It is suprising that you just said hello to someone who has been sitting across from you for a whole month. Surely dhaqanka britishka maadan qaadan Northernern. Indeed it is small world.

Is he English?

^^ All very demeaning to the ladies.

Trust you to ask odd questions that no one has no clue about!

LAST BREATH From those around I hear a Cry, A muffled sob, a Hopeless sigh, I hear their footsteps leaving slow, And then I know my soul must Fly! A chilly wind begins to blow, Within my soul, from Head to Toe, And then, Last Breath escapes my lips, It's Time to leave. And I must Go! So, it is True (But it's too Late) They said: Each soul has its Given Date, When it must leave its body's core, And meet with its Eternal Fate. Oh mark the words that I do say, Who knows? Tomorrow could be your Day, At last, it comes to Heaven or Hell Decide which now, Do NOT delay! Come on my brothers let us pray Decide which now, Do NOT delay! Oh God! Oh God! I cannot see! My eyes are Blind! Am I still Me Or has my soul been led astray, And forced to pay a Priceless Fee Alas to Dust we all return, Some shall rejoice, while others burn, If only I knew that before The line grew short, and came my Turn! And now, as beneath the sod They lay me (with my record flawed), They cry, not knowing I cry worse, For, they go home, I face my God! Oh mark the words that I do say, Who knows, Tomorrow could be your Day, At last, it comes to Heaven or Hell Decide which now, Do NOT delay ! Come on my brothers let's pray Decide which now, do not delay .... this is the link of the nasheed: http://saaid.net/flash/last-breath.htm It is pretty chilling.

Cooking somali man might attractive for some but for others it is quite tiring. The mess they make for making tea only is quite extra-ordinary, let alone a whole meal. It is quite a feat PS..The men in my life I am talking about.

They tell me that they dont remember to recite the dua. They will pay the price

I dont recall these callers back in Somalia. Did we used to have them?

It is easy for you to say GHanima when you are not the parent. I have known many parents who tried to bring their kids to the best of their abilities and the kids still were fadaro. some parents do everything in their power to bring them up properly but the kids still rebel. I cant imagine a daughter of mine cohabiting with a christian dude! Allahuma najinaa. Some people here are too liberal for their own good. We can only pray to Allah to give us saalih kids. Personally I think it is cos most somalis dont read the following dua when they are conceiving the babies: Bismillâhi allâhumma jannibnash-shaytana wa jannibi shaytâna ma razaqtana. In the name of Allah. O Allah, protect us both from (he mischief of Satan and keep Satan away from the children You grant us.(Bukhari)

Ghanima How about poor us...we are those who break their fast in a tiny cubicle! How I would love to spend a whole ramadhan in Muslim country.

