I am glad to hear NGONGE is well and kicking.

Muslims and Christians in Kenya argue over Barack Obama's grandmother. Muslims have accused Christians of trying to convert Sarah Obama to Christianity. Mrs Obama, a figure of substance in her homeland since her grandson was elected US President, was reported locally to have been stopped from going to a Seventh Day Adventist Church by Muslims because they thought the church would try to convert her. However, members of the church said that she was not to be converted and was merely invited to attend an event. "We had invited her to grace our meeting in Kisumu which was to mark the end of a three-week convention, but although she had prepared, she did not attend," Lewis Ondiek, a senior church figure, told Ecumenical News International. It was claimed that family members stopped Mrs Obama from attending the service led by an Australian evangelist, John Jeremic, because they feared the church was trying to convert her to Islam but the family said she did not attend because she had a knee complication and could not go. Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa, the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya secretary, said: "Mama Sarah should not be forced by anybody to join Christianity since she is a Muslim. "Muslims will not sit and watch one of their own being coerced by some religious leaders to convert to Christianity." Muslims held protests in Kenya about Mrs Obama's alleged conversion and warned of conflict between the faiths over it. Muslim leaders have claimed that Christians now wished to convert her because of her fame. But one of the pastors involved in the "conversion" later claimed that she was simply invited as a special guest. Tom Obuya, of the SDA, denied the claims. "This is not true, she was never to be converted, this newspaper did not report well. she was due to be with us at a ceremony at the end of a three week evangelistic conversion mission, alongside other special guests." Saidi Obama, Barack's uncle and Sarah's son, said: "this is not true, she was not to be converted. she was to attend as a VIP but in the end she did not go because she had other commitments." President Obama is the son of a Kenyan father and an American mother. His parents split up when he was two and his father returned to Africa. The president's Islamic family background – his middle name is Hussein – has caused him some problems in the United States, where many believe he is a Muslim. He has used that heritage in his efforts to woo supporters and change America's image in the Middle East. Mrs Obama became a national celebrity in Kenya when her grandson visited in 2006. Since President Obama's victory her modest home, with a front room full of photos of the president, has become a tourist attraction. The Kenyan government last month declared Kogelo a protected national heritage site. http://www.telegraph .co.uk/news/worldnew s/africaandindianoce an/kenya/5215943/Mus lims-and-Christians- in-Kenya-argue-over- Barack-Obamas-grandm other.html

Farah_Brown, this kind of atrocious cruelty involving a well-known politician is not ordinary. Torture is more often than not carried out by low-level officers but this is exceedingly bizarre. He is the equivalent of a Somali minister and he is doing the butchering himself. That is the only difference I guess. The torture was initiated by a $5000 dispute if I am not mistaken, and that is the more intriguing puzzle here. The guy is the son of the former president and a member of one of the wealthiest families in the middle east.

Borderka waa in la soo xidho.

For 5000 dollars this sheikh spent that much energy and committed this act of cruelty eventhough his family is one of the wealthiest in the world? War waxani waa xoolo iimaan la'.

I am not privy to any classified information but I have a gut feeling the TFG’s new found fortune will be used to muscle Al-Shabaab and its supporters. That would be unfortunate as it will cement the narrative that Shariif and his TFG is just another tyrannical hand-puppet for “foreign enemies of Islam”. The TFG should use this money to make tangible improvements in people's lives while ignoring Al-Shabaab and its side agenda. Another prolonged conflict will not change anything. The most powerful army in Africa was in Mogadishu and it coulnd’t bring a lasting peace. The good Shariif must not fall for the bait.

The title “Sheikh” may or may not be a misnomer, but the interesting question here is why XDA chose to come to Mogadishu. If XDA came to Mogadishu as part of a secret peace accord with the TFG, I will be the first to herald him as a champion of peace at a time of great turmoil and mistrust. But if the old man entered the city without any change of view towards the TFG, then his unfussy arrival in Mogadishu may very well be an open indication of the TFG’s apparent inability, once again, to control the capital. If anything, this is a harbinger of ominous things to come and perhaps the prolongation of the same septic practices we got so used to. We shall see what he is up to.

