Interesting question!! In answering this question one needs to be honest and broadminded, It seems some of us are taking it personal. The short answer to your question brother is NO. We black ppl cannot build sustainable societies, and if you ever need an example look at Africa. I have ben to many African countries and believe me they are almost the same in The problems they face and their strategies in dealing with them is almost the same. We need to mature as ppl and think like other human do, but for now i cannot put hand-to-heart and say YES we can build sustainable societies, simply because we haven't. Mind you (seeing is believing). This id not to say that we are not capable of building self sustaining societies, we ofcourse have the capacity but my point is we have not done that yet for whatever reason. Miskin

Didn't get the point. Did you?

What a refreshing argument. This takes me back to my optimistic days which are now vading by the day. Don't get me wrong i have not given up yet though not as enthusiastic about it. I have done 2x degrees in the feild of construction and have been practising for about four years. I feel i could do something of use, but will i ever get the chance. I am bothered with QABIIL but the lack of stability and lack of willingness. Miskin

I am in the property industry, although not in property development. There is a general feeling that Eat Europe is the new property hotspot. Places like Astonia, Lithuania, The Czeck republic, Hungary, Romania. I have heard Sweden and Germany mentioned few times, but wherever you invest you will get some sort of reward. Is everyone going alone or is there some sort of company formation in the horizons. (just asking) Miskin

Yep, i was going to ask the same question?? MBA

I sense bit of feminism in here (forgot, i was in women's corner). What about fatherhood any chance of them getting some acknowledgement.

I see difficult decision ahead for us Somalis (shal i, shal i not). I see our country invaded, i see our innocent brothers/sisters killed for no apparent reaon. I see the situation not improving, i see our nomadic culture continuing, i see the situation in our homeland not improving.

Based on the way you are conducting your self i will not be surprised to see you single in 30 yrs. Mind you generalisation is a simple of ignorance, and you have generalised.

He is indeed lucky in more ways than one. Atleast he has the chance to earn a living however small, he has the chance to live in peace, he has the chance to feed his family back home, he has the chance to taste freedom (although limited you may argue) and atleast he is not afraid of being blown up on his way to work. We take these things for granted, and ony those who don't have it know what its like. I see un-gratefullness, i see people taking things for granted, i see me me me me me me attitude. What do you see

It took me 4hrs to get to work this morning, and i am expecting even longer journey home this evening, this is not fun.

Sis, Go for Diin & Dadnimo, forget about the Duunyo bit and think with your head and not your heart.

Kulmiya, I thought the topic was "Is America anti Islam" not is America anti Somali. I showed you example of American aggression against Muslims be it Arabs or non Arabs

Kulmiye, It is really a daft question you have asked (no disrespect). The fact that a Muslim man is asking this kind of question is beyond me. Look at whats happening in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq (Abu Graib Prison), Afghanistan and if all these arent enough to confince you, look at the American support for the Zionist nation of Israel. America openly transported arms to Israel when they were in conflict with Hizbollah. Consider the war on terrer. Every muslim that was of some value to the wider muslim community is either jailed or under surveillance and scrutiny. Eyes wide shutt

OK Guys, Given the current political turmoil, west/east divide and islamaphobia, i think there will come a time where we will be forced to go back however much we hate it. So brother don't you warry soon we will go back. To those westernised minds i urge you to think beyond the bling and the western illusions and get real.

Xoogsade, Charity starts at home, the UIC controls majority of southern Somalia, we the (public) need to see that the UIC is an organisation that is worthy of our support by demonstrating transparency and good governance. They can be at war and still exercise good governance in the areas they control, that will distinguish them from all other groups including the TFG

Alla - U - Baahne, Duke, Khalaf and others. Guys, Slow down a bit, just take a deep breath and think before you comment. You all seem to be loyal supporters to your respective groups, but none of you is making real/strong case here. TNG - Been around for two years, what have they done for people they represent (not much i think). Are they capable of policing an everlasting peace in the country (Allah knows, but i have my doubts). UIC - Been around lot longer than the TNG, were invisible until may/june this year (have done well to stabilise XAMAR). Not totally convinsed if they have the capacity to govern (Allah knows). Still clan based and rumer says dominated by some clans Allah knows). I do not know all the facts but none of these two groups have confinced me they are worthy of my support. So i will just pray and wait. Hope you can join me

The UIC needs to act like politicians (not wadaado)now they control most of the country. I think they need to distant them selves from being seen just as (macalin dugsi) and show us (the public) that they can run a country.

building a nation and maintaining its success requires the spirit of nationalism of its people. Nationalism is not something you pick and choose but rather something one is born to be and is expected of. Look around the world for a great example. Many different and distinct people live together as one nation called Indonesia; more than 50 States called themselves the United States of America; Great Britain is another great example. Neither the scotts nor the walesh like the English (not mentioning the Irish) but they share a great nation. Ruwandans have realised that ethnic cleansing has no future for them so they decided to forgive and forego hatred and anger in their society, they agreed to rebuild their lives and their nation again. Why cant we do the same, why cant we realise "QABIIL" doesnt work. Why cant we learn from experience. People always tell me that we "Somalis" are very intelligent people. Well, i am sorry but i dont see it. Correct me if i am wrong, but intelligent means knowing whats best for you. DO WE????

Mariana, Going back home and offering our time is one of the many challenges we face, but it one that we sadly ignore. Perhaps we should all consider going back. What do you think Miskin

When I think about Somalia, which is very often, I usually picture a horrifying scene where a group of hungry human look alikes (the warlords)attacking a weak but attractive and beautiful young lady(the nation), and each one is grapping as many pieces of flesh, internal organs and all for themselves and for their respective clans of course. Nowhere in their long shopping list could you see or read anything to do with rebuilding a nation (the Somali Nation). Each one thinks it is someone else's responsibility, the rest of the world, for that matter, to deal with the question of rebuilding the nation. I wonder, will this ever change, will the rest of the world care, will the warlords wise up and face the reality or will the young generation ever realise its responsibilities and act. Will fathers ever say enough is enough (we cannot afford to loose any more of our precious sons).

You said it all brother. Ireally cannot argue with that, but i will be extremely happy the day Somalia returns to normality and i see a Somali embassy functioning like any other embassy. That will be some day in my life

1st July is a day to remember for us Somalis, it was a day where the dreams of our forefathers came true, it was a day where Somalia became an independant nation (for the somalis by the somalis). It is really a day to cherish and remember what the real brave Somali men and women have achieved. As for what has happened afterwards, i dont really see the relationship Miskin

Thanks guys for your different opinions. but my question was, how much do these so called intellectuals really know about ordinary lives back home?. Are their comments based on something tangible or is it just (fadhi ku dirir) Miskin

Just wondering!! Do so called intellectuals who live abroad have the right to comment so publicly on the country they left behind, how much do they really know about ordinary lives there, or with the help of this globolised media they think they are as well informed as those back home. Miskin

Jamatutu Brother we need to ask our selves what is the motive behind these African troops going to Somalia. By the look of it, it seems that these guys are coming to help us out since we Somalis cannot help our selves