My dad was a rich oday, my mother the typical young Somali in Mogadishu seeking a rich husband. True..but they had me!

Hey! There are alot of good Somali restaurants I know about in Minnesota and Canada.However, the chefs are another story. For one, I know this somali chef dude that is so raggedy that he makes broke bob look rich! The guy is dirty, he goes to work with his hands all greasy and dirty..it's sickening! To think that we eat at those places with the ones we love and ourselfs! I don't want to name them for fear that I might be sued, but any1 is free to share..where ever you are in the World.

Israeli link possible in US torture techniques uploaded 13 May 2004 In exchange for interrogation training, did Washington award security contracts? CHICAGO, Illinois: The head of the American defense contracting firm implicated in the torture of Iraqis at Abu Ghraib prison has close ties to Israel and visited an Israeli "anti-terror" training camp in the occupied West Bank earlier this year. Jack London, chairman, president and CEO of CACI International Incorporated, traveled to Israel in January this year as part of a high-level delegation of US Congressmen, defense contractors and pro-Israel lobbyists, sponsored and paid for in part by the Jerusalem Fund of Aish HaTorah, a pro-Israel lobbying and fundraising group, and Greenberg Traurig, LLP, a prominent Washington law and lobby firm. The purpose of the visit, according to a CACI press release, was "to promote opportunities for strategic partnerships and joint ventures between US and Israeli defense and homeland security companies." As one of the highlights of the visit, London was presented with the Albert Einstein Technology Award by Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz at a gala dinner at Jerusalem city hall, for "achievements in the field of defense and national security." Delegates also spent several hours in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights with Housing and Construction Minister Effie Eitam, a former Israeli general, who is notorious for his view that Israel should "transfer" - that is, expel - all the Palestinians. According to the official itinerary for the Jan. 11-17 Defense Aerospace Homeland Security Mission, obtained from the Jerusalem Fund of Aish HaTorah, London's trip included a visit to Beit Horon, "the central training camp for the anti-terrorist forces of the Israeli police and the border police," in the occupied West Bank. The visitors were also "briefed by top experts," and were able to "witness exercises related to anti-terror warfare." Two CACI employees, Steven Stephanowicz and John Israel, were named in the leaked report by US Major General Antonio M. Taguba on the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison. Taguba wrote that Stephanowicz, a "contract US civilian interrogator," "allowed and/or instructed MPs (military police), who were not trained in interrogation techniques, to facilitate interrogations by 'setting conditions' which were neither authorized or in accordance with applicable regulations/policy. He clearly knew his instructions equated to physical abuse." John Israel, an interpreter, did not have the appropriate security clearance, according to Taguba. Although Taguba recommended that Stephanowicz be terminated and his security clearance revoked, a May 5 statement from CACI confirmed, "at present, all CACI employees continue to work on site providing the contracted for services to our clients in that location." It added: "We have not received any information to stop any of our work, to terminate or suspend any of our employees." Although no evidence has emerged directly linking CACI's involvement in the Abu Ghraib atrocities to Israel, it has long been known that the US military has been interested in "learning" from Israel's experience attempting to suppress the Palestinian uprising. In March 2003, for example, the AP reported that the "the (US) military has been listening closely to Israeli experts and picking up tips from years of Israeli Army operations in Palestinian areas and Lebanese towns." This cooperation has included briefings of US personnel by Israeli officers, and, according to AP, "In January and February (2003), Israeli and American troops trained together in southern Israel's Negev Desert ... Israel has also hosted senior law enforcement officials from the United States for a seminar on counterterrorism." Meanwhile, more evidence has emerged undermining the US thesis that the abuses at Abu Ghraib was the work of a "few bad apples." The Guardian reported that the "sexual humiliation of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison was not an invention of maverick guards, but part of a system of ill-treatment and degradation used by special forces soldiers that is now being disseminated among ordinary troops and contractors." This system, known to insiders as "R2I," short for resistance to interrogation, also includes such methods as "hooding, sleep deprivation, time disorientation and depriving prisoners not only of dignity, but of fundamental human needs, such as warmth, water and food." These are all techniques long employed by Israel. The visit of the US delegation that included the CACI head exposes a rarefied web of influence sharing in which US government officials and congressmen, defense contractors and lobbyists parcel out huge contracts, and siphon significant portions off to Israel. As Batya Feldman of Israel's Globes financial news service put it, the visit provided Israeli companies with "an excellent opportunity to encounter big bucks in homeland security." To help Israeli companies pry some of these "big bucks" loose, the visit included seminars for Israeli companies given by US pro-Israel lobbyists called "How to Approach the Homeland Security Department," and "How to Sell to the US Defense Department." Israeli participants would have had a chance to test the helpful tips, since present on the trip were Assistant Secretary for Homeland SecurityRobert Liscouski and many leading US legislators, including top members of the US House and Senate Armed Services Committees, which jointly oversee tens of billions of dollars in military spending. Source: The Daily Star

Devil I see where you're coming from, but we must know that there are many secret soldiers posed as contractors in Iraq.Also, war has no rules. To blame muslims is just too naive.

Lakkad, I agree with you Islam doesn't promote torture of this kind. However,I'm very skeptical about whether these men were actually Iraqis( did you see how big they were? iraqis are skinny!)Why would a muslim say Allahu Akbar when killing a person? It just doesn't make sense,and for that reason I refuse to believe that these were actually muslims who did this.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY? *sobs* Not the UAE! Noooooooo! NOOOOOO!

There are many more children who need help, but we can help by at least starting with one child. Rahima, I don't know when she'll come to Australia I think it depends on how much many the Somali Community raises for her to go there and get the surgery done.I'm still trying to post her picture, and as soon as I'm done with finals inshallah I'll do that.

