Very relevant points indeed, that could potentially dramatically reduce the soaring divorce rate, especially among Somalis. If for applying to some courses/schools/jobs, one has to prove unwavering commitment, significant experience, trusted references, deep ethical sense, the right personality ect, it's only logical that one of life's crucial choice should be made at least on an equal footing. Therefore, if your future husband/wife pray regularly on time (especially the Fajr prayer, hardest for hypocrits), take every opportunity to enhance her deen's understanding (probably already know the Quraan by heart or at least keep on learning, upgrade his/her Arabic, memorize Ahaadiths ect), regularly volunteer/donate to charities, well-known at the local masjid (natural consequence of the rest), certified by Imams and other respected authorities to be of an examplar conduct (likewise, another consequence of all the rest), always forgive attacks directed to him (ruminating past grievances is a sign of moral weakness), treat everyone with utmost akhlaaq (not just his boss & close friends, which is just self-interest), don't waste his valuable time on futile, un-Islamic "entertainments" such as TVs, Cinema ect instead of intellectual pursuit such as reading serious works or studying, take care of his appearance and health (sensible eating, excercices, regular Caday or natural tootbrush ect tells a lot about one's self-discipline; how could someone who neglect his own health/standing be trusted?), relationship with money (just a tool among others or a major poursuit? Save more than "enjoy" himself/herself? Does he/she allow herself/himself and relatives enough funds?). To sum-it up: one's proven/certified concern for his Deen, use of his time, concern for his mind, health, money and honor (everything that Islam explicitely seeks to optimize) should be the ultimate criteria for a fruitful marriage as everything is nothing but mutual deception with disastrous consequences on whole societies (wether he drives in BMW or she graduated from Oxford should be the last worries: material side is a mere "bonus" that will never compensate anything else). May Allah prevents us from self-delusion, which is the worst, Aamiin...

Abu-Salman, are you saying Ethiopia plays a major role in Djibouti's national affairs? No, of course. How could you allow your existential strategic threat into your own national affairs? However the Port, railway and other projected investments rely heavily on regional customers (mainly Ethiopia until now). PS: mitigating Ethiopian regional imperialism is one of our major headaches nevertheless...

About the now privately managed airport, it is unacceptable that they treat people differently depending on wether they are boarding Air France Flights or regional carriers like Daallo Airlines, and it is about time complaints should be addressed to the concerned airlines headquarter, which pay the Airport, as well as the Airport senior management team (presumably, Dubai Port International, too, will be concerned about their commercial prestige as they manage Djibouti Airport, which was leased to them). Also, I suggest to the numerous customers who complained to write to the General Secretariat of the Djiboutian Presidency : www.presidence.dj as well as this popular forum for educated Djiboutians: www.djibnet.com (they can write to the official media too: www.lanation.dj or, alternatively, forward me an article in French). There is no doubt that the concerned authorities should immediately address this issue for their ambition to transform Djibouti into a regional hub, independent both from France and Ethiopia, to be credible...

Brother Biixi good manners and brother Nur' efforts to present an undistorted view of the ICU to our proud, prejudicied Nomads were very welcome and one could hardly doubt about his sincerity in this debate, all too recurrent among Somalis (who expect Ali And Umar RA khalifate out of a clannish, immoral Somali nation when it comes to Islamic leaders and abruptly lower standards for secular, illiterate, tribal warlord traitors). Obviously, faced with so many challenges and enemies, our good Sheikhs Dahir Aweys and Ahmed could hardly be blamed for including remnants of the USC into their forces and leadership, as long as they shared with us the goal to salvate our Nation through Shariah (did Indhacade protest against Islamic law? Was he instead advocating for the Common law? No.). Having fighted througout his life against our historical arch-enemy and its genocidal record (decorated during the liberation struggle of the70's) as well as for implementing a united Islamic Somalia, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys could be blamed for many mistakes but certainely not for harboring the narrow tribal ideology that characterized the USC, SNM or the first Ethiopian-supported SSDF that started Somali civil war out of tribal passions and lust for power. The bottom line: either you are a self-coherent Muslim that struggle for Islam to prevail through Shariah implementation, by including every Muslim (no matter his past deeds as long as he repented) while airing constructive criticism, only from Shariah perspective (not Western one), or you are merely trying to legitimize more or less subtly held tribal vindictness (albeit no one ever denied USC atrocities, not less than those perpretated by other clans as our nation is one of criminals). Before being hastily labeled as yet another "USC Moryaan hiding behind Islam to keep looted properties" (as if this was the ultimate crime in contrast to advocating secularism), I want to make it clear that I neither have any tribal link whatsoever with Southern Somalia nor support Northern secessionism...