He cried and sobbed audibly when his attorneys mentioned contacting his family in Somalia. CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER: "I think in this particular case, there's a grave question as to whether America was in violation of principles of truce in warfare on the high seas," Kuby said. "This man seemed to come onto the Bainbridge under a flag of truce to negotiate. He was then captured. There is a question whether he is lawfully in American custody and serious questions as to whether he can be prosecuted because of his age." THE KID'S MOTHER: ""I appeal to President Obama to pardon my teenager; I request him to release my son or at least allow me to see him and be with him during the trial," Adar Abdirahman Hassan said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press from her home in Galkayo town in Somalia" Ron Kuby, a New York-based civil rights lawyer, said he has been in discussions about forming a legal team to represent the Somali suspect. http://www.newsday.c om/news/nationworld/ ny-nypira2212678653a pr21,0,757778.story? track=rss

(BBC NEWS) - In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Thanks to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and praise be upon our master and prophet, Muhammad and his immaculate progeny and true followers. O God, hasten the reappearance of the Hidden Imam and grant him health and victory and make us his true companions and believers and those who testify to His rightfulness. Praise belongs to the just, merciful, and compassionate God. May God's blessing be upon the prophets, Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and the last prophet His Holiness Muhammad Mustafa, who called for monotheism, fraternity, kindness, human dignity, and justice. Mr Chairman, Honourable Secretary-General of the UN, Honourable High Commissariat for Human Rights, Ladies and Gentlemen, following the Durban anti-racism and discrimination conference, we have gathered here to examine the current situation and to find practical solutions for this humane and sacred campaign. In the past centuries, great injustice was inflicted on mankind. In the Middle Ages scholars and scientists were sentenced to death. And later on slavery and the hunting down of innocent people, separating them from their families and taking them in millions to Europe and America in the worst conditions, was popular. These were dark ages where lands were occupied and their sources were looted, and innocent people were killed and made homeless. Years passed until people rose. They paid a high price in order to drive occupiers out and establish independent and national governments; millions of people were killed. Those in power imposed two major wars in short periods of time on Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. These were wars which took about 100 million lives and resulted in destruction of a lot of countries and regions. Those who won these wars considered themselves conquerors of the world and considered other nations defeated. And by the imposition of oppressive laws and arrangements they ignored and violated other nations rights. Ladies and gentlemen, look at the Security Council which is the legacy of World War I and II. Based on what logic have they been given the right to veto? With which human and divine value is this logic compatible? Justice, equality in the eye of law and human dignity or discrimination, injustice, violation of human rights and belittling the majority of nations and countries? This Council is the most supreme decision-making centre for maintaining peace and security in the world. When there is legal discrimination and the law-making centre is a source of bullying and force instead of justice and fairness, how can one expect to achieve justice and peace? Seeking power and selfishness is the source of racism, discrimination, aggression and tyranny. Today many racists condemn racism in their slogans and speeches but when some powerful countries give themselves the right to make decisions for other countries, using their discretion, and based on their own interests, they can easily trample on all rules and human values. As they have already proven. After the Second World War, by exploiting the holocaust and under the pretext of protecting the Jews they made a nation homeless with military expeditions and invasion. They transferred various groups of people from America, Europe and other countries to this land. They established a completely racist government in the occupied Palestinian territories. And in fact, under the pretext of making up for damages resulting from racism in Europe, they established the most aggressive, racist country in another territory, i.e. Palestine. The Security Council endorsed this usurper regime and for 60 years constantly defended it and let it commit any kind of crime. Worse than this is that some Western governments and America are committed to support genocidal racists while others condemn the bombardment of innocent human beings, the occupation of their land and the disasters that took place in Gaza. Even before they kept silent, not responding to all the crimes of that regime, and supported it. Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, what has been the source of recent wars such as the Americans' attack on Iraq or the wide military expedition in Afghanistan? Has it been anything else than the selfishness of the American government of the time and the pressures by those in possession of wealth and power to expand influence and hegemony, support weapon manufacturers, destroy a great culture that is thousands of years old, destroying possible and potentials risks by the countries of the region against the occupying Quds regime, and looting the energy resources of the Iraqi people? In fact why were one million people dead and injured and a few million people forced to leave their homeland? Why were hundreds of billions of dollars worth of damage inflicted on the Iraqi people and hundreds of billions of dollars of costs for the military invasion imposed on the American people and America's allies? Was attacking Iraq not orchestrated by the Zionists and their allies in the previous ruling government of America which was on the one hand in power and on the other the owner of arms manufacturing companies? Did peace, security and prosperity return to Afghanistan by military intervention? America and its allies were not even able to stop the production of narcotics and during their presence it increased several fold. The main question is this: What was the role of the previous ruling system in America and its allies? Were they the representatives of the world nations? Were they elected by the world nations? Do they have representation by the world nations to interfere in the affairs of all parts of the world and especially our region? Don't these actions, the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, count as examples of selfishness, racism, discrimination and violating the dignity and independence of other nations? Ladies and gentlemen, who are the people in charge of the crisis-hit economy of the world? Where did the crisis start? Did it start in Africa and Asia or American and then Europe and their allies? For a long time, using their political influence, they [West] imposed unfair economic laws on international economic transactions. They set up financial and monetary systems without provisions of international supervision and imposed those systems on countries that did not have the smallest role to play in the processes and policies adopted. They do not even allow their own nations to supervise. By taking away morality from their actions, they have established laws in a way that they serve the interests of certain powerful people and capitalists. By giving a specific definition of free market and competition, they took away many opportunities from others and imposed their problems on others. Today, with dozens of thousands of billions of dollars of debt and thousands of billions of dollars of budget deficit, those waves of crisis have come back to them. Even today in order to improve the situation, they have started injecting hundred billions of dollars of unsupported money from the pockets of their citizens and other nations into banks and companies and financial markets which were close to bankruptcy and they have made their people even more indebted and they have made the problem more complicated. They are thinking of maintaining their power and wealth. And the people of the world and even their own people are of no value to them. Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the true root of racism is the lack of human understanding as God's chosen creatures and deviation from the true path of human life and human missions in creation. Due to negligence in worshipping God with awareness and pondering on the philosophy of life and the path towards human perfection - which leads to the natural outcome of being committed to divine values and mankind - the horizon of human insight has declined. And limited and temporary interests became the criteria of evaluation and actions by human beings. Therefore, the seeds of evil power took their shape and by neglecting fair chances for others' growth, it added to the boundaries of its development. In such a way that it changed to an ugly and uncontrollable racism that today it is threatening the global peace as the most dangerous factor. And it is an obstacle on the way of achieving peaceful life in the world. Undoubtedly, racism should be recognised as the symbol of ignorance of the depth of history and a sign of dogmatism against mankind's general growth. Therefore, we should look for the signs of racism under conditions and situations in a society where poverty of knowledge and lack of understanding would be spread. Therefore, the main means of fighting such symptoms is to promote general awareness and deepening public understanding towards the philosophy of mankind's existence and the truth about the human-oriented world. Its requirement or outcome is a return to spiritual and ethical values and human virtues and finally the belief in God. The global society should start a united cultural movement for enlightening certain suffering and undeveloped societies as much as possible and uproot this hideous and evil phenomenon. But dear friends, today the human society is facing a kind of racism which has an ugliness that has completely distorted the honour of mankind at the verge of the third millennium and it has made the global society shameful. The global Zionism is the complete symbol of racism, which with unreal reliance on religion has tried to misuse the religious beliefs of some unaware people and hide its ugly face. But what should be seriously considered are the goals of certain superpowers and those in possession of major interests in the world; those who try their best through economic power and political influence and wide media means, to lessen the crimes and ugliness of the nature of the Zionist regime. Here, the main issue is not ignorance and therefore, cultural movements on their own, are not sufficient to fight this evil phenomenon. But we should try to put an end to the misuse of international means by the Zionists and their supporters. And by respecting nations' demands, we should motivate the united governments to eliminate this clear racism and step on the path of reforming international relations 0and mechanisms with courage. Undoubtedly, you are all aware of the extensive efforts by the institutes of global power towards creating a deviation on the path of the real mission of this important conference. Unfortunately in the literature supporting the Zionists, a clear participation and cooperation in their crimes can be noticed. And this adds to the responsibilities of the respectful representatives of nations in revealing this antihuman issue and improving relations and behaviours. We should be aware that to keep a huge global capacity, such as this conference, away from its real intentions, means helping to continue the most hideous sense of racism. Today the necessity of defending human rights is firstly, to defend the rights of a nation to be free to make decisions regarding important global affairs without the influence of certain powers; secondly, to take action to improve international structures and relations. Therefore, this conference is the arena of a major test and we will be judged by the world's public opinion today and tomorrow. Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, the world's general condition is rapidly moving towards basic changes. Power based equations have become very weak. The sound of the pillars of global tyranny breaking can be heard. Political and macro economic structures are falling. Political and security crisis are growing. And the growing global economic crisis, for the resolution of which there is no bright horizon, makes all sorts of quantitative and quality aspects of change on the way very impressive. I have emphasised the necessity of getting back from the wrong path that today's absolute global management is following and I have warned about the critical outcomes of delaying to do so. Also now, in this valued conference, addressing you managers, thinkers and all the world nations who are thirsty for peace, freedom, progress and prosperity, I would like to say that the unjust ruling of the world is reaching its end. This deadlock was inevitable since the logic behind this imposed management is tyrannical. This is because the logic of the mass movement of the world is divine, purposeful, humane and God-centred. It is a movement which opposes any policy or plan which is not in line with the interests of nations. Victory of truth over vice and the bright future of humanity and the establishment of a just global system is the promise of God and all prophets, and a common hope of all communities and generations. Achieving such a future justifies the reason behind creation, is the belief of all those faithful to God and the very high status of the human beings. Formation of a global community, the practical possibility of a common global system materialising and finally involving thinkers, managers and people of the world to actively and justly participate in the macro and principle decision makings is the main path to this great destination. At the moment, scientific and technical capabilities as well as information and communication technology have created a mutual and comprehensive understanding of the global community and have created the necessary ground for a common system to materialise. . Now, this is a grave responsibility that the world's scientists, elites and officials across the world should shoulder by playing a historic role through faith in this definite path. Now I want to stress on this fact that western capitalism like communism has reached the end of its path because it does not see the world and humanity as they are. It has tried to impose a self-constructed path and destination and instead of paying attention to human and divine values, justice, freedom, compassion and brotherhood it has set fierce competition for gaining individual and collective materialistic interests as a basis for life. Now we should collectively try to learn lessons from the past and understand the necessity for correcting this path by considering today's conditions. And on the same note and as the final word I would like to draw your attention to two important points. First point: The improvement of the current international condition is hundred per cent possible. But we should know that this cannot be achieved without the cooperation of all the governments and nations. Therefore, we should benefit from the capacities of international cooperation to the maximum. My presence in this conference indicates my respect for this important issue, and the essential issue of human rights and support for nations' rights against the evil phenomenon of racism and cooperation with you, the thinkers. Second: Considering the lack of efficiency of systems and international political, economic, security and cultural relations is necessary. In view of divine and humanitarian values and the true and real definition of human beings and based on justice and respect for the rights of all human beings across the world, confessing to the wrong management in the past and changing the views and performances, measures should be taken to reform the current structures. Therefore, a speedy change in the structure of the United Nations and the elimination of the discriminatory right to veto and a change in the financial and monetary system of the world must be on the agenda. Obviously, the lack of understanding for the urgency of this change will result in heavier costs due to any delay. My dear friends, you should know that moving in line with justice and human dignity is like moving quickly on a stream of water. Let's not forget the valuable elixir of love and compassion. The guarantee for a clear future for human beings is a great asset that can keep us more aware and more hopeful than ever before. It can enable us to create a world full of love and blessing and can be free from poverty and hatred. We will also be able to profit from the blessings of God and have the advantage of having a decent management of a complete human being. Let us all have a share in this important issue, and hope for that bright and beautiful day. I would like to sincerely thank the President and the UN Secretary-General and all of you for your patience, wishing you dignity and success.

