Teatime in Mogadishu: My Journey as a Peace Ambassador in the World of Islam

by David W. Shenk, Ahmed Ali Haile

Overview

In 1991, Ahmed Ali Haile returned to the chaos of his native Somalia with a clear mission: to bring warring clans together to find new paths of peace—often over a cup of tea. A grenade thrown by a detractor cost Haile his leg and almost his life, but his stature as a peacemaker remained.

Whether in Somali’s capital, Mogadishu, or among Somalis in Kenya, Europe, and the United States, Haile has been a tireless ambassador for the peace of Christ. Into this moving memoir of conversion and calling, Haile weaves poignant reflections on the meaning of his journey in the world of Islam.

Part of the Christians Meeting Muslims series

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780836195576
Publisher:	MennoMedia
Publication date:	07/01/2011
Series:	Christians Meeting Muslims
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

David W. Shenk is the founder emeritus member of the Christian-Muslim Relations Team for Eastern Mennonite Missions. His particular focus is on bearing witness to the peace of Christ in a world of religious and ideological pluralism. He is a professor and author or coauthor of twenty books, including A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue, Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church,Teatime in Mogadishu and Christian. Muslim. Friend.

Ahmed Ali Haile was born in Bulo Burte, Somalia, into a loving Muslim family. He became a devout young student of the Qu'ran. Then, at a tumultuous time in his country's history, he discovered Jesus Christ and the transforming power of his love. He later turned down the opportunity for political advancement in his country and left for Kenya and later to the United States. Ahmed pursued degrees related to community development with special focus in peace and conflict transformation. In 1982, desiring to help his homeland, he traveled back to Somalia to work in development and peace among his people. He married Martha J. Wilson in 1987 and they established a home in Somalia. For fifteen years Ahmed taught peace studies at Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya. The family returned to the United States in 2009 and settled in Glendale, Wisconsin.

Table of Contents

Foreword J. Dudley Woodberry 9

Preface David W. Shenk 11

1 Muslim-Somali Heritage Bulo Burte (1953-68) 17

2 From Islam to the Gospel The Hospital and May 15 High School (1968-72) 29

3 Christ or Success Nairobi (1973-74) 39

4 Pursuing Education the American Academy (1974-82) 54

5 Serving Within Muslim Society Somalia (1982-87) 63

6 Struggle for Inclusion the Muslim Community (1988) 77

7 Wounded Peacemaker Immersion in the Somali Conflict (1989-92) 85

8 Foundation for Peacemaking Expanding Horizons (1992-94) 99

9 Hope Within Conflict Somali Church and Daystar University (1994-2009) 109

10 Christ Is My Center Reflection on My Destiny (2009-2010) 123

Epilogue-Our Journey Martha Jean Wilson Haile 128

Questions for Reflection and Discussion 130

Endnotes 137

About the Author and Editor 139