CM, it would be nice if you do that. I would appreciate it. On the subject under discussion... Yes Islam is, above everything, assertion of the certitude of Towheed. Is voting (in itself) a negation of the Towheed? Since voting is a way of expressing one’s preferences, does the intention of the voter (Muslim) matter at all? What about the prophet’s saying “Innamal acmaal biniyaat, wa likulimri’i maa nawaa...? Deep down in my soul, whenever I vote I’m not casting my vote to endorse man-made rules (although I can see how one can take it that way), but rather I’m empowering a group of folks who might be sympathetic to the idea of co-existence (conducive to the dacwa) over bunch of dangerous intolerant ideologues. If I'm here to stay and call it home I may as well side with the ones that allow me to live by the good book. I want to interrupt my work for prayer, I want my daughter/sister/wife wear the Islamic dress code without them paying a price, I want the Eid to be a holiday without getting trouble with my boss., etc...you see where I'm going with this. I’m mystified here folks how residing in non-Islamic states is permissible yet voting is construed as impermissible act? If one chooses to reside in a non-Islamic polity, one is giving a tacit approval of the system under which its jurisdiction one is residing. Noh? We are subject to the local legislation! Isn’t obvious then that voting as an instrument of change, a tool if you will to prevent legislations that hinder the very dacwa Muslims would want to conduct, is a privilege to make use of?

Innaa Lilaahi wa innaa Ileyhi Raajicuun. Allaa yarxama. A man of courage, that he was. The struggle will contibue Insha'Allah and Palestine will one day realize its dreams of viable, independent state with Qudus being its eternal capital.

How about: 14. Radicals*. 15. Fundamentalists*. 16. Uncivilized world. 17. Rogue nations. 18. Fascists* * Used in conjection with the term "Islam" and its variations.

OG_Girl, How about camu, adeer (not adeero), oday, duqa, waayeel, cajuus, or cutti. It doesn't matter which one...one of these terms will do just fine .

Og-girl, Awoowe will do Rahima, If I can only turn back the time...

Originally posted by Ameenah: Baashe ohMYGod. Dare I say this is your dream poem. Had I known you were lurking around here.... Pleasure all.. [/QB] Too late Ameenah , you've already made my day That was good one.

Ngonge (if u don’t mind yaa Raami), I’m with you on this one sxb. I gotta tell you Ngonge you are one of the few nomads in this site that I enjoy reading their thoughts. Simple, articulate, eloquent, and to the point, some of your posts are more than awesome sxb. Plz contribute more, if you would, in Debate section of the forum. Mutakalim, Thank you sxb. I think I learned something today because of you. Brother Salafi Dacwa is sending me some material on the subject. When he does, I will educate myself on the matter and I will get back and contribute my thoughts on this. As of now, I’m convinced (opinion not deen) that voting is a necessity for us. I can’t recall but I’ve read somewhere that the Polish community in Detroit (metro area) petitioned the local authority to close a Masjid in the neighborhood. They initiated a measure that would change the city ordinance to their liking which would close the Masjid for good. The Muslim community fought back and defeated the measure. The Masjid is open today because of them engaging the system and exercising their rights as citizens of the state. Well-informed, well-organized, politically active Muslim citizenry is a must for us to safeguard our faith. Of course, these thoughts are only opinion and as I said I will find out (or rather double-check) about voting and what sharia has to say about this. Always learning!

Wonderfull! Thnx Ameenah for posting. Shayma, good try Nabadoon! what a name! Here is another quote from the same geeraar: Dulucdiyo ujeeddada Waxaan uga dan leeyahay Dalkii waa burburay oo Degma kasta qabiil baa Ka sameystay doqoshyoo Ku dahaaray xeyndaab, Dabbaabaad wax guba iyo Hubna loo dalbaayoo Duul kale masruufaan Maatada dayacan iyo Deriskana u xoog weyn. Waxa taa ka sii daran Dal galbeed xorayn iyo Diridhaba la sheegtiyo NFD-ii warkeed daa Gabbal baa u sii dumay, Halkay door u hiilliya Dadaal kale sugaayeen Duufaantiyo dhibaatadu Docdeenneyba uga timid Danna seeto weeyee Darxumada aqbale oo Gumeystihii dilaayeey Kuba sii durkaayaan!!

