I don't know. I think there are certain perks to being a minweyn that I could appreciate. Imagine hubby brings home a pretty young thing. She cooks, she cleans, she takes care of all those tedious or unpleasant household chores no one gets around to. Like ironing. Remember the last time you ironed? Exactly. I'd want one who was none too bright, and with few aspirations. She would take care of the kids so I could focus on my career (without that niggling guilt all working moms seem to suffer from). In fact, she would give birth to the bulk of them, so I could keep my youthful figure. It'd be like having a younger sister around, except every now and then I would have to play my music loudly and count to a thousand (I'm being generous).

^ Wasn't there a Greek myth involving a dutiful daughter who breast-fed her imprisoned father?

Fewer conflicts and increased economic growth has made 2005 - dubbed "The Year of Africa" - a turning point for the continent, the World Bank has said. Its annual study of the continent found that 16 African states had managed to maintain annual economic growth of more than 4.5% since the 1990s. This had enabled them to lift more of their citizens above the poverty line. Meanwhile, the number of African conflicts had fallen from a peak of 16 in 2002 to five in 2005. Mixed results "Africa today is a continent on the move, making tangible progress on delivering better health, education, growth, trade and poverty-reduction outcomes," said Gobind Nankani, the World Bank vice-president for the Africa region. The bank's African Development Indicators report highlighted the extreme diversity of economic achievement in Africa. On one hand, Zimbabwe's economy shrunk by 2.4% in 2004 - while Equatorial Guinea's economy surged 20.9%. But the report also noted that inflation on the continent was down to historic lows, and that the region had managed to weather the impact of higher oil prices in recent years. On a more negative note, the bank said foreign investment in the continent was just $10.1bn in 2004 - only 1.6% of global foreign investment - and that more than 50% of the funds were spent in Nigeria and Sudan. The report also highlighted the difficulty of starting a business in many parts of Africa - taking, across the continent, an average of 64 days. Millennium Development Goals In more positive vein, the bank's report said that countries including Senegal, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Uganda and Ghana were on course to meet the target of halving poverty by 2010 - five years ahead of schedule. The eradication of extreme poverty and hunger is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) agreed by 189 countries in New York in 2000 with a target date of 2015. Each MDG also includes a number of indicators designed to measure its progress, which are intended to be tracked and updated regularly by UN member governments and international governing bodies such as the World Bank. The year 2005 saw a particular focus on Africa and the MDG's - it was a key focus of the G8 summit in Gleneagles and saw the publication of reports from the UN Millennium Project and UK's Commission for Africa. Prospects In its latest Africa report, the World Bank said that many countries had made good progress in meeting some of the other MDGs, such as getting more young children into primary education and improving child mortality. Looking forward, it said improved governance and management of natural resources was a key requirement, particularly with African nations due to receive a $200bn windfall from oil revenues between 2000 and 2010. It said it was seeing signs that African leaders were taking more responsibility for improving governance and assisting the private sector in attracting foreign investment and boosting trade with growing markets like those in China and India. Source

Originally posted by Khalaf: Again ppl can we move passed his comments and answer the questions which were raised: which protects the women and in large the society from immorality: Islamic system or western system? ^^^^That is what the sheikh was getting at, he just wasnt smart with words and metaphors! We can't get past it because the issue hasn't been resolved. If the good sheikh was trying to protect women, then why does he condemn the judge who sentenced rapists to prison? which protects the women and in large the society from immorality: Islamic system or western system? Which Islamic system? Since I'm sure you will be using actual Western countries to represent secular democracies, which Islamic country will we use as an example of the ideal Islamic system? Pakistan? Saudi Arabia? Iran? Egypt?

^^Good question. We (well the men anyway) certainly have the build for long distance running. In fact that's all I was expecting to see here, but it's a remarkably varied list of sports that the boys are excelling at! Bodybuilding and taekwondo take the cake though

I second me (huh?). I think a dirty bomb intercepted on the way to LA or DC.

Khalaf, Could you tell us where you're getting the rape rates please? This figure sums up rape stats in the US since the 70's. According to it, rapes have gone down drastically, even as women continue to dress provocatively (and yes, as the porn industry booms): Why are there rapes decreasing, in America, despite most women not wearing burkas?

Originally posted by Warmoog: The reprehensible logic behind that is more in line with Biblical absurdities, which can be traced back to early Christian accounts of Eve's role in the 'original sin', than anything written in the Holy Qur'an. I was wondering about that too.

A woman is safer in a miniskirt in New York City than she would be in a burka in Cairo.

Yeah, it really is. Must be a witch to coordinate.

Originally posted by Khalaf: quote:Originally posted by Alle-ubaahne: Are you denying the fact that Allah gave us the permission to enjoy the benefit of the jihaad, among which is to enjoy their women without nikaax? Now it makes sense!!! You are funny sxb!! Question: What if they the ethopian women refuse? What is the rule on that? Khalaf, that's the bottom line, eh?

