LayzieGirl, if people had as much faith in Islam as you have in your team we'd all be saints... lol keep hope alive

I think taking back refugees without being recognized is not wise. You can hardly take care of your own population, how will you take care of another? Its not like most refugees will disperse through out Somaliland they will converge to either Hargeisa or Buroa, and already Hargeisa has enough people. There are water shortages, and it will only exacerbate the resource scarcity that already exists.

No problem, that was a special delivery ala G-Depp

There was a similar decleration by the Caqils from Togdheer not while ago. Here it is. What traditional leaders have to say about human rights REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND HOUSE OF AQILS, TOGDHEER REGION, BURAO SUBJECT: THE HOUSE OF AQILS’ DECLARATION Togdheer Aqil House has organized a one-week meeting in Burao attended by the Togdheer-based community aqils. The aqils discussed and produced a declaration to curb the prevalence of the most common issues that cause inter-clan conflicts and the recurrent unlawful incidents that violate Islamic Sharia and human rights and remain a barrier to peaceful co-existence and development. These issues include unjustified killing, rape, violation of women’s rights, discrimination of minority clans and the care and management of orphaned children to find solutions for societal recurrent problems, like blood compensation (diya), in furtherance of peace and stability. They further discussed the negative aspects of tribal xeer, delayed decision-making in inter-clan conflicts which violate Islamic Shariah and human rights. So after thorough and complete discussions, the aqils have agreed and drawn the following declaration based on Islamic Sharia and human rights which will be published to benefit all Somaliland communities. 1. Local Customary laws To commit themselves to abolish all tribal customary laws that violate Islamic Sharia and human rights. 2. Unjustified killing To decisively commit themselves that the killer or suspected killer should be brought before the law without cover-up tactics and protection. 3. Revenge Killing To stop revenge killing and all acts related to revenge that violate the security and rights of innocent people who are not responsible of the wrongdoing. 4. Unsettled Disputes To give priority in taking appropriate action on pending issues that are most likely to create new conflicts and revenge acts and encourage the victim’s clans to have the trust in negotiated settlement without resorting to violence. 5. Protection of the Rights of Women and Children To protect the rights provided by Shariah to women and children, for example: a. Provision and fair division of inherited wealth after the death of a relative or parent under Sharia Law and human rights; b. Giving the right and freedom to widows to decide on whom to marry without precondition under the provision of Sharia Law; c. Protection and provision of appropriate care and education to orphaned children, primarily by the clan and legitimate relations, collecting and handling over to proper caretaker of children without parents and/or caretakers. 6. Marriage Community is generated from a family and a good family is established by appropriate and legal marriage. The success of lasting marriage comes from the freedom of choice of partners, abiding by the principles of married life and shared respect and patience of marriage partners. 7. Divorce and Right to Property of Women Divorce is the only Shariah Law that Allah permits and yet hates most. And the Satan loves separation of married partners. Thus, special precautions should be exercised by all marriage partners and relevant clans to protect legitimate marriage. If divorce is unavoidable, peaceful and amicable settlement of her property must be finalized under Sharia Law. After the divorce, the separated parents must both give attention to the welfare and upbringing of their children. 8. Minority Tribes The aqils have agreed that minority tribes have equal rights under Islamic Sharia Law and human rights and therefore shall not be discriminated in any way. 9. Foreigners The aqils have agreed to respect and protect foreigners, their lives, property and dignity as prescribed by Islamic Sharia Law. 10. Reinforcing Peace Peace and stability is the basis of constructive life and development of the individual and community in general. Thus, we believe that everybody needs peace. The following foundations need to be implemented: a. The government must reinforce security and the clans and individuals must contribute to peaceful living until peace takes strong roots. b. Everybody should cooperate for the preservation of peace and bring before the law all individuals and groups who are disturbing peace. c. Individuals and groups who believe that their rights have been violated must take the lawful process to attain their rights but he/ they cannot take the law in his/ their own hands, so as not to violate other persons rights. d. Collect all illegal weapons and store in a safe place. No weapon should be carried in the streets to avoid fear and insecurity to the public. Conclusion: Finally, we declare and inform all the communities that the Togdheer aqils are not responsible to individuals and groups whose acts violate peaceful coexistence and development of the community. We shall give priority to the conclusion of unsolved inter-clan conflicts within Togdheer region in all areas permitted by the circumstances. Clans and individuals that have pending issues shall resort to negotiated settlements and mutual respect of all involved rights regardless of the clan size and individual capacities. Finally, we remain indebted and thankful to the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) for the technical and financial support they have made available to Burco Aqil House without which this meeting would have bear no fruits. THANKS TO GOD 2 September, 2003 CUQAASHA GOBOLKA TOG-DHER EE ISKU RAACAY BAAQAN. (all the names of participating 57 aqils and 17 advocates and signatures)

Libaax that was really benevolent how you catogorized most of the Somalilanders on this website as qabiil infested individuals. I am out of curiosity just wondering what your take was about the Somaliweyn camp so to speak. I guess from your take, since you were silent on the topic about SomalilandVsSomaliaonline, they're really spic and span. So fresh and so clean to borrow lyrics from Outkast.

Angel, those are some amazing pictures. Thanks a million. For all those who are wondering about the colours and what the flag represents it is as follows: 1- For Prosperity, For Islam, that is the colour of the Prophet, and that is why also the Shahada is on it. 2- The White is for Peace, for a new beggining. The Black star is for the 5 somali inhabited regions. 3- The Red is for all the blood that was split to make this nation anew again.