Actually, both Djibouti International Airport and Port were leased to Dubai so as to mitigate rampant corruption and neglect while attracting foreign investments and cooperations (how else to limit fraud, "khating" and nepotism where simple clerks to highest ranking officials practise them?). Maybe the standards at the Airport have not been that upgraded, but I'm yet to understand the exact causes of these recurrent complaints, wether it's in term of unduly long waiting periods, lack of staff professionalism, cleanliness ect? Having said that, spending huge sums of money in such trivial issues as Airports comforts in a region where 400 000 $ could provide schools and clean water for a small town is particularly unwise (comparable to Africans States owning their own aircraft fleet when their population are facing easily preventable diseases and illetrism). Not only were people using small Russian planes (if not cargo or military planes) for decades to travel from Djibouti to Hargeysa but the degree of comfort was among their last priorities (unlike the unrealistic or extravagant expectations born from living abroad). As for risks, you get much more exposed whenever you step outside your house or even inside, wether coming from an unruly car traffic, Tuberculosis, contaminated water/food ect (in contrast, every type of planes are strictly maintained). As for the propaganda "journalistic article", we should always question the motives and background of such unconstructive Western writings, designed merely to distord reality as to relentlessly fuel further anti-Islam prejudice by appealing to the average American Ego (with little knowledge of the rest of the World). The above-cited one by Jacob Laksin was clearly the work of a (Jew?) journalist affiliated to the chauvinistic Phillips Foundation which have their own prejudicied agenda to further(unfortunately, people unfamiliar with such methods may fell into the trap). Shouldn't any honest, self-coherent journalist focuze much more on how the US spend hundreds of billions in Iraq while the president vetoes the bill widening access to healthcare for poor American children, the obscene inequalities across races and citizens, the distortion of "democracy" by powerful lobbies, lack of any American coherent Public Health policy, poor quality, double standards education which maintains the US at the bottom of industrialized Nations despite their unequaled, ever-rising prosperity concomitant with their prowess in undermining every environmental treaty, sabotaging poor countries access to generic drugs as well as fair trade ect? In fact, I wholeheartedly support a ban on Khat but one can not blame a particular symptom without looking at the big picture characterized by diluted moral norms and the concomitant acculturation and we all know only too well how Western moralizers reacted when the Islamic Courts in Somalia outlawed Khat and other drugs usage (particularly hypocritical when one can land in prison for Khat smuggling in much of the Western world and the one of the most crucial socio-economical recommendation by their NGO/organizations, in our context, has been to address this issue)... PS: What do people complain about exactely, concerning the regional airports?

The prize Al Gore got is not a scientific one , it is a political one, read about Alfred Nobel and The different Nobel prizes Obviously, there are different prizes, though my remark was aimed at the attribution criteria of the Prize (subjective, with heavy Western Bias, hence "unscientific"). However, politicians like Al Gore are hardly paragons of sincerity, let alone our "hope" in saving the planet from irresponsibility/climate change, which fundamentally require a thorough review of the very political foundations that allow them to thrive (Are not incriminated firms among their most loyal sponsors?). Hence, As for slavery, Islam never allowed a Muslim to be enslaved, unless one was already born slave. In fact, slaves were prisonners of war and encouraged to convert while treated humanely (the Qur'aan insist on prisoners welfare as did the Prophet SCW). Not only did slaves performed a crucial role in Islam, like Bilal RA, honored by the prophet SCW, but some even became scholars. Eventually, liberated slaves were fully integrated into the mainstream society, as this is shown by Gulf Arabs features for example. Also, many regulations ensure that slavery, as an enduring tradition, well established in many societies, was progressively dealt with (in Fiqh or jurisprudenceas, as a compensation for missing some obligations, for instance) and Muslims were strongly encouraged to free them. Historically, the Turkish Mameluk slaves finally revolted and became rulers of the Islamic World (the military in the later period was heavily reliant on slaves) . At any rate, choosing slaves from a particular race was another Western innovation. In fact, slavery was initially synonym with South Eastern Europeans Slavics which were the bulk of captured Pagans. Now, enslaving a whole race/continent in most inhumane way, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, through genocide and unprecedented atrocities (separating children and mothers, killing, amputating and branding them with fire, shipping them in a most cruel fashion with high mortality rates ect), solely for satisfying futile cravings for sugar, before rejecting it as a "Muslim tradition" is somehow similar to the industrial Jewish genocide "expiated" by unsuspecting Palestinians (when the formers occupied prominent positions and thrived in the Khalifa) and another epitome Western hypocrisy...

