Battle rages for Somalia seaport Saturday 14 October 2006, 14:30 Makka Time, 11:30 GMT Fighters of the Islamic Courts Union and pro-government forces have clashed on the outskirts of Kismayo, Somalia's third largest town and strategic seaport, according to witness reports. Pro-government forces loyal to Colonel Barre Hirale Aden Shire, the Somalian defence minister, tried to recapture Kismayo late on Friday, three weeks after losing control of it. Witnesses told AP that the fighting on the town's outskirts lasted for two hours as rival forces used heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. According to an official from the Islamic courts, Shire's forces then retreated. Fighters defending the Islamic courts took over Mogadishu, the capital, in June. They have since swept through southern Somalia. Other violence In related violence, Shire's fighters and those of the Islamic group clashed briefly on Friday in the town of Bu'aale, about 350km south of Baidoa, the only town controlled by Somalia's weak government. Shire had been regrouping his forces near Bu'aale. Isma'il Khalif Shire, a commander of Shire's fighters, confirmed there had been skirmishes in Bu'aale and said there were no casualties. Many residents credit the Islamic courts with bringing a semblance of order, but Somalia still remains chaotic and violent. On September 18, the president of Somalia's interim government survived an assassination attempt when a car bomb exploded outside parliament. Leaders of the Islamic Courts Union have denied responsibility. Days after the attack, the UN pulled international staff out of central and southern Somalia, saying it had received threats. Aid workers, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, said the threats came from Islamic extremists. State of play Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, when regional commanders overthrew Mohamed Siad Barre, the president, and then turned on one another, throwing the country into anarchy. The present government was formed in 2004 with UN help in the hope of restoring order after years of lawlessness. But the government never asserted much authority and the Islamic group has stepped into the power vacuum Islamic courts fighters took control of Kismayo on September 23. They believe that a planned African peacekeeping force to Somalia, which they oppose, would be deployed in the strategic port. The takeover of the town sparked demonstrations, mainly by women and children. Islamic courts fighters shot dead one boy when they tried to disperse protesters. They also closed down a local radio station, accusing the broadcasters of anti-Islamic propaganda. Kismayo, 400km southwest of the capital, Mogadishu, was controlled by a loose alliance of commanders led by Shire. He fled the town shortly before its fall. AP

^^In plain English, killers and criminals are my friends as long as they support my uncle Yeey desbite their profile.

^Habar fadhidaa lagdin lafududaa. Saas miyaa dagaal lagu hoobto umada Jubbooyinka dagan ularabtaa.

A laptop for every Libyan pupil Wednesday 11 October 2006, 19:06 Makka Time, 16:06 GMT The project might get all Libyan pupils connected to the internet Related: A revolution in a laptop Tools: Email Article Print Article Send Your Feedback Libya has reached an agreement with an American nonprofit group to provide inexpensive laptop computers for all of the nation's 1.2 million schoolchildren. With the project scheduled to be completed by June 2008, Libya could become the first nation in which all school-age children are connected to the internet through educational computers, Nicholas Negroponte, chairman of the One Laptop per Child project, told the The New York Times on Wednesday. The $250 million deal, reached on Tuesday, would provide the nation with 1.2 million computers, a server in each school, a team of technical advisers, satellite internet service and other infrastructure. The One Laptop per Child project, which has the support of the United Nations Development Programme, aims to provide laptops to school-aged children worldwide for about $100 each. It has reached tentative purchase agreements with Argentina, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand. Appealing project Negroponte, a computer researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US, said he had met with Moammar al-Gadhafi and the project appealed to the Libyan leader's political agenda of creating a more open Libya and consolidating his position as an African leader. Negroponte proposed the project to al-Gadhafi The two men discussed the possibility that Libya would also pay for laptops for poorer African nations like Chad, Niger and Rwanda, said Negroponte, who is the brother of John Negroponte, the US National Intelligence director. Al-Gadhafi surprised the world in late 2003 when he and announced plans to dismantle his country's weapons of mass destruction programs. Libya was eager to end the international isolation and economic hardships from United Nations and US sanctions. The US has since opened an embassy in Tripoli. Mass production Test models of the computers will be distributed to the participating countries in November, and mass production is expected to begin by July 2007, he said. They are to be produced by Taiwanese computer maker Quanta Computer Inc. The machines are to be equipped with hand cranks or foot pedals, so that children can use them when electricity is too costly or not available. Expected to initially cost $150 (Є 120) and then be reduced in price, they will have wireless network access and run on an open-source operating system, such as Linux. The project was inspired by Negroponte's experience giving internet-connected laptops to children in Cambodia. He said the first English word spoken by those children was "Google". Agencies http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FDFF80E0-0E4B-4825-A1E7-5A413C03157B.htm

Blue colour = The colour of the Somali flag. Jamila, 1 more reason to be proud.