This is another mindless drivel from Amin. If the intention was to lampoon the President’s inherent difficulties with the resistance with a caricature such as this, then add me in the “humorless oddballs” list because I found this piece to be insipid and not humorous in any sense. 18 years of mayhem and butchery which has proceeded before him forced the President to take cover from the inferno for the sake of his own life. It is not comical at all.

Zey, I'll have a look at them. Thanks for the suggestion.

LONDON -- A middle-aged volunteer church worker with the voice of an angel is Britain's latest unlikely showbiz star. http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=9lp0IWv8Q ZY http://www.huffingto npost.com/2009/04/14 /susan-boyle-britain s-sing_n_186787.html

About 17 ships and 300 crew members are believed to be currently held by pirates off the coast of Somalia, according to the International Maritime Bureau, NATO and others. A look at the ships still being held: If the total ransom is estimated, that is 34 million dollars that has to be delivered to the pirates in order to free these ships and the crew members. It is a breakdown of 2 million dollars (for each vessel and its crew) which I believe is the maximum amount of money the Lloyds maritime insurance company pays for each vessel as per the insurance policy. – NOV. 10: Pirates hijack a Philippines chemical tanker, the MT Stolt Strength, with 23 crew members. – DEC. 16: Pirates seize a Malaysian tugboat with 11 Indonesian crew members. – FEB. 22: Pirates take a Greek-owned cargo ship, the Saldanha, with a 22-member crew, off Somalia's coast. The nationalities of the crew members aboard the Malta-registered bulk carrier are unknown. – FEB. 28: State broadcaster in the Seychelles reports that Somali pirates hijacked a yacht with two people on board after it left the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean. The date of the hijacking and the nationalities of those aboard are not known. – MARCH 19: Pirates hijack Greek-owned cargo ship Titan with 24 crewmen. Three of the crew members aboard the St.-Vincent flagged vessel are Greek, including the captain. – MARCH 25: Pirates seize Panama-registered, Greek-owned Nipayia with 18 Filipino crew members and a Russian captain. – APRIL 1: Tour operator says pirates have seized a tourist yacht and its crew of seven near the Seychelles. The Indian Ocean Explorer had dropped off its contingent of tourists before it was seized. – APRIL 4: Pirates hijack German freighter Hansa Stavanger. It has 24 crew members on board: five Germans, three Russians, two Ukrainians, two Filipinos and 12 Tuvalus. – APRIL 4: Pirates seize Taiwanese ship, Win Far 161, near the Seychelles islands. It has a crew of 30, including 17 Filipinos, six Indonesians, five Chinese and two Taiwanese. – APRIL 5: Pirates hijack Yemeni fishing boat with 13 crew members in the Gulf of Aden. – APRIL 6: British-owned bulk carrier, the Malaspina Castle, hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. It is carrying a crew of 24 from Bulgaria, the Philippines, Russia and Ukraine. – APRIL 6: Pirates seize Taiwanese fishing boat with 30 crew off eastern Somalia. – APRIL 11: Pirates seize Italian tugboat off Somalia's north coast. Ten of the 16 crew members are Italian. The others are five Romanians and a Croatian. – APRIL 14: Officials say two Egyptian fishing boats have been hijacked with a total of 36 crew, all believed to be Egyptian. It is not exactly clear when those ships were seized. – APRIL 14: Pirates seize Greek-managed bulk carrier, the MV Irene E.M., in a rare overnight attack. The St.-Vincent and Grenadines-flagged ship with at least 21 Filipino seamen was sailing from Jordan to India when it came under attack. – APRIL 14: Pirates in several speedboats capture the Lebanese-owned cargo ship the MV Sea Horse. The number of crew aboard is not immediately known. http://www3.signonsa ndiego.com/stories/2 009/apr/14/piracy-gl ance-041409/?world