Okay, I got the flyer and here is where you can get more info. on Casha Adan Barre.Asha was born ayadoon lahayn xubintii ay ka saxaroon lahayd. Your help will be greatly appreciated. She is in Nairobi, Kenya now and needs to get surgery as soon as possible.She needs everyones help. Qofkii doonaya inuu usoo diro, deeq lacageed, fadlan ku shub: Wellsfargo Bank Routing #11000019 Account # 1157430271 For more info. call the number on the bottom. Hadaan donaysid Akhbaar intaas dheer Fadlan, la xiriir: Hawo Guuled (651)645-5990

I'm sorry I don't know how to post her picture on this message forum. Fey, Asha was born without an anus, so she can't defecate properly, doctors did some surgery on her and put this organ out through her stomach so she could defecate that way.Alot of people are doing a fundraiser for her so they can take her to Australia to get a surgery to correct her disorder. So the person who was supposed to bring me the flyer with more info. about her didn't. I only have her picture but I'm not very computer savvy and couldn't post it.

The girl's name is Asha, her picture was sent to my e-mail as an attachment, but I couldn't post it on this message board.There is an account opened for her, but I still haven't received the full information yet.Inshallah, I'll post her pic tomorrow along with other information.

ASALAAMU ALAYKUM, THERE IS THIS 3 YEAR OLD GIRL LIVING IN KENYA IN NEED OF MAJOR SURGERY A.S.A.P. THE GIRL ISN'T ABLE TO DEFECATE PROPERLY BECAUSE HER 'MALAWAD(I HOPE IT'S CORRECT IN SOMALI) IS HANGING OUT OF HER STOMACH.I'LL TRY TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND HER PICTURE TO EVERYONE.THE FAMILY IS POOR AND THEY COULD USE ALL THE DONATION THEY CAN GET.WE NEED EVERYONE TO HELP.INSHALLAH, I'LL GET MORE INFO. ON THIS LITTLE GIRL AND WHERE YOU CAN DONATE.MAY ALLAH GIVE YOU BARAKAH FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION.

I came across this great article and decided to share with ya'll. May Allah bless all my muslim walaalo, I love you all. The New Crusades Abu Talha Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem After the bombing of the World Trade Centre in New York by UNKNOWN people Muslims have become Public Enemy Number 1. Around the world images of the bombing are played with the names of Muslims. In the mind of the common man and experts Islam and Muslims were already guilty before any connection was made to them. Islam and Muslims are portrayed as the enemies of the west and the so called civilised world. Politicians and the media have already drawn the battle lines. Muslims have become the easiest target because of their weakness and division. Media has stirred the emotions and anger of the masses against Islam and Muslims. Although some Muslim voices have been allowed air time it his been against the Muslims more than being in their favour. While the prospects of war against Muslims looms abroad, Muslims living in the West have become the targets for them to vent their hatred and anger against. Muslim women have been singled out for attack because of the Hijab. Any man resembling a Muslim has also been targeted. Some Muslims now live in a state of fear and dare not leave their homes. Since there is no real power to defend and protect Muslims, they must rally to support each other during these uncertain times. Muslims have no representation that will speak on their behalf. In the absence of leadership Muslims are left wondering where to turn or to look for guidance and leadership. But there is a protector and there is a leader. Their Protector is ALLAH and their leader is the Messenger of Allah Muhammad. “Allah is the Protector of the Believers”. The Believers are protectors of one and other. In these testing times Muslims must turn to their true Protector and look to the guidance of the best Leader to walk on earth. The events that happened and what is to come are but just a test to see those who will remain firm on their faith and those who blame Islam for their hardships. Now is a time to reflect and examine our faith. Will we be the first to fall at the first sign of danger or will we be the ones unshaken from our conviction in spite of the harm that may befall us. “Did you think that you will enter Jannah yet what befell those before you has not come to you, they were touched with harm and hardship and shaken until the Messenger and those with him said when will the help of Allah come? Indeed Allah’s help is near”. Muslims must help and support one another we must provide encouragement and moral support for each other through whatever means available to us; meetings, telephone, Internet. There will Muslims who feel isolated and vulnerable we need to reach out to them and show that there are others with them. We must show that we are strong and not intimidated by the cowardly threats, attacks and harassments. WHAT SHOULD BE THE MUSLIM POSITION? First: With regards to the bombing Muslims have no part in what occurred. Therefore we should not try to be defensive since it has not connection with us. Muslims cannot be accused of actions that unknown individuals carry out in other parts of the world. It is clear that Muslims have nothing to gain from such attacks. Instead the ones who gained most are the enemies of Islam who have achieved in turning the masses in the West against Islam and Muslims. They now have the support and backing to carry out any killing and bombing of Muslims wherever they want. In the light of this fact it is highly probable and indeed most likely that this bombing was planned and executed by the enemies of Islam and their allies namely the jews and the terrorist state of israel supported by America. It is not the first time that jews have killed their own protectors to achieve their aims. Since the bombing the jews have killed and destroyed Palestinian homes knowing that the world would turn a blind eye. Muslims should be clear and categorical that the attack was carried out by their enemies, Muslims are absolutely innocent. The attack was clearly calculated to cause maximum harm to the Muslims due to the consequences. Clearly this is what has happened with war and retaliation being planned against Muslims and their lands. The jews and their allies are rejoicing while fuelling the flames of war. Second: Muslims are protectors of one another. A Muslim cannot surrender another Muslim to the enemy. “Muslim is a brother of a Muslim he does not oppress him, fail to support him or lie to him”. America and its allies can easily concoct some evidence to link the bombing to Muslims. Anyone who has followed events will know that Muslims were suspects then they went to fabricate the evidence needed to support the case. Justice is blind when dealing with Muslims. The scales of justice will be heavily weighed down against Muslims. Whatever lies and false evidence they bring forth Muslims cannot accept it as valid or proof to justify supporting the crusade against Islam. Be certain that to do so is to witness a New Crusade and White Imperialism terrorising and savaging the Muslim world once again. Individuals and nations have been lining up to ally themselves to the Crusaders and White Imperialists. It is expected of puppet regimes to please their masters. But those who believe in Allah and the Messenger can never be loyal to unbelievers. Our loyalty and allegiance is to Allah, His Messenger and other believers. “Your protector is Allah, His Messenger and the those who believe”. “You will not find a people who believe in Allah and His Messenger making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers or their kindred…” The media is also working very hard to divide and disunite Muslims further by branding those on their sides as moderates and those opposing them as extremists. There is no moderate or extreme Muslim. Muslims have one Lord, Messenger and Book. We must be united upon our faith and support for other Muslims. We cannot fall into the kafir trap by attacking each other. Our weakness and division will be the enemies strength. We must be united upon upholding the values of our faith and not just the aspects that may please the Crusaders. What we see emerging is a New Crusade and White Imperialism raising its ugly head to terrorise and savage the world. History knows too well the barbarism suffered before by the world from these two dark evils. Make no mistake that an attack today on any Muslim country or people will be the precedence to continue the Crusade and White Imperialism against all nations tomorrow. Iraq is a living reminder to what will follow. Will those who declare war against terrorism declare war against the Irish or the Spanish separatist movement or the supporters of white supremacy in America? The Muslims who the Crusaders want to obliterate are the ones who sacrificed their lives and wealth to protect Muslim blood, land and honour. To turn against them would be the ultimate betrayal. The punishment perhaps awaiting those who co-operate with the Crusaders will be the same as inflicted by the Russians on the Muslims or the slaughter and massacre caused by the first crusaders in to Muslim lands. Muslim leaders have an obligation to defend the lives, wealth and property of their citizens. They must put aside their differences and unite against their common enemy, Together they can stand up to the Crusaders if they have the will to do so. Muslims all over the world must use all peaceful means possible to pressure and force their leaders not to surrender to White Imperialism and a new occupation of Muslim land. They cannot allow Muslim land and resources to be used to kill other Muslims. They have to resist intimidation, force and corruption so as not to support the Crusader armies. The independence and integrity of Muslim lands and the sanctity of lives lies in their hands. If they show courage against the enemy history will honour them. But if they succumb history will hold those leaders responsible for allowing a New Crusade and the second colonisation of Muslim lands. Third: It seems that the whole world is closing in on Muslims and even their own lands are turning hostile. Forces are gathering against the Muslims as they once did against the Messenger and his companions. Shaytan has rallied his followers against the soldiers of Allah and he is trying to inspire fear in their hearts. “Those who said to the people (Believers) the people (disbelievers) have gathered against you, therefore fear them. But it only increased them in faith and they said Allah is sufficient for us and He is the best disposer of affairs. Indeed that is shaytan who makes you fear his friends. Do not fear them. Fear Me if you are Believers”. Certainly Allah is the real support and the strength for Muslims during these testing and defining times. No doubt nothing can happen without the command of Allah. All this is just but a test to distinguish the good from the bad and the believer from the hypocrite. We can only gain support and victory from Allah by turning to Him, trusting and depending upon Him. “If Allah helps you none can overcome you and if he forsakes you who is there after Him that can help you. And in Allah let the believers put their trust” The hardship and difficulties we face or may face are nothing in comparison to that suffered by Muslims before us and in other places. The forces that are gathering today against the Muslims today to extinguish the light of Islam gathered before for the same cause. “O you who believe remember Allah’s favour to you when armies came against you. We sent against them a wind and armies that you did not see. Allah is all seer of what you do. When they came upon you from above you and from below you and when the eyes grew wild and the hearts reached the throats. And you harboured doubts about Allah. There the believers were tried and shaken with a might shaking. An when the hypocrites and those whose hearts is a disease said what Allah and his messenger promised are nothing but delusions… When the believers saw the forces (al-ahzab) they said this is what Allah and His Messenger promised us and Allah and His Messenger have spoken the truth and it only added to their faith and submission (to Allah)…” Only Allah alone knows what evil scheme the Crusaders are plotting against the Muslims. But there is one certainty and that is that Muslims will ultimately win and Islam will prevail over all else. “They intend to put out the light of Allah with their mouths. But Allah will complete his light even though the disbelievers detest it. He it is who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it dominant over all religions even though the mushrikeen (pagans) detest it”. Our Lord send down on us patience, make our feet firm and give us victory over the disbelieving people. All praise is for Allah.

