<cite> @Khayr said:</cite> You made a strong statement that implies acceptance of something that the deen is explicit about How is the deen explicit about homosexuality when there is no clear cut condemnation of it in the Quran?

<cite> @Khayr said:</cite> Tallabo, I am curious as to how you came to that conclusion. Natural homosexuals? Can we use the same term and say Natural Murderers? Do you accept both because they are Natural? That is an absurd question.

<cite> @DoctorKenney said:</cite> These people will do anything, including making a deal with International Terrorists, just to increase the chances of getting their much-coveted state recognition. They'll make a deal with the Shaytaan so they can officially gain secession recognition. They would sell their own mothers to achieve this. If this is true then granting Somaliland recognition and then treating them as an enemy state is inevitable. A lot of our dear mothers are from your clan just to let you know.

I tend to agree with Allyourbase regarding this story about prophet Lut's daughters. Indeed the prophet was so desperate to protect his guests from an imminent molestation and humiliation in the hands of his extremely evil people that he was ready to offer his own daughters instead as a sacrifice. The "daughters" mentioned in this story cannot be the women of Lut's society because the evil men were not interested in them as the Quran says. So Lut was prepared to offer his own daughters in order to save his guests. Also, no marriage is mentioned in these verses so the prophet was probably not offering his daughters for marriage. The verses say that "the people of the city"- which means a lot of men. Logic dictates that the prophet had fewer daughters than could be married to a whole town. So from this we can deduce that prophet Lut did not have marriage in his mind when offering his daughters. The Bible also has the same story and there is no mention of marriage or town girls in it. Although both the old testament and the new testament have a great number of errors in them, they are nevertheless invaluable historical documents and are frequently used by the Quran commentators to give a more comprehensive view of the many stories that Quran and the Bible share. This sad scenario of the prophet of Allah being in such a great distress with no options but to sacrifice his daughters strengths the view that Lut's story is not about homosexual sex between two consenting males but rather is about the molestation of innocent people, gay sex between straight men, and a host of other crimes.

<cite> @galbeedi said:</cite> I do not think Somaliland supports Al-shabaab. It will be suicidal to do so. The international community have a big ear and connections to sift intelligence. Having said that I do believe there were truce between the ruling Kulmiye and Al-shabaab in the early years when they came to power or some kind of connection in the early years. In 2008 when the debate about the postponing the election was engulfing Somaliland Al-shabaab took action and Bombed the UNDP office , the Ethiopian consular office in Hargeisa and the Presidential Palace Itself. More than 10 people including the secretary of the president died. Also few members of the Guurti and others were targeted with bombs. Since Kulniye took power there were no one single attack of bombs or even threats directed against Somaliland. Although after that initial bombing, no other attacks happen during Rayaales reign, but there were disruptions of plots and some arrests. I am not implying any tribal connotations , just stating the facts. Also there were a lot of Al-shabaab menmbers, who left Somaliland during the war between Ethiopian backed government and Maxakamadaha, who came back quietly in Hargeisa and joined the the public. So far no single al _shabaab member was arrested in Hargeisa. It is hard to explain, yet there are no clear indications of collusion between Somaliland and Al-shabaab at the moment. You forgot to mention that Osama Bin Laden was Somaliland's minister for jihad affairs in the early days of the KULMIYE administration and had to resign when president Silaanyo made Pamela Anderson his minister for big boobs and bikini affairs. Obviously the two ministers could not share a table.

I have got evidence that security agents from Puntland were behind the Westgate atrocity and the school massacre in Northern Nigeria. There are also other credible sources who say that the elders of these mischievous guys were behind the breakdown of the ten year marriage between Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin.

The story of Lot/Lut and his evil people in Sodom and Gomorrah cannot be used to condemn the natural homosexuals. In those verses of the Quran Almighty Allah told us that He punished the people of Lut including the prophet's wife for a long list of heinous crimes including anal rape(not different from what straight men do to each other in prisons), robbery, and most importantly refusal to accept Allah's apostle and the Devine message from the Lord. Gays, lesbians, and transgender people on the other hand are not guilty of those crimes (of course that is if they don't rape and rob people; and disbelieve in Allah and His messengers). So those Lut verses are taken completely out of context to justify the persecution and oppression of the gay people.

<cite> @Allyourbase said:</cite> Its weird how homosexuality is absolutely forbidden in Islam yet it is in the most Islamic countries that you see it most practiced in the ME This is disputed.

