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MOGADISHU, 12 November 2026 Members of the Heegan Group, which is part of the Somali Police Force, have raised concerns about a book documenting the life and literary contributions of the late poet Abdi Bashir Indhabuur.
At a press conference in Mogadishu, the members said the book titled Hal-abuurkii iyo Haldoorkii Suugaanta Abwaan Cabdi Bashiir Indhabuur (The Creativity and Literary Legacy of Poet Abdi Bashir Indhabuur) contains inaccuracies.
The members alleged that five songs had been incorrectly attributed to Indhabuur. Among the songs they cited were "Waagii Beryow Walalac", "Ha Noogina", "Soomaali Guurtay" and "Noolow Madaalow".
They also disputed the account that Indhabuur headed the Heegan Group between 1972 and 1991. According to the group's members, the organisation was not directly consulted about its history before the book was written.
Speaking at the press conference, poet Abdi Odowaa Kulane argued that interference in the literary works and historical records of Somali poets became more common following the collapse of the state.
"Fabrication about poets began after the looting of property came to an end. That was when people started interfering with the literary works and histories of poets," Kulane said.
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The book was written by Abdulaziz Ali Ibrahim ‘Xildhiban’, who said he began working on it on January 10, 2019.
The author said some members of the late poet's family assisted him during the research process. He added that he had records of his exchanges with Indhabuur's children and said they also contributed to the book's publication.
"Some members of Indhabuur's family helped me write the book. I have evidence of the exchanges I had with the children of Abwaan Bashiir Indhabuur, and they also played a part in its publication," Xildhiban said.
He further maintained that the songs attributed to the poet in the book were not based on his personal recollections or assumptions. Instead, he said, he consulted the audio cassette archives held by Radio Mogadishu.
The disagreement has brought renewed attention to the challenges of documenting Somalia's literary heritage, particularly the need to establish reliable sources when recording the works and biographies of prominent poets.