^^Aah! Quebec analogy! In case you don’t know, the PQ are promoting Quebec's need for independence in order to protect its French language and culture all the while Northwest secessionists want to separate because that corner of our Somalia had been colonized by different European power than the other parts of Somalia. What the secessionist proponents need to understand is the fact that any decision that has the potential to profoundly and fundamentally change the nature of Somalia must be decided by all Somalis. There are many foes whose interest is to see the Somalia that once existed dismembered into pieces - weak, disintegrated, etc. Waa sidey tahay!

Nur, Raxmah makes the differences that I concur. Just wanted to spice it up. Well done bro.

Brother Nur, This dacwa is all u do and let me assure u that u do it very well. You have my dua Wallahi. Keep up the good work.

Hibo, Heheeeee! Qallanjo danbiga aad gashay ma aha mid SOL dacwadiisu lagu qaadi karo . Qaran diid, Qaran jabis, Cuqdad, naceyb Somaliland, Xaasidnimo, Maseyr, "Obsession, iyo iwm. In wax la si weydiiyo ama qof walba abaartiis hadlo yaa ugu weyn danbiyadu laga galo taageerayaasha... Afkaaga heyso yaa xaalku joogaa! Aan u kaadino 2 todobaad inta xamaasada jidha ee dadka qaar indha tidhey yaraha degeyso.

Mr. Oodweyne, My friend the issue is not whether Somalis are in difficult and desperate political quagmire – they are in an unfortunate situation. Nor is it about what Britons care or please them when they read this sipping their tea in their high chairs. Nor is it about whether we stand in high regard in the eyes of other folks around the world - that I don't give rats' behind. This is about fourth grade reporter whose dispatch amounts an insult, unsubstantiated lie, disguised as a newsworthy material that would supposedly inform its readers about far away events in that blessed corner of ours. It is high opportune for your likes Mr. Oodweyne to get up and tell the gaaloos who are in position of influence about this…this will surely advance your agenda. Our misery is the key of your political success so it seems. Enjoy the article! it proves your hypothesis.

I find the reporter and his take on the whole issue misleading. Both the title and the content of this piece are troubling to say the least. The Telegraphs editors shouldn't let this pass without asking the obvious. He might have played "my sources are anonymous and I won't reveal them" card. But I won't buy this guy's garbage. Think about it this would have been a breaking news had he revealed his confidant. Granted we don't approve the warlords and their never-ending disputes but this reporter's motives are quesionable. I'm not mad at Abdi, he can not affect any change and he is just another low-life hustler. I'm disgussed with this Telegraph reporter and his Newspaper. Dissing Somalis is not what we need. What we are interested in is if he has any verifiable report that can shed light on the issues that are at stake and players themselves. I've talked to Habar-Kuuleeey and she saud we are going to moon is not a news that benefits to anyone. Save me the warlords are bad and all of that crap cuz I concur that in advance.

Very interesting! And who is he? Aahh! David Shinn, former US Ambasador to Ethiopia. He wrote his Master's thesis on Pan-Somali aka Greater Somalia. Recently he lobbied for Somaliland secession and now he is lecturing IC as scholar who know sooooo much about us what we ought do in order to realize our interest which he says is Somali unity and progress...hmmm! "Fundamentalist groups that support or tolerate external terrorist activity are not in the interest of Somali unity and progress. Did I miss something here. BTW, the fundamentalist groups he is referring to happen to be Ikhwaan brotherhood and among the external terrorist huh! well u guessed right freedom fighters in Ethiopia. Well I will give him the benefit of the doubt and agree the fact that external terrorist activity inside our Somalia is not the interest of Somalis. Mark my word though this guy will go out his way and claim he is in fact an scholar of Somali politics and milk this new found profession till he retires.

Kunta Kinte from Mandinka tribe is in fact a Muslim! La fidele, have you, by any chance, seen Alex Haley’s saga, The roots? If you have, had Haley portrayed this character as a Muslim? If this account of Muslims being the first to reach there is true then the saying, and I'm paraphrasing here, history is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon is very true. And people mentioned here are the victors.

Shaqsii, Thanks for posting Harun Hassan's superb piece. I took a note and here it is. On the paradoxes: The bitter sweet of our predicament. "It is partly this mixture of functioning economic and technological processes alongside social disintegration that makes the Somali experience so bitter." On our neighbors: impartial friend or a cunning foe "But the role of the international community is itself ambiguous. The attitude of some foreign countries involved in the Somali peace process has shown evidence of conflicting interests." Concluding note: realistic optimism "A half-century’s mistrust and mismanagement is hard to overcome. But Somalis do share a Somali national identity and sense of belonging that can override the differences between them. The problems of accommodating these differences within a common institutional and political framework may be even greater in the age of proliferating small arms and landmines, and in conditions of great poverty; but the creative adaptation of Somali people in using new technologies shows that they will be able, if given the chance, to make a better country." P.S. The author made few strong points (opinions) without attacking anyone.

Sirrus, I see what u getting at. The END is synonymous with INTENTION and in this case the intent of getting educated is to obtain financial freedom. I see! Well, the END in this context is merely an outcome. Hence, the education is the act and the knowledge is the outcome of that act. The intent of the act itself could be many things. Many knowledgeable scholars of Islam or Greek philosophers were in it for different purpose than financial gain.

Originally posted by Just Cause: Bashi, “What a lady! You have just earn my respect Wallaahi. Good for u Yasmine.” Are you telling me you respect Yasmine now just because she wears Hijab? If I were to extrapolate your logic here, will it be fair to say you do not respect Muslim women who do not wear Hijab for whatever reason? That is bullocks mate; you should respect people for who they are and not what they are wearing. I’m not telling you anything Mr. JC. Knowing what being black and being a practicing Muslim means in the West, I sure do admire folks like Yasmine and many other countless Muslim sisters who didn’t take the easy way out. For me there is nothing more humbling than to see a young beautiful Somali muxajabah wearing Hijab for the sake of Allah. Think about it! She could put her shorts and top tank on and reveal all her curves and make the heads turn! There is no limitation of what attire she could try on: long, short, revealing, not-so-revealing, T-shirts, short skirts, pants, etc. However, these sisters chose the hard way and they are ready to endure hostile looks and every day discrimination cuz their conscious wouldn’t allow them to follow their wishy-washy feelings and forsake Islam. To answer your questions, Yes I respect her for her fortitude and stamina because faint and faltering woman wouldn’t embrace Hijab at the time Yasmine said she made the decision. NO. I don’t disrespect gaalo let alone Muslim women who don’t wear Hijab if that is what your fuzzy logic showed you. We are not perfect (including me) and there is ALWAYS room for improvement. It is fair to say though that I do not admire them for being “cariyad”. I can admire their intellect, manners, kindness, etc. You feel me now JC. Aight.

Rhoda wrote: Young Somali girls who have survived the wars have come of age without the hope of education or valid visas to foreign lands. Their options are limited: to become prey to pleasure seeking men or secure respectable homes. What appear as enchantresses are vulnerable young girls who are trapped. The only viable and clearly most laudable option for them is marriage, albeit to an old man. They are desperate for homes and security and perhaps the desire to avoid the "old maid" adage added to their many miseries. Nobody knows their sad lots better than they under the weights of grandfatherly figures; but still better than being prey to promiscuous men they shouldn't be pitied but have to be admired for their courage. They have followed the less of two evils. Staring death in the face and defying epidemic diseases, their views of life have been tempered by the harsh realities they overcame. They are not looking for love but to look after their security with zeal and fervent vigor is a skill polished by hearts hardened by brutal indifference. They are smart but above all practical. When two young Somali beauties congratulate each other for their catch as "fart and a half," they are embracing the good and the bad with both hands and I guess nothing epitomizes their somber view of life more than that epithet. A fart violently slashing the image of endearment indicates a survival for the fittest attitude. Experience as the best teacher has taught them to think rather than feel. As one of my professors once told me. "Life is tragedy for those who feel but a comedy for those who think." Can Westernized Somali women learn from them? This paragraph stands out! As to the polygamy, as she herself concluded, is mercy, option, and solution to gender imbalances. Imbalances triggered by man made disasters such as wars in which men parish disporportionely. The keyword is "option".

My selections: 1. Social Topics: Mr. Mom. Hey guys, do you help around the house? Are Somali men sensitive and considerate? 2. Softwaano series: In Love again, How sweeeeeeeeeeeet! Little things that add a lot of value 3. Quraan: Selections of Suurah Al Muminuun ( Believers) 4. The Sunnah The Hadeeth science revisited Selection of everyday applicable hadeeths.

Originally posted by AYOUB_SHEIKH: Baashi Have you written to the US Senetors yet? [/QB] No!

Originally posted by Yasmine: Baashi, You have a very good point. What’s considered ‘truth’ is often relative to individual experiences and one’s version of truth can sometimes be contested from another perspective... especially when there's little or no hard proof. I’ve also noticed that I tend to generalize in my posts. You’re usually among the first to call me on it and I appreciate your constructive criticisms. I’ll try to avoid doing so in the future. We should all (including me) try to avoid generalizing the issues. I often do that and I will appreciate if u call me on it. Lady, you got my salute ***tipping the hat off*** . Few nomads have the grace to concede a point let alone admit a lil mishap.

What is the "hybrid" mean in this context? Is Roda referring to a nomad of mixed origin (parents)? Is the author u Yasmine by any chance? I will share my thoughts once the "hybrid" is clarified. Good read though. Thanks for posting.

^^U have point on the pissing analogy. But if PL had him in the dugeon just like u had the good Boqor, the pissing scenario would not come into play right? Tell u what! free the Boqor and let us see whether he "pisses" from the outside into the tent or not till then save me the....

Originally posted by AYOUB_SHEIKH: Marka dhuuryadu digaagad dafto lana duusho, ayaa digaagii kale oo dhami musaska iyo goobihii ay isku qarinayeen kasoo wada baxaan iyagoo cirka wada eegaya ayey dhuuryadi wax ka dishay ka daba qayliyaan iyagoo hadana leh qu-qu-qa-qaaaq, qu-qu-qa-qaaaq .......taasoo ay Sawaaxiligu u qaatey in digaagu habaarayo dhuuryada maadaama aaney si kale wax isaga celin karin. loooooooooooooool dang! I see the frustration (no recognition) and shifting the blame to others. It will be alright guys waa la iska heshiin doonaa I'A.

^^ Ayoub_Shiekh, He won't be tried for a treason? Remind me who is sitting in the dungeon for a treason? Buurmadow...that is it, the traditional leader whose love for peace with his neighbors made him numero uno enemy of the state! Just does not add up pal!