News article http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/islamic-law-to-be-enshrined-in-british-law-as-solicitors-get-guidelines-on-sharia-compliant-wills-9210682.html The Law Society guidelines http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/advice/practice-notes/sharia-succession-rules/

Is insurance in all its forms halal or haraam in the sharia law? This is one of those grey areas in Islamic law which causes a lot of uncertainty and hardship for Muslims especially those in the west and other non-Islamic countries. Nowadays, the common consensus seems to allow those insurance policies such as car insurance which are legally enforced on all the residents of a country but all other forms of insurance are classifies as haraam by many "scholars"(I have my reservations about the countless people who have made a habit of brandishing this watered-down title). Here is an interesting article I came across; do you agree with it? http://www.islamicwell.com/insurance.htm

<cite> @LANDER said:</cite> Dhagax tur is on the money about the south just being more complicated and likely Somaliland having an easier time because we are more homogeneous (not necessearilly in terms of tribe but also culture and ethnicity). At the same time it doesn't completely negate the point Xaaji made about the USC leadership having a window of opportunity when power was centralized. If the USC managed to make an agreement between themselves and in those days, there is no reason to believe there wouldn't be a more lasting peace today. Post Siad Barre government, power was very much centralized in the hands of the USC. Even if the former regime threw a wrench in those plans with Pawns like Ali Mahdi, the fact remains they still failed miserably and that group of people had a common tribe and culture etc.. in other words the diversity of the south had no bearing on their self-implosion. The second point of difference between north-south that I think people appreciate a little less in a historical context, is the differing war experiences. The worst days for the Northern people was the fighting that occured in the late 80's early 90's against the former government and not the mid-90's short lived inter-tribal battles that took place after the collapse of the Barre dictatorship. That's why it was easier to make peace amongst the various peoples of Somaliland and call for comprehensive peace agreements. On the flip side in the south, what happened after the fall of the regime of Siad Barre was far worse than the fighthing and bloodshed that took him out of power. I think the collapse of the regime in the south came too swiftly for southerners and when inter-tribal fighthing started, there was no common past struggle, suffering and solidarity to really look back on in order to really appreciate the cost of peace (unlike in Somaliland). As for the REAL subject at hand I didn't know an old man swimming in the sea was worthy of papparazi style news coverage on SOL If a push-up contest broke out between Siilanyo and Alpha blondy, my money is on Siilanyo all day. Siyaad Barre and his military regime had no power left when the USC started their campaign. Somalia was literally bankrupt and on the verge of economic collapse due to the high cost of the war in the then north of the republic; the huge revenues from Berbera, Hargeisa, and the rest of north ended; its military ruined by the SNM; international pressure and sanctions mounted on the regime due to the relentless campaign by the SNM's overseas operations and lobbying; and last but not least, the whole regime was reduced to a mere clan mafia group by the SNM's brilliant tactics of divide and destroy from within.

Is the "Taliyaha ciidanka booliiska Soomaaliya" in charge of Puntland's police force or is he just brandishing one of those fake titles given to anyone from that part of the world?

<cite> @OdaySomali said:</cite> Maba aysan garanin Gumeysiga sirtiisii Goboladii Dhulkeenii Hadba qolo loo koobay Garyaqaanku waa kuma? Yaa gooyay go'aankani?! I don't know about Puntand, Galmudug, and the other administrations which popped up in Somalia; but the reclamation of Somaliland's independence was a decision taken by the disillusioned refugees who were returning to their ruined homes and land in 1991 after the defeat and expulsion of the occupiers.

<cite> @SomaliPhilosopher said:</cite> Alpha, Is this trip like the Ceel Afweyn trip? In the meanwhile, SP is in the middle of a very difficult shukaansi. I am afraid the American Dream is just not working on this one. Tallaabo, where is my consolidation prize as I feel I may be needing it soon ? Raggii way ka maarantay ee raali ahaw.

Xaaji can you imagine a UN officer coming on TV and lecturing our citizens about "Somalia decentralisation"?!!!!

<cite> @Xaaji Xunjuf said:</cite> ^^ Why national he doesn't deserve a national burial in Somaliland a normal burial Xaaji adiga talada lagaama qaadanayo hadalkaagana dheg looma dhigayo ee iska qallee.

There is also an active plan to build a port in Maydh. Given our terrible roads, I think it is much more convenient to transport goods to and fro Laasqoray, Maydh, Berbera, Luqhaya, and Saylac by boat.

There is a growing confusion as to where the body of the late legend Maxamed Saleebaan Tubeec is heading for burial. In his interviews with the Somali and international media, the elder son of the late legend made it clear that his father's wish was to be laid to rest in his hometown of Berbera. However, there are now reports about plans by the Somalia government to bury him in Mogadishu!!So what is going on here? Is the death of our beloved singer politicised too like almost everything else? Anyway, I am glad that Tubeec is going to get a good burial wherever his body ends up. Ilaahay janatul firsaws haka waraabiyo. Amiin. http://www.hadhwanaag.com/detail.aspx?id=125675 http://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2014/Mar/53571/hiba_nura_late_mohamed_suleiman_to_be_laid_to_rest_in_mogadishu.aspx

<cite> @Khayr said:</cite> Tallabo, Could you point out what parts of the talk that you disagree with and why? I posted this because we are in an era of mass confusion and the western ulama are changing their tune to be in harmony with liberal values. I disagree with all he said because his arguments have time and again found to be completely wrong; but he has chosen to recycle them here for us. Heterosexuality and homosexuality are just two sides of the same coin- both are natural varieties of the same innate feeling which creates bonds between two human beings.

