Diblan (The Mother of all Meetings)
Pure Fiction-Part one

The date, time and place are set. Discussion agenda is prepared. Everyone is invited to the meeting. However, most are monitoring the outcome of the meeting with anxiety and distantly at home. The leaders are excited and eager to facilitate. The day that everyone was waiting for has finally arrived. It is a big day where major issues are debated strongly and decisions regarding the future of the community are made. The gathering began to swell steadily at the meeting place. The meeting started three hours past the scheduled time because the elite participants of the community did not make it on time. The Chairman and the rest of the leadership crew took their seats at the stage, and after whispering to each other for a minute or two, the mother of all meetings has officially began.

“Assalamu Aleikum my dear brothers and sisters; I thank you all on behalf of … for coming. Today, we all gathered here to discuss regarding our Unity as Hararis...” said the Chairman. Yet, no one appeared to be interested in listening to what the Chairman had to say in his opening statement, perhaps, everyone’s familiarity to the subject. Even though the turnout was way below expected, nevertheless, there was a fair representation from every segment of the community.

At the front row, a group of discussion and meeting savvy are conveniently seated close to each other for quick close conference.  Another group regarded as the “influential” within the community are also seated close to podium. Both groups are hard core community activists and have their own proposal that they would like to deliver to the community. 

Both groups spent weeks, if not months, during their “Bercha” session preparing their viewpoints on matters crucial to the community.  The leaders of both groups, who are the most seasoned members of the community, were furious why the Chairman doesn’t cut short his long and mind-numbing opening statement and get into the real business of discussion. Their extreme impatience to engage in the debate was clearly visible from their body language.  They developed a great deal of skill in speaking at length on any number of issues through years of involvement in community activities. They are also regarded as the lead campaigners to their respective organizations who profoundly relay on them to deliver the killer punches. While all this going on, the Chairman ended his opening statement and opened the floor to discuss and hammer out the “Harari Unity” agenda for discussion.

There was calm across the hall, on the other hand, you can feel the heat and could smell the flammable air that is going to ignite soon. Everyone was nervously curious for what is to come. Familiar hands are already up in the air because it is customary and procedural to do so. The Chairman has forewarned the participants in his opening statement that everyone must adhere to the agenda.

The Chairman pointed out and permitted one of the participants to speak, he began; “Hoji, baytim aan masenanle ekhashazakh  yebeqad Shibri Goitazo zayewquta…Hulube inach moqa zalbana ahad sheenta, yizom ahad mokhnanta. Innach mehesab zalbana shiee halgir ahad nukhumbazana ugaw mafachanta. Ahad mokhnale qittezinam matkahal yinabribanahal…inach qitezinam gey waldach, Ahad badbe zidijna abadir waldach…” and out of the blue, he started to get extremely irritated, “Inach ukuntana, hebalach ukuntayou bayti yatkhishumel, minta? Zalkhasha yalet yikhashzalum yadej, inach yi beher nutuqsazana usu manbarti elbam…” there were no rules in place regarding time limit, therefore, he was not concerned much to summarize his thoughts. He kept on going until the Chairman reluctantly asked him to wrap up fast.

Abba Gideer was the second man in line to speak,  but the Chairman asked him, “Masenanle tikhashazakh supplementintamo, Objectionintamo”, “Point of Orderimo”, Tahseeb awinum Rai-yeenta?” before allowing him to speak. Abba Gideer, an older man in his late 60’s, waiting patiently for his turn was a bit confused about what was going on. According to him the simple rule of discussion is that each person should wait for his turn and be allowed to speak without interruption. He also has another rule of his own. People whom he enjoy listening to when they speak ought to be given frequent opportunities, sometimes he even pass-on his turn to his preferred folks. This man has waited for his turn patiently, putting up with what others had to say.  Abba Gideer insisted that it was his turn; therefore, he doesn’t like to be asked whether it is “supplement” or “objection” nor wish to be interrupted.  He gave everyone ahead of him a chance to speak without interruption. No one could stop him from speaking without a rational explanation that would convince him to change his mind. Knowing that blood is going to be spilled, the Chairman had no choice, but to allow Abba Gideer to speak.

Abba Gideer spoke his mind, sympathetic to all those who served their community unselfishly, “We have amongst us here today in this hall who have sacrificed their time and energy towards the betterment of their community. We have here with us who contributed financially and put forth their energy unconditionally to this community. There are plenty here who served us as dedicated leaders when we needed them most” Aba Gideer concluded his thought while glancing his eyes towards those whom he was referring to and ended by saying “You did your very best to fulfill your obligation towards your community.  But, at the end, you were vilified, ridiculed and humiliated to the point that you hated to be part of your Community”

Abba Gideer was always known in the community for speaking his mind. He has an elderly status in the community and everyone is expected to respect him and listen to his advice. He gave his piece eloquently and rested his case. No supplement or objection, but has allowed ample time for the participants to gather their thoughts for the next round of discussion in the mother of all meetings.

To be continued…
Khairiwer.
July 13, 2007