True indeed, Ms Franklin death prevented her from gaining that Nobel prize, since the prize is not awarded posthumously, as she developed the crucial X-ray (Watson work was mainly a chemical guesswork, needing to be confirmed, as he tried to predict with another Nobel-winner collegue the structure of DNA through its chemical properties). At any rate, there is nothing "scientific" about intelligence since there is no a fixed, objective yardstick and, hence, nobody agree on its definition to begin with (for instance, Howard Gardner talk of several types of intelligences and thought about extending his list as for some there is even a "musical intelligence" ect). At any rate, this ***** is a reminder that, through some fortunate circumstances and a bit of perseverance, anybody could gain a Nobel (even Al Gore the politician did it, which suggests that the prize itself is not that "scientific")...

My main message, if one reads between the lines, is that we should always remain humble and, especially for some of us, not expect to be convinced to believe by some flawless arguments in a discussion for obvious reasons of distractions, time constraints, lack of expertise ect (moreover, on a Forum here in SOL). The best that could have been provided was some hints and encouragements to research more, in a polite way (which I hope was done to some extent). If open-minded, unprejudicied and, above all, committed enough to the truth, they can easily learn much more than the average Muslim while putting their questions forwards to specialists. Indeed, I've already came across Arabic speaking converts, in different parts of Europe, looking like experts, comparing to the overwhelming majority of us, in matter of few months (even going abroad to gain a structured comprehension of Islam in much less comfortable places, by Western standards) . At the end of the day, regardless of the manners, sincerity, or level of Islamic knowledge of the Muslims masses (mere uneducated, oppressed humans discouraged in many ways from llearning/practising their religion), one could easily surmount all these distractions if he, indeed, aims for the truth since it's all too easy and hardly productive to throw accusations while focusing on the form. PS: I agree with Khayr that much needed opportunities for us to correct/improve our understanding have been provided, all along, in Islam-related threads, and that Da'wah should be promoted through many relevant approaches...

Another typical sign of "formidable progress" by a "great civilization" but against which we should be most cautious nevertheless (Somalis are specially vulnerable as Diabete/Obesity rates are soaring among us, with about half the Somali population concerned in Minneapolis!): At least half the population will be overweight by 2032 Oxford University, News, 17 October 2007 The problem of obesity will take at least 30 years to reverse, according to Professor Klim McPherson, Visiting Professor of Public Health Epidemiology at Oxford University, and co-author of a government report into tackling obesity in the UK over the next 40 years. The report, ‘Tackling Obesities: Future Choices – Modelling future trends in obesity and their impact on health,’ published today by Professor McPherson and Mr Tim Marsh (Associate Director of the National Heart Forum) shows that if current trends continue, at least half the population will be obese by 2032. In less than 15 years, 86 per cent of men will be overweight, and 70 per cent of women will reach the same level of obesity in 20 years time. The report found obesity is a much more passive phenomenon than is often assumed, as our bodies and biological make-up become increasingly out of step with our surroundings. The Department of Health has warned that people need to use active coping strategies, day-in day-out, to prevent weight gain, and most do not succeed. The majority of UK adults today are overweight, and as a result obesity is becoming normalised. ‘Tackling Obesities’ was launched by the Government Office for Science, then the DTI, in July 2005 following analysis that revealed over 16 per cent of boys aged under 16 in England were obese, forecast to rise to 24 per cent by 2025. NHS spending linked to obesity is predicted to triple in less than a decade, and total costs of obesity could be an extra £45.5 billion per year by 2050. The report is also sponsored by the Department of Health, and Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: ‘Our initial focus will be on children. By 2020, we aim to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels.’ Since its launch, the obesity project has consulted with more than 300 leading scientists and a wide range of businesses and NGOs. By creating a shared understanding of the relationships between key factors influencing obesity levels, the aim is to identify effective interventions. ‘Tackling Obesities’ is part of the government’s ‘Foresight’ initiative, using science-based methods to provide visions of the future, directed by Sir David King, the government’s Chief Scientific Adviser. Professor McPherson also led a small team in developing a prediction model for the quantitative assessment of the possible prevalence of obesity in the future, based on the assessment of current trends. Another simulation model can be used for investigating how levels of obesity would affect the levels, costs and effects on life expectancy of chronic disease for which obesity is a risk factor over the next 40 years. These include type 2 diabetes, chronic heart disease, stroke, and cancer. ‘Tackling Obesity’ research methods help to identify potential risks and opportunities in relation to the problem of obesity, which can enable policymakers to develop strategies to manage the future better. Obesity was considered from environmental, technological, epidemiological, economic, social, and political aspects. For more information on Foresight, and to download the full report, visit www.foresight.gov.uk.