I missed the point where Mr. Red Sea attacked your clan in any of his posts. Both scenarios we do not lose. So calm down my brother. Lets hope every clan wins.

^^Arinta Somalia weey kaweeyntahay nin iyo laba kanacnacleeya Sol ee caga dhigo awoowe.

hadhwanaag 2006-10-10 (Hadhwanaagnews) Hargeysa(HWN)- Guddoomiyaha Golaha Fulinta ee Midawga Maxkamadaha Muqdisho Sheekh Shariif Sheekh Axmed, ayaa jawaab ka bixiyay eedayn xukuumadda Somaliland ugu soo jeedisay inay Maxkamadaha Muqdisho faro gelin ku hayaan dalka Somaliland, waxaanu sheegay inaanay jirin wax dhibaato ah oo ay Maxkamadahoodu ku hayaan Somaliland. Sheekh Shariif oo isaga jooga magaalada Muqdisho xalay khadka Telefoonka ugu waramay Wargeyska Geeska Afrika, waxa uu sheegay inay ixtiraam u hayaan Somaliland, islamarkaana ay doonayaan inay yeeshaan xidhiidh iskaashi oo ay iskaga gaashaan buuraystaan wax uu ugu yeedhay cadawga, “Walaaloow, Somaliland annaga waa walaalahayo wax fiicana way soo qabteen annaguna xushmad walaaltnimo iyo wanaag ayaanu u haynaa. Sidaas daraadeed wax faro gelin ah oo aanu ku haynaa ma jirto .†ayuu yidhi Sheekh Shariif oo la weydiiyay waxa uu ka qabo eedayn uu Wasiirka Arrimaha dibadda Somaliland Md. Cabdillaahi Maxamed Ducaale Axadii doraad u jeediyay Midawga Maxkamadaha. Sheekh Shariif oo la weydiiyay su’aal ahayd: Hadalka aad ka tidhi Xarunta Madaxtooyada Villa Soomaaliya ee aad ku soo qaaday Maxaabiista Somaliland u haysato arrimo argagixiso, miyaanu faro gelin ahayn, waxa uu ku jawaabay, “Waxa aan ka hadlay waxay ahayd Culimada xidhan ee cajaladda lagu soo bandhigay sawiradooda ee wax kale maaha. Markaas sidaas ayaanu uga hadalnay wanaagoodana waanu sheegnay xumaana ugalama jeedno ee wixii aanu aaminsanahay inaanu sheegno xaq ayaanu u leenahay, waana naga niyad ee xumaan nagama aha oo waa walaalahayo oo aanu ixtiraamayno.†Sheekh Shariif, waxa uu beeniyay inaanay waxba ka jirin hadalo handadaad ah oo ka so yeedhay nin lagu magacaabo Xasan Turki oo ka mid ah Saraakiisha Maxkamadaha Muqdisho. Hadalkaas oo uu Xasan Turki ku sheegay inay Maxkamaduhu doonayaan inay xoog xabsiga Hargeysa kagala baxaan Maxbuus lagu magacaabo Sheekh Maxamed Ismaaciil “Warkaasi[ Hanjabaada Xasan Turki] war jira walaaloow maaha, wax xoog la yidhaahdo iyo handadaadi toona ma jirto, markaas waa walaalahayo oo aanu ixtiraam u hayno, warkaasina war rasmi ah maahaâ€, ayuu yidhi Sheekh Shariif. Ugu dambayn Sheekh Shariif waxa uu sheegay inay Maxaakiimtu jecelyihiin in xidhiidh wanaagsani dhex maro dawladda iyo culimada Somaliland, “ Waxaad naga gaadhsiisaa waa walaalahayo waanan jecelnahay ixtiraam badana waanu u haynaa. Sidaas daraadeed waxaanu diyaar u nahay inaanu xidhiidh wanaagsan samaysano oo aanu dhammaantayo ka wada shaqayno danta umadda iyo weliba inaanu iska kaashano cadawgaâ€, ayuu yidhi Sheekh Shariif. Source wargeyska geeska Africa

Tell 'em the dream of turning Somaliland into switzerland is coming true. Breath-taking pictures mr.Red Sea.