Looks like Sammuria got caught with his pants down. lol And Sophist wasn't there to cover the view. How sad.

Gediid, MMA- is the same individual who asked to be proven wrong and when proven wrong didn't even have the balls to admit he was wrong about the whole situation, his hate got the best of him. I think your Gandhi tactics of not responding to such individuals should be taken by all.

Lander Qurbe means the lands outside of where Somalis traditionally inhabit. I think the word comes from the Arabic word "Qariib" which in its plural form "Qurabaa'u" is close to our word Qurbe. The arabic word means strange, so basically strange lands I guess. As for the threat, I think we should take it serious. Some one who is already feeling uneasy, to be threatened like that is not a joke. Its a felony.

The Given: One- We are all Patriotic. Two- We all want the best for Somaliland. Three- We would like to see change for the better. The Problem: One- All we do is to post news, be it negative or positive. Two- We spend time entertaining questions like what colour underwear do people who live in Somaliland wear, as Gediid assured us would surely follow. Three- It seems like all talk, and no action. The proposal: One- To debate about real issues that concern our cause and our plight. Two- To look within, in how we can improve ourselves, so that we will be in a better position to move forward. Three- To not engage in topics, which have no merit what so ever. Finally, to actually implement some of the issues we debate about by any means necessary, be it financial or political. NB- Many have already suggested this, and I think its time we adhere to it like that Flag initiative. First issue to be discussed.... I’ll leave that up to you...one suggestion might be about the recent security issues we are facing...Lander had some ideas about improving our military...etc... maybe we can start there....

^^^^^ vying for the tallest man in the world mr bisad lol what an funny name..like tiny ahaha anyway...it looks like a nice gathering wish i was there ... P.S. african...lol we all found out late too

I took the liberty to steal other people's pics. lol hope they can forgive me. thanks to swdo and somalilandnet for these nice pictures below.

see horn afrique...lol you messed up the thread...ahahaha...you crashed the party saxiib....lol now the avators are not all green white and red...aha

looooool..mobb how many times do i have to tell you the time of snm is over...lol...come on bro....lets talk about here and now... somaliland does not delude itself that it is serving the interests of islam.....that's one place you can attack it...but the question is who can make that attack...you and me....or some one who believes in nationalism himself, the same crime somaliland is commiting???? do you see my point my friend

mopp deep...lol they're all nationalism...but you don't hear somaliland people saying for the sake of allah .lol be in somaliland... you see myfriend.... that's the difference we say for the sake of your interestes, and our interests, and our collective interests...lol be in somaliland

Rahima does nationalism == Islamic Khalifah? I'm not scholar but I believe nationalism is against Islam. As far as I'm concerned, Somaliweyn is pure nationalism. In the light of the above, if indeed it is correct, then I would agree with Yasmine in saying that Imam's should refrain from politics, specially here in the west.

Is it just me, or has any one else seen MMA....i think i saw him post in other sections....i wonder why he isn't addressing this thread ...he said prove me wrong...... well...now you have been proven wrong...what say you MMA-...or will you start off with...."some one told me "

Some nomads have initiated that we change our avatar to the Somaliland Flag for March 17th. Some of you like I may have missed it, so I took it upon myself to share it with every one else. This is a way those of us who can't be there demonstrating tommorow can show their support

Gediid, you will never get a direct answer from Sammuria. He reminds me of the Wizard of Oz, who uses smoke screens, and illusions to sound larger than life. You will ask him about if the sky is blue, and he will go on to ask you have you heard that the valley is lush with vegetation.

Xidig, sitting around hoping others will do for you what you can't do for yourself will only prelong your situation. Better start thinking of a plan B. you just watch people. year after, day by day, somaliland is being known to the world. the child who was born in 1988 is now 16 and all they know is somaliland. that's an entire generation. the future is bright.

Yasmine, why don't you tell us about the incident. It sound freaky if not frightening to hear a religious scholar to give such sermons. However, I'm not the least bit surprised, since during the 1988-1991 war in the North certain clerics have been praying for the destruction of what they called the ethiopian invasion against the Somali National Army, when infact it was Somali people who were being eliminated like one exterminates locusts with a cropduster.

Kowneyn, that's a great political cartoon indeed.

Kowneyn, Surely you have to differentiate those who have committed gross war crimes, and others. So far, the only evidense out there doesn't conclusively point that Riyale committed war crimes. Yes he was morraly responsible. No one can defend that. Besides, leaders are a reflection of their soceities. The fact that Riyale is the president today, is due to the amnesty that was given to those who have worked for the former regime, that are not notorious for warcrimes. All the people you listed including Riyale have a questionable past. Yet, they are there, because the people voted for them, because they believe they are in the best interests of the Somaliland republic. Even today, there are issues like the arrest of Boqor Buurmadow. Don't think I'm neither absolving any one, I just think that if we are going to condem Riyale, then we better get ready to start condeming a lot of people. That was my argument through out. He doesn't belong on the Notorious List. Mobb....as far as my sources tell me, Raqiya is not even married....her artical was written to ask the people if they want to vote for some one who is alleged to have committed crimes... and i commend her for pressing the issue, like you said..those who hold office should be scrutinized like what happened to Bill Clinton...