Ahmed Abdullahi Muude was born in 1949 in the city of Dirree Dhawa, Eastern Oromia. After completing elementary education in Moslem School (Madrasa Al Jadiidah), and juniour Secondary education at Mekonnen secondary school, he became a professional soccer player.

Ahmed Muude was one of the few Oromo nationalists who took part in pan-oromo national consciousness movement in the 1960s in the city of Dirre Dhawa, Eastern Oromia. When Oromummaa (nationalism) was at its infancy, Ahmed Muude was the leader and pioneer of the "Biiftu Ganamaa" musical band or Hawwiso-which greatly helped to ignite nationalism in Dirree Dhawa and contributed to the growth of Oromo Music and language.

As a professional soccer player for the "Ethiopian Textile Company" or "Cotton Team" as it is locally known, Muude was a popular sportsman and a role model in the community. Because of his involvement in the nationalist movement, and in order, to escape arrest by the Haile sillase regime; Muude was forced to flee to Somalia.

In late 1960s, Muude joined the nationalist movement that formed the first Oromo Liberation Army in Yemen (Aden), and he was also among the first group that was trained under the leadership of Elemo Qilxu, Sheik Hussien Sura and Jaarraa Abbaa Gadaa.

In 1970, under the command of Jaarraa Abbaa Gadaa, when Muude and 41 Oromo fighters left Yemen in route to Oromia via Somaliya, the Government of Somaliya imprisoned 41 of the combatants and killed one of them. Between 1970-1974, Muude spent five years in the notorious "Mandheera" prison along with 39 Oromo combatants.

In 1994, Muude immigrated to Canada along with his five children and his wife. Once again, Muude took upon himself the task of forming an " Oromia Soccer Team" in Toronto, and also encouraged the formation of other soccer teams that culminated in the establishment of the "Oromo Sports Federation" in North America in 1996. Muude's selfless dedication and vision was behind the success of the "Sports Federation In North America."

The death of Ahmed Muude is a great loss for our young "Oromo Sports Federation" and the Oromo Community in North America. More importantly, we have lost a visionary leader, a dedicated sportsman, a big brother and a friend.

The legacy of Ahmed Muude will remain with us for ever, and we will ensure to continue working hard to fulfil his dream of consolidating the "Oromo Sports Federation in North America" and forming a strong and united Oromo Community in North America.

Ahmed Muude is survived by his wife Meyram Abdalla Jadid, and 6 children: Muna, Yahya, Siham, Meymuna, Foad and Kamal.

M A Y G O D B L E S S H I S S O U L