Waryaa JB, waar ninkii NGONGE ma yimi weli? War ninku yaanu lumine, raadin saaxiib. Friends are telling me he is somewhere in Hawd taking pictures of sheep. congrats.

This is the only opportunity pirates will ever have to draw attention to the pillaging of our seas by foreign mafia. If this toxic cargo allegation is accurate, these buccaneers need to launch an effective media campaign with pictures and interviews to highlight this very shadowy side of the piracy issue.

Originally posted by Xaaji_xundjuf: The international community should put pressure on “Puntland” administration led by Pirate President Cabdiraxman Faroole, and his Interior Minister ilka Jiir. The above juvenile outburst has single-handedly invalidated the kid's vacant gibberish. If there is any decent minister in Faroole's cabinet, it is none other than General Ilkojiir.

Is it possible these guys were killed after they had already given up? The truth will come out I guess.

Lol@Norf. Hala laayo dheh. How about Norf pays a visit to Xarardheere and Hobyo today and passes his thoughts there in front of grieving families. just teasing ya saxib. Awoowe, just remember that killing these pirate kids is never justified and there is absolutely no joy in this saga and how it ended regardless of how you look at the issue of piracy in general.

It is sad to see these guys being killed senselessly everyday like sheep. Wasn't the news media saying elders from Harardhere city were traveling to the scene to secure a safe passage for the four pirates without any violence? What happened to the negotiations? It is very clear the Americans didn't want the French to outdo them and were itching for some sort of "heroic" rescue. Sad indeed. Ilaahay ha u naxariisto, dambigoodana ha dhaafo.

^^ Maya, the picture is from Boocame environ and the general landscape is typical of what we know as upper Nugal. Politically, Boocame is part of Sool region. Sanaag scenery is quite different saxib if you are familiar with the land. Dhulku isma leh oo waa kala duwan yahay.

A moving story indeed. May Allah bless him and make his new task easier in the future.

We wait for NGONGE to complete the translation very soon. This is an interesting letter.

Guys, let us not ruin the thread with regional talk and other nonsense arguments. NOTE: If the 6 pictures I posted on this thread are not sufficient and you crave to see additional pictures from the motherland, try to search mighty google for the imperative keywords "mogadishu paradise" and you will be redirected to Libaax's other fabulous picture thread with all the heavenly backdrop to make your head spinning. If you can't find it, here it is. I am trying my best to do my part for my homeland (specially for my birth city of Mogadishu) and I hope, with the bits of pics I compiled here and there, I have somewhat enhanced the motherland’s image in the eyes of many. I will update this thread again with new pics as soon as I find good quality pictures.

http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=MPn7CE2BU k4&feature=channel_p age

Bloggers and critics will always find something no matter what. THE KISS INCIDENT The whole British press and that of Europe was sent into "a spasm of forensic investigation" after Carla Bruni (France's First Lady) failed to greet Obama with a kiss. Did President Obama dodge a friendly kiss from French First Lady Carla Bruni? READ: http://www.nydailyne ws.com/news/politics /2009/04/03/2009-04- 03_did_president_oba ma_dodge_a_friendly_ kis.html THE "BOW" INCIDENT Also right-wing nuts are making a big fuzz about Obama's informal greeting of the Saudi King at an event leaders were gathering for a photo-op. This wasn't an "official" greeting but a ligh-hearted moment with the Sauidi kind when no one was supposed to be watching. Obama bows down to Saudi King (updated) READ: http://www.americant hinker.com/blog/2009 /04/obama_bows_down_ to_saudi_king.html