
beautiful experience working for the elderly. In 1992, after his divorce with his Swedish wife, h
tario.
Ali Birra’s career in music is very well respected and loved not only in Ethiopia but also in Oro
style, melodies that stand out with time and most importantly, his ability to deliver the message
has touched so many people’s lives. Through his songs, he is able to connect with both the youn
world for his contribution to the development of Oromo art and culture. On June 12, 2010, Ali
Ethiopia, JImma University.
Jamata Dire Dawa is proudly celebrates the 50th anniversary with Dr. Ali Birra. Dr. Ali is a pro
people of DireDawa ‘s contribution to the many kinds of struggle that took place in the city of D
DR. ALI BIRRA’S GOLDEN JUBILEE
only child of Mohamad Musa and Fatuma Ali. Growing up as a young boy, Ali had no recola single father with the help of his aunt Meyram Abdullahi (known as Meyram Gragn)
eneral public school until the age of twelve. Going to public school, Ali showed an innate love
ing classmates and friends. He enjoyed listening to Indian, Arabic and the western music.
Arabic school. Being witty and a quick learner, it did not take long for him to finish the Arabic
Arabic alphabet. Ali mastered Arabic Language very well and his linguistic skill assisted him
Urjii Bakkalchaa” (Afraan Qalloo). Ali was recruited to join the band in 1963. He immediately
o distinguish him from the two Ali’s they named him Ali Birra. With this name, he composed
song gained tremendous popularity at that time, hence, the turning point of his musical career
ba. In September of 1966 he joined the Imperial Body Guard band performing for the Emft and joined a number of bands one after the other. During these years, Ali was known to be
at that time. In 1982, Ali got married to a Swedish diplomat while working with the Ethiog to the United States for his wife’s diplomatic posting.
ool learning English as a second language and then later pursued Music theory at the Santa
ling, Ali did not abandon the call of duty to perform when needed. During school breaks and
different states of America.
earning the Swedish language. He also worked part time in a hospital where he recounts a
he settled in Toronto, Canada. Presently, Ali is living with his lovely wife in Pickering, On-
omo and Ethiopian communities abroad. What makes his music distinct from the rest is his
of his songs with all honesty. The theme of his music is universal. In one way or the other, he
ng and the old. Ali is now a multi –awarded artist/musician in oromo communities all over the
was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree in Music by one of the well known University of
oud Oromo and a product of a miraculous city of Dire Dawa. Dr. Ali is a living proof that the
DireDawa. CONGRATULATION DR. ALI. WE ALWAYS LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
GOOD NEWS FOR THE PEOPLE OF DIRE-DAWA
The trains will carry passengers from Dire Dawa to Djibouti three days a week. According to
Ayele, delay in the maintenance being carried out by an Italian company contracted to overhaul
100 kms of line out of a total of 208 kms within Ethiopia was the reason why the service had
been suspended.
The company had taken six years to carry out the job rather than the three years originally expected.
The re-start of the rail service is expected to have a major role in resuscitating the economy of
Dire Dawa which is home to many Djiboutians who spend the summer in Dire Dawa.
The Ethio-Djibouti Railway started service in 1890I. We are encouraged to see the government
is taking such a bold action to serve its people. Since its inception, the train has been a bread
basket for the people of Dire-Dawa. We are optimistic the train will resume its 7 day services
soon.
who is Abdurahman Adam (Dire)
synopsis
Abdurahman Adem (Dire) born on June 6, 1954.
Dire was Born and raised in one of a landmark of “GANDAGARA” called Qafira,
Dire-Dawa, one of the beautiful city in Ethiopia. He was one of three children in
his family. He was a father figure and he was a bread provider for the rest of his
family after the death of his father.
Dire made his professional debut at the age of 17,
with “AWRA GODANA” where he scored his 1st
goal on the second half of the game.
In his professional football, Dire played offense,
defense and middle field. Dire was not only gifted
but also a goal oriented individual who always
believed that success is a result of hard work.
Dire became popular after joining “BABOOR”
in 1971. Dire and his brother Bakharee were both
played for Baaboor football team. Since Dire
Joined this team, Baboor team became very popular both locally and nationally. The team became a
national champion in 1973. His brother, BAKEREE”, was encouraged by Dire’s passion to follow
Dire’s footsteps to join him in the field; together
they have marked the unforgettable moment in
the history of the Ethiopian football federation.
Dire played locally, nationally and internationally.
He visited many African countries as a player of
an Ethiopian National team. He played in the African Nation of Cup representing his country and
hometown. He also played in Europe and Asia.
Finally, He arrived to USA in the early 2004. He
joined Dire-Dawa Soccer team as a coach. His
talent and experience earned the Dire team two
championships with Oromo Sports Federation in
North America.
