Holac

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Everything posted by Holac

  1. Galgaduud and Gedo have much smaller populations than this estimate. Mogadishu IDP number is atleast 50% of the total population of the city Togdheer population is not that big. Most of its people moved to Hargeisa. Hargeisa's population is bigger than that of Mogadishu Nugaal has bigger population than Galgaduud. Dhusamareeb is a village now and most of the population is concentrated in Cabudwaaq.
  2. Nigeria’s Khomeini, Spreading Iran’s Revolution to Africa Ibrahim Zakzaky is a mortal enemy of Boko Haram—and of the United States. He’s the avant-garde of Iran’s gambit in Africa, and his followers were just massacred. CALABAR, Nigeria — The Nigerian army has been accused of massacring a large number of Shia Muslims in the town of Zaria in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna state over the course of three days this month. Shia sources say hundreds, perhaps as many as 1,000, have been killed in fighting, but those numbers could not be confirmed independently. The Nigerian authorities claim that members of the radical Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) had attempted to assassinate the Nigerian Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Dec. 12 when his motorcade was passing through a Shia procession. The incident suggests just how fractured and extensive unrest can be in Nigeria’s deep interior, far from Lagos, the thriving commercial hub of Africa’s biggest economy. The clashes in this case were not between security forces and the infamous terrorist forces of Boko Haram, a radical Sunni Muslim group now affiliated with the so-called Islamic State. This group is led by converts to Shia Islam originally inspired by the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The Nigerian military police claimed in a report that some members of the IMN were crawling through grass towards Buratai’s car, aiming “to attack the vehicle with [a] petrol bomb,” while others “resorted to firing gunshots from the direction of the mosque.” One witness told The Daily Beast that the Shia protesters placed burning tires on the road as a barricade to prevent the approaching Buratai and his entourage from passing, and then stoned his convoy, a claim that has been denied by the IMN. Maj. Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, commander of the army division in the area, said last week that the military acted because they had good intelligence that members of the Shia sect were gathering for an attack. “I take that very seriously that the life of the [the chief of army staff] is under threat, and within the rules of engagement permissible by law, I had to bring the forces available to me to bring the situation under control and that was exactly what I did,” he said. The IMN suffered many casualties, Oyebade said, but he insisted “there were also casualties among the security forces.” The leader of the IMN, Ibrahim Zakzaky, was wounded in the fighting—and his son reportedly was killed. The Nigerian Army said it arrested both Zakzaky and his wife, Malam Zeenat Ibrahim. Not surprisingly, Iranian officials were the first outside Nigeria to react. The country’s foreign ministry called the violence “unacceptable,” the official IRNA news agency reported, and officials summoned the Nigerian chargé d’affaires in Tehran to protest against the deadly clashes. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also called his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, to say that he expects the Nigerian government to compensate the families of the dead and injured. Zakzaky, an Iranian-trained Shia theologian, became a proponent of Shia Islam around the time of the Iranian revolution in 1979, when he was inspired by the Ayatollah Khomeini. The overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty by the Islamic Republic convinced Zakzaky that an Islamic revival was also possible in Nigeria. And on the sidelines, he may well have been encouraged by Iranian missionaries helping to establish and fund a Shia presence in Nigeria. In the last two decades, Iran has increased its influence here, and maintains a large diplomatic presence. The Shia leader denies his movement gets any funding from Tehran, butmany of its leaders and adherents regularly visited Iran. In 1996, when Nigerians faced repression under military rule, Zakzaky reportedly said, “Nigeria must become wholly Islamic and Allah proclaimed Lord of the entire nation.” That about half the population of Nigeria is Christian, and the vast majority of Muslims are Sunni, seems not to have deterred him. Zakzaky is vehemently anti-American, and his supporters have been involved in many violent clashes with the state over the decades. Hundreds of his soldiers are in prison, and for approximately nine years during the 1980s and 1990s, Zakzaky was incarcerated by Nigeria’s military leaders, who accused him of civil disobedience. The Shia leader has grown increasingly confident he can build a permanent Islamic state within the country. He denies his movement gets any funding from Tehran, but many of its leaders and adherents regularly visited Iran or have studied there. Zakzaky has made good use of the media in reaching out to his followers. Film documentaries of religious leaders are translated into the local