Mobb-Deep, I stand corrected bro. Lander, Calm down sxb...and don't take this cyber exchanges too seriously. If u do take seriously plz have the patience to ask clarifications on the things u don't understand. Now, I will mind my own business and tend Somaliweyn issues. FYI, Somaliland is part of Somaliweyn issues aight This is what I was laughing about Walaweyn victims' cover up fiasco and here is excerpt of that snippet Xasuuqa Waloweyn baa qaadatay, adduunkii baa aqbalay, dhabarkaynu u saarnay, waynu ku shaambadaynay, Xabaalihii Malko-durduro baynu tusnay, adigu ha innagu soo celin, waxaynu u rarnay dad aynu is hayno, oo col nahay, oo culayskooda qaadi kari waayey, adigu ha u khafiifin, haddii aanad dan kale lahayn ha u hiilin oo ha noqon Faysal baa rag laayey. Waa hadallada ay ku dacwoodaan Koonfurtu oo ay leeyihiin Malko-durduro dadka ku aasan ee ay dadka tusayaan waa lafihii Oromadii iyo dadkii kale ee Koonfurta ee ay laayeen, halkii ay ku aaseen, tii bay innagu shaabadaynaysaa oo UN-tu yidhaahdeen waxaanu soo diraynaa dad baadha lafahaas waqtigii ay ahaayeen 1981 – 1988. .....Siilaanyo oo xumbaynaya baa igu yidhi dalka waa in la xoreeyaa, maanta fursad baynu leenahay, lix bilood raashinkii ciidamada waan hayaa, Afweyne waa fulay, waan ku tukhaantukhinayaa dagaalka.” Markii uu dhammaystay hadalkiisii waxaan ku idhi; “Maxamed Siyaad Barre waddani ma aha oo waad taqaanaa, dhawr iyo toban sannadood Wasiir baad u ahayd, beel buu rabaa in uu gudaha soo gashado oo Askar ka dhigto, bal adiga yaa kaa maqan?” ....Edna [Wasiirka Arrimaha Dibadda] ha uga dego [Rayaale],.... ...Markii laba beelood Saaxil [berbera] isku dileen, rag odayaal ah baa u tegay oo beeshiisa ka socda oo ku yidhi labadaa reer ee Berbera isku haysta ee is dilaya aan heshiisiino, caguhuu dhulka ugu dhuftay, wuxuu ku yidhi; “La heshiisiin maayo labadaa beelood midna khayr ma laha ha isku dhammaadeen.” ...Ninkaa [siilaanyo] xisbigiisu aamusiin maayo oo kuwa cid u xigaa aamusiin maayaan Aadan Madoobe [Reerka Siilaanyo] aamusiiya haddaan garanayo waan la hadli lahaa, ma garanayo, illeyn qofka cid uun baa u naxdee. ....Siilaanyo waa Soomaaliweyn “I know”, Nairobi baan joogay Gaalada waxa uu ku yidhaahdo iyo waxa ay ka ogyihiin waan ogahay, koonfurta [soomaaliya] baan ogahay waxay Siilaanyo ka haystaan, kun Yaasiin bay akhriyi lahaayeen haddii uu guulaysto. Remember this is not my words but from no other than Somaliland Minister. Hey lander, don't get too upset now aight It is unmanly and foolish to laugh about these tragadies. But Cawil's remarks begs for one good laugh...don't u think so.

^^What a lady! You have just earn my respect Wallaahi. Good for u Yasmine. Miskin, Here is a fitting piece plz read it. ------- My Body is My Own Business By Sulata Yusuf Ali I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a "rebel". I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercing. I do not possess a leather jacket. In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of "oppressed female". The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: "Do your parents make you wear that?" or "Don't you find that really unfair?" A while back, a couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make such controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harboring an Uzi underneath it. You never can tell with those Muslim fundamentalists. Of course, the issue in hand is more than a mere piece of cloth. I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear hijaab. There are many different ways to wear it, in essence, what we do is cover our entire bodies except our hands and faces. If you're the kind of person who has watched a lot of popular movies, you'd probably think of harem girls and belly-dancers, women who are kept in seclusion except for the private pleasure of their male masters. In the true Islamic faith, nothing could be further from the truth. And the concept of hijaab, contrary to the popular opinion, is actually one of the most fundamental aspects of female empowerment. Whenever I cover myself, I make it virtually impossible for people to judge me according to the way I look. I cannot be categorized because of my attractiveness or lack thereof. Compare this to life in today's society: We are constantly sizing one another up on the basis of our clothing, jewelry, hair-do and makeup. What kind of depth can there be in a world like this? Yes, I have a body, a physical manifestation upon this earth. But it is the vessel of an intellectual mind and a strong spirit. It is not for the beholder to leer at or to use in advertisements to sell everything from beer to cars. Because of the superficiality of the world in which we live, external appearances are so stressed that the value of the individual counts for almost nothing. It is a myth that women in today's society are liberated. What kind of freedom can there be when a woman cannot walk down the street without every aspect of her physical self being 'checked out'? When I wear the hijaab I feel safe from all of this. I can rest assured that no one is looking at me and making assumptions about my character from the length of my skirt. There is a barrier between those who would exploit me and myself. I am first and foremost a human being, equal to any man, and not vulnerable because of my sexuality. One of the saddest truths of our time is the question of beauty myth and female self-image. Reading popular teenage magazines, you can instantly find out what kind of body image is "in" or "out." And if you have the 'wrong' body type, well, then, you're just going to have to change it, aren't you? After all there is no way that you can be overweight and still be beautiful. Look at any advertisement. Is a woman being used to sell the product? How old is she? How attractive is she? What is she wearing? More often than not, that woman will be no older than her early 20s, teller, slimmer and more attractive than average, dressed in skimpy clothing. Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated like this? Whether the '90s wishes to believe it or not, she is being forced into a mould. She is being coerced into selling herself, into compromising herself. This is why we have 13-year-old girls sticking their fingers down their throats and overweight adolescents hanging themselves. When people ask me if I feel oppressed, I can honestly say no. I made this decision out of my own free will. I like the fact that I am taking control of the way other people perceive me. I enjoy the fact that I don't give anyone anything to look at and that I have released myself from the bondage of the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and other institutions that exploit females. My body is my own business. Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is no more to me than that. I am also able to say 'no' comfortably when people ask me I feel as though my sexuality is being repressed. I have taken control of my sexuality. I am thankful I will never have to suffer the fate of trying to lose/gain weight or trying to find the exact lipstick shade that will go with my skin color. I have made choices about what my priorities are and these are not among them. So next time when you see me, don't look at me sympathetically. I am not under duress or a male-worshipping female captive from those barbarous (?) Arabian deserts. I've been liberated by Islam.

