Somalia/Yemen: The nationality of children born of parents of Yemeni citizenship, living in Somalia in 1966; the meaning of the word "Jinsiyada" printed in the Somali identity card; attitudes to intermarriage between Yemeni citizens and Somali Arabs of a lower class or "Mowalid;" and information on Halane Technical Institute in Hargeisa during the years 1981-1985
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 24 September 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ40138.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia/Yemen: The nationality of children born of parents of Yemeni citizenship, living in Somalia in 1966; the meaning of the word "Jinsiyada" printed in the Somali identity card; attitudes to intermarriage between Yemeni citizens and Somali Arabs of a lower class or "Mowalid;" and information on Halane Technical Institute in Hargeisa during the years 1981-1985, 24 September 2002, ZZZ40138.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e441f.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
For information on nationality of children born in Somalia of Yemeni citizens living in Somalia, please consult Response SOM11098 of 9 June 1992.
An associate professor of History at Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, California explained during a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, that the word Jinsiyada is used interchangeably for ethnicity, citizenship and nationality (20 Sept. 2002). Her information corroborates that earlier provided by a settlement worker at the Dijintabiisha(Multi Service) organization based in Toronto, and by the Director of the Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke (19 Sept. 2002). Dijitabiisha and the Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke are non-governmental organizations providing settlement, orientation, information and referral services, translation and supportive counselling to new Somali families in Toronto and Etobicoke respectively.
The settlement worker Dijintabiisha and the Director of the Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke both stated that the word "mowalid" is an Arabic word used pejoratively in Somalia to designate children of mixed parentage (19 Sept. 2002).
The Director of the Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke said that "mowalid" applies "particularly" to children of Yemeni and Somali parents. However, he explained that whether Somalis frown upon the term "mowalid" or not depends on the social status of the father. He said that when the father is a wealthy businessman, the children may not be affected. However, if the father is poor, the children will be stigmatized (19 Sept. 2002). Additional information on this topic is contained in YEM21716.E of 19 September 1995.
The professor of History at Orange College said she knew of the existence of Halane Institute of Technology in the 1980s, but was not able to provide further details as to its curriculum, examination and certification systems (20 Sept. 2002).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Dijintabiisha [Toronto]. 19 September 2002. Telephone interview with Settlement worker.
Professor of History, Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, California. 20 September 2002. Telephone interview.
Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke [Etobicoke]. 19 September 2002. Telephone interview with Director.
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential
Africa Research Bulletin
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 2002. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
The Indian Ocean Newsletter
Internet sites including:
All Africa
Relief Web
Somaliland Net
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