^Very positive pictures coming from the motherland.

^alle-ubaahne, the Somali Mujaahidiin can handle the Isutaga warlords and their Ethiopian master.

Breath-taking scenery in Buurhakabo,Bay sxb. I would love to visit one day the place of my birth, Baydhabo Janaay inshallah\.

Ethiopian prime minister vows to defend nation against threat of war by Somali Islamists The Associated Press ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Tuesday his county would defend itself against Somalia's **** Islamic group if it followed through with threats to launch a holy war against Ethiopia. Speaking to journalists at the National Palace in the capital, Addis Ababa, Zenawi said the country would "take whatever measures are necessary" if an attack took place. "But I hope it will not come to that," Meles said. On Monday, a top Islamic leader called for a holy war against Ethiopia, accusing its neighbor of deploying troops inside Somalia to help the weak government to capture a strategic hilltop town. "Ethiopian troops have intentionally invaded our land," said Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, wearing combat fatigues and holding aloft an AK-47 assault rifle. We will counter them soon." Tensions between Ethiopia, which supports Somalia's weak, U.N.-backed government, and the Islamic group that controls much of the war-ravaged country, have been mounting in recent months. So far, both sides have avoided any direct military confrontation. The Islamic ***** have declared holy war against Ethiopia on a number of occasions in recent months. Ethiopia - with almost half of its 77 million population being Muslims - is fearful of a neighboring ****** state. It accuses the Islamic group of backing terrorists. "Naturally, if and when we are directly threatened by the jihadists we reserve the right to protect ourselves and take whatever measures are necessary," Meles said at a joint news conference with visiting Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, when warlords overthrew dictator Mohammed Siad Barre and then turned on one another, throwing the country into anarchy. A transitional government was formed in 2004 with U.N. help in hopes of restoring order. But it has struggled to assert authority, while the Islamic movement seized the capital, Mogadishu, in June and now controls much of the south. Meles also reiterated calls for deployment of an African peacekeeping force into the country. However, the Islamic group opposes any outside intervention, and is particularly incensed at any role played by Ethiopia, Somalia's historic rival. Obasanjo said dialogue is needed between the rival groups in Somalia to bring peace to the country. Fragile peace talks between the Islamic **** and the weak government are expected to resume later this month in Khartoum, Sudan. The Islamic group's strict and often severe interpretation of Islam raises memories of Afghanistan's Taliban, which was ousted by a U.S.-led campaign for harboring Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida fighters. The United States has accused Somalia's Islamic group of sheltering suspects in the 1998 al-Qaida bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Bin Laden has said Somalia is a battleground in his war on the West.

^Sadly, some folks here take ruwaayadaha SOL kasocda seriously .

Last Updated Tue, Oct, 10 2006,19:30 Pm--Mogadishu Somalia Daawo sawiro muujinaya xaaladda Guud iyo cida gacanta ku heysa Buur-hakaba Mogadishu 10, Oct.06 ( Sh.M.Network) Xaaladda magaalada Buur-hakaba ayaa maanta dagneyn, iyadoo wariyeyaal ka tirsan shabakada warbaahinta Shabelle ay socdaal ku tageen maanta magaaladaasi oo shalay muddo saacado ah ay ku sugnaayeen ciidamo Ethiopian ah iyo kuwa dowladda KMG ah ee Baydhabo. Shabelle ayaa waxa ay masawiro ka soo qaaday xaaladda guud ee magaalada Buur-hakaba, iyadoo wadooyinka qaar lagu arkayay maleeshiyooyin iyo gawaarida dagaalka oo ay leeyihiin deegaanka, kuwaasi oo difaac kaga jirey weerar kaga yimaada dhinaca dowladdda KMG ah ee Somalia. Sidoo kale waxaa lagu arkayay maleeshiyaad ku hubeysan qoryaha darandooriga u dhaca jidayana silis rasaas ah oo dhufeysyo ka sameystay buuraha buurhakaba. Magaalada Buur-hakaba ayaa waxaa iminka gacanta ku haya kooxo maleeshiyaad ah oo ka soo jeeda deegaanka, kuwaasi oo taageersan Maxkamadaha Islaamka Somalia. Calanka Somalia oo qoriga dushiisa lasaartay. more pics http://www.shabelle.net/2006/october/n8953.htm