This is truly disgusting, it truly angers and pains my heart.This is not something new, if it wasn't for the rest of the world media airing this, the American media would have concealed this. Their actions show their cowardliness. This is not new, many shahabas were killed in a gruesome way, like Hamzah(radiyalahu anhu) whose body was mutilated and his liver eaten.I pray that Allah's justice comes soon, I pray that such evil people find the justice they deserve in this life and the next.This is the Kafir way of destroying what they claim to be 'evil-doers' they don't see them as humans, it just shows how much they hate Islam.These pictures only make the muslim ummah stronger in their faith, and a strong iman can overcome anything.I pray that Islam will rise to its rightful place to lead this world from injustice, inequality, cruelty, and greed and actions like the above pictures show.I pray that these young men, our dear brothers in Islam, although they've suffered enough in this world, will find the mercy of Allah and may Allah grant them jannah, and may Allah help the suffering Iraqis, and all muslims in the world.

Honey-D don't get me wrong, I do know how to read the quran. I also am still learning about my religion, but I know all the esentials, alhamdulilah.

Kynda I'm taking Somali classes so you know how that goes.Is it wajiib for us to speak arabic? No.Although I think Arabic is a beautiful language,I don't think it's that important for me to speak it.

Salaam for the sister who did the post.Although I believe you had a good intention for sharing this, but I think you forgot that we're not Arabs and not everyone understands the lingo.