<cite> @Miyir said:</cite> Applies to everyone of us, to an outsiders North or South Somalia no difference. Port in S Port in Storm, Martina Steiner Washington Post Lool Martina Steiner must be one of your other characters in the netsphere

<cite> @xabad said:</cite> Xaaji, reer isxaaq really love the Briiitish, somaha ? LOL if the union was so dandy, then scots wouldn't have gone for referendum. let's not forget there was no union in the first place, England just overpowered Scotland and ruled them ever since. Now is the time to right a historical mistake. The empire is dead. First, Scotland was not taken over by force and the union between Scotland and England was negotiated carefully and agreed on by all parties. It was a win-win agreement. Secondly, the referendum was brought about by a persistent nationalist party which took control of the Scottish government but up to date the majority of Scottish people are pro-union.

<cite> @Miyir said:</cite> lol scoring own goal? XX afro-hashimate's, Insanity for me is using the meager resource you beg or collect from the port to fight far away phantom wars (Lasanod area) instead of helping the poor who need most for basics such as water? what do you have to show after all these years looking the illusive Ictraaf? maybe UKIB will deliver this time! Here are the results of what you call our "insanity": 1. Laascaanood and much of Sool are peaceful, stable, and progressing. 2. The world is waking up to the reality on the ground and engaging with Somaliland more than ever before. 3. UKIP is a welcome addition to our growing list of allies.

<cite> @DoctorKenney said:</cite> Xaaji the only reason why they never attacked your Tribal Enclave is because they've been severely weakened by AMISOM and are too preoccupied with subduing the South. Remember, your cousin Godane is an Internationalist, and he's even threatened to attack countries as far away as the U.K. and Turkey. So what makes you think your 3-City Republic is exempt? What makes you think you're safe? If Al Shabaab controls the entire Somalia....from Kismayo to Bosaso, they will have under their control territories as large as France, with millions of Somalis under their control. You really think a fanatic Shabab-controlled Somalia is going to be good for Somaliland? The Taliban War in Afghanistan has spilled over into Pakistan. The War on Drugs in Mexico has spilled into the U.S.A. Not even the Americans have the power to stop the fanatical Mexican Drug Cartels from operating in California and Texas. Yet you think your Tribal Enclave can stop an Army of thousands of fanatics who will do whatever their Amiir tells them to do, including dying for their cause? What happened to your common sense? Somalilanders should be concerned about the events in Somalia....;because sooner or later our troubles will come knocking on your door. And trust me it won't be pretty And what do I think should be done in the future? Well I think the SFG should first control their territory....build up a professional army....kick out the foreigners....and then institute a moderate form of Shariah Law over Somalia. Al Shababs 2 main recruiting tools is the presence of foreigners in our country and the notion that they are the only ones who want to implement the Hukm of Allah. If we take that from them, it'll be easy to negotiate with their more moderate elements and then crush the extremists You have made excellent points and I do agree with you but as Xaaji said Alshabaab will never be able to take over Somaliland for the following reasons: 1> The vast majority of Somalilanders are completely against extremism and its violent ideology and so would do whatever it takes to keep them at bay. 2> Somaliland is blessed with the world's largest intelligence organisation. Every member of the public is a potential spy and works with the security agencies. The people whose property you rent will keep an eye on you; if the shopkeeper is suspicious of you, the police will be at your doorstep; the local imam and the neighbours are spooks too; everyone in Somaliland is really alert to the threat of terrorism. I had a first hand experience about this when few years back I went to Hargeisa and one day started to take photos of public places. Within minutes I was in the police station being searched and questioned aggressively. Apparently some people got suspicious about my non-native appearance and called the police!! 3> If alshabaab takes over Somalia and starts to threaten Somaliland, Somaliland will not fight alone. Ethiopia pledged to defend Somaliland against any threat to its security and Britain made it clear that the terrorists will never be allowed to destabilise Somaliland. Indeed, the British Prime Minister made this announcement in the UK parliament. So in the unlikely even of an alshabaab invasion, the Somaliland military will have the full support of Britain (and of course her NATO allies some of whom are based in Djibouti) and Ethiopia. Alshabaab has got really no chance against Somaliland.

<cite> @Dhagax-Tuur said:</cite> Wonderful read, really enjoyed your journey in general knowledge knowing about, and reading for finding out about things. How i wish that every Somali child would do the same because that would put them on par with their peers who might have better resources. Learning is a lifelong journey, long may you continue. You can encourage our children and the adults too to take interest in reading and learn about the world around them. Here is a really interesting quote from Confucius: "If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people."

<cite> @burahadeer said:</cite> and such bravado from Somalia keeps being disaster for all southerners.You would think people who went thru the greatest human suffering modern world had seen the last 25 yrs and still true today could brag pretense of bravery!? Instead they should have sat back,reasses what went wrong and in subdue as they owe so much to rest of the world politely keep moving "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Albert Einstein