Exactely, Khayr, it's becoming clear that discussions on forums are hardly serious and focused enough for any meaningful debate, especially with so much frivolity and prejudice. I've just thought that maybe we may have provoked them to some extent, albeit this doesn't justify anything close to blasphemy. I finally think it makes more sense to focuze on Caqeedah points and general Da'wah, independently of any "atheist", as to counter spurious claims...

Eid Mubarik Scipio and all, Djib, being enamoured with large words and being prone to spelling mistakes don't go well together sxb Hard to write in your 4th langage when many English words are easily confused with French one, this has also some advantage and I abuse it sometimes by directly writing in French. If you look at it, even our way of thinking is conditioned by our langage, so when you have so many Muslims acculturated by their past colonists, little doubt their mentality and "rationality" become so similar (specialists link langage/culture and mind habits). For JB & co, as such dialogues tend to become redundant due to intellectual dishonesty as well as abusive/prejudicied manners, it would be helpful to summarize exactely what you reject/doubt about, stick to these points and avoid deviating towards islamophobic (or anything that could be misinterpreted as such), if really you want it more enlightening that is. To the other camp, let us behave in an examplar way if we are to convince anyone and try to appeal to their own way of thinking, as far as possible. Thanks in advance, I am convinced we can start from a new page henceforth, fee of the old, tiring misunderstandings.

What should be obvious by now is that the only way to salvation is law, order and probity within our own ethical system, ie Islamic Shariah (Westerners have their own values taught by centuries of havoc, albeit incoherent and biaised ones). On the practical side, we can all take part in the Da'wah efforts by contributing, volunteering and fundraising for Islamic Schools wherever we are (this is also Sadaqa Jaariyah, way better than simple Sadaqa as it profits people continuously). I wonder how the devil/enemy' accomplices will thrive if we have at least 1% of truly committed and Islamically educated, hence arch-motivated, Muslims (not least with the sound Aqeedah instead of "flexible" principles wavering according to tribal vindictness and personal greed)... Here is a remarkable Pakistani GNO, internationally well-known, which is remedying the dire state of education, and which can be source of inspiration for the Somali diaspora: The citizens foundation (albeit ther curriculum and methods could be Islamically enhanced). In fact, affordable schools and textbooks of minimal quality alongside a relevant, uniformized curriculum troughout the country will do more good to Somalia, too, than any amount of "governance" and "assistance" has ever done (not least by fostering Islamic values and sense of unity).

One intresting aspect of religious theists that i always found strange was the emmence of their capacity to reject the Gods,Prophets and Angels of their equally religious fellow theists who believe in different ones, and mostly on same grounds that i reject their own Gods, Prophets and Angels. Divine Revelation has always been sent down to every nation and through numerous Prophets according to major monotheistic or pseudo-monotheistic faiths with elaborate, concomitant legislations. Obviously, these more complete/coherent beliefs are marginalising previous traditional superstitions of isolated populations, and even winning converts from civilizations historically linked to a specific cult and unwilling to alter their customs(nationalist pride coupled to convenience explains a lot). However, as a matter of fact, neither the last testament or the new one, nor previous Prophets' detailed traditions were preserved, thus diluting the credibility of Judeo-Christian claims and strenghtening Islam (or literally submission to the unique, omnipotent, benevolent Creator) as the final, universalized message delivered by Muhammad scw, whose traditions are widely and readily available in all details alongside the authentic Qur'aan. It is worth noting here, that even Western academician use Ahaadiths as reliable sources in their biographical account of the last Prophet. Little wonder, therefore, that these last major Islamic features of traceable authenticity continue to attract Western converts of every background in even more significant numbers. Indeed, not only has the Qur'aan been memorized by various nations from its revelation but Ahaadiths narrators are submitted to arch-stringent tests of reliabililty (Ahaadiths sciences are a whole field of Islamic knowledge against which historian' standards seem ridiculously superficial in comparison) Hence, thus justifying disbelief by "differing Gods, Prophets and Angels" is spurious to say the least.