mainpage overview archives links feedback/letters search archives Subscribe to ... Muslimedia.com is the internet edition of Crescent International, newsmagazine of the Islamic Movement. The problems of Kenyan-sponsored peace deals in Sudan and Somalia By M S Ahmed Both Sudan and Somalia are in urgent need of a peaceful settlement of the civil wars that have been ravaging them for more than a decade. But the peace deals recently reached as a result of negotiations mediated by Kenya, and sponsored (in Sudan’s case) by the US, cannot lead to a just and lasting resolution of the conflicts that also guarantees their territorial integrity. Kenya, which has a longstanding territorial dispute with Somalia, has an interest in confirming Somalia’s de facto disintegration into two separate entities (Somaliland and Somalia), as it has in the division of Sudan into a Christian-controlled south and a Muslim north. Such a break-up will provide it (along with Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia) with an opportunity to demand the revision of the treaty governing the distribution of the River Nile’s waters. In fact it has already announced (as Tanzania has also done) that it will withdraw from the treaty, sensing no doubt that Washington’s success in forcing Khartoum to concede to southern Sudan the right to secede will eventually consign the treaty to the past. The Sudanese government of president Hasan al-Bashir and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), led by colonel John Garang, have been negotiating under Kenyan mediation and strong US pressure for some time. But the first agreement reached between the old adversaries concedes to the south (represented by the SPLM) two fundamental rights: the right to secede after a referendum, which is to be held at the end of a six-year transitional period; and the right to an equal share in the country’s oil wealth. The wealth-sharing deal, signed in Naivasha, Kenya, by vice-president Ali Osman Taha and Garang on January 6, also provides for a monetary system that will allow Islamic no-interest banking in the north and western banking in the south; it also introduces a new national currency. But the two parties have not yet made a deal on power-sharing during the transitional period, despite intense pressure from the US. However, the administration of the south during this time is expected to be called "the government of Southern Sudan", instead of being regarded merely as a regional body; it will be run by Garang, who will also function as vice-president of Sudan. Other issues that are still unresolved include the future of three central areas: the Nuba Mountains, the southern Blue Nile, and Abyei – in particular whether they will be part of the south or of the north. The issues are being discussed at the talks that began in Naivasha on February 17, which the Kenyan mediator has said will continue for a month. According to diplomats in Nairobi, the mistrust between the negotiators is so intense that the talks are likely to be very difficult. The Bush administration wanted a deal to be reached in December, and invited the parties to Washington to sign it there. Such was the US government’s arrogance that on one occasion it "gave" them only 24 hours to finalise a deal . Western analysts attribute the US government’s determination to have a sovereign southern state in Sudan as soon as possible to strong pressure from the Christian right in the US –pressure that also explains why Sudan is one of the few African countries to which the US is devoting much attention. As an editorial in the International Herald Tribune put it, "the Bush administration, pressed by American Christians who are outraged by the religious discrimination [presumably against southern Christians] has made Sudan one place in Africa where it is truly engaged." Ironically, other Western media also take a similar line, accusing northern Muslims of committing discrimination, indeed even slavery, against Christian and animist southerners; this makes it easier for the Bush administration to exert pressure on Khartoum. Western and other governments also support the American line on Sudan, helping the US to extract radical concessions from the central government for the south. As the IHT editorial put it, "intense involvement by outside governments, including the Bush administration, made the difference, and continued attention will be crucial to the agreement’s success." This clearly ‘religious’ approach to the Sudanese question –even without other economic and strategic reasons –should have been enough to disqualify Kenya and the US from their roles in mediation and sponsorship. It should also have secured widespread Muslim support for the protection of Sudan’s unity against the Bush administration’s attempts to destroy it. But even Egypt, despite having a vital interest in the territorial integrity of its neighbour, has been silent in the face of Bush’s effective war on Khartoum. The only time Cairo spoke out was when Kenya declared that it is leaving the treaty regulating the sharing of the Nile’s waters among the countries in the Nile basin. Mahmoud Abu Zeid, the Egyptian minister of water, described Kenya’s declaration as an "act of war". The Nile Water Agreement (1929) gives the lion’s share of the Nile’s water to Egypt, and the other countries in the basin have been clamouring for larger shares. But Cairo has not challenged their "right" to take small amounts of water in addition to their treaty quotas, and in fact has been party to an arrangement regulating how much can be taken for development projects. The World Bank, which has been heavily involved in those projects, has been backing the arrangement and Egypt’s position in it. But Kenya’s announcement that it is withdrawing from the treaty, and Tanzania’s declared plan to construct a pipeline to draw considerable amounts of water from Lake Victoria, could between them lead to outright war among the countries of the Nile Basin. Boutros Boutros Ghali, the former UN secretary general, has that the next war in the region will be about water. The Somali problem may not be as fraught as the Sudanese one, if only because Somalis are divided not by religious differences but by clan squabbling, which is at the root of the war that has devastated their country. But both religious and territorial considerations are involved: both of Somalia’s neighbours, Ethiopia and Kenya, are Christian-dominated and have territorial disputes with it. Ethiopia in particular is deeply involved in Somalia’s wars, and like Kenya is a close ally of the US. It is therefore absurd that Kenya should be a mediator between the warring militias in southern Somalia. Since the fall of general Siad Barre’s regime in 1991, Somalia has been divided into northern Somalia (formerly British Somaliland) and southern Somalia. Somaliland has declared itself a separate state, although so far no other government has recognised it. The partial deal that militias from southern Somalia have reached under Kenyan mediation does not extend to Somaliland. The agreement was reached in Nairobi on January 29 and is said to be the closest the warring factions have ever been to forming a central administration. It is certainly the first to include "all the main warlords and feuding traditional leaders –42 in all," according to one report. But no ceasefire was agreed at the talks before the parties, all still highly suspicious of eachother, returned home. The African Union, the Arab League and the Islamic Conference, to all of which the Somali republic belonged before its dissolution, are not involved in the talks, although reports suggest that the EU is. Western involvement in Somalia has been minimal since the attempt by the US in 1993 to capture general Aideed, one of the most powerful warlords, failed. The attempt led to the deaths in action of 18 US marines and the withdrawal of UN peacekeeping forces from the area. But although the US is not engaged with Somalia as it is with Sudan, it is bound to support the policies of its allies in the Horn of Africa, and the powerful Christian lobby is certain to urge the Bush administration to back Somalia’s Christian neighbours. Kenya has said that Somaliland will be invited to join the talks when the southern factions reach a final deal. But neither Kenya nor Ethiopia will be keen to push a project that seeks to reunite southern and northern Somalia, and the US will not put pressure on them to change their attitude. The fact that the fate of two Muslim countries facing disintegration is left in the hands of hostile Christians should be unacceptable to all Muslims, but unfortunately for the time being separate groups of Muslims are embroiled in their own problems, and cannot worry about others’.