So voting in the non-Muslim polities is Haram according to Islamic tradition after all! Is that it? If affirmative, can then one extrapolate from this that mere living among unbelievers are also wrong. I’m ignorant about sharia (there I admitted) and I won’t use my cilmi-dhegood to speculate matters of larger importance but I gotta tell u folks this won’t sit well with me (Not only did I vote but I was encouraging others to vote)...tell me otherwise plz. Where's Nur? Ngonge, you seem to be saying that we don’t have alternative but to integrate before we are forced to assimilate. Now, how do we do that without compromising our Islamic believes? Don’t you think we have already integrated with the society?

^ Moderating and emotions go hand in hand huh! So what happen to the “ It’s only words on a screen, words on a screen †line . And I thought you were the only nomad around here that’s devoid of emotions . May you (young nomads) never fall for the negative tribalism crab many are breaching day in and day out!

Knowing the nomad culture, this could happen. If it's true, it is a henious crime. I seriously think this is a propoganda...that counters the real ordeal of Samsam. It is also about time that the peaceful and noble people of Somaliland to seriously review their intermarriage policies, to restrict marriage among themselves, and to consider the prohibition of intermarriage with those hostile clans who are adamantly opposed to our cause and existence. It is common knowledge that many of our children have been slaughtered during our long and bitter armed conflict with the fascist regime of Somalia and that many unsuspecting and loving young children have been slaughtered by their maternal uncles and other relatives. Therefore, what happened to Ms. Mako is not a coincidence, but the continuation or perpetuation of the same barbaric crimes, and no more Somaliland children should put into this state of uncertainty, insecurity, and savagery by their parents intermarriages or should ever suffer the same fate their brethren have painfully undergone. **shaking head, and wondering what has become of...**

Good topic CM, Nowadays everything is disguised under a curtain of semantics. We have heard words like evil, terror, savages, thugs, uncivilized, etc all used to characterize one side of the present conflict. These terms were chosen in a manner that cannot be defeated. Therefore, the simple bookish definition of words of ‘integration’ and ‘assimilation’ won’t do justice to the topic at hand. We gotta put them in context and decipher the connotations they imply. As a law-abiding citizen, I’ve already given my consent to the system with the understanding that the state and the church are two separate authorities and hence I’m free to embrace Islam and I won’t be subjected to obey other religions. As I understand it, my right to worship freely as I wish is protected by the constitution. Now, I can’t help but wonder whether the authors of the report CM posted see me as a law-abiding citizen for if they were they wouldn’t have a reason to think that I’m in need of integration more than Chinese or the Hispanics would be. Integration in the sense that our rights and interests as citizens of the state are addressed so that we don’t feel disenfranchised is something we would welcome. But integrating us back into the society talk as if we are undesirable outcasts implies that we have to assimilate the “melting pot’ style which in turn implies that we Muslims have to give up some of our core Islamic values in order to be recognized as exemplary citizens like everyone else. That’s not helpful at all. It confirms our suspicion that the Messianic agenda that evangelists and neo-cons are promoting have no room for diversity and pluralism; and if anyone is in need of integration they are the ones that have to be reintegrated back to the mainstream society. Mutakalim, I find your reading of Milestones very interesting! It would be nice if you can elaborate more of Qutb’s views on voting. Read my take on this topic (if you would) and see if you can summaries Qutb’s views of Muslims like me who find shelter in abroad (as necessity dictated) and think they have freedom of worship. Thanks in advance.

Nah! that won't happen my friend. Weaken the state and try to have a political influence (proxy) yes but annexsation NO way. I agee with Silence.