This is what PRO YeeY website IIDAMAALE has to say...EEBOOW sharafta hanaga qaadin. Xildhibaan Fowsiya Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Waxaa naxdin leh in iyadoo Dumar ah ay u hadasho sida Muuse Suudi Yalaxow iyo Maxamed Qanyare Afrax, Waxaana lagu Tilmaami kara Hogaamiye kooxeedkii ugu horeeyay ee Haween Noqda,Waxay uga duwan tahay oo kaliya waa Xijaabka. Sidoo kale Waxay niyad jab ku noqotay dumarkii Soomaaliyeed oo aadna uga xumaaday sidii qaabka darneyd ee ay BBCda uga hadashay. Xildhibaan Fowsiya Mohamed Sheikh Hassan oo ah wasiirka horumarinta dumarka, kana mid ah dumarka sida gaarka uga shaqeeya burburinta Dowladda ku meelgaarka ah ayay la yaab ku noqotay shacab badan oo soomaaliyeed kalmadihii afkeeda ka soo baxayay, waxayna aad uga laa laabatay inay xilka ay Dawlada ka hayso ka tanaasulayso, maadaama aysanba dowlada aaminsanayn. Waxay qayb libaax leh ka qaadatay khilaafkii xubnaha labada Gole ee Magaalada muqdisho ku sugnaan jiray, iyada oo markaa horboodaysay afkaarta Hogaamiya kooxeedyadii Muqdisho laga Cayriyay. Warar kale oo aanu ka helayno magaalada Dubia ayaa inoo xaqiijinaya in ay ku sugantahay Dubai oo ay kulan gaar ah kula qaadatay Sheekh Shariif oo isagu ah madaxa fulinta ee Al-Itihad Al Islamia, waloow warar hoose ay sheegayaan in amnixumada iyo kala daadinta Maamulka Gobolka baay ay iyadu ka mid tahay shakhsiga hormuudka u ah, oo talada iyo tusaalaha wax loogu dhimayo Gobolka baay banaanka uga keenaysa. Wararku waxay inta ku darayaan in uu baaritaan ku socdo oo ay wax ka ogtahay dilkii Cabdalla Deerow iyo isku deygii lagu dili lahaa madaxweynaha ummada Soomaliyeed, waxaana nagu maqaala ah inay ka carartay Gobolka Baay. Xildhibaanada ayaa jabisay xeerarkii lagu yiqiinay dumarka Soomaaliyeed oo ahaa dhexdhexaadnimo Siyaasaduna ay u fahamtay in laga caaytamo BBCda. Iyadoo meel uga dhacaysa Dowladda iyo magaca ummadda Soomaaliyeed. Xildhibaanada oo si qarsoodi ah xubin uga ah ururka Al Itihad Al Islamia kana tirsan dowladda kumeelgaarka ah asalkeeduna uu ka soo jeedo *"Largest Ethiopian ethnic group"* ee dalka Itoobiya. Ayaa iyadoo 10 jir ah uu aabaheed keenay gobolka bay. Xildhibaanada ayaa waxay caadeysatay in ay iska horkeento Dowladda iyo Shacabka Soomaaliyeed ee ka soo jeeda Beelaha *"Bay iyo Bakool" iyo waliba Dowladaha aynu dariska nahay ee Itoobiya iyo Kenya, Iyadoo ka duulaysa asalraacnimo iyo dagaalka u dhexeeya Beesha *"Largest Ethiopian ethnic group" iyo dowladda Itoobiya. Waxaa xusid Mudan in Madaxwaynihii hore ee soomaaliya mudane Cali Mahdi Maxamed uu waraysi lala yeeshay kaga hadlay Xildhibaanad Fowsiya waraysi ay siisay Idaacadaha oo ay ku beeninaysay hadal uu Raysul wasaare Cali maxamed Geedi horey idaacada uga sheegay, isaga oo Madaxwaynuhu tilmaamayay waxa ku kalifay qof dhan oo wasiir ah in ay Raysul wasaaraheedii idaacadaha ku maagto, iyada oo heli karta inay shirarka Golaha wasiirada wixii ay tabanayso kaga hadasho, waxayna taas ku tusaysaa fowdada iyo qaska ay xildhibaanad Fowsiyo la dhexjoogto umada soomaaliyeed, iyo xubnaha labada gole Shamso Eeden

^^Long live the republic of Baydhabo city indeed.