Last Moments In Sheikh Yassin's Life Yassin is now even more closer to the hearts of Muslims and freedom fighters worldwide (AFP) By Mostafa el-Sawwaf, IOL Correspondent GAZA CITY, March 22 (IslamOnline.net) - When he woke up, as usual, one hour before the dawn prayers, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin had no idea this was the day he long dreamed of and yearned for. He performed his ablution, read some verses from the Holy Qur'an and supplicated for God to liberate Palestine from the Israeli occupation. The wheelchair-bound spiritual leader of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas was then helped by two associates to Mujamah Al-Islami mosque, only 200 meters from his home. There he waited until the dawn Adhan [call for prayer] was raised (around 03:00 GMT). After prayers, worshippers flock to greet him and inquire after his health, as if they were giving him a farewell. As his associates helped him out of the mosque with and only 40 meters away from the door, an Israeli U.S.-made Apache fired three missiles, one of them hit Sheik Yassin directly winning him his long-awaited martyrdom. Wailing their sirens, ambulances raced to the scene while dumbfounded Palestinians gathered the remains of the nine victims, including the dashed out brains of Sheikh Yassin. Two of the aging leader's sons, Abdul Hadi and Abdul Hamid, survived the Israeli strike with serious wounds. With the martyrdom of Sheikh Yassin, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is expected to take a new course with Palestinian factions vowing to break the gates of hell loose. For them, the 66-year-old veteran resistance leader is symbol who left his indelible marks on the history of the Palestinian cause against the Israeli occupation. Yassin was 12 year old when Israeli gangs stormed his village in the southern Gaza Strip village of Al-Joura in 1948 and forced scores of Palestinians to flee their homes. Despite a childhood injury that left him for ever paralyzed, Sheikh Yassin devoted his entire life to the cause of his usurped country. Though now far in distance, he remains close at the hearts of all Muslims, Arabs and freedom fighters around the world.

Asalaamu Alaykum, Yes we should watch our actions because you never know who is judging you as a muslim.However, we shouldn't do good just for people to see us, we should do it because it will make Allah pleased with us. Off the topic- I really think we should be doing more dacwah for muslims especially ones with not enough knowledge of Islam.

This was written by a sister named Fatima! _________________________________________ Allahu Akbar! ____________________________________________ AKHIRA What I’m telling you now is true, Sometimes I don’t know what to do, When everything I do goes wrong, Though I know I must be strong, But then again life is a test, And we must always do our best. For everything we do and say, While we live from day to day, Including all things good and bad, Which make us happy or make us sad, Will be accounted for some day, When we’ll meet on Judgement Day. Though each of us must surely die, And you all know the reason why, The One Who created us before, Will bring us back to life once more, And we’ll all return back to Allah, For eternal life in the Akhirah. Loyal servants of Allah will find, Eternal happiness and peace of mind. For in the Hereafter they will know, The presence of Allah Whom they love so, And Jannah will be their dwelling place, Where they will live by Allah’s Grace. But those who follow the devil’s way, Each one of them has gone astray, And Jahannam, is where they will be, They’ll have fear and won’t be free, And miserable will be their stay, And for their deeds they’ll have to pay. All this must come to pass one day, So come my friend, do let us pray, ‘0 Allah, help us to prepare well, And please protect us all from Hell, Make us grow up good and wise, And grant us a place in Paradise.’

___________________________________________ What are you doing to meet Allah and be granted Jannah? ______________________________________________ Preparation for Returning to Allah by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani Translated by Shaykh Zaid Shakir Ibn Abbas, radiyallahu anh - may Allah be well pleased with him, said that the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam - peace and blessings upon his noble soul, said one day to Iblees from whom we seek refuge to Allah: "How many of your beloved are from my Ummah?" He (Iblees) said: "Ten groups: The tyrannical leader; the arrogant; the wealthy one who is not concerned about how he earns his wealth, nor how he spends it; a religious scholar who supports the leader in his tyranny; the treacherous trader (in business); the one who monopolizes a commodity in order to drive up the price; the adulterer; the one who deals in interest; the miser who doesn't care from where he has accumulated his wealth; and the drunkard." Then he, peace and blessings upon his noble soul, said: "How many enemies do you have from my Ummah?" He (Iblees) said: "Twenty groups: You Muhammad...I hate you*; the scholar who acts on his knowledge; the memorizer of Quran if he acts on what is in it; the one who calls for the five prayers and he loves the poor, downtrodden and the orphans; the one possessing a merciful heart; the one who humbles himself before the truth; a young person who grows up obeying Allah; the one who eats the halaal; two young people who love each other for the sake of Allah; the one who strives to make prayer in congregation; the one who prays at night while the people are asleep; the one who holds himself back from haraam; the one who gives sincere advise to the Muslim brothers with no ulterior motive; the one who remains in a constant state of wudu'u; the generous one; the one possessing good character; the one who confirms the truth of what Allah has guaranteed him; the one who does good to chaste widows; and the one who prepares for death." Wahb bin Munabbah, may Allah bless his soul said: "The one who prepares for death while in the world becomes the beloved of Allah on the Day of Resurrection, and the one who leaves off becoming angry becomes near to Allah; the one who leaves off love of life becomes safe from the punishment of Allah on the Day of Resurrection; the one who leaves off jealousy becomes praiseworthy before humanity on the Day of Resurrection; the one who leaves off love of leadership becomes honorable with the Compelling King on the Day of Resurrection; the one who leaves off overindulgence in the world becomes well-provided for in the company of the righteous; the one who leaves off disputing in the world becomes amongst the victorious in the Day or Resurrection; the one who leaves off miserliness in the world becomes mentioned before all of humanity on the Day of Resurrection; the one who leaves off relaxation in the world becomes happy on the Day of Resurrection; the one who leaves off engaging in the haraam in the world becomes in the company of the truly wealthy on the Day of Resurrection; the one who leaves off looking at the haraam in the world, Allah will delight his eyes in Jannah/heaven on the Day of Resurrection; the one who leaves off wealth and chooses poverty in the world, Allah will raise him up on the Day of Resurrection along with the befriended (of Allah) and the Prophets, peace be upon them all. Whoever relieves the needs of the people in the world, Allah will relieve his needs in this world and the next. The one who wants to be entertained in the grave then let him rise up in the darkness of the night and pray; the one who wants to be in the Shade of the Throne of the Merciful let him turn away from the world; the one who wants to have an easy accounting before Allah, let him be a sincere advisor to himself and his brothers; the one who wants the angels to visit him let him be pious; the one who wants to dwell in the middle of Jannah let him remember Allah by night and day; the one who wants to enter Jannah without any accounting let him repent sincerely to Allah; the one who wants to be wealthy let him be pleased with what Allah has proportioned out for him; the one who wants to understand deen/religion with Allah, let him be lowly; the one who wants to be wise, let him be knowledgeable; the one who wants to be safe from, people let him mention no one except in good words; and let the person consider: from what was he created and why was he created? The one who wants majesty in the world, let him choose the Hereafter over the world; the one who wants Firdaus (the highest ground of Jannah) and Na'eem (the unimaginable bliss of Jannah) which will never cease, let him not squander his life in the corruption of the world; and whoever wants Paradise in the world and in the Hereafter he must be generous, for generosity is close to Paradise and far from the Hellfire; and one who wants his heart to be illuminated with a perfect light must be consumed with reflection and contemplation; the one who wants a patient body, a tongue constantly remembering Allah, and a humble heart, he must be constantly seeking forgiveness for the believing Muslim men and women." And the last of our prayers in that all praise is for Allah. Notes: *On another occasion Satan was asked, "Who's your greatest enemy?" he replied, "My first enemy is Muhammad; I don't hate anyone as much as I do hate him'."