Hausa language, with hundreds of DVDs sold to locals every month, and two news magazines—Pointer Express, published in English, and Mizan, published in Hausa—have existed for years. The IMN also operates an official English language website, with similar versions in the Hausa language and Arabic. Issues such as Shia perspectives of Sunni Islam, radicalism, terrorism, nationalism, and secularism, as well as the discourses of Khomeini and the current Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, are regularly presented on the website. Adel Assadinia, a former career diplomat who was Iran’s consul-general in Dubai and an adviser to the Iranian foreign ministry, has claimed that Iran provides the IMN with training “in guerrilla warfare, bomb-making, use of arms such as handguns, rifles and RPGs, and the manufacturing of bombs and hand grenades.” Assadinia, who fled Iran after whistle-blowing on corruption among the country’s all-powerful theocrats, also claimed that the IMN was set up by and modeled on Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist militant group and political party based in Lebanon. Ibrahim Haruna Hassan, a professor in the department of religious studies at the University of Jos in Nigeria’s north-central region, wrote in his “Introduction to Islamic Movements and Modes of Thought in Nigeria” that IMN’s “stated mission is to establish an Iran type of Islamic state in Nigeria, which has kept it in intermittent skirmishes with government security forces.” The IMN reportedly has a youth front, whose members undergo military training. But so far, these militants haven’t been a huge threat to the Nigerian state. “They believe that the time to take up arms is not ripe in Nigeria," Hassan wrote. The IMN have always had reasons to mount elaborate processions involving thousands of members, including women and children, trekking from one city to the other, which no one dared to disrupt before the incident that happened between the group and the army on Dec. 12. Traffic on major roads in the north is often held to a standstill, whenever members of the movement are on such pro­cessions. Early this year, then-governor of Kaduna State, Ramalan Yero was forced to trek for a long distance after the IMN blocked the highway to motorists. In 2012, Zakzaky told the BBC in an interview that he trained his men—running into hundreds—as guards, but likened it to “teaching karate to the boy scouts.” And despite his supporters claiming the movement is nonviolent, recent clashes with security agencies have clearly proven the contrary. Last year, at least 33 members of the IMN—including three of Zakzaky’s sons —were killed by the Nigerian army when fights broke out during a Shia procession. Although Nigeria’s Muslim population, estimated at 60 million, is largely Sunni, the Shia minority is significant. There are no actual statistics, but some sources estimate the number to be between 4 million and 10 million followers of Shia Islam. The movement is especially strong in northeast Nigeria, the area where Boko Haram operates. In 2007, there was tension in Sokoto state in the northwest after an anti-Shia imam, Umaru Danmaishiyya was assassinated by unknown men. Then-governor Aliyu Wamako, a Sunni, was accused of deliberately limiting the spread of Shi’ism in Sokoto, especially when the government launched an assault on Shia groups which culminated in the destruction of their headquarters. Since then, Boko Haram has become a ruthless Sunni takfiri force in the area, sworn to murder Muslim heretics, which all Shia are considered to be. Boko Haram has targeted Shia specifically in several suicide attacks, including a blast during a procession near the northern Nigerian city of Kano that killed 22 people last month. “Nigeria,” said Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, “is now dealing with problems arising from extremism and takfiri terrorism and we hope that in these conditions preservation of calm and national unity in battling terrorism is prioritized while rash and unconstructive measures are avoided.” It may be a little late for that. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/23/nigeria-s-khomeini-spreading-iran-s-revolution-to-africa.html
  3. In Somalia, the word "foreign aid" used to be synonymous with receiving Corn and cooking oil before the Turks arrived the country. The Turks exposed the West's NGO scam by focusing on true development and by helping the Somalis help themselves with training and real education. It is a different ball game now. Erdogan is a true visionary and a genuine leader.
  4. Turks are doing wonders by elevating the quality of Somalia's education. Our kids are bright and if given the opportunity are quick learners. The school looks decent and suitable for education.
  5. Galbeedi, the man sounds like a far-right politician in Europe or even Donald Trump. My friend was telling me that Xenophobia is very high in Bari region and this man speaks for the majority.
  6. By sending the migrants to their deaths on the high seas, the famous boat operator Cali Xuun says he is doing his duty as a citizen by moving them out of Bosaso. "the city will collapse and people will eat each other if we don't move them out of here" Ali says. He calls the migrants dirty, hookers and thieves and that they need to be evacuated out as soon as they arrive.