It was determined to get a hold in southern Somalia, and now it has Bay and Bakool is the base with which it will build itself.. It has never had it easy and has gained strength over time. Remember at one time it could no go to Baido. The mood of Baydhabo warlord Xaabsade and his clansmen will change as soon as the tfg runs out the bribe money.

^lol. More work for Duke. A pr campaign for one more Somali clan. Will Duke accept a pr campaign for my own clan??

^War bal noo kaadi macawista hanagu ag tuuranine. Nothing significant new here. Just ruwaayadi kaalay daadah dibada baro from Meles to Yusuf[2+yrs old now] .

Somali clans now using the power of media to wage wars between each other, very dangerous development indeed. Allow noo gargaar. And for this case, lets no jump to conclusion and blame others, run iyo been inagoon ogaan waxeey tahay.

^Is it an open season in SOL for qabiil naming and bashingg? And if you are that much interested for every Somali qabiil to rule their own deegaan, why claim some deegaans and their inhabitants who are clearly for United Somalia and against separation? Don't let fear consume you sxb, and lets hope Somalis everywhere see the end of the qabiil-tunnel very soon inshallah.

^Is it an open season in SOL for qabiil naming and bashingg? And if you are that much interested for every Somali qabiil to rule their own deegaan, why claim some deegaans and their inhabitants who are clearly for United Somalia and against separation? Don't let fear consume you sxb, and lets hope Somalis everywhere see the end of the qabiil-tunnel very soon inshallah.

US Hispanics embracing Islam. (109 comments; last comment posted Today 09:16 pm) print | email this story By Amy Green | The Christian Science Monitor October 5, 2006 With her hijab and dark complexion, Catherine García doesn’t look like an Orlando native or a Disney tourist. When people ask where she’s from, often they are surprised that it’s not the Middle East but Colombia. That’s because García, a bookstore clerk who immigrated to the U.S. seven years ago, is Hispanic and Muslim. On this balmy afternoon at the start of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, she is at her mosque dressed in long sleeves and a long skirt in keeping with the Islamic belief in modesty. “When I was in my country, I never fit in the society. Here in Islam, I feel like I fit with everything they believe,†she says. García is one of a growing number of Hispanics across the U.S. who have found common ground in a faith and culture bearing surprising similarities to their own heritage. From professionals to students to homemakers, they are drawn to the Muslim faith through marriage, curiosity and a shared interest in issues such as immigration. The population of Hispanic Muslims has increased 30 percent to some 200,000 since 1999, estimates Ali Khan, national director of the American Muslim Council in Chicago. Many attribute the trend to a growing interest in Islam since the 2001 terrorist attacks and also to a collision between two burgeoning minority groups. They note that Muslims ruled Spain centuries ago, leaving an imprint on Spanish food, music, and language. “Many Hispanics … who are becoming Muslim, would say they are embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a sense,†says Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky. The trend has spawned Hispanic Islamic organizations such as the Latino American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by converts in New York City. Today the organization is nationwide. The growth in the Hispanic Muslim population is especially prevalent in New York, Florida, California and Texas, where Hispanic communities are largest. In Orlando, the area’s largest mosque, which serves some 700 worshippers each week, is located in a mostly Hispanic neighborhood. A few years ago, it was rare to hear Spanish spoken at the mosque, says Imam Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida. Today, there is a growing demand for books in Spanish, including the Koran, and requests for appearances on Spanish-language radio stations, Musri says. The mosque offers a Spanish-language education program in Islam for women on Saturdays. “I could easily see in the next few years a mosque that will have Spanish services and a Hispanic imam who will be leading the service,†Musri says. The two groups tend to be family-oriented, religious and politically conservative, Bagby says. Many who convert are second- and third-generation Hispanic Americans. The two groups also share an interest in social issues such as immigration, poverty and health care. Earlier this year, Muslims joined Hispanics in marches nationwide protesting immigration-reform proposals they felt were unfair. In South Central Los Angeles, a group of Muslim UCLA students a decade ago established a medical clinic in this underserved area. Today, the nonreligious University Muslim Medical Association Community Clinic treats some 16,000 patients, mostly Hispanic, who see it as a safe place to seek care without fear for their illegal status, says Mansur Khan, vice chairman of the board and one of the founders. Although the clinic doesn’t seek Muslim converts, Dr. Khan sees Hispanics taking an interest in his faith because it focuses on family, he says. One volunteer nurse founded a Latino Islamic organization in the area. Another Hispanic woman told Khan she felt drawn to the faith because of the head covering Muslim women wear. It reminded her of the Virgin Mary. The trend is a sign that Islam is becoming more Americanized and more indigenous to the country, Bagby says. As Republican positions on issues such as immigration push Muslim Hispanics and blacks in a less conservative direction, Islam could move in the same direction. Muslim Hispanic and black involvement in American politics could demonstrate to Muslims worldwide the virtues of democracy, eventually softening fundamentalists. Bagby believes the Osama bin Ladens of the world are a small minority, and most fundamentalists are moving toward engagement with the West. “The more Hispanics and other Americans (who) become Muslim, the stronger and wider the bridge between the Muslim community and the general larger American community,†Bagby says. “Their words and approach have some weight because they are a source of pride for Muslims throughout the world.†García left Colombia to study international business in the U.S. Always religious, she considered becoming a nun when she was younger. But her Catholic faith raised questions for her. She wondered about eating pork when the Bible forbids it and about praying to Mary and the saints and not directly to God. In the U.S., she befriended Muslims and eventually converted to Islam. Her family in Colombia was supportive. Today, she says her prayers in English, Spanish and Arabic, and she eats halal food in keeping with Islamic beliefs. “It’s the best thing that happened to me,†says García in soft, broken English. “I never expected to have so many blessings and be in peace like I am now.â€