----As I read this article, I seriously felt chills! I fear for our muslim brothers and sisters in Somalia. Why are we migrating out of our countries, leaving it barren for missionaries to roam and slander Islam in Somalia? Have we forgotten our countries? Is that why the West is bringing Somali refugees here, so they can make masjids into Churches IN SOMALIA? SUBXANALLAH! Please I would advice anyone who is financially able to make a visit to Somalia, and fight the Christian propaganda against Islam in Somalia!--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Since the fall of Ziad Birry, Somalia has become free for all the missionaries to roam there with their organizationworking under different guises. ThChristian proselytizing efforts increased amongst Somalis either through welcoming refugees to Europe and other Western countries, or through those who are tossing and turning in an episode of misery and sorrows as a result of tribal warfare. Within this troubled atmosphere, the Christians found the opportunity to build a church in Hergisa, and they strive to build many others like it in other cities. We Ask Allah Most Exalted to quash their hopes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Further, the suspect organizations which paved the way for the tragedy in Somalia, with homelessness and famines, and families being separated, were patiently waiting for the theatrical production to be completed. This indicates that all the false tears shed by the Christian countries when the famine was harvesting people to their graves in Bido and other places, was only to throw dust into the eyes of people. We saw that when Islamic organizations attempted to rescue the situation and to limit the tragedy, the Western Christian countries set off all their media alarm bells to warn of the possibility of the "fundamentalists" controlling East Africa, all this to justify their military invasion and to accelerate their efforts to occupy it. In the middle of this media commotion, American warships took to sea and landed troops on the Somali shores carrying weapons of warfare including Cobra and ACA 130 helicopter gunships, "in order to provide food for the starving"! What is also amazing is the fact that most of the Somali warlords were writing to America and the United Nations asking them to interfere militarily in Somalia as they suspected that this would free them from the flames. Instead we saw the American marines arrive to the shores of Mogadishu. As soon as this was publicized, other Western countries declared their readiness to send some of their troops to Somalia. Official bodies in these countries also declared that they would not be mere spectators with respect to what America did by keeping the region to itself. In order for these countries to be there for the division, they sent their forces which included Italian, German, and French troops as well as others. After a period of this occupation, news began to emerge about disputes between these occupants. This basically lit the wick of the people's anger leading them to take up arms against these invading forces. The participation of certain Muslim groups in this people's defense of their country -with the help of Allah- was mostly responsible for the big American losses. For the jets which were brought down by the RBG7, were brought down by the Muslim youth. Also, most of the tanks which were destroyed, were destroyed at the hands of these youth. America saw with its own eyes that the matter had gotten serious, and that this invasion was beginning to look more like Vietnam, and hence it cut its losses and completely withdrew in defeat from Somalia. Their ambassador in Kenya had previously warned them of the ferocity of Somali society, they did not take heed and blamed this on the fancy of the ambassador, however, it did not take long for them to see what they were promised. As America withdrew, so did all the other countries. However, some of the American warships remained on the shores of Mogadishu whilst other Western countries attempted to get a foothold in parts of Somalia, Germany concentrated on Barn and Lasqra where the Worsenggalia tribe lives, and Norway had its representatives in Las'anud for three years under the guise of an aid organization. Italy and Britain also concentrated on the areas which submitted to their occupation during their colonial period. This indicates that these countries are looking for the opportunity to return, for they have no intention of leaving their prey to convalesce and regain its strength after all their planning to divide it among themselves. The history of East Africa is a witness to religious transgressions by the Christian Ethiopians against the Muslim Somalis who seem to inherit these transgressions with every new generation. These incursions date back to the Islamic kingdoms of Taraz and continue through the eras of the Ethiopian occupation of the Somali lands including Harar. From 1977 to these days, when we see Jihad going through its highest stage, no sooner that we see the people recuperate from war for a short period of time that we see it going again and raging fiercely. The war throughout these years was one where victory was shifting between the two parties, as is the nature of the war between truth and falsehood. However, there are elements which accompanied this war and distinguished its battles, amongst which are: 1- Ongoing support from Christian countries to Ethiopia in its battles against the Muslims and their supplies of troops, money, and arms, in addition to political support. Everytime the Christian throne in this area began to topple, and the Muslims appear to be nearing victory, these countries would rush to help Ethiopia and stand by its side. As a contemporary example of the assistance of Christian countries to Ethiopia, America has been reported in the book "The red sea and the Arab Israeli conflict", "Ethiopia received from the United States between 1953 and 1974 economic aid to the value of 35 million dollars, and military aid to the value of 2,786 million dollars, these amounts were 50% of the aid which America paid to the entire African continent during this period." There was also a defense alliance between America and Ethiopia for 25 years until it was discontinued by Mangisto Hila Mariam. Mahmoud Shaker referreded in his book "Islamic History" to a speech made by the American minister of defense Robert McNamara before an armed forces committee sponsored by the American Congress which included: "The center of our interests in Africa is Ethiopia, and some of the other African countries...." When Ethiopia was about to fall into a political quagmire, America rushed to make amends between the government of Mangisto and the other groups, which finally led to the departure of Mangisto from Addis Ababa and his taking refuge in Zimbabwe. All this took place in accordance to the plans and the blessings of America in order to rescue Christianity and to further block the emergence of the Muslims in the region, and to remove the opportunity for the Muslims to have self determination. They also sponsored the Jabray front which is the more fundamentalist Christian group. When the militias of this group went into Addis Ababa, the West -at the forefront of which was America- stood by its side. America continues to this day to pour vast amounts of money on this group in addition to the provision of military support where there are 5000 American troops at the Debrezit air base. These American forces also partook in the three prong attacks on Mujahideen bases in Western Somalia in April 1994. Added to this are their political support and the other types of aid. BBC reported an article from the "James Defense weekly" that the Ethiopian defense minister admitted that America promised his government additional military aid including military jets, and that America also promised to organize the Ethiopian army which currently works as tribal militias most of whom are from Tigray. The report added that an American agent visited Addis Ababa in February and expressed his approval of the policies which are being pursued by the governing regime in Addis Ababa. This clearly indicates that the policies of invasions and transgressions which Ethiopia is pursuing in the African Horn are taking place under American planning and direction. The report also mentioned that Ethiopia is no longer of the same strategic value to America after the split of Eritrea as it is now a closed country with no sea port. However, America continues to use it as a trump card against the Muslim countries in the region. 