Elman Ali Ahmed (Somali: Cilmi Cali Axmed, Arabic: علم علي أحمد) was a Somali entrepreneur and social activist.
Elman Ali Ahmed علم علي أحمد | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | |
| Died | 9 March 1996 Mogadishu, Somalia |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, activist |
| Spouse | Fartuun Adan |
| Children | 4: Almass, Ilwad and Iman and Gesia |
Personal life
editAhmed was based in Mogadishu[1]
Ahmed was married to Fartuun Adan, with whom he had four daughters.[1]
Due to having receiving death threats, Ahmed had planned to move abroad. On 9 March 1996, he was assassinated near the family's home in the southern part of the city. The area was at the time under the control of faction leader Mohamed Farah Aidid. Although Ahmed's killing was alleged to have been politically related, a representative of Aidid denied involvement and instead condemned the murder.[1]
In November, 2019, Elman's daughter, Almaas Elman, who had grown up in Canada, and who, with other family members, had returned to Somalia, as aid-workers, as adults, was killed near Mogadishu airport.[2]
Career
editProfessionally, Ahmed was a businessman with his own vehicle repair and recovery service. He also ran a technical training institute in the city to rehabilitate young militants during the height of the civil war.[1]
Additionally, Ahmed was politically engaged, often taking to task local leaders for failing to put an end to the civil conflict. He was politically unaligned, and advocated peace and reconciliation.[1]
Ahmed likewise managed Elman FC, a football team in the city, provided relief services to disadvantaged children, and contributed to rehabilitating community facilities such as roads and electricity.[1]
Elman Peace Centre
editIn honour of Ahmed, his wife Fartuun Adan and their children established the Elman Peace Centre in Mogadishu. Adan serves as the NGO's Executive Director, while their daughter Ilwad works alongside her.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Documento - Somalia: Amnistia Internacional condena el asesinato de un pacifista". Amnesty International. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ^
Abdi Latif Dahur (2019-11-20). "'May God have mercy on her': Somali-Canadian aid worker shot dead in Mogadishu compound". National Post. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
Elman comes from a prominent family of activists whose work has focused on social justice, women's rights and rehabilitating children affected by Somalia's decades-long war.
- ^ "Canadian sisters on front lines of rebuilding Somalia". Hiiraan. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.