Dire is a Father of four children, he is a man of
his words and he is a proud member of our community,
Dire remained with the team (BABOOR) till his
retirement.
DIRE DAWA- A MONTAGE OF LANGUAGES
THE AMUSEMENT, ANCHORAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF A DESERT:
Dire-Dawa is 505 Kms away from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and 300 Km from Djibouti the capital of the Republic of Djibouti. It is an important mode of transportation and links intermediately the traffic of
the country with neighbouring countries; at the same time it is the getaway of the country by rail way and by air
bus to the neighbouring countries. It lies at 90 38’ North Latitude and 410 50 East Longitude.
Economically, it is stored house of wealth; the principal pole of development, the most important economic
and social center in the eastern region and in the country at large. It is privileged by its expediency, and capability of its economic. It has a good economic prospect because it offers some fundamental attraction due to its
location in a vast territory expected to be as a production and distribution center. It has a good trade connection with Djibouti, by which coffee, khat vegetable and fruits are the most important
agricultural crops of the region which is exported from Dire-Dawa to Djibouti and exterior. Dire-Dawa was a
home of many languages, among the widely spoken languages are, Oromo, Arabic, Somali, Harari, French, Italian, Greek and Armenian. And of course, Amharic were also spoken in the late 20th century.
It is obvious that this people, shared in the long past centuries a common
culture, common economic and
intermarriage ties, they are bound by blood and flesh. have been oppressed and exploited during the past regimes, they were placed in a position in which they did not merit, because of their socio-economic ill-treatment;
they waged collective struggle against the former autocrat regimes which were ruling Ethiopia for the last
century. These people did not live as discrete isolated unites. They are bound by similar, they have been in more
or less constant interaction through warfare, historical culture intermarriage, religion and socio-economic relation which established special kinds of ties. They inhabited side by side for a long time without any ill feeling
towards each another, despite the consequences of the divergence which divides them.
Let us bring back those old memories alive by forming a global network among our beloved people.
IN MEMORY OF DIRE-DAWA
DIRREE DHAWAA- BY MAKKIYA ABDULLAHI
Dirree Dhawaa teenya magaalaa hayyootaa
Harmee shamarranii harmee dargaggootaa
Kana kana cufaa nuduraa mullataa
Dirree seenaa gaarii yoom irraanfatamtaa
Magaalaa gammachuu yaa Dirree jaalalaa
Qilleensi kee dawaa fayyaa maaf tolaa
Aalii dhaa fi ollaa jiddutti guddanne
Akkaan wal jaalannaa kan sinsinnii qabnee
Biyya Afranqalloo biyya sabboontootaa
Biyya dammaqiinsaa biyya Afaanootaa
Ilmaan kee facaanee adunyaa maratti
Hogguu si yaadannaa bakkuma jirruttii
Yaa biyya spoortii biyya weedduu wallee
Madda gammachuu dhaa yaa biyya jaalallee
Baqanne ilmaan kee dheefa rorroo diinaa
Faffacaanee hafnuu gammachuun deebinaa
Yaa qa’ee jaalalaa caayaa sablammootaa
Tan namuuf walqixaa tan fillee namootaa
Biyya feenee deemnuus akkakee nuun taatuu
Sadoon biyya ambaa nu hin gammachiistuu
Yaa keesummeesituu alagaa fi firaa
Toltuu namaa sa’aa gammachiistuu maraa
Dirree dhufaa jirra hedduu si yaadneetii
Dhiiraa dhalaan keenya irree cimsanneetii
Jannata Adunyaa biyya kudra mudraa
Jiraachuu dandeenyee fagaannee si biraa
Kan Bahaa fi Dhihaa kan Kabaa fi Kibbaa
Waliitti iyyannee walyaamnee akka jabaa
Laga meeqa ceenee biyyaas qaxxaamuurree
Dirree Dhawaa teenya tan si geeysu garree
Si jaaruuf qophooynee irree gamteefannee
Xiqqaa guddaan keenya marxifannee kaanee
Si keessatti dhalannee si keessatti guddannee
Jiraachuu dandeenyuu si biraa fagaannee
Cayaa tokkummaa dhaa jalatti jaaramnee
Si haarayoomsuudhaaf tokkomnee olkaanee
Yoom waa irraanfannaa tapha gaafa joollee
Kurkurree fi waambee shamadaan hallaallee
Abshir Dirree teenya ilmaan kee abdadhuu
Ilmaan kankee mara gammachuun simadhuu
Walaando galal bay tulluurraa dhaabbannee
kani jechaa turree samiiti gadilasnee
Gaafa biyya seenne dachii tee dhungannaa
Iyyal Dirree wajjiin gammadnee dhiichisnaa
Haawwan nuuf haboo dhaa abbootiin adeeraa
Adaan basnee beeynu alagaa fi fira
Dhufaa jirra harmee magaalaa jannataa
Hanga wal agarruu Dirree salaamataa
DIRE DAWA GLOBAL NETWORK EVENT
Jama’ata urjii bakkalcha, expresses our deepest thanks and appreciation to all participant in the
DIREDAWA GLOBAL NETWORK initiatives that was held on June 30, 2013, at the university
of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We are especially inspired that more than 250 people have participated in this first ever held
event. At lunch break, every members and leaders of our community as well as stakeholdersengaged in a spirited and thoughtful chat focused on shifting participants from observers to
becoming active leaders.