2- Amongst the important elements which distinguished this war is the fact that Ethiopia dreamed throughout this war to reach the waters of the red sea, as it also had expansionist designs claiming that the Muslims are invaders with no right of existence in EastAfrica. This had been claimed openlyby the kings and heads of government of Ethiopia on numerous occasions. Ethiopian plots did not stop at this, they in fact strived continuously to affect the internal politics of Somalia through introducing puppets into Somali government and society in order to overtake Somalia and contain it. During the Djibouti meeting between Mangisto and Ziyyad Barry in 1986, Mangisto demanded that the seaside city of Zilg be given to him in exchange for his withdrawal from Belanby and Jaldujob which were occupied by Ethiopia after the 1977 war. The Tigray front which is governing in Addis Ababa continues to look for a sea port as did its predecessor governments. What is new now is the creation of opportunities for this group which had not been created for any previous Ethiopian government, through the fact that there is no longer a government, not even a weak one, which means that the traditional enemy "Somalia" no longer demands any concern. Added to this is the fact that all the fighting groups in Somalia arose and received their nursing in the laps of Ethiopia. From a second view, Ethiopia organizes mass migrations to Somalia. A responsible source in Somalia confirmed that Ethiopia is conspiring to change the demography of the coastal cities in Somalia. These mass migrations come at a time when the Somalis are fleeing their country and migrating away from the famine and lack of security, Ethiopia in turn helps these people by granting them an Ethiopian passport despite knowing their different nationality. In addition to this, the media in the West are giving an image of Somalia as a jungle with wild beasts which prey on all that go to it!! These Ethiopian migrants currently form a sizable minority in the major cities in Somalia, in particular the coastal cities. Ajjal has announced the granting of citizenship to those so called Ethiopian refugees in Hergisa at a time when the people in Hergisa are receiving the worst treatment in the camps in Ethiopia. Evidence at hand indicates that these Ethiopian refugees are heavily armed which is helping them to counter any obstacle in the way of their establishing in Somalia. From a third view, Ethiopia is striving vigorously to remove a psychological barrier and the enmity with the Somalis against the Christian Ethiopians so that they can overlook the Ethiopian transgressions. There is also an international Christian cooperation to prepare the climate for this. The Christian countries, which opened their doors for the migration of the Somalis, moved their offices, which usually met the refugees, from Kenya to Addis Ababa in order to associate the Somalis with Ethiopia as their original capital as desired by the Christian West. There was also an opening of a new Radio station in Addis Ababa which broadcasts its programs in the Somali language and is funded by an International Children's Fund in order to present an alternative for the Mogadishu station and Radio Hergisa, and in order to confuse the Somalis with the Ethiopian propaganda. This station also sends correspondents to Somalia to conduct interviews in order to influence public opinion. What is worse and more cunning than this are the incursions of the Ethiopian forces into Somali territory including the cities of Bourma, Jibily, and Jalkiyu, where they go on raids, steal what they can and extensively place land mines in various areas. They have also fired their weapons on many occasions at the mosque of Bourma leading to the wounding of members of the Islamic Union who were offering prayers. Information on hand also indicates that Western organizations are paying particular attention to the region of Udil where the city of Bourma is, and they are working on opening roads and paths, the plots behind these activities are presently unknown. It would not be unexpected if Ethiopia declares soon its annexation of Udil in view of their presence there, and in view of the fact that it has a sea port into the Red sea and it has the city of Zilg which Mangisto attempted to take previously. It is also the closest seaside city to Ethiopia, with the city of Bourma being no more than 120 kilometers away from Bourma. Another claim is the fact that the tribe of Jedbirsy which lives in the area is a weak tribe with many branches inside Ethiopia. The military commander in the occupied Somali territory sent both oral and written messages in July last year to the leaders in the city of Las'nud, threatening the population of Las'nud with aerial bombardment and a military invasion if they do not put a stop to the Muslim Da'wa efforts, under the claim that they are a source of stress and threat to the Ethiopian government. On the ninth of August 1996, Ethiopia launched heavy military campaigns both on land and in the air against the city of Jidu in Southern Somalia. This campaign was restricted to the cities which were under Islamic control in the area, with the Ethiopian invasion killing scores of innocent civilians and destroying many suburbs, ports and mosques where the name of Allah is mentioned. All these efforts are to destroy the alert elements in Somalia and the people who are calling to Islam, in order for the air to be clear for them to corrupt the land and take it over. What removes any doubt that the plan to take over the Somali ports had begun; is the report of the Ethiopian minister for transport, who is of Somali origin, to the BBC, that his government intends to expand its economic activities and requires a number of ports to use for their exports and imports. He also announced on his return from Djibouti that his government's state of readiness to use the neighboring ports including Barbara, Busasu, Mogadishu, Bourma, and Mombassa for 40% of their needs. An extradition treaty had also been signed prior to this announcement between Ijal and Addis Ababa which included the pursuit of suspects over each others borders. This treaty included the use of the Barbara ports without payment of taxes or port duties. In summary, the government of Ethiopia will not stop or spare an effort until it occupies a sea port and annexes this to its territory, there is no doubt that it is preparing to take over Somalia whilst its people are in a state of civil war. However, there continues to be some obstacles in their way which they are planning to remove, these obstacles include: 1 - The Jihad in Western Somalia. This had become obvious after the invasion which America and Eritrea took part in as allies with Ethiopia against the Mujahideen in Western Somalia in 1994. In this respect America promised vast amounts of money and armaments in order to close the boundary with Somalia. This was a mere preface to the conspiracy to take over the important cities such as Bourma and Birhidly. Ethiopian forces have already reached these cities and are threatening to disarm the people. However, when the Mujahideen increased their attacks using the militia strategy, the Christian alliance became distracted from their advance on Somalia. This clarifies the importance of Jihad in Western Somalia and the fact that it forms a Strategic post for the revival of the Muslims of Somalia. 2 - The sincere teachers of Islam, the callers to the way of Allah are constantly working to revive and advice society and enlighten them with respect to the reality of their situation and what dangers they are facing. For this reason the Christian front began to ambush the Muslim teachers. The nefarious Christians have so far assassinated Shaykh Abdul Qader who is an Imam in a Mosque in Bourma, whilst on his way to perform the night prayer. We have already mentioned their firing into a mosque in the same city. 3 - Instability in Ethiopia as the matter has not seeped into the Tigray front yet, for the Amhiru are ready to pounce as are the Urmu, who are preparing to reclaim their rights which had been usurped a few centuries before. The elections which took place in Addis Ababa were mere efforts to calm the situation. 4 - The language barrier which is making it difficult for them to easily mix with the Somalis, for this reason, they are expending a great deal of effort to leathe Somali language, many of which have this task . By: Abu Hammam Al-Ibrahimi, Islamic Research Institute/Somalia --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow..La fidele thanks alot for clearing that up! I swear I always thought that masjid al-aqsa was the one with the gold dome. I remember briefly skimming an article called "will the real masjid al-aqsa please stand up". It's just that in the news whenever they talk about masjid Al-Aqsa they only show the gold domed masjid.

