Radiolab - Radiolab Presents: Anna in Somalia

This week, we are presenting a story from NPR foreign correspondent Gregory Warner and his new globe-trotting podcast Rough Translation. Mohammed was having the best six months of his life - working a job he loved, making mixtapes for his sweetheart - when the communist Somali regime perp-walked him out of his own home, and sentenced him to a lifetime of solitary confinement. With only concrete walls and cockroaches to keep him company, Mohammed felt miserable, alone, despondent. But then one day, eight months into his sentence, he heard a whisper, a whisper that would open up a portal to - of all places and times - 19th century Russia, and that would teach him how to live and love again. Support Radiolab today at Radiolab.org/donate.

Duration: 37m
Broadcast on: 12 Sep 2017
Audio Format: other

This week, we are presenting a story from NPR foreign correspondent Gregory Warner and his new globe-trotting podcast Rough Translation.

Mohammed was having the best six months of his life - working a job he loved, making mixtapes for his sweetheart - when the communist Somali regime perp-walked him out of his own home, and sentenced him to a lifetime of solitary confinement. With only concrete walls and cockroaches to keep him company, Mohammed felt miserable, alone, despondent. But then one day, eight months into his sentence, he heard a whisper, a whisper that would open up a portal to - of all places and times - 19th century Russia, and that would teach him how to live and love again.

Support Radiolab today at Radiolab.org/donate.

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Muhammad said he was just so struck by how generous she was and smart, and they connected about everything from the future of their country to the music they liked. Whatever images the word Somalia calls to mind, the Somalia where Muhammad lived was in a cultural renaissance. This was 1981. It was under communist rule. And the dictator, it was a dictator, but he was also a big fan of Somali culture and music. Music was actually a big part of how Muhammad courted Ismahan. He made her mixtapes. This was the 80s. She wasn't just so handsome like that, yeah. Did you sing or did she sing? Oh, she's a better singer. So a few months after Muhammad and Ismahan got married, Muhammad got a phone call from the director of the local public hospital. Will you please help me bring some donations from the communities? He was desperate for donations. For medicine and for betting, in fact. That music loving dictator, his name was Siad Barre. He cut off supplies to the hospital

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