  7. Skip to the 22:56 minutes mark to see the Turkish School built in Hargeisa. It looks like a quality school and the kids are learning the Turkish language, science and other subjects.
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwTJLAL_QK0
  9. Well done. I liked the ladies wearing the Chinese-themed Hijabs.
  10. I am surprised the workers couldn't work with the managers to come up with a prayer plan if the production line can't handle complete shutdown.
  11. Family-owned giant Cargill fired 150 Somalis over Muslim prayer conflict.
  12. SO So the word that received the most nominations this year was already banished, but today it is being used differently than it was in 1999, when nominators were saying, “I am SO down with this list!” Nominations came from across the country. “Currently, it is being overused as the first word in the answer to ANY question. For instance, "How did you learn to play the piano?" Answer: "So my dad was in a classical music club..." – Bob Forrest, Tempe Ariz. “Tune in to any news channel and you’ll hear it. The word serves no purpose in the sentence and to me is like fingernails on a chalkboard. So, I submit the extra, meaningless, and overused word ‘so.’” – Scott Shackleton, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. “Politicians, especially, are using this word when asked a question and not answering said question. It is used by all parties in Canada's Federal election. – Karen Newton, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. “Frequently used to begin a sentence, particularly in response to a question, this tiresome and grammatically incorrect replacement for "Like," or "Um," is even more irksome…It hurts my ears, every single time I hear it! – Thomas H. Weiss, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. “So it's getting really annoying. So can we please put a stop to this?” – David G. Simpson, Laurel, Md. “It has become widespread to the point of an epidemic,” said a sickened John from Philadelphia, Penn. CONVERSATION Online publications invite us to “join the conversation,” which is usually more of a scream-fest. Gayle from Cedarville, Mich. wonders if “debate has become too harsh for our delicate sensibilities. Now we are all encouraged to have a ‘conversation,’ and everything will somewhat be magically resolved.” “Over the past five years or so, this word has been increasingly used by talking heads on radio, television and in political circles to describe every form of verbal communication known to mankind. It has replaced ‘discussion,’ ‘debate,’ ‘chat,’ ‘discourse,’ ‘argument,’ ‘lecture,’ ‘talk’….all of which can provide some context to the nature of the communication. Perhaps the users feel that it is a word that is least likely to offend people, but I consider it to be imprecise language that, over time, dumbs down the art of effective discourse.” – Richard Fry, Marathon, Ont. “Used by every media type without exception. No one listens.” – Richard Seitz, Charleston, Ill. “Have one, start one, engage in one. Enough.” – Fred Rogers, Houston, Tex. We are invited to “join the conversation if we want to give an opinion. This expression is overused and it is annoying. Thanks for listening, eh.” – Debbie Irwin, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. PROBLEMATIC “A corporate-academic weasel word,” according to the Urban Dictionary. “Somewhere along the line, this word became a trendy replacement for 'that is a problem.’ I just hate it.” – Sharon Martin, Hagerstown, Md. “Anything that the speaker finds vaguely inconvenient or undesirable, such as an opposing political belief or bad traffic. Contrast things that are self-evidently taken to be problematic with, say, actual problems like a hole in the ozone layer or a job loss.” – Adam Rosen, Asheville, N.C. STAKEHOLDER A word that has expanded from describing someone who may actually have a stake in a situation or problem, now being over-used in business to describe customers and others. “Often used with ‘engagement.’ If someone is disengaged, they're not really a stakeholder in the first place. LSSU, please engage your stakeholders by adding this pretentious jargon to your list. – Gwendolyn Barlow, Portland, Ore. Harley Carter of Calgary, Alberta, says he has heard it with another word popular in business-speak, “socialize,” which means to spread an idea around to see what others think of it. “We need to socialize this concept with our ‘stakeholders.’” “Dr. Van Helsing should be the only stake holder,” says Jeff Baenen of Minneapolis, Minn. PRICE POINT Another example of using two words when one will do. “This alliterative mutation seems to be replacing the word ‘price’ or ‘cost.’ It may be standard business-speak, but must it contaminate everyday speech?” says Kevin Carney of Chicago, who provided an example in the March 19, 2015 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, pg. 1171, which says, “Although the ‘price point’ of effective new drugs...may initially be out of reach for many patients...” “It has no ‘point.’ It is just a ‘price.’” – Guy Michael, Cherry Hill, N.J. SECRET SAUCE “Usually used in a sentence explaining the ‘secret’ in excruciating public detail. Is this a metaphor for business success based on the fast food industry?” – John Beckett, Ann Arbor, Mich. “It has become too frequent in business discussions. I am tired of it.” – Bill Evans, Clinton, Miss. BREAK THE INTERNET A phrase that is annoying online word-watchers around the world. “An annoying bit of hyperbole about the latest saucy picture or controversy that is already becoming trite.” – Tim Bednall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia “Meaning a post or video or whatever will have so much Internet traffic that it will ‘break the internet.’ It’s being used for every headline and video. Ridiculous.” – Matthew Squires, Auburn, Mich. “I hope the list doesn’t ‘break the internet.’ (How else would I read it next year)?” – Dean Hinrichs, Kansas City, Mo. WALK IT BACK A slower back-pedal? “It seems as if every politician who makes a statement has to ‘walk it back,’ meaning retract the statement, or explain it in laborious detail to the extent that the statement no longer has any validity or meaning once it has been ‘walked back.’” – Max Hill, Killeen, Tex. PRESSER This shortened form of “press release” and “press conference” is not so impressive. “Not only is there no intelligent connection between the word "presser" and its supposed meaning, this word already has a definition: a person or device that removes wrinkles. Let's either say ‘press conference’ or ‘press release’ or come up with something more original, intelligent and interesting!” – Constance Kelly, West Bloomfield, Mich. “This industry buzzword has slipped into usage in news reporting and now that they have started, they can't seem to stop using it.” – Richard W. Varney, Akron, Ohio. MANSPREADING A word that is familiar to those in bigger cities, where seats on the bus or subway are sometimes difficult to find. “Men don't need another disgusting-sounding word thrown into the vocabulary to describe something they do…You're just taking too much room on this train seat, be a little more polite...” – Carrie Hansen, Caledonia, Mich. “The term itself is stupid, and the campaign and petition written by men's rights activists claiming that men need to take up more space due to their anatomy, and that anti-manspreading campaigns are ‘male-bashing,’ are ridiculous. The problem is with people taking up too much space on the subway or any public mode of transportation. – Beth, Anchorage, Alaska VAPE Vape and vaping are used to describe the act of ‘smoking’ e-cigarettes (another strange word) since the products emit vapor instead of smoke. David Ervin of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., says he hopes the word “goes up in smoke.” GIVING ME LIFE The phrase refers to anything that may excite a person, or something that causes one to laugh. “I suggest banishing this hyperbole for over-use,” says Ana Robbins, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. “This list of banished words is ‘giving me life’!” PHYSICALITY We had to include one for the sports fans. John Kollig of Jamestown, N.Y., says this is overused by every sports broadcaster and writer. “I am not sure who is responsible, but over the last 12-18 months you cannot watch a sporting event, listen to a sports talk show on radio, or anything on ESPN without someone using this term to attempt to describe an athlete or a contest.” – Dan Beitzel, Perrysburg, Ohio “Every time I hear them say it, I change the channel.” – Brenda Ruffing, Jackson, Mich. “What the heck does it mean?” – Linda Pardy, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
  13. Happy New Year. This year, I need to solve all of Africa's problems. That is my resolution.
  14. Were they going to bypass the Mogadishu government and sign a deal with Ethiopia? If that was the case, then this was expected.
  15. I read that the shuttle buses arrived in Bosaso already.
  16. I saw some pictures of the inside of the existing building. It looks that the Chinese are doing some interior revamping. From what I understand, the existing building is going to stay and the interior will be modified. If anyone has info on any other changes coming to Bosaso Airport, share with us.
  17. Beat boredom. Get cable and high-speed internet in Hargeisa. http://sogasho.so/
  18. Happy New Year! :) Is this another "i am bored" troll thread?
  19. Galbeedi, Salman's quest to gain market share at the expense of oil price may become his Achilles heel. He is loosing billions of dollars dipping into his sovereign wealth savings.
  20. A gated community with the wrong name. Another example of Somalis going overboard with Arabic names.