Remove your light, see the one with a morning glow

The Face of Truth

 Ibrahim Shglawi  

Omdurman remains the capital of art, wonder, and beauty, for it unites the people of Sudan in love and harmony that surpasses the beauty of Venice’s coast and rivals the depth of Karmakol, as depicted by Tayeb Salih in Season of Migration to the North. This serene city embraces the soul of Sudanese society and reflects its unique identity. In this war, Omdurman’s market turned into gloomy ruins, exposing the bitterness of betrayal by those we thought would lead us to safety.

However, by God’s grace and the determination of the traders, the people of Omdurman, and the state government, life has begun to return. Yesterday, the market’s traders returned with longing and passion for their craft after cleaning and removing debris, cleansing it from the rebellion that doesn’t understand the meaning of belonging to place, people, or memories, and lacks the essence of values that unite virtuous people. This unjust rebellion has never heard of Al-‘Abadi, or the Workers’ Coffeehouse, or Youssef Al-Feki, or George Meshreqi. They have never browsed the National Library for books or followed regular publications from Lebanon, Cairo, or the capital of fog.

They know nothing of the Colosseum Cinema or the Omdurman Sports Hall. They haven’t tasted Al-Danoub’s pastries, Al-Tayeb Sayed Maki’s sweets, or Buraei Al-Masry’s baklava and ice cream. These militia members never sat in Al-Bosta Square nor enjoyed the delicious meals at the Athletes’ Restaurant. They haven’t tasted Uncle Jadoo’s canned goods, which are near expiry. They know nothing of the Royal School, or Uncle Agha, or Uncle Al-Tayeb Khojali, or Abu Marain, who crafts the beauty tools with which brides are adorned on their wedding day.

They don’t know Mahdi Sharif, elegance, or the socialist suit. They know nothing except fire, erasing identities, and the essence of life. Today, the people of Omdurman are reviving their economic and social life. The historic market is a complex of various markets, from jewelers to antiques, shoes, garments, beds, and even caps and combs, all of which have their place in this remarkable market, a meeting place for the people of Omdurman and foreign visitors alike, representing Sudan’s cultural and economic heritage. The efforts of the Governor of Khartoum, Ahmed Othman Hamza, his administrative team, the police, and the security cell hold particular importance in enhancing stability and restoring security to revive the economy. Despite the devastation inflicted on the place, everyone is now united, working together to bring life back to this market, which represents an essential part of Sudan’s history and human heritage. The people of Omdurman know that their city is one of Sudan’s oldest and most important cities, embracing all people without categorization or tribalism.

Its market has long been a gathering place for intellectuals and thinkers, a home to memories and history. It has been a stage for poems and songs that express a deep sense of belonging without the need for nationality or a passport. Poet Khalil Farah beautifully expressed the city’s beauty and landmarks, affirming it as a symbol of joy, from “Feteih to the Creek and the Locks, striding barefoot, unshaven, along the tram’s difficult road.”

Omdurman enjoys a unique geographic location that sets it apart, hosting the theater, television, radio, the Al-Hilal, Al-Merrikh, and Al-Mowrada clubs, the parliament, the military hospital, and the Al-Nilein mosque. Omdurman has produced numerous talented poets, such as Obeid Abdul Rahman, Omar Al-Banna, and Mustafa Batran, who celebrated the city’s heritage with their poems and highlighted a deep sense of pride and nostalgia. Literature in Omdurman serves as a bridge connecting generations and reflects the enduring challenges of Sudanese life. The poets of Omdurman have long represented Sudan’s unity and diversity through literature, poetry, theater, and song.

The people of Omdurman, as well as artists, recall the playful verse of Sayyid Abdul Aziz to that dignified beauty when he said, “Remove your light, see the one with a morning glow, and when morning shines, no need for the lamp, could that be the tale of the striking star, a moon showering wine while guarding the revealer, if only it would lend us the sun’s beauty to illuminate.” By God’s grace and the resilience of Omdurman’s steadfast people, life is gradually returning to Omdurman Market after the army liberated the city from the militias in a heroic epic that history will remember as the beginning of the plan to reclaim Sudan.

Yesterday, commercial activity resumed intermittently, with signs of revival appearing in the market for hardware, household goods, leather products, and pottery, along with the butchers and vegetable vendors. Recently, merchants such as Rabih Omar and Al-Madah returned, and their first message to the generous and benevolent was: “Help us revive the market’s mosques, which unite people in moments of hardship, praying for security and blessed sustenance.” I see no truer face of reality than the love of the people of Omdurman for Omdurman.

May you remain well and healthy.

Shglawi55@gmail.com