by Yusuf Abdel Rahman Somalis now freely and safely roam Mogadishu markets to buy their Ramadan needs. MOGADISHU — After decades of lawlessness and security chaos that marred Ramadan after another, Somalis are finally rejoicing a peaceful, spiritual holy fasting month. The new breeze of tranquility, largely attributed to the rising Islamic Courts which now controls most of the Horn of Africa country, manifested itself in Ramadan greeting SMSs, busy markets during daytime and crammed mosques at night. "I now feel safe to go out and shop for my fasting family," Rahma Ali, a housewife, told IslamOnline.net, letting out a sigh of relief. For the past years, Somali women too terrorized to leave their homes, fearing harassments by unleashed gangsters and militias. "They used to be lurking in the bush for women to snatch their purses and belongings," recalled Ali, thanking God for the good new days. Hamida Abdi echoed the same feelings, wondering safely in one of Mogadishu busy market places. "I now go around for hours buying our needs with nothing to worry about." For a change, Ramadan mobile messages circulated among Somalis with the beginning of the holy fasting month were colored with the same spirit. "Thank God for the Blessing of Security", "Gone Are the Days of Tyrants", and "May Stability Prevails" were but few of the popular Ramadan SMSs this year. The increasingly powerful Islamic Courts seized Mogadishu from US-backed warlords in June after months of fierce fighting. They have since expanded their territorial authority to most of Somalia, a country home to about 10 million largely impoverished people which has been without a functioning central authority for the past 16 years. Spirituality The spirituality of Ramadan was back to Somalia after longs years of forced absence. Thousands of Somalis, old and young, flock to mosques across the country every night for the special Tarawih prayers. "Most Somalis, particularly those living in the capital Mogadishu, are now fear-free," said a jubilant Mohammad Ahmad, an activist. "They (Islamic Courts) gave us a sense of security that we have missed for years," he said, adding that many Somalis were forced to pray Tarawih at home. "Praying Tarawih at mosques meant that one can get either robbed or even killed by bandits," recalled Ahmad. "Now we can go to the mosques and pray Tarawih." Deserted mosques across Mogadishu, which have been either closed for turned into garbage dumps by warlord militias, were cleaned and dressed up to welcome worshippers weeks before Ramadan. The streets of Somalia, particularly the capital, are also celebrating the return of Al-Misharati, the man who wakes the faithful up to have their suhur or the last meal before fasting resumes at dawn. A group of young Somalis have volunteered to do the job, a main feature of Ramadan in most Arab and Muslim countries. Placards encouraging the faithful to behave piously during the holy month are also lighting the streets. "Don't miss this Ramadan, only God knows what futures holds for us," reads one. source: http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2006-10/03/03.shtml