Suufiga warkiisa ma rabee Jamaal iga sax midaan sxb. Shaqada dhexdeeda yaan ku habeeyey oo hada um aanan helin meel munaasib ah. Waana la sooman yahaye ee qaacida aad kor ku qortay ha igu dabaqin. Waxabaan dib u gocday sida Nairobi la inoogu khatalay. Gacaliyoow Jamaal nimankii Maandeeq ku gatay gurriga Neyroobi, Waaxyaheeda nimankii kala goostayee, gobolba meel geystey, Gorgortanka raqdeedii nimankii ku galay, guluf iyo gafkiyo dooda, Goorteey dhergeen, aar-libaax iyo kuwii hambadeedii guduriga u loogey, Asalkaba guuldarada kuwii ku dhigay gaadmada, gowriciyo daalka, Ololkii kolkey gulucya roortee, gacal maqan iyo gobonimo u booydey, Gilgilishiyo xanuuniyo dhawaaq, kolkay guuxa damin weyedey. Gooheeda gurmadkii ku soo baxay, nacabkeer dariska gama’ loo diidey, Go’aankeey qaateen, ciiloow wayee sida talada loo gooyeey: Garwadeen ha u noqdeen Maandeeq, kuwii nabarka gaarsiiyey! Gabraaratadii guddi ha u galeen, gefkiyo godobta ayada loo geystay! Ninkii garasho waayeel lahaa, aqoonyahan, geesi iyo shiikhba! Gogosha ha isaga kaceen Gacaliyo boowayaaloow taa waa igali weydey!

Malaaq Jamaal here are 2 more: On causes of nomadic inter-clan wars Meelay gooh ololleyso Gaabanow sumaciiyo, Gariireyso rasaastu, Ragga haadku gigaayo, Golxaaloow jabayeeyiyo, Gaalayuus ka baxaayo, Gabar layska dharbaaxiyo, Gaban leyska uleeyayiyo, Anagaa gob aheynee, Gun-gunaafka hoosoow, Nama gaadhi kartaaniyo, Gasab baa u horeeyey! On hopless and unnecessary rancor disputes Laan dheere gob ahaa jidhay ooy gocashadii heyso, Iyo kii ka gaabnaan jidhay oo haatan garab taagan, Gedda kaa yahay yaa kan kale gaadh is leeyahaye, Labadaa garaad ee gudboon yaw gar naqi doona? NB: We got something in common brother: Somali literature. It is one of my intellectual hobbies. Glad to find nomads like you in the net. Many nomads I’ve seen in other circles associate this hobby of mine with reer baadiyanimo. The funny thing is they value Shakespeare and other poets! All the while they look down what our literature offer. Why oh why? Keep them coming yaa shaacir.

Don't forget. $8 per person + % of the monetary savings and % of your Gold if you have any. Give it to the Masjids and immediate family members in need back home.

Ever heard these lyrics (from Tubeec “qaaci†song): Raasamaalka guurkiyo, raaxada adduunyada, Raaliyo ninkii helaa, ragganimo ku faanee, Ee waa runnee, waa ruunee, Nafteydaa ku raacdaye adna ha iga roorine. Taladaan la roogin waa lagu rafaadaa! He who marries the right woman will find tranquility and eternal peace in his home and enjoy a good company for the rest of his life. Awoowe dadka waxa kala reeba guurka. Qofna guurka waa uu ku nastaa oo waxuu u noqdaa mid uu/ay ku hana-qaado. Qodna waa ka xumaadaa oo ayaan-darro iyo qoomamuu ka qaadaa. Xamdi-mahad Ilaahii talada i asiibsiiyey.

Nation of poets, that we are.

All of the above especially the flip-flop charges, the clarity of the Bush campaign, the Liberal label. I would go further and say Bush is true to his conviction and the conservatives in general are not ashamed of themselves in being fervent ideologues whereas democrats come off as half-hearted, half-committed to their conviction. In the debates, Kerry defended that image by saying that you could be certain and at the same time be wrong. Democrats have some soul searching to do.

Give it up for the new champ Mr. Legend of the Zu Awoowe deel-qaaf waa khatif abwaanka gabyayaa u ku dhaco. Dee waad ogtahay maansadu waxay leedahay miisaan iyo khaafiyad. Kan khalda waa uu deel-qaafey oo gabaygiisu miisaankii iyo khaafiyadii buu seegay.

