I think the reason is more out of traditions than personal convictions. For example, the New Year Eve is more celebrated in Europe, particularly in Russia and East European countries than their own respective national days, while Christmas 🎄 Eve is the day to look for by all family members in Western Europe and the Americas. But, that doesn’t mean that they put less importance to national days
Here in Somalia, since the overthrow of the civilian government by the Military in 1969 and rise of Islamist and secessionist groups, national holidays like the Independence Days of June 26 and July 1st are slowly fading in significance in the minds of the general public. The unilateral declaration of secession by Somalia’s North West Regions plays out in this mix. Instead, religious celebrations are becoming the only unifying factor, along other Islamic countries, marking these dates not only in faith, but also in continued tradition. When any nation collectively succeeds in the removal of foreign colonial yoke, gratitude to Allah is as important as repentance. If someone is not noting personal or national successes, certainly he or she isn’t appreciative of the blessings of Allah – and this could be interpreted as less faithful.
In the case of Somaliland, not marking June 26 would mean ignoring the sacrifices by hundreds of thousands of its people who fought against British repressive forces in Hargeisa, Berbera, Burco and other towns in the North West Somalia. It is extremely unfair not to acknowledge those who lost their lives to gain their freedoms from a colonial power, which was on the brink of even ceding Hargeisa and Zeilac like Haud and Reserved Area to the Emperial Ethiopia just before Independence. Unfortunately, today in Somaliland there are quite a few, who feel nostalgic about old colonial days of occupation as a result of indoctrination against Somali unity. Bad and unwise leaders bring about similar legacies.
Ciiid Mubarak!
[This article was edited after posting.]