Last night I was watching this program about how the Yuhudis want to destroy masjid Al-aqsa, all we can do is pray, and make dua to Allah to protect Al-aqsa masjid. __________________________________________________ By:Idris In The Name of Allah, the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful Glorified be He Who took His servant (Muhammad) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid Al Haram (at Mecca) to the Al-Aqsa Mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him some of Our signs. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. The Qur'an 17:1. With these eternal verses, Allah (God), stated in the heart of the Muslim scripture, the Qur'an, the never diminishing significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to Islam and Muslims. Al-Aqsa, right in the heart of the Muslim world, is to where our prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be unto him) journeyed at night in a miraculous manner from the city of Mecca, where his call to Islam (submission to God) was still in its earliest stages. At Al-Aqsa Mosque, he led all of the prophets of Allah that came before him in prayer and then ascended to heaven to receive Allah's command to the Muslims to pray five times a day. Eversince, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the city of Jerusalem have been very special to Muslims all over the world. They pray for it and long to pray in it. And today, with Al-Aqsa being under the Israeli occupation for thirty years, all Muslims pray for its liberation and for the freedom of their Palestinian brothers, who have become the soldiers at the front line of the battle to redeem Al-Aqsa. Occupation, burning, successive agression, closure and martyr after martyr have become Al-Aqsa'a story in the last thirty years. Al-Aqsa is really a deep wound right in the heart of the Muslim world. In today's unfair reality and materialistic world, Al-Aqsa has become a symbol of the undesired existence of the trouble-making Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims (so they say!). No wonder then, that when the dream of a historical parasite of opening a tunnel to undermine the foundation of Al-Aqsa Mosque finds its way to reality, Palestinians of all ages and all beliefs spring to the rescue. They are Muslim Palestinians defending their very basic right of existence. Some are Christian Palestinians, also, fighting for the Muslim shrine. Al-Aqsa is more than a building with historical and religious significance, it is an idea, a creed even, that we all have to stand up for what is right and true. Muslims love Al-Aqsa, pray for it, fight for it and die for it because, as they see it, they are fighting for the promise of a new and higher reality. A reality of peace, justice and mutual respect. This promised reality is not an imaginary one. It did exist when the Muslims liberated Al-Aqsa from the European Crusaders, allowing them to evacuate Jerusalem peacefully with their belongings and families. This was the Muslims' response to the brutality of the Crusaders when they massacred the Arab inhabitants of Jerusalem, Muslims and Christians alike. It is in this spirit of a higher reality, that we can understand why Palestinian soldiers were carrying a wounded Israeli soldier, and were trying to get him to the closest medical team. This was their response to the brutality of the Israeli military machine, which did not hesitate to deploy helicopters against unarmed civilians, trying to kill them and to kill their dream, of freeing Al-Aqsa Mosque. We will continue to believe in Islam's message and its symbol, Al-Aqsa. We can see our promised reality of peace and justice to all, in the eyes of the innocent Palestinian children, as they die for Al-Aqsa Mosque. Idris El Bakri Jerusalem, Palestine Muslim Student Association Brigham Young University

Born in Mughadishu, raised in Raleigh and Charlotte N.C.