You spoke too soon mate

What Does Ramadan Mean to Saudis Studying Abroad? Razan Baker, Arab News JEDDAH, 4 October 2007 — Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is the most forgiving when it comes to treating the holy month like an actual holiday; not every Muslim country alters its working hours to accommodate the season. In fact, many predominantly Islamic countries don’t make very many (if any) Ramadan accommodations. What does this mean to Saudis living abroad? “Egypt has a very similar atmosphere, yet there is no place like Saudi Arabia when it comes to the spirituality of this holy month of Ramadan,” said Abdul Majeed Kaki, a 24-year-old student in Cairo. While Egypt and Gulf neighbors share values, culture and language, only Saudi Arabia seems to implement working hours and a general policy of tolerance that make life easier for fasters. The official working hours for Muslims — that is to say: most people in the Kingdom — is officially reduced to six hours. Non-Muslims are also generally welcomed and encouraged to participate in iftars (fast breaking meals) and sahoors (last night/early morning meals). People who work the evenings are generally expected to take off for an hour or so around sunset to break fast with loved ones or at the mosque. Taraweeh prayers (the nightly recitation of the Qur’an that is done during Ramadan) are also typically accommodated for night workers. Students like Kaki say that growing up with the Ramadan schedule is nice, but can make the holy month more melancholy abroad, making them nostalgic for the Saudi version. Kaki also said that exams and assignment loads at his university in Egypt don’t change during the holy month. “But whenever I find time I make sure to search for a mosque where the imam’s voice and reading is similar to ours back home to make me feel close to Allah, and to home,” he said. Saudi missions abroad often try to lessen this blow to their expatriate citizens by hosting iftar parties. “This was something that has boosted our spirits considering we have no family here,” said Kaki. Khaled Al-Harbi, 25, who is studying in Auckland, isn’t so lucky; he said that the closest Saudi mission is in Sydney. So he and his friends plan their own iftars at local restaurants or homes. “We always meet whether at a restaurant or at one of the other Arab students’ homes where everyone brings something,” he said. “We’re thankful for the Indian and Malaysian restaurants (in Auckland) for their halal food and delivery.” In Western countries, Saudis say they have a harder time feeling the spirit of Ramadan. Exacerbating the problem is when Ramadan falls during the times of year in the extreme Northern or Southern Hemispheres when the days are quite long. (In extreme latitudes, a local mosque will disseminate a fasting schedule, or individual Muslims will simply adhere to some other published schedule, such as the timings in their home country if they’re expatriates.) “We aren’t pampered here like we are in Saudi Arabia,” said Maha Abdulilah, a 23-year-old student in Manchester, UK. “I try to fast but sometimes it is too hard considering waking up at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. and waiting for the 8 p.m. sunset.” Another Saudi woman who studied in the UK said this year she has teased her friends in Cardiff about the fact that their daily fast will be longer than hers in Jeddah. (They can tease back about 20 years from now when Ramadan will begin falling in the winter in Britain and the fasting days will be shorter.) Faridah Lary, another student in London, said a sigh of relief overcomes her when she sees the Muslims who congregate on Edgware Road (a popular Arab district in London) more often in Ramadan. “It is a district where Arabs meet always thus they go there trying to feel like they are home,” she said. “Supermarkets there too play a big role as they sell Ramadan traditional meals and desserts such as ‘basbusa’ and ‘baklava’ which brings on their appetite to eat,” said Lary. These Arab areas are found even in Auckland as Al-Harbi said; there is a market call Khaibar. “It is a bit far but from time to time it is nice to go there and find Arabic food, meet new Arabs, and hear the prayers.” Because prayers are something Muslims are advised to increase in this month, Lary said many Muslims go to mosques for Taraweeh prayers, particularly the one in Regents Park. “Though the stations become crowded, yet it is a peaceful scene that reminds me of home when we used to go and pray with my family members,” said Lary. Being abroad also means these Muslims will have to test their patience and become strong in order to resist temptations such as music, food, and interacting with women or men informally. “Back home, we don’t have to worry about meeting a girl or looking at one because they will all be covered properly, while here some of those who are not obliged to cover make it hard when we need to communicate,” Kaki said. He said that many places hosts sahoor (late dinner) “supposedly” with a Ramadan theme but, “It is totally not in a Ramadan spirit; it is all about music, dancing and staying out late. It is simply like a night club but without alcohol and this is not how we are supposed to worship Allah in this month,” he said. Moving to family gatherings in Ramadan, they all agreed this is what they miss the most while being abroad, not to mention doing Umrah and praying in Makkah during the last 10 days of the month. “Visiting the downtown area in Al-Balad with family and friends, chatting with old friendly faces who sell their goods only in this month, and attending Ramadan football tournaments — these are what make this month special,” said Al-Harbi. That is why if they can possibly get back to Jeddah in the last few days of the month, they will not hesitate. http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=102019&d=4&m=10&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

Turkey: A traditional wake up service, special to Ramadan 22-09-2007 By ÞAFAK TÝMUR This is an interesting story on some of the local traditions in Turkey during the blessed month of Ramadan: ISTANBUL, (Turkisn Daily News): Imagine being awakened in your warm bed at 4:00 a.m. to the incessant pounding of drums and knowing that you will be hearing this for an entire month. Kind of scary, isn't it? Not for many Muslim believers in Turkey who have a tradition of hearing the ‘Ramazan davulcusu' – a drummer who alerts people that it is time for the predawn meal during Ramadan by playing his drum in the streets. There is an ongoing debate, however, whether to ban the davulcu from performing his art due to complaints that the drum causes disturbance and has become unnecessary with the widespread use of alarm clocks. A reporter from the Turkish Daily News did not hesitate to stay sleepless last night and do the rounds with davulcu Ramazan Çalgýcý from Istanbul's central Eyüp district that has numerous tombs and famous mosques. Eyüp was as lively in the middle of the night as it is during the day, with numerous families and women visiting tombs and a few people sleeping on benches as they waited for the morning prayer. The back streets, however, were silent. The lights in many houses were already lit, before the davulcu started beating his drum. But still quite a few Eyüp residents peered out their windows to look for the drummer just before dawn. "Ramadan is not like it was before, nor the davulcu," said Zuhal Özkara, as she watched the davulcu from her window. She called after Çalgýcý, “hit that drum more strongly, [do not mind] those who are not fasting.” Özkara's neighbor Þerife Karþin likes to hear the sound of the drum at night, although she does not wake up to it. Symbol of Ramadan Despite setting off car alarms and disturbing many people who do not eat the predawn meal, the drum is a symbol of Ramadan for numerous Eyüp residents: It tells them the holy month for Muslims is here. “The sound of the drum should be heard,” said Dilaver Bilgili, adding that he did not agree with people who are disturbed by the noise. It is not continuous, he said, just for a month. Çalgýcý said although there were people who got angry with them as the drum does make a lot of noise, drums are a part of this society's culture, for the residents of Eyüp who met with the TDN at 4:00 am. “This is our tradition, we should protect the davulcu,” said Kadir Yener, another resident. The drums are a part of Ramadan culture, said university student Ogün Ayoðlu. Davulcu Çalgýcý, who bangs away on his drum with his 17-year-old son, is like a living symbol of this ancient Ottoman tradition with his name. Ramazan, his first name, which is also the name of his son, means Ramadan, and is a common Turkish male name. His surname Çalgýcý, however, arguably a nickname despite his claim to the contrary, means “musician” in English. Çalgýcý plays the drum at weddings in his hometown Adana for the rest of the year, and comes to Istanbul every Ramadan with his five sons and almost 50 relatives, who wake people up in various neighborhoods across Istanbul. “This job is not that easy,” said Çalgýcý. It is more difficult on sloped roads. Rain, cold weather, sleeplessness – there are many difficulties a davulcu faces. Çalgýcý did not come to Istanbul to earn more money, he came because weddings are postponed during Ramadan. “It would not be correct to steal another's bread,” he said explaining his reasons for not staying in Adana to play the drum there during Ramadan. He met with one of his relatives at that moment, the davulcu of a nearby neighborhood. “We earn only our bread money, we paint shoes during the day, and haven't slept until now,” Çalgýcý said. http://www.turkishnews.com/NewsNetwork/

Salaam Khalaf Aamen to your dua. Islam is serious but we dont take it serious for some reason. Salaam Dahia The verses you posted, wey i qaboojiyeen. It s important to remember that we can never be perfect. We can strive for it though. Our shortcomings will be pardoned if we ask for it. The act of seeking forgiveness is what gives us the opening we need after feeling overwhelmed by the burden of sin. Forgiveness means a way out, a second chance, a feeling of hope with which to turn a new page in life. It is through the seeking of forgiveness that we begin to understand that there is no reason whatsoever to despair of the mercy of Allah. Islam encourages us to not run away in fear of Allah but rather to turn toward Allah the same way a baby would run into its mother¹s lap. The verse I posted made me think that everything we live a life of cultural schizophrenia, by which I mean that we distort ourselves into two completely different identities. A Muslim's life is concisely described as follows in the Qur'an: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds." (Surat al-Anaam:162) Muslims should live for the cause of Allah and strive to earn the good pleasure of Allah, arranging their lives according to His Will. A believer who decides to live for the cause of Allah must abandon all the idols of the society of ignorance. Devotion to Allah is a way to overthrow these idols for good.

This cadriyad..I am confused. Is it sweets? if it is, why eat it with biryani? Cant I eat alone as a dessert? anyhow, There are many versions of it mentioned here. For a newbie like me, which one shall start with? and How does it really taste?

Originally posted by Caano Geel: what i miss is 'caano baraawe' ayeeyadey baa noo samenjirtey markaan yaraa, even the word brings her smile to my mind. Haven't had them since somalia, I looove Caano baraawe myself. Guess what? I found something that taste similar at Ambala shop. It is called Habshi Halwa: http://www.ambalafoods.com/products/product.php?id=amb_sw1100&type=sweet I know it doesnt look the same but it tastes similar to caano baraawe. Try it. Stores in London: BRICK LANE 55 Brick lane Aldgate East Telephone: 020 7247 8569 EUSTON (Ambala-owned outlet) 112/114 Drummond Street Euston Telephone: 020 7387 3521 GREEN STREET 253 Green Street Forest Gate LEYTON 680 High Road Leyton Telephone: 020 8558 0385 PLUMSTEAD 62a High Street Plumstead -

I want names no worries..I am just playing. We all know them lol

Salaam I know that we are all muslims..well most of us anyway. So I ask this question: How serious do you take your faith? When I read the following verse, I felt so little and so inadequate in my worship to Allah. Say: “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are [all] for Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds .”}* (Al-An`m 6:162). Is there anything so final than the above? I mean..what is left after one's life and death and sacrifice and prayers? As Muslims, we have willfully submitted our whole self, our whole life… to Allah, and now His right is to be obeyed by us. We cannot split our life into compartments and say that this is where I will obey Allah, and these are the areas where I will follow others. Are there any other verses that jolts you out of nowhere?

What is going on here? Where is whip? I see some people aa u busobusoonaaya. Lets chill guys. It is Ramadan. Someone has to be the bigger person here. Who will it be? Edit: I see Ghanima will be. Good on you sis. Ramadaanka yuu kaa jabin. LazyG..Ramadan weeye sis, calm down and sheydaanka iska naar.

I have been having backache since Ramadan started. Taraweeh is struggle at the moment.

You guys..spit it out! who are 'few people' Northern? Who are these names you speak of sheikha?

All in good clean fun Serenity..Besides, He knows it Waan ku xuuxiyaa uun. Anywho..tara everyone. Che Tell that good man Alleubaahne..he is missed. His posts were the funniest out-loud laughter inducing.

Originally posted by Dahia al Kahina: Lily they never leave,they haunt you for the rest of your life..you would be comparing the other love to the first love always..sad reality! lool Dahia..The jingle for that would be Sinead O'connors "Nothing compares..to youuuuu"

Originally posted by Ghanima: ^^^Loool Do you still remember yours, Course I do. When Ihave arugument with the hubby, I cheat on him mentally with my first love

If she was first love, kumaba sii jirto. First loves are hard to forget..