Logic, by definition, as conceived by Greek philosophers and their Western spiritual inheritors, could neither reveal profound, fundamental truths nor lay down coherent legislation which its validity could further be validated through the advancement of knowledge. When Thomas Aquinas, considered by many Roman Catholics to be the Catholic Church's greatest theologian, and Augustine tried to "refinate" Christian doctrine and teachings through Greek philosophy, it only further confused what was already an opportunistic compromise between Greek mythology and Monotheistic belief. In fact, "Christianity" as such was established by "St" Paul who expressed his creativity as well as opportunistic flair when he accomodated deeply rooted European Pagan beliefs in anthropomorph, cooperating Gods and Goddesses inherited from Greco-Roman mythologies (hence the Jesus-God-Mary trinity) with what was initially a prophetic message of monotheism. Little wonder then that the oppressed masses who endured centuries of "blessed", arch-brutal slavery through the institution of serfdom, which greatly enriched few cruels princes and their conniving clerical associates, finally overreacted and rejected religion altogether, thus throwing the revelation baby with the bloodied water of self-serving superstitions (among them the trading of "Divine forgiveness" in return of cash and extravagant churches which frustrated Luther and Calvin, fathers of "protestanism"). Nevertheless, natural instincts and intuitions in all societies remained unchanged and that is why Islam is associated with delivrance from darkness and prodigious progress in Muslims countries, where the average individual still keep his faith in his Creator benevolence through an unalterated revelation, preserved in memories. As Allah undertook the responsability to preserve the final revelation through the Qur'aan and countless Ahadiths on the prophet's practise of the Deen, it followed a continuous coherence which increasingly attracts Christian and other converts. Finally, if "modern" arrogance brainwashed average Westerners through secular education, medias and societies unduly over-emphasizing necessarily temporal and imperfect scientific methods and knowledge although, most ironically, the vast majority possess only an ersatz of scientifis literacy, it remains obvious that this vicious circle could only be broken if they are to put their cognitive skills to a less prejudicied, less selective and more productive use; not least, by constantly reminding themselves of the rather limited scope of their "rationality"*... *: Major causes of morbidity and diability in western countries are chronic diseases caused by a poor lifestyle and environmental pollution (alcohol, smoking, over-eating, inactivity, poor personal hygiene, sexual irresponsibility ect) whereas marriage, involvement in charity works or generosity, for instance, are correlated with better health (by preventing and mitigating depression, lowering stress levels ect) according to scientists.

I just find it hard to digest absolutes, and a lack of acceptance for the uncertainty in reality - from all perspectives, the religious to the atheist. Hence the point of faith and investigation. And dude, rationality is way overrated Definitely, our thinking as well as perceptions are conditioned by our own experiences, most notably the environment within which we grew up. Hence, little wonder that humankind found easy to believe in an omnipotent Creator througout history before the new Western religion of "rationality" whereby truth is accessible solely through "pure reason" guided by "observable facts". Likewise, many people of every race, not least distinguished academics and scientists, deeply believe in the omnipotent Creator, wether they call it Allah, Yahve, Jesus ect. For these people, science and reason are only confirming tools which attest of this superior intelligence which planned and designed every detail of our universe to the perfection (from the extraordinary lubricant that is the synovial fluid in our joints to astrological movements synchronizing with our bio-rythms). In that light, reason and scientific methods are merely interpreting one's deep beliefs from which they are inseparable, as no scientific ever worked in a total vacuum and it is established now that even the most basics scientifics assumptions and endeavors are closely linked with the prominent local culture. Therefore, rationality (whatever that may mean) is indeed way overrated and subject itself to many divergent interpretations. However, for those believers, and assuming here an unshakable belief, it only follows as a logical consequence some absolutes whereby rules and interpretative framework of the world are deducted. Thus, Qur'aanic legislation complemented and precised by Ahaadiths or traditions of the prophet lay down practical guidelines for Muslims in every sphere, from personal intimal hygiene to politico-economic life, while providing the associated framework whereby our natural world is interpreted as Allah's sign of benevolence toward humankind and a space-time referential whitin which our worshiping mission is judged alongside the associated ethical standards, previously perfectioned through revelations as to prevent any ambiguity. Naturally, it follows that absolutes are not only undispensable but also at the same time the quintessential evidence of mercy. One could easily imagine our unfortune and the hypothetical havoc if as Muslim believers, we were left without prophets' guidance or only with vague notions of Tawhiid or Allah's uniqueness. In fact, all these guidance are further complemented by many manifestations of Allah's benevolence in the Universe and within our body and selfs as stated in the Qur'aan. For instance, how many times we are agreably surprised as sincere Muslims when our invocations are replaced by which is even better and found out that what we wished for was rather futile, if not directly harmful. Likewise, when we find out that many guidelines optimizes not only one's health but our society's harmony even though medical or academic journals may publish it as new "discoveries", ground-breaking studies ect, necessarily in a partial and morally neutral form which hardly compel the Western world into amending their self-destructiveness, to begin with... [ October 11, 2007, 06:25 PM: Message edited by: Djib-Somali ]

