Sunday 23 January 2011

Somalia’s news travels far — from Encinitas

ENCINITAS — Most Americans associate Somalia with the 1991 civil war that resulted in the arrival of refugees to the U.S., the movie “Black Hawk Down” and the emergence of modern day pirates. Few are aware of the strategic role Somalia plays in our own security and behind-the-scenes efforts of the United States to restore government to Somalia.

Surprisingly, much of the in-depth reporting on Somalia is broadcast almost 9,000 miles away — in Encinitas.

By day, Abdel Hassan is operations manager for the Ecke Ranch where he supervises production of poinsettias and other flowers. By night, he serves as publisher of WardheerNews.com, a Somali/English language news service, which has become for Somalia what the BBC is to Great Britain. “Wardheer” means “news that travels far.”

Hassan, who is an American citizen, came to Encinitas in 1998 to work for the Ecke Ranch. In February 2004 he launched WardheerNews.com with his brothers, Yusuf who lives in San Marcos and Ahmed who lives in London.

“Somalia is always in the news,” Abdel Hassan said. “WardheerNews.com was an idea where people could get information about current affairs. We were surprised how it grew.”

Today, the website generates between 7 and 8 million hits a month from all over the world, particularly the United States, England and Somalia.

“It’s for anyone who has an interest in Africa,” adds Hassan’s wife, Yasmeen Maxamuud. “It is read by those who work for the U.S. State Department, the United Nations and colleges and universities.”Read More

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