This event has been held to show our appreciation and gratitude that we have for the people and the government of Turkey led by Prime Minister Tayyib Erdogan. Luckily, the General Consulate of the Republic of Turkey, the officers of the Turkish Airlines and other distinguished guests are here with us. We want to inform the Consul General that the Somali People will never forget the timely and brotherly assistance that Turkey is providing to us in our time of need.

Moving on, we want to enlighten the Somali People of the importance of learning about the history of Turkey and the various efforts by the Ottoman Empire to assist Somalis in the past centuries. We all know, for example, that the Somali Nationalist Mohamed Abdulle Hassan, fought against the British Empire in their attempt to colonize Somalia, but few people know that the power behind him, who was providing arms, ammunition and logistics, was the Ottomans. History also informs us that in the past, Turkey constantly defended the Somali people from the campaign of genocide carried out by Ethiopian kings in Western and Northern Somalia. In addition to that, we know that the current system of drinking water in the City of Berbera was installed by Turkish Engineers 120 years ago which is still functioning . There are other structures, such as mosques Pickens. I Am very glad to know that Somali students are now studying in Turkey to get knowledge in various fields including the proud Islamic history initiated by Ottomans.

Having said that, we ask ourselves, as Somalis, whether we can do anything our benefactors. We may have weak Government, but we have strong business people. We are Nation of 20 Million living under four different flags. We are also nation of traders. From the day his excellence the Prime Minister Tayyip Endorgan stepped in Mogadishu, the Somali business people turned their interest to Turkey, and did their market search. They figured out that Turkish products are qualitatively superior and even cheaper than the products of their competitors. Somali Business people are present every important city in Africa. Somali traders are competing to introduce Turkey products to the African Markets. I, Myself have business partners in Lusaka, Zambia and we already started to import foodstuff and building materials from Turkey, and we are selling well.

Thank you, and god bless Turkey and Somalia.

Abdullahi Ali Farah