Originally posted by Alle-ubaahne: quote:Originally posted by nuune: ^^^ lool@shabaab al xasan turki, Paraganoow eegadan maxaad leedahay War Paragon haduu dadkaas ka yahay Soomaali Maxamed, anigana waxaan rabaa inaan u sheego inaanan kala fogeyn oo aan ahay dadka kasoo uskumay reerka uu Xasan Turki ka dhashay, inkastoo ay HG nagu sheegaan. LOL Laakiin Nuunow waxaan ku fakarayaa ninyahow sidaan Ethiopia dumarkooda gaalada ah markii lasoo qaniimeesto uga faa'iideysan lahaa, inkastoo la yiri waxaa ku badan Cudurka afarta xaraf ah, ee AIDS-ka. Walee tii naag aheyd hadeer ayaan ka dhargeynaa, insha-Allah. Waa inaan meesha ka ordaa oo dhulkii qabtaa inteey goori goor tahay. Ilaahow naag tigree ah oo aan bilaash ku heysto ha ii waayin, oo aan waligeed la gudin, Aamiin! Ana waxaan la yaabayay markaad difaacday kan yiri ninkii naag xooga khalad maleh.

Alle-Ubaahne, you're clearly a deeply disturbed man. Seek help. Khalaf, perhaps you should re-read the entire text of the sermon before you defend al-Hilali. I'm particularly interested in how you reconcile the following passage with your conviction that the Mufti was not excusing rapists: “But when it comes to this disaster, who started it? In his literature, writer al-Rafee says, if I came across a rape crime, I would discipline the man and order that the woman be jailed for life . Why would you do this, Rafee? He said because if she had not left the meat uncovered, the cat wouldn’t have snatched it.” “If you get a kilo of meat, and you don’t put it in the fridge or in the pot or in the kitchen but you leave it on a plate in the backyard, and then you have a fight with the neighbor because his cats eat the meat, you’re crazy. Isn’t this true?” Honestly. Isn't it true?

Khalaf, 1. I do realize that. But most people don't directly consult the Qur'an and Ahadith books for spiritual guidance. Most Muslims go to the mosque and ask the Ulama and most take their words as the truth. 2. I believe it's a manufactured need, but yes for most.

Originally posted by RendezVous: quote:Originally posted by Northerner: Where are the 'freedom of speech' brigade? The Freedom Brigades!!!!!!!!! who said there is freedom of speech and "Drawing Cartoons" as showing Prophet Mohamed?????? You misunderstand the concept of freedom of speech. It does not mean you do not face public condemnation if you say something racist, sexist, or just plain stup!d. Freedom of speech means you shouldn't be killed, physically harassed/threatened, etc for expressing your opinion. No one is going to burn down embassies or call for the beheading of this "mufti".

Originally posted by Libaax-Sankataabte: A controversial cleric who said women who didn't wear a veil were "uncovered meat" asking to be raped will keep his job as the spiritual leader of Australia's 350,000 Muslims. That's really sad. He's not capable of serving the spiritual needs of granite boulders.

^Sorted by who to kiss and who to slap?

Yes, happy birthday, Serenity. Originally posted by Devilangle: Do something out of character.. like, kiss the next good looking faraax u see( wait that can take years… scrach the faraax part) or slap some dude at work... I'm sure she did that stuff before, and it wasn't even on a birthday.

These questions were asked in writing or by email. To me that makes a big difference . Obviously if there are rules about them already then other people have done them.

You know what I'm craving? Lentil soup. Really badly, and I don't even like it normally.

In the States you just take the test with an auto and you can still drive a manual without needing to take another test. Or at least you can TRY to drive it

Britain's job market must be improving if people ay is kibrinayaan sidaas. A cross is a piece of jewelry. And surely the teacher could put up with a colleague looking at her face for a few moments. But the Brits seem to be on some kind of a rampage with the veil and Muslim culture lately. MC, kids do have a hard time understanding speech without facial cues. Expression and body posture is as important as content.

OK, congratulations to the anonymous couple then. Wiil iyo milkshake.

^Or the exception that proves the rule? I remember hearing about what this man has done a few years ago. IMO he should also win the award for Economics. Instead of all those stuffy academics with their theories and models that do little to help ordinary people Tukaale, Do you think Nomands back home could be trusted, will they ever return any worth of capital you lend them? The clever thing is that the borrowers themselves benefit from all individuals investing and returning money they owe. So there's great social pressure from your neighbors to be reliable. I think Somalis have a similar system with hagbad/sholongo, it's just not centralized.

^LOL @ maro ku dhag. That brought back some pleasant childhood memories. Apt metaphor for some people!