Ms. Monica Sanchez Bermudez thesis assumes that former British Somaliland residents are all for the separation. She understands the fact that the former British Somaliland protectorate ceased to exist legally in 1960 when the two newly independent regions united voluntarily and became one country named Somali Republic. All international laws apply to Somalia Republic, as it is a member-state of the UN. Therefore, when Monica takes on the question of territorial integrity in relation to Somaliland she is either confused or she doesn’t understand what she’s talking about! Clearly, as she herself stated, the territorial integrity is a right in the UN charter applicable to its members only. As to the self-determination question in relation to Somaliland and their right to secede, again here she is basing her thesis on unverified assumption. Had she done a genuine research, she would have realized that the self-determination is a right sought by two different groups within the former British protectorate as a tool for different ends. The paper is written (used as an example) as if residents in Somaliland are united in their quest of seceding from Somalia. Ignored is the fact that part of Somaliland is in fact now part of newly created state of Puntland. Self-determination right gets a bit complicated here unless former colonial borders trump this right. Self-determination is a two-edged knife for the secessionists in the North. On the one hand, secessionists embrace self-determination when it serves their interests, in this case: sovereignty. On the other hand, secessionists oppose with vigor when the same right is extended to the pro-unity crowd who don’t wish to secede from the rest of the country. Ironically, they oppose the self-determination principle on the grounds of the territorial integrity of Somaliland. Very interesting rationale! The tyranny of majority is how secessionists justify their rationale. It just doesn’t add up! To Ms Monica credit, she gets right the history of self-determination and territorial integrity and the inherent conflict between the two. Out of topic: I see some nomads' attempt to confuse the Somaliweyn and Somalia as two interchangeable and synonymous terms. Folks let me challenge you: do some homework and understand for once the difference between the two. One was a noble foreign policy adopted by the leaders of the state whereas the other is Somalia the state itself.

7 of 9, Yes and No. Yes according to the numbers. No because there are three states that have not certified the final tally. Ohio seems to be another Florida. Kerry is expected to concede in 2 hours because he has no realistic chance to overcome the presidents lead in Ohio. Math simply did not add up. Yes it is over and Bush has won.

^^And he did win as far as I'm concerned. Bush won in popular vote as well as the electoral college. Waa iska xaal aduun! Kerry should concede cuz as things stand now, he has little chance to turn the tide in his favor. The political pundits, after crunching the numbers, were saying Kerry has to overcome a "statistical fact" for him to claim victory. If Bush wins tonight, I hope they inact the Patriot act part 3, so all you skinnies can run to Canada and experience real democracy Beware Canada! skinnies are coming to borrow the phrase 'Reds are coming' As to what I consider "liberal media", that I say all the TV Networks and most cables news except Fox TV are liberal in my book. The papers are lil different as there are many reputable conservative ones such as Wall Street Journat, Washignton Times, Chicago Tribune, etc. I consider them liberal because they are in fact liberal in social and economic issues except Fox wich is conservative across the board. Fox serves as a conduit for conservative activist, it promotes its books, and hires partisan conservative talk radio personalities as its anchors. One thing they all have in common is that they are all on the same page when it comes to the foreign policy. In that regard they are hwaks as they were beating the drums for this war in Iraq. As to the Muslims' support for Bush in 2000, I agree they were naive to think Bush/Cheney ticket was the lesser evil. But at the time, Bush seemed to be simple and humble guy. If you remember, he was against America acting as the world cop. He was against what he called foreign entanglements. He was for "humility" in American foreign policy. He was against "nation-building". He was against homosexuality. And so on. You can see why Muslims considered him the better choice at the time. Foreign policy trumps everything for the Muslims in America. What a night! Despite democrats' rhetoric that "every vote will be counted", it is over. Sad but true.

Hambalyo sheherazade for the offer. I have a suggestion for all of you. If you have time and the resources to fix hot plate and take it to the nearest Masjid just before the iftar, please do it for the sake of Allah. Some masjids post a sign-up sheet for the willing volunteers. Box full of timir, buscuits, banana, etc. are just few examples of what u can do in making the masjid for the place to be in the month of the Ramadan. Back when I was the working bachelor in MN, I used to turn to the Masjid for iftar. I didn't know how to make sambuusi and other traditional delicacies nor did I have the time. As you can imagine every time I eat the tasty sambuusi, i used to leave a load of duca behind. There u have it.

Innaa Lilaahi wa innaa Ileyhi raajicuun. Allaa yarxama.