Our goal is simple: to help create more inclusive and prosperous communities in which all
voices are valued, and where opportunities are shared equitably. This event and its outcomes would not have been possible without the tireless role of our sister
participant, and talented team of volunteers and leaders drawn from a broad range of experiences. We will shortly update you on phase two of our initiative process, where specific actions will
be taken on a list of future plans. IN PICTURE
PROFESSOR ISMAIL IN TORONTO
On October 26, 2013, Professor Ismail Abdullahi as usual delivered a superb workshop that was hosted
by the JAMATA URJI BAKKALCHA DIRE-DAWA, TORONTO CHAPTER. This kind of workshop is a
corner stone in building strong community. We look forward to have professor Ismail to share with us his
expertise in this field for years to come.
We have great appreciation for professor Ismail for his relentless effort to educate his community. His generosity to our community will always be remembered and will remain in the minds of all members and future
generation. Words can not describe his support but we can only say may Allah reward him for his generosity
and support he is lending to the community.
Just to name a few, the workshop emphasized the need for a better method and structure of governance that
leads to building strong community. It highlighted the need to transform horizontal leadership into vertical
leadership; it also underlined the importance of the culture and heritage to be incoherence with our modern
time and the world we live in.
At the end of the workshop, the audience were participated and commented on the presentation of the professor. The audiences were motivated and endorsed our commitment in building strong community.
This initiatives are another milestone in the JAMATA URJI BAKKACHA’S effort to building strong community that is inclusive of all. (diredawa global network).
Finally, we would like to say thank you for the hosting JAMATA DIREDAWA TORONTO CHAPTER in
their effort and commitment for the success of this spectacular event.
IN PICTURE
AT AFRIK, YOU CAN BUY PHONE CARDS, PAY PHONE BILLS,
AND SEND MONEY TO ANY WHERE YOU WANT
LIONIZING MENILIK II
It
is very disappointing to hear the exaltation of a
fascist by the neo- naftanyas and the diehard Ethiopian
Menilik was a butcher who is responsible for the
genocide committed against the people of Oromia in
aanoolee and calanqoo cali. The oromos, Somalis and
Hararis were among the victims of the fascist occupation and never forget the agony that was endured.
He also committed atrocities against the people of
Gambella and other peoples of the south.
It is a very sad day in the history of the people of Dire-Dawa. Dire-Dawa is known for its
courage against unjust rule of any kind. Dire-Dawa is a home of many brave and selfless
heroes’s who participated in many struggles for emancipation. Dire-Dawa is a birth place
of Afranqallo, Hannolatto and many other uprisings that stand firm against the Abysinian
occupation.
We Jamata Urjii bakkalch and Dire Dawa global network strongly oppose the promotion
and sponsorship of a neo-naftanya’s by the Baddele Beer. We are calling upon all people
and the people of Diredawa to boycott Baddele beer. We also call upon the people of
Dire-Dawa to resist any kind of celebration to honor this barbarous man.
Just because the current federal system has given dire-dawa a different status, does not
mean the people of that area did not suffer at the hands of this brutal and savage individual. In fact, the people of Dire Dawa and surrounding areas have vivid memories of the
horrifying events that took place, as evidenced by many somber songs in the region that
laments the events that took place. We are not seeking revenge , but we condemn the act
of glorifying a butcher and ask for the neo-naftenyas to refrain from rubbing salt in Dire
Dawa’s wounds.
We the people of Dire-dawa, will not allow this celebration to be conducted in our home
town. Our forefathers never allowed anything like this without bloodshed; hence we
don’t allow this to happen in our generation. Therefore we call upon the government to
block this event from taking place in our city. They can take it to their place of origin to
Gonder, if they wish to do so.
We are closely following this development and we know from history, our people are
ready to react if this celebration were to take place in Dire-Dawa.
We ask the people to use their democratic right and prevent these individuals from elevating the pain that Minilik implanted in them.
Jamata urji bakkalcha-Dire-Dawa
IN PICTURE
IN PICTURE
DID YOU KNOW ?
DIRE-DAWA
IS THE FIRST PLACE
IN AFRICA
WHERE LABOUR UNION
STARTED
Place your
business
here
we