It seems that these miraculous animals not only yield naturally Vitamin C-enriched milk (so vital for Nomads with almost no access to fruits & vegetables) but they are also fascinating potential drugs factories, albeit relevant studies are limited and under-funded. For instance it has been said that its milk could boost immune defence, help mitigate the modern scourge of diabete ect, but its antibodies could also revolution drugs engineering if the latest news are confirmed. Antibodies-based drugs were extremely promising for diseases ranging from infections to cancers, but in theory only, at least until now it seems: The camel factor: Nanobody revolution 03 October 2007 Henry Nicholls New Scientist, Magazine issue 2624 IT IS not a problem university lecturers face all that often. In the 1980s, Raymond Hamers was confronted by a couple of bold undergraduates complaining that the practical experiments for their course were boring and predictable. Could he find them something more original to investigate? Hamers, an immunologist then at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) in Belgium, remembered that he had half a litre of camel blood sitting in a freezer. Although it was earmarked for research into sleeping sickness, he figured he could spare a little for the students. "Why don't we see if we can purify camel antibodies?" he asked them. The results flummoxed everyone. "We couldn't believe it," Hamers says. The pattern of antibodies extracted from the blood suggested that, in addition to the standard type found in all vertebrates, the camel produced an entirely novel, simpler variety. What started out as a student project soon ...

Please, for those giving advices, let's do it from a purely Islamic perspective instead of focusing on potential earning, "insight" into Western cultures, "fun" ect. We all know "Law" (Muslims abide by the Shariah laws as Defined by The Quran and embodied by the prophet SCW), Finance, PR (promoting firms) ect are more lucrative than Nursing and Engineering (or work as technician, surveyor ect). However the former are at best questionable as careers in the West and mostly void of any ethical dimension (you merely maximise your firm and clients' profit) while the later are much needed everywhere and will always be so (even more with ageing populations, pollution, modern diet and lifestyle ect). Having said that, it is always best to study subjects in terms of their relevance Islamically-wise: Deen and Arabic primarily, only then sciences & healthcare subjects. Philosophy will confuse you without very solid Islamic knowledge and lead you towards applying your "critical thinking" skills where it's redundant, ie in religious matters, hence its prohibition by scholars (talking partly from personal experience). Ahl-ul kalaam were always condemned for their reliance on their rather limited cognitive skills instead of purely following Quranic teachings embodied by the Prophet Sunnah scw. As for Social sciences such as Economy, Sociology and History, not only are these subjects taught within a Western/secular framework but they are, by definition inseparable from Western societies which promote them (Economy & Finance rest on the Interest paradigm and void of the ethical dimension whereas History Degrees, as previously, said revolves around the British Isles, American Independance ect). Of course, History is important as a subject, but Islamic History matters most to us with England kings or Wars being the last priority. Economics is inseparable from one's basics assumptions about human nature and priorities. In that light, focusing narrowly on "maximising one's satisfaction/ utility" within a secular framework (every move not clearly opposed by the law is considered) as economics curriculum do could hardly better any society. At any rate, economists disagree on every foundation from how to measure the GDP to growth, employment and inflation, thus relying increasingly on mathematics, neuroscience (itself a controversial and ill-defined subject)ect. Islamic economics and finance as practised by some Western/ Western-influenced institutions functions only a cosmetic veil as islam clearly prohibits interest whatever its branding and ethical concerns should be reflected in the very structure of the economy as well as society according to the Shariah, hence no need for a separate field needing mastery on its own in my humble opinion (unless what we want is only to "legalize" mortgages, credits cards, interests ect through clever tricks). As for modern ethical dilemmas (environment, genetics, fair trade...) as well as the ways of organizing our societies (women's role, wether to ban "mild" intoxicants, marriage...) and rising productivity (good governance norms,technology transferts & investments regulations, optimizing productivity...), it is plainly obvious that this is a work for qualified health professionals, scientists and mathematicians working under the guidance and authority of Islamic experts or Ulamas to try and solve what is not already clearly adressed in the Qur'aan and Ahaadiths whereas the rest is solved once and for all. Why should we buy anyway into this delusion whereby "human needs are evolving" as if our physiology follow the latest Hollywood or marketing trends or as if clean water, natural food and healthy environment were not and will not always be what we REALLY needs instaed of what corporations want us to need, more often than not at our own perils...

Personaly, I always enjoyed History, Geography and langages which are very powerful tools. However, taught from western perspective, this rapidly change into brain-washing fueling prejudices (Eurocentrism & Americanocentrism with the focus on British economic history, French political systems ect) and little intellectual insight. just compare how they focus on their Greco-Roman civilizations roots while at best describing superficially other civilizations which contributed even more to fundamentals human breakthroughs and technological progress (Sumerian, Egyptian, Chinese, Indian, Africans and not least Islamic civilizations). So, as Xiin said, some good books and courses might as well do the job with much less headaches and stress. Now, for jobs I'd advise you to take Northerner advises, engineers, for example, are always in demand and reasonably paid, especially in booming Islamic countries...

Of course, one should follow his interests but a good level of general knowledge help tremendously in many essential ways (critical-thinking skills, healthy lifestyle, children's education ect). It's not also only about what interest you NOW but one should try to stay open-minded and explore other relevant and important subjects. To sum it up, a scientific subject will help you achieve all that while leaving doors open for an interesting future career everywhere you go. Just imagine a world with Somalis all possesing basic scientific general knowledge and the associated critical thinking skills and how it would have impacted on their health, children and community. A recent article said that half of the Somalis in Minneapolis present diabete whereas traditional Somalis are rarely acquainted with such kind of modern epidemy and it's just the beginning with people considering destructive western lifestyle as a model to immitate (Cancers, hypertension, Alzheimer ect will also be worth monitoring). Of course, scientific knowledge is essential in itself and contribute tremendously to people welfare, especially nowadays, but it also forms the basis of other fields whereas you can not switch from politics to mathematics for example (I am yet to figure if "psychology" is scientific enough although it contains some interesting concepts). Having said that, we always discount Islamic Education which embody all these benefits and more importantly motivate us to practice what we already know as much as what we don't know (wether in terms of health, productivity, society welfare ect) but we are bound to acquire at least some knowledge of it too...

Asc, How would you know wether you are predestined to hell or not? Also, going to hell involve a deviation messing up your khatiima (last actions before death) and thus, everyone is warned to sustain hard work until his very end, ie death, through that very knowledge that nothing is yet won while still roaming on earth. To simplify it extremely, you probably ignore your genetic make-up too (wether predisposed to some pathologies, unrespondant to a given treatment ect), yet you'll be particularly misguided not to adopt a thoroughly healthy lifestyle/try and cure yourself or even rely totally on genetics prediction alone...

Mu’tamar 24, 25, 26, 27 August 2007, London: A golden opportunity to boost your Eemaan and Ilm in times of widespread Fitna (also accessible through the Paltalk, in Africa section, Somalia: Somali Masjidusunnah London) Kusoo dhawaada walaalayaal masjid Assunnah Mu’tamarka ay kasoo qeyb geli doonto culimada Hoos ku xusan: 1- Sheekh C/kariim Xassan Xoosh (Burco) {Telphone Link} 2-Sheekh Maxamad Cabdi Daahir (UK) 3- Sheekh C/qaadir Cukaashe (Nairobi) 4- Sheekh Axmed Imaam ....... ………….. (Somaaliya) {Telphone Link} 5- Sheekh C/laahi Macalin ..... ………… (London) 6- Sheekh Maxamuud Shariif ………… (London) 7- Sheekh Maxamed Daahir Rooble ......... (Cardif) 8- Sh Axmed Maxamuud (Axmed Yare) (UK) 9- Sh Axmad Daahir Aweys .................... (UK) Muxaadarada ugu horeeysa waxaa eey bilaaban doontaa inshallah 3:30 Galabnimo waqtiga UK. Jadwalka intiisa kale isla maalintaas ayaad heli doontaan inshaa Allah. Paltalk: Somali Masjidusunnah London (Africa section, Somalia) Transport: Buses: 149,279,259, 349, 243, 123 & W4 Tube: Seven Sisters Station British Rail: Bruce Grove Station 565A High Road Tottenham London N17 6SB (Aldi Store soo jeedkiisa) FG: Masjidku ma lahan meel gawaarida ladhigto, lakiin waxaad dhigan kartaa meelaha u dhaw-dhaw masjidka, iskana ilaali in aad dhibto dariska masjidka. Wixii faaf-faahin ah kala xiriir: Tel: 0208 808 7951, Mobile: 07947149882/ 07951524075/ 07983000886