Gediid, What about the mass graves in Hargeisa? Not long ago your minister have been angry at Siilaanyo about this issue. What was that all about . By the way that news is already acknowledged...what u doing is an overkill Mr. Oodweyne, You must be in a good mood today for you have a sense of humor. That is a progress! Aaah! I see you have confirmed the status of this city as a one that being shared by PL-ers and SL-ers. Another progress! You have also confirmed the reality of the regime in the area as one that rules with the barrel of the gun. Not so far ago we were discussing the 97% vote, consent, and other pertinent issues to weigh in the reality on the ground. We argued, reasoned, explained, analyzed in vain. It seemed that we were not listening each other. It took the joy and excitement derived from the defection of a senior officer of PL to make u loosen up, feel at home, and let it slide Who would have thought the tribal warrior aka Mr. Oodweyne will utter these confessions publicly but again in the heat of the moment and clannish pride can throw u off sometimes.

Shifta, Safar salaamo bro. If you would, plz send us report about the life in SA. As to the satirical pieces, Bro Nur will fill the void and will keep us enlightened about the H.E. Najis Boqoldille, the undisputed leader of reer Qurac. I will weigh in the new "warasada" of reer Qansax who are so pacifist they were nick-named "cid uma joogayaal" who had never spilled milk from "habar" thus "weligiis habar caano kama daadin". Illaaheey ha ku soo nabad uruuriyo.

True! The minister defected from Abdullahi. What does that mean now? Ayoub I find it amusing about the whole thing. A week ago the good minister was this side of the fence. Today he is the other side of the fence. Tells u something about them - all of them. I see u jumping up and down as if the fundementals of this conflict has changed...surprise me and tell me it has cuz Dhiilood is siping tea @ Ambasador hotel . Gediid, Well well look at u sxb invoking Kismayo and drawing parallels from here and there! True the reality on the ground is clear and that is Ceerigaabo is under the SL. One other fact is Ceerigaabo is a shared city. Only clan-cleansing can change the equation and even though u r perfectly willing to carry out that act by doing what u do best folks on the ground know better. Sophist, No it is not propoganda! it is true Dhiilood is sitting @ a marfish in Hargeisa. No surprise there. Nothing has changed though.

Wa caleykuma Salaam Athena, As Bro Nur stated medicine and medical procedures that alleviate pain and suffering are permitted in Islam. I don't know about scenario #2 and #3. Flat chest chicks get depressed cuz boobs r not big enough...is that a medical condition or as u put it, it is a "self-esteem" question. I think it is the later. Social norms and peer pressure should not make women alter their features. That will make them sexual objects ready for explotation as Bro Nur eloquently explained. Senario #3 can be rectified by weight lifting. My taano.