African Hip-Hop Group Uses Music to Combat al-Qaeda-Affiliated Terror Group
- Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:25pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Take some anti-jihadist courage and mix it with musical talent and what do you get? An Islamist-fighting hip hop group, apparently.
Enter Waayaha Cusub (which means “New Era” or “New Dawn”), an 11-member music group intent on battling the al-Shabaab terror group and its violent ideology.
The hip-hop collaboration, comprised of Somalis, Kenyans, an Ethiopian and a Ugandan, was founded by 29-year-old Shine Ali in 2004. Just three years ago, Ali was shot by members of the terrorist group after they broke into his home. According to the Waayaha Cusub founder, it was his anti-radical message that incited the attack.
While this would have been enough to stop most people from proceeding, Ali and his group members are intent on continuing their mission to encourage young people to sheer clear of involving themselves in jihad. ”When they shot me, I knew that if I stopped the music, they would win but if I continued, my power would win,” says Ali.
The group has produced several albums and caught some major attention for its 2010 song, “No to al-Shabaab.” Waayaha Cusub’s songs are recorded in Nairobi and they are disseminated on CDs, though the radio and on the Internet. Aside from their peaceful calls against the terror group, the Guardian reports that the musicians tackle other issues like AIDS and clan rivalry.
Here’s the music video for “No to al-Shabaab”:
But the price members pay for their brave stance is a hefty one. One singer — a female — who was slashed across the face a few years ago remains in hiding. As Ali has learned, the positive and uplifting message the band is trying to spread could cost the singers their lives.
Al-Shabaab controls a substantial portion of south and central Somalia. As we’ve reported before, the group enforces sharia law and has been responsible for beheadings and other forms of torture and murder. The al-Qaeda-linked terror group has vowed to purge Somalia of Christianity and seems intent on grasping power, no matter what methods are needed to accomplish the goal.
Currently, al-Shabaab is listed fourth on the U.S. State Department’s “Foreign Terrorist Organizations” list. The group has been described as both violent and brutal, with the Department of State claiming that certain members have ties with the al-Qaida in Afghanistan. The following comes directly from State.gov:
Al-Shabaab has used intimidation and violence to undermine the Somali government and threatened civil society activists working to bring about peace through political dialogue and reconciliation. The group scattered leaflets on the streets of Mogadishu warning participants in last year’s reconciliation conference that they intended to bomb the conference venue. Al-Shabaab promised to shoot anyone planning to attend the conference and to blow up delegates’ cars and hotels.
For Ali, it’s all about “awareness.” The hip hop singer believes that education is key to stopping the radical ideology. “These youth have bad ideology. If we give them good ideology, talk to them about life, marriage, children…If we show them these things, we can stop them,” he says. ”You cannot fight someone who wants to die, you can only save them.”
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Comments (71)
TNT_Party
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 3:20pmThey’re taking a stand, good for them. Anyone in that part of the world is sticking their neck out by opposing Islam. If rap is their method of voice, good for them, I support their efforts.
Report Post »RugDog
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 8:01amMonkeys.
Report Post »Pro-Palin
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:29amDo u hear OPP hip hop horrah in the back ground these guys are 17 yrs behind where willthey be without help 17 yrs from now?
Report Post »Ohello
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 8:13pmBornJewish
Sorry, ask any true Muslim, you cannot be peaceful, or teach your children to be peace and still be a true follower of the Koran. If you do, the next thing you know your Mosque will have Lesbian, and Homosexual Imams teaching you that you are really monkeys for being born Jewish.
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 7:01pmLet me get this straight. People like us have been calling upon Muslims to stand against the radicals for years, but on the rare occasion a group does exactly that, half of us are looking down on it and the form it takes? That’s just sad. They’re doing what they can and taking their lives into their hands in order to do it. Have you?
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 7:05pmHold up, on second glance I recognize some of the names as liberal trolls. New tactic, huh?
Report Post »WalkSoft
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 11:18pmWell said they are very brave indeed!
Report Post »certified ethical hacker
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 6:53pmAs a retired military person My main concern is to keep this terrorist activity out of America but we have fought a losing battle and the beginning of the end was electing of a muslim commander in chief. so many people have said that we are losing the battle within our own borders. and the reason is we keep bringing this trash to our cities. our cities have become worse war zones that the filthy arab cities around the world
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 5:46pmHip-hop Muslims. Nice of them to put everything I hate into one package. Thanks. It is easier now.
Report Post »josh345
Posted on December 30, 2011 at 10:18amthese people are trying to put a stop to the violence and islamist terror groups! they are good!
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 4:43pmMaybe they’ll start wearing baggy pants down to their knees too.
Report Post »certified ethical hacker
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 6:56pmdo you think that will catch on with their women lol you know some countries look at the things Americans do and is there any wonder why they call us such heathens. Like when these kids let their pants fall to show their shorts and the cracks of their ass? Is there anything that screams gay any louder
Report Post »sheik
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:57pm”You cannot fight someone who wants to die, you can only save them.”
What kind of gobbledegook is this?
This is just the warped and twisted thinking that got us into this mess in the first place.
If a jihadist wants to meet his virgins we should do everything we possibly can to expedite the process.
Report Post »certified ethical hacker
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 6:58pmThat is one of the problems I have with the USA we want to save everyone from themselves? and end up bringing millions of them here every time they think they need a way out of their country?
Report Post »Ironeagle
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:50pmFinally a good use for this kind of music.
Report Post »certified ethical hacker
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 6:49pmgood lord you call that crap music wow
Report Post »BobtheMoron
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:38pmScratch any muslim and find a terrorist. This is nothing more than propaganda.
Report Post »The-Real-Enrico
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 4:20pmThat is not true my friend. But if you scratch the Koran you will find the hand guide to hate, violence and terrorism.
Report Post »Not all Muslims are violent and evil but all of Islam is.
foobear
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:43amNot true, Bobthemoron.
All Islamic Radicals may be Muslims, but not all Muslims are Islamic Radicals.
To think otherwise reveals a staggering amount of ignorance.
Report Post »mule creek ridge
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:01pmIf all muslims wanted was peace there would be much,much, and much less war, and/or chance of war in this world. You are as beguiled as muhammed was!!!!!!
Report Post »stefooch
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:53pmGood for them. Very courageous!
Report Post »foobear
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:45amYeah, and actual heroism, too, not the fake “heroism” we award people, like those with the “courage” to be an atheist professor on campus.
The Ali guy was shot for his anti-radical beliefs, and a female member slashed across the face.
We need to support people like this, and by we, I mean America.
Report Post »cuinsong
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:52pmGood to see that others are writing music to combat this sickness in the world besides me.
Report Post »Song about religious beliefs and teachings called “That’s not right”
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10789999 and a song about their inner voices
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_10789987
JLGunner
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:09pmI’m gonna puke….
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:47pm@M13: I can never do that. My children love their faith is Islam. But I told them when their adults they can believe in whatever they want. Trust me once you understand how blessed my life you will be surprised you never met anyone like me and my family.
Report Post »The-Real-Enrico
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:59pmI don’t doubt you might be a peaceful Muslim, But the clam that Islam is a religion of peace is not a reality. Islam is only peace through force and submission. I would be fine if it was was only through personal submission but as you know that Islam allows and advocates force and violent force if needed or just wanted for others submission.
It is not peaceful force other people to be as peaceful as your self. Am I wrong?
Report Post »More people need to stand up against evil. If you are peaceful and you see evil call it evil and denonce their actions and their form of thinking, reasoning and beliefs.
Elena2010
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 12:01amNeither will they be permitted to chose their own faith. You have made that decision for them. Muslims who leave are haram and will be killed. You may have to kill them yourself to preserve the family’s honor.
Run as fast as you can and return to the faith of Abraham thru the beloved son Isaac. Take your family, change your name, and flee.
Report Post »MonkeyBeagle
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:13pmOf all the things on the internets, this is what the blaze posts? comon Blaze your my hero you can do better then this. lol I still love you Blaze your still the best site on the web, and Happy New Year Blazers hope next year we win the house, senate and the presidency http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BWD9GWHGiI
Report Post »kconservative
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:34pmha that pretty much sums up how I feel about this story as well, and also my feelings on theblaze.com
Report Post »certified ethical hacker
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 7:02pmI guess they had to print some nice feel good story that shows rapers and hip hoppers are not all bad and all of them do not only sing about killing cops and whitties etc.
Report Post »arjundawg
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:06pmLOL
Report Post »c’mon Blaze this is wasted space
I dont understand why we worry about and send aid to these 3rd worlders
Send them small arms to help control their pathetic population. Look at Iraq, we pull out and muslims die. There’s no ROE for these people and they will fight within their own cult. Let em have at it! It’s simply efficient and costs alot less.
scheduler
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:14pmI can see why they did this.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:04pm@LUKERW: I would imagine all religion wants to rule the world. Muslims only want peace. Let God be the finial judge of humanity.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 5:01am“I would imagine….”
Well, at least your choice of words is honest. Why not stop “imagining” through green colored glasses and learn something about other world religions?
Now the question is, are you following the Koranic verse which says not to lie, or the one which says you can lie in the interest of Islam? And anyone who has read the Koran knows that The Koranic definition of “peace” is when all of those “not on the right path” are converted or killed.
Really people, pick up a copy of the Koran and pick a page, any page….
Report Post »Barbara Tee
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:58pmVery brave, commendable. Spread their videos.
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:57pmThis pretty sad. These Nubians don’t even know the history of their people and their ancient struggle with the muslims.
The Nubia were the fist people to halt the advance on the Arab muslim invaders who had recently invaded Egypt and Syria. Were it not for their heroic stand against Islam, Much of Ethiopia would have lost their Christian heritage.
Their courage in the face of relentless Jihad showed the world that the muslims could be defeated. We owe much to those who were the very first to fight back against Jihad which was then unrivaled and unbeaten, having come off Jihad victories in Arabia, Persia, Egypt, Syria, and Byzantium.
There should be no Islam in these lands.
I wish more would see the Dark Age of Islam under which we toil.
Report Post »Mr.ManZ
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:52pmThis is among the most silliest things I have seen and read here on TheBlaze. What the heck ?
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:51pmDo not worry. The only thing blowing up is one of my kids crying. :p
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:31pmThis is dumb.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:31pmThat’s pretty courageous.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:47pmVery courageous, both hip hop and the muslim faith are very similar, they both practice and call for the degradation of women.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:13pmThat’s not at all fair to conflate the entirety of hip-hop music to muslim extremism against women.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:18pmLife isn’t fair. I refuse to acknowledge any style of music or religion that promotes ignorance and the degradation of women.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:06amIt isn’t a style of music that deserves your condemnation, but the individual lyrics of specific musicians that deserve that condemnation.
I could find some egregious examples of country music and/or rock music and make the same illogical generalizations and it would sound just as ridiculous as your condemnation of rap music as a whole.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:07am“Life isn’t fair”… that’s a pretty flippant retort for making such an illogically broad generalization.
Report Post »foobear
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:47am@JLGunner: I agree entirely!
That‘s exactly why I don’t listen to Country Western music.
It promotes horses drinking beer, and saving horses by riding cowboys.
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:31pmYou see all Muslims do not support Al-Quead or other groups like the Taliban. May Allah protect these people and everyone listens to their message of peace in faith and life.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:37pmBorn It would make me at ease to hear something other than almost complete silence from the muslim community when there is an attack by such a “peaceful religion”.
Report Post »M13
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:37pmMessage of peace? You are truly an idiot.
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:47pmBoth of you are entitled to your opinions about my faith and the current state of the world. I invite you to learn about Islam. Not just be against it or because these groups. Learn why different people accepted Islam into their hearts.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 1:49pmI would love to come hang out and learn a bit, but ya gotta stop blowin sht up first.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:01pmAll Muslims support Islam… a Theocracy… ruled by a Caliph… under Sharia Law… being the only Religion in the World… and given the Mission to Conquer All in a Holy War…
Report Post »M13
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:04pmPeople accept Islam becasuse they don’t want to wind up with their head cut off.
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:11pmThe reason I accepted Islam is because I believe in Allah and all his prophets (Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad) PBUT; and I’m married, have a very, very large family, and live in a Muslim community.
Report Post »popweasel
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:13pmIt shouldn’t require the rare news item to demonstrate this. If a majority of Muslims are against these groups, then let them speak up. Let the Arab nations recognize Israel. Let the Mullahs come out supporting the US and come out against violence against civilians. These things have not happened en masse, and the silence is quite telling.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:14pmJL Gunner
Those folks in the middle east could say the exact same thing about our corrupt government’s actions.
Report Post »M13
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:28pmMake sure you don’t speak out, because you might wind up dead. and by the way, if Islam is so great why don’t you pack up your wife and daughters and go live in Suadi Arabia, where the women are treated so good.
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:35pm@M13: I have been to different countries in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iran,etc) & Africa (Kenya; border countries). I even been to Indonesia. All the people whether Muslim or Christian or even Atheist respected us and we respected them. I have a very large family.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:40pmV Which country in the middle east sent relief funds and supplies to Japan? We are not perfect but our good outweighs the bad. We’re just losing our identity under comrad barack.
Report Post »M13
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:43pmDon’t let your family become to “westernized” you might have to do an honor killing.
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 2:58pmI do not know why my replies are not going into my conversation.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:12pmBorn when you click on the reply button sometimes it will post just as a single comment. You have to make sure the title of the reply field says the name of the original person’s post
Report Post »BornJewishMuslimByFaith
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 3:22pmI think I have it working now. anyone interested in talking about Islam; why I chose Islam for my faith and how Islam effected my life since then can email me. jonjohn43@hotmail.com
Report Post »Even you do not agree with my views let’s just ****-chat for fun.
dealer@678
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 6:40pmYoure not gonna convert people to islam on this website. Go fishing somewhere else
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:04amJLGunner
You have flawed logic.
Our goods never outweigh our bads. We have goods, and we have bads. They never nullify each other.
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 3:32amV-man, he said outweigh, not nullify. These terms are not equal. You created a straw man, thus it’s you who display flawed logic.
Born, I pegged you as marrying muslimah as the reason for conversion and I was apparently right (you may delude yourself that there were some other profound reasons, but I was not born yesterday). Some men do deeply foolish things because of women. In my case, I prefer women doing foolish things because of me. It actually works like a charm.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 12:51pmWhat’s the difference? You’re playing semantical games and the term outweigh means the same as nullify in this context. Who asked you to jump in and defend him while he’s losing this debate anyway? You aren’t offering anything new to the argument, you‘re just nitpicking as if you’re making a point. You haven’t made any point.
Why don’t you try actually debating me on the issue instead of this tangential garbage of whether or not outweigh and nullify are equal terms in this context? Or was your simple interjection for naught?
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 29, 2011 at 12:54pmBTW, foolish men attract foolish women and vice versa.
Birds of a feather flock together.
An Orgy of Fools.
Report Post »