Mu’tamar 24, 25, 26, 27 August 2007, London: A golden opportunity to boost your Eemaan and Ilm in times of widespread Fitna (also accessible through the Paltalk, in Africa section, Somalia: Somali Masjidusunnah London) Kusoo dhawaada walaalayaal masjid Assunnah Mu’tamarka ay kasoo qeyb geli doonto culimada Hoos ku xusan: 1- Sheekh C/kariim Xassan Xoosh (Burco) {Telphone Link} 2-Sheekh Maxamad Cabdi Daahir (UK) 3- Sheekh C/qaadir Cukaashe (Nairobi) 4- Sheekh Axmed Imaam ....... ………….. (Somaaliya) {Telphone Link} 5- Sheekh C/laahi Macalin ..... ………… (London) 6- Sheekh Maxamuud Shariif ………… (London) 7- Sheekh Maxamed Daahir Rooble ......... (Cardif) 8- Sh Axmed Maxamuud (Axmed Yare) (UK) 9- Sh Axmad Daahir Aweys .................... (UK) Muxaadarada ugu horeeysa waxaa eey bilaaban doontaa inshallah 3:30 Galabnimo waqtiga UK. Jadwalka intiisa kale isla maalintaas ayaad heli doontaan inshaa Allah. Paltalk: Somali Masjidusunnah London (Africa section, Somalia) Transport: Buses: 149,279,259, 349, 243, 123 & W4 Tube: Seven Sisters Station British Rail: Bruce Grove Station 565A High Road Tottenham London N17 6SB (Aldi Store soo jeedkiisa) FG: Masjidku ma lahan meel gawaarida ladhigto, lakiin waxaad dhigan kartaa meelaha u dhaw-dhaw masjidka, iskana ilaali in aad dhibto dariska masjidka. Wixii faaf-faahin ah kala xiriir: Tel: 0208 808 7951, Mobile: 07947149882/ 07951524075/ 07983000886

Of course, parenting can't be seriously learnt from psychologists alone, albeit neuroscientists are just a bit more serious with more scientific methods and I tend to agree with the above finding that general praise not linked to a specific effort is wholly counter-productive (hardly a scoop though). That said, giving an Islamic education should be the focus of each and every parent (Aqidah, beginning with Tawxiid, especially) within a propitious environment and through examplar behavior, as this teach moderation in everything (even if this involve moving to a Muslim country, somehow "sacrificing" one's career ect). Health Issues, general and scientific Education, one's awareness of available opportunities ect could hence be tackled within a coherent framework given that avoiding every harmful behavior, empathy towards others and time management skills thus become islamically sanctioned. This myth of an all-powerfull "intelligence", whatever that may mean ("experts" constantly disagree over its meaning as this could include skills as different as map reading...as langage aptitude), and this must absolutely be discredited for the illusion it is, as different cultures and associated world-view have different agendas and basic assumptions to say the least. Meanwhile, local Islamic schools are a must (a Somali one will open September in North London) and should never be overlooked as an Islamic reference is the priority of all priorities; else, there is little point in rearing "smart", but otherwise acculturated outcasts neither fully integrated into the Western incoherence nor having any Islamic appearance, let alone Ilm...

"I consider as an ennemy whoever question official cars' attribution": those are the very words of one of the TFG MPs who consider also the capital as "pacified" (obviously, the remaining 6 billions human beings are those deluded)! Just afterwards, a collegue of his stated the obvious: cars shouldn't be constantly changed for a few selects but attributed, along other benefits, on an egalitarian basis. Constrained to listen such passional debates by my ayeeyo who's got only the BBC Somali as a regular source of information, I'm wondering when other "secondary issues" will finally get full attention in Baidoa; let's say a futile detail such as the daily hospital raids by Ethiopian troops or the probably rather unimportant, though established, fact of chemical weapons use against unarmed civilians. With international schoolchildren more preocuppied by the Somalian unprecedented huamanitarian catastrophe than the "government", it becomes clear that the arch mercenaries of the 60's had at least more decency than the current primitive warlords and thugs who are perfecting colonists' "divide and rule" policy. The former were at least locally elected, much unlike the later without an ounce of legitimacy, crowned by Nairobi and Addis at one of the conjointly conniving, historical ennemies' home and further filtered out whenever one of them display traces of moral qualms (little wonder Somalis prefer to design them as the M'bagathi Maffia)...

Honestly, as already mentioned, Islamic ignorance or Jahiliya is the root cause confusing the masses on this topic of Islamic governance. How could one be ignorant of his raison-d'etre, oblivious of his very obligations as a creature designed to worship Allah? In that light, what kind of Muslim could reasonably plead ignorance when it comes to its rights and duties according to the Qur'aan and Sunnah, ie Shariah, and the implied system of governance as practised by the early companions and their successors for the benefit of the whole humankind (eg Islamic Spain influence as the unique, European centre of advanced learning, its pioneering of social services, public libraries ect)? How could, instead, a Muslim be proficient with confused, secular laws whose philosophy is founded around the satisfaction of one's lust, more often than not in detriment of his own health, mental and spiritual well-being? Doesn't then "democracy" a la Western or the supremacy of popular, frivolous and inevitably arbitrary preferences represent the very antithesis of Islam as total submission to Allah's will with its personal, social and political implications?