What is the importance of Somalia in the memoir, When Stars Are Scattered?

Somalia is a smaller setting, and is represented in memories either from Omar or Fatuma, but referenced by many other characters. Somalia represents the theme of community, and the motif of stars. Somalia is where Omar, Hassan, Fatuma and most of the other characters are originally from in the memoir. Throughout the memoir, Omar thinks of his home with longing, and plans to return. He learns from one of Fatuma’s friends in Chapter 6 that his hometown was destroyed, which in turns ends his plans to return to Somalia and become a farmer. This changes the trajectory of Omar’s life as he decides to devote himself to school, without the hope of returning home.