One more thing! Second of all, (this is getting abit tedious) again you are mentioning my deen and telling me I don't have one. Deen is the subject of this discussion and u r disagreeing the MAHRAM which is Islamic directive. U r making statements that refutes the Deen yet u crying foul when challenged. U r like the math teacher who insisted 2+2 equals 5 and refused to prove it or else to disclose his credentials. Granted we are not supposed to chase folks out of Islam. We are just chatting about the contentions u made which incidently happen to be wrong. Are u expecting us to exercise silence and give u impunity on what appears to be akin to blasphemy. But here is a question for all the females here, DO YOU TAKE YOUR MAHRAM WITH YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO? if not, well, then you must not be a muslim (according to baashi) because you dont practice it. Xaasha Lillaah! and Baashi, do you lower your gaze when women pass you by, I hardly doubt it! so do not sit here and tell me what I should be practicing to make you believe that I am muslim.. Every time? honestly, No! but I know I should not be doing any gazing. There are even times when I make an effort to see their beautifull figures that proves I'm human. U don't hear me though saying I don't agree on this with Allah (MacaathAllah)- gazing opposite sex that is - or making statement akin to that. And when I'm reminded my mistakes I say IstiqfurAllah.

were the four scholars not a genuine muslims with differing views on issues? hmmm...I could be wrong here.. Yes! they were genuine and sincere scholars with different understanding and interpretations on questions of Islamic jurisprudence. Interpretations by the way intended to clarify, not to nullify Islamic directives, the legal implications of what Allah decreed and his prophet conveyed to us. You are not in mood of embracing the MAHRAM directive and (& its exceptions) but you are questioning its need or the wisdom behind it. In essence, u disagree the MAHRAM. Am I right? Let's put it this way, which Islamic scholar do u agree on the question of MAHRAM? And what is his position on this? These 2 questions will clarify if there is any misunderstanding between us. and arent muslims today in different sects? Yes. What's your point? thank you for the character assessment by the way. Look at the way you all are behaving, and you call yourselves muslim, ha? U wlc! My sincere appology if u are offended by my comments.

Is The crisis in Somalia one stemmed from external? Is it a problem of ethnicity? Is it a problem of faith and ideology? Or is it an economic problem “survival”. It is neither an economic nor a survival nor an ethnicity problem. It is a culmination of many factors, the overaching one being the complete collapse of the Somali state and its institutions. The undercurrent force that brought the Somali state on its knees is the 'Mighty' incarnation of the devil known negative Tribalism. It is what fueled the civil war. It is what gave legitimacy to all warlords. It is what u need to claim a seat on the table where Somali reconcilaition are discussed. It is what the 4.5 formula is all about. It is what angers some nomads in this SOL forum. Because the passions it invokes, it is why Admins/Mod. feel compelled to suspend its mere utterence. Because its ugliness, it is why the best minds and unbiased youth of diaspora become apolitical and disdain the mere mentiontining of our affairs. Because of it, many many nomads wouldn't take an opinion as 'an opinion' not untill they label u and put u in a box cuz without label u won't make sense to them. There u have it Hagi.

Opinionated is absolutely right on one thing: she has a choice of embracing Islam in its entirety or embracing it on the basis of what makes sense to her. If she chooses to accept it in its entirety then she is a sincere Muslim and her shortcomings stem from ignorence. If she engages 'pick and choose' exercise on the basis of what makes sense to her wishy-washy feelings then may Allah show her the right path. All Muslims, including me, are expected to accept this religion in its entirety. Any willfull and knowingly deviation from this expectation amounts outright rejection of the religion. Many nomads went in great length to present the sayings of the prophet and Islamic consensus on this issue. JazakumAllahu kheyran to all of you. But now you know she is in need of more of the Islamic basics and not the legal details, I suggest u to give her the benefit of the doubt as u would with any other person who have difficulty in discerning the meaning of the Tawhid. From what I gather, she is intelligent, inquisitive, and shrewd Muslim lady. Given time, I'm sure, she will reach an unavoidable conclusion that one can not deny or disregard an Islamic directive and the sametimes be a genuine Muslim.

Dr. Jamal Al-Badawi will be there...Mansha'Allah! BTW, when?

Hambalyo Caakifah. Mid wanaag ku waara Allaha ka dhigo. The worst kind haddi dee mid mid ragga SOL laga dul qaadaayo Libaax Gediid, Where were u sxb?...procrastinating? Can a cyber-wanderer be a serious contender to the nomad next door?

Very interesting indeed! Kheyr bro don't forget to share ur findings with the nomads plz. Mind you, should Allah (SWT) in His graciousness throw a cute faarax my way, I shant complain. Often times it is when u r doing ur thing...when love or marriage is furthest from ur mind...that u do stumble upon the jewel. Right on! Bee. Bro Mujahid said the education is a means to an end. Waa runtiis. I'm taking notes and so far some of u (screen characters) impressed me very much, I should send my cute cousins to ur way for further exploration. I'm sure they will be impressed even more by your real u. Any objections?

True! our predicament could continue on for years if those in position of influence don't make 180 degree turn very soon. There is touch of optimism in the air however, and very soon the good will ultimately truimph over the evil. Stable and peacefull Somalia is our hope; difficult yes! but not impossible to attain with Allah's help...WE shall overcome. Keep hope alive.

I'm in favor of an authentic and a formal apology by the United States government for its part in the slave business aka plantation economy in the south. It would not be unpresented move since US government issued formal appology to Japanese Americans. But then again the reparation proponents would demand a monetary compensation.

To answer LANDER's challenge for what he termed a 'neo-nationalist' misunderstanding of the needs and motivations of "other" Somalis, I take the trouble to delineate the facts as I understood it. The motivations and needs of all concerned groups are known to many and understood by all. The issues on which Somalis are divided are few. Their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order are defined by lineage segmentation and clan kinship, and continuously shifting clan alignment and it is hard to dissect it in this post. The needs of ordinary Somalis, wherever they are, are peace, security, justice, freedom, and safety net. Regardless of their tribe, past grievances, or who colonized where, they will welcome a system that guaranties these basic amenities. The motivations of the so-called leaders are securing a dominant role in any Somali government for their tribe. Ambitious clannish elites will take the helm of the leadership of all Somalis if possible; will form autonomous safe-havens for their kinship or even separate when necessary – this is the rule of thump! What makes “other” Somalis tick is not a mystery. It is a self-absorbing, and at times haughtiness, pride in their clan identity. There is nothing wrong with Somali character. It is the manipulative leaders who are well financed and who are saving no effort to appeal this known weakness – negative tribalism. Ideology, religion, ethnicity, and class are not among the issues on which Somalis are divided. The root cause of some of our malaise started long ago by Barre who incited and inflamed clan rivalries to divert public attention from the problems of his increasingly opressive regime. To remove the military junta was right thing to do. To absolve the State on the grounds of grievances done by government that no longer exist or worst on the grounds of who colonized what part of Somalia is a travesty of freedom. The contention that former British Somaliland is same as the present breakaway Republic of “Somaliland” is very misleading statement. The former British Somaliland met the fate Somali State had met – it has simply broken into its clan constituents. In other words, if Somalia is divisible because it cannot and will not agree the form of government it wants or the distribution of power to its constituent clans the same can be said the former British Somaliland. In fact the formation of the autonomous provincial state of Puntland puts to rest the question of who really wants to secede and why? Granted the united Somalia is not on the horizon for the near future. Not because of the wisdom and rationale behind the unity is flawed or impractical but because clannish elites, not the file and rank of their constituents, are not ready to compromise for the sake of common good nor they can imagine the possibility of having a government in which the system of the governance is more important than the characters who may occupy in short period of time. I might not know what to do exactly now or how to bring about a revolution that can deliver the changes that are necessary to realize functioning and inclusive Somali State in which rights of all its subject are respected but I know LANDER the nomad and the thought process he exhibits in this forum are wrong, unreasonable, and dangerous. I say this because if his vision of Somalia is to be realized one has to concede the monumental implications of the notion of absolving existing State entails. Not only any tribe with slightest grievances is entitled to exit from the womb of the State but also the disputes inherent in border demarcation and the balkanization of the horn will ultimately lead security dependence on the regional powers for the survival of newly created “Bantustan” clan fiefdoms. Patience is in order! lets have little hope, let ‘them’ try little more perhaps harder than before.

Ethiopia has been shoring up its men in Bossaso, Hargeisa, Mogadishu and Baydoba and in some cases sent its Tigrey Forces across the border under the pretext of the war on terrorism. It has become a ‘King maker’ in more than one: providing logistics and armament to warring factions, representing its allies in the regional and international organization/forums etc. Like all tribal communities, Somalia is deeply divided by fierce clan rivalries (in this context: struggle over the spoils of the State and control in future government is the end result of this rivalry). And Ethiopia is taking advantage over our predicament. Saying that fact aloud is, you would think, educational if anything. Granted foreign interventions, be Habasha or Arabs, are not the root cause of our malaise. Negative tribalism is. This negative tribalism manifests itself in the form of blind allegiance to warlords, and unexamined conviction in regionalism, chauvinism, and separatism as the only practical solutions. Ethiopia and Egypt’s hidden hand in our political landscape and their success in stirring the tribal pot is an indication, if anything, of how deep clan animosity run and how much we Somalis distrust each other. Having said that, regionalism in the case of Puntland and separation in the case of Somaliland are positive but temporary step in normalizing Somalia as long as they do not insist in getting unreasonable lion share of the supposedly power-sharing scheme in the future government. The vision: “building blocks” is a deliberate effort to encourage grass-root bottom-up approach to solve this nomadic puzzle known as clan politics. The hope is all factions will throw themselves in this lot - “recovery Zone”. That has not happen and this approach is not embraced so far by all parties. Ethiopia is not a peace loving neighbor but a bullying agent whose military muscle served to tip the delicate and important tribal balance to its friends. If Hagi's piece amplifies that fact for all to hear, then more power to him. Finally, our conception of the ‘State’ and ‘Government’ need to be re-examined. The difference between the two is very important. Those who understand this difference would come to terms the fact that subjects of any State need justice and freedom and the absence of these two necessitates the removal of the government not the absolvement of the State. Grievances are created by governments and the systems they put in place. Removing these governments and changing unjust systems is the only genuine solution I know.

Thanks Amadeyo sxb for sharing that with us. It is Monday again! Let me share with u one of my favorite poems (personal collection). This poem is one of the best inspirational poems I've ever read. ------------------- Don't Quit When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit- Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a fellow turns about When he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - You may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than It seems to a faint and faltering man; Often the struggler has given up Whe he might have captured the victor's cup; And he learned too late when the night came down, How close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out - The silver tint in the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It might be near when it seems afar; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - It's when things seem worst that you must not quit. Succeed in believing that you will not fail, Use diligence and determination to set your sail, When the weather is stormy and the waters are rough; In the moment of peril the strong get tough Whenever life presses you down a bit Stand up and shout, "I will not quit!" ~Unknown~

Baashi! Afartaana sidoo togog soo hurgamey maku talaabsiiyey Tuqaantuqada reer tolka tibiid maku tariibshey Hadal taagdan yaqaanyahow daanka iga toogso! Abwan? I'm not sure if I understand where u going with this perhaps u could help me decipher its "ARAR". Speaking of "ARAR" there is very famous gabay by Ali Hussein in which he implied 'Gabay without Arar' is nothing more than simple utterence of words. His words of wisdom: Uurkoo bukiyo Gabay hadaan arami kaa keenin, Ama Jaceyl il xumi kugu ijbaareynin, Afkuun baad ka leedaheye, tixuhu arar ma yeeshaan. Back to the topic, the qoute of this very day is: "The trouble with people is not that they know nothing but it is that they know so much that ain't so" By American writer and humorist Mark Twain.

AYOUB_SHEIKH, Since the link u provided is not working, I took the trouble to fix it here it is. An excerpt from the first paragraph of that info sheet reads: "COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Somalia is a developing country in the Horn of Africa. It has had no government since the onset of civil war in 1991. That year, the northwest part of the country proclaimed itself the Republic of Somaliland, and it now has its own governing authority, although its economy is linked with the rest of the country. The northeastern section of Somalia, which is semi-autonomous, is known as Puntland. Somalia's economy was seriously damaged by the civil war and its aftermath, but the private sector is trying to reemerge. Tourism facilities are non-existent. The principal city of Somalia is Mogadishu. The principal city of Somaliland is Hargeisa. Other cities and towns of importance include the port of Bosasso in the northeast, the port of Kismayu in the South, Baidoa, and Garowe. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required for travel to Somaliland and Puntland. Both regions also require a visa and issue their own, which can be obtained at their respective ports of entry. A passport is required for travel to other parts of Somalia, including Mogadishu, but no visa is required."

But the difference between the believers and the unbelievers does not result from the mere chanting of a few words. Obviously, the mere utterance of a phrase or two is not in itself important. The real difference lies in the conscious acceptance of this doctrine and complete adherence to it in practical life. Mere repetition of the word 'food' cannot dull hunger; mere chanting of a medical prescription cannot heal the disease. 1 Tawhid: Faith in the Unity of God Abul A'La Mawdudi, Towards Understanding Islam The most fundamental and the most important teaching of Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah and peace be upon him) is faith in the unity of God. This is expressed in the primary Kalimah of Islam as "There is no deity but Allah" (La ilaha illallah). This beautiful phrase is the bedrock of Islam, its foundation and its essence. It is the expression of this belief which differentiates a true Muslim from a kafir (unbeliever), mushrik (one who associates others with God in His Divinity) or dahriyah (an atheist). The acceptance or denial of this phrase produces a world of difference between man and man. The believers in it become one single community and those who do not believe in it form an opposing group. For the believers there is unhampered progress and success in this world and in the hereafter, while failure and ignominy are the ultimate lot of those who refuse to believe in it. But the difference between the believers and the unbelievers does not result from the mere chanting of a few words. Obviously, the mere utterance of a phrase or two is not in itself important. The real difference lies in the conscious acceptance of this doctrine and complete adherence to it in practical life. Mere repetition of the word 'food' cannot dull hunger; mere chanting of a medical prescription cannot heal the disease. In the same way, if the Kalimah is repeated without any understanding, it cannot work the revolution which it is meant to bring about. This can occur only if a person grasps the full meaning of the doctrine and accepts and follows it in letter and spirit. We avoid fire because we know that it burns; we keep away from poison because we know that it can kill. Similarly, if the real meanings of Tawhid are fully grasped, we avoid, in belief as well as in action, every form of disbelief, atheism and polytheism. This is the natural consequence of belief in the Unity of God. 1.1 The Meaning of the Kalimah In Arabic the word ilah means 'one who is worshipped', that is, a being which on account of its greatness and power is considered worthy to be worshipped: to be bowed to in humility and submission. Anything or any being possessing power too great to be comprehended by man is also called ilah. The concept ilah also includes the possession of infinite powers and conveys the sense that others are dependent on ilah and that he is not dependent on anyone else. The word ilah carries, too, a sense of concealment and mystery. The word Khuda in Persian, Deva in Hindi and God in English have similar connotations. Other languages also contain words with a similar meaning.1 The word Allah, on the other hand, is the essential personal name of God. La ilaha illallah literally means "There is no ilah other than the One Great Being known by the name Allah." It means that in the whole of the universe, there is absolutely no being worthy to be worshipped other than Allah, that it is only to Him that heads should bow in submission and adoration, that He is the only Being possessing all powers, that we are all in need of His favour, and that we are all obliged to seek His help. He is concealed from our senses, and our intellect cannot perceive what He is. Now we know the meaning of these words, let us look more closely at their real significance. From the earliest known history of man as well as from the oldest relics of antiquity that we have been able to obtain, it appears that in every age man recognised some deity or deities and worshipped them. Even today every nation, from the most primitive to the most advanced, believes in and worships some deity. Having a deity and worshipping him is ingrained in human nature. There is something within man's soul which forces him to do so. But the question is: what is that thing and why does man feel impelled to do so? The answer to this question can be discovered if we look at the position of man in this huge universe. Neither man nor his nature is omnipotent. He is neither self-sufficient nor self-existing; nor are his powers limitless. In fact, he is weak, frail, needy and destitute. He is dependent on a multitude of forces to maintain his existence, but all of them are not essentially and totally within his powers. Sometimes they come into his possession in a simple and natural way, and at times he finds himself deprived of them. There are many important and valuable things which he endeavours to get, but sometimes he succeeds in getting them, while sometimes he does not, for it is not completely in his own power to obtain them. There are many things injurious to him; accidents destroy his life's work in a single moment; chance brings his hopes to a sudden end; illness, worries and calamities are always threatening him and marring his way to happiness. He attempts to get rid of them, and meets with both success and failure. There are many things whose greatness and grandeur overawe him: mountains and rivers, gigantic animals and ferocious beasts. He experiences earthquakes, storms and other natural disasters. He observes clouds over his head and sees them becoming thick and dark, with peals of thunder, flashes of lightning and heavy rain. He sees the sun, the moon and the stars in their constant motions. He reflects how great, powerful and grand these bodies are, and, in contrast to them, how frail and insignificant he himself is! These vast phenomena, on the one hand, and the consciousness of his own frailty, on the other, impress him with a deep sense of his own weakness, humbleness and helplessness. And it is quite natural that a primitive idea of divinity should coincide with this sense. He thinks of the hands which are wielding these great forces. The sense of their greatness makes him bow in humility. The sense of their powerfulness makes him seek their help. He tries to please them so that they may be beneficial to him, and he fears them and tries to escape their wrath so that he may not be destroyed by them. In the most primitive stage of ignorance, man thinks that the great objects of nature whose grandeur and glory are visible, and which appear to be injurious or beneficial to him, hold in themselves the real power and authority, and, therefore, are divine. Thus he worships trees, animals, rivers, mountains, fire, rain, air, heavenly bodies and numerous other objects. This is the worst form of ignorance. When his ignorance dissipates to some extent and some glimmers of light and knowledge appear on his intellectual horizon, he comes to know that these great and powerful objects are in themselves as helpless and dependent, or rather, they are still more dependent and helpless. The biggest and the strongest animal dies like a tiny germ, and loses all his power; great rivers rise and fall and become dry; the highest mountains are blasted and shattered by man himself; the productiveness of the earth is not under the earth's control - water makes it prosperous and lack of water makes it barren. Even water is not independent. It depends on air which brings the clouds. Air, too, is powerless and its usefulness depends on other causes. The moon, the sun, and the stars are also bound by a powerful law outside whose dictates they cannot make the slightest movement. After these considerations man's mind turns to the possibility of some great mysterious power of divine nature which controls the objects he sees and which may be the repository of all authority. These reflections give rise to belief in mysterious powers behind natural phenomena, with innumerable gods governing various parts and aspects of nature such as air, light and water. Material forms or symbols are constructed to represent them and man begins to worship these forms and symbols. This, too, is a form of ignorance, and reality remains hidden to the human eye even at this stage of man's intellectual and cultural pilgrimage. continue reading

Essence of Eid (Adapted from Spirit of Eid Al-Fitr by Khaled al-Maeena.) The celebration of Eid ul-Fitr culminates a month of fasting wherein the faithful have spent their time praying and beseeching God for forgiveness and mercy. For many, Ramadan was not just an abstention from food and drink. Rather, it was an exercise in patience and discipline. Eid is the celebration for those who fasted and obeyed God's rules and teachings. It is for those who spent the month of Ramadan in complete devotion to Allah. Eid is a time when the entire Muslim community comes together to share in each others joy and blessings and also to lessen the burden of those who may be suffering. It is preceded by people shopping and looking around for gifts for their near and dear ones. It is a time when the bright lights from homes and shops illuminates our life. We use see this day and the following days to spread happiness and social harmony by visiting our friends and relatives. Gifts are exchanged during Eid by young and old alike. We also visit the elderly and the sick. Eid is a time where all kinds or festivities prevail. Many of us gormandize to make up for "lost food" during the month of Ramadan. However, with all the going around we some time forget our lesser privileged brethren. We forget that there are many out there who have nothing to celebrate. There are those among our brothers and sisters for whom Eid day is just another ordinary day. There are those who open their cupboards on Eid day and find them bare. There are those who in hospitals who will go through a bleak and lonely day with no one visiting them. Friendless, deprived of company, they will have no one to offer solace or comfort. Let us therefore see to it that our deprived brethren welcome the day of Eid with warmth and hope. As we buy gifts and clothes for our children, let us earmark a special sum for those who cannot afford to buy. Also we should instill in our children a sense of compassion so that when they buy something they will also think of their unfortunate brethren. Let us teach them the art of giving. We should let them know that there are millions of children in; war torn areas of Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq and Chechnya, the poor and downtrodden areas of Africa, Asia and South America, and even in the forgotten ghettos of Europe and North America who do not have the basic necessities to make this day a different day. We cannot divest ourselves from the misery of others. We cannot shrug it off saying that it does not concern us. To do this would be an injustice to humanity. The Quran (5:8) tells us ... Be just: that is next to piety. Many of us donate money to charity and fulfill our religious duty. However, if we actually meet the recipients of our charity the perception of charity changes. There is a feeling of belonging when the recipient and giver meet. Islamic ideology teaches us to be kind and compassionate. Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that "I and the provider of the orphan will be together." And what greater prize is there for anyone of us than to be around our beloved prophet. All we need for that is compassion, sincerity and a feeling of brotherhood and understanding. And that will decide the quality of our life on earth and the hereafter. Adapted from Spirit of Eid Al-Fitr by Khaled al-Maeena

Ciid Mubaarak to y'all. Allaha naga aqballo ramadaanka.

Liqaye, In other words real man, u said, is that mysterious, unpredictable tiger women want to tame. U are not off the mark there but did I hear u say wimpy = nice? I have to disagree with u on the assertion that being nice is synonymous to being wimpy. U see LIQAYE can have good manners, humble, compassionate, good listener, and yet be decisive, assertive, ambitious, and a ‘real man’. Having ‘nice’ qualities do not necessarily diminish your manly status...to the contrary it adds class and prestige in the eyes of like-minded women. In the final analysis, nice men do not lose...they win in so many ways. Wimpy guys, on the other hand, are weak, timid, unassertive, confused bunch who find validated if they bow to the wishy-washy feeling of women they are with. Wimpy guy would never tell the woman whether he is interested in her or not or what is it he really wants from her. Quite often the woman treats him as a friend not as potential prospect and she might sought advice from him about men she is interested in all the while he is dying for her love. That is lame and wimpy to me.

MMA, Shaqsii, illmatic, thanks folks. ------------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sultana Yusufali is a 17-year-old Toronto high school girl. (Courtesy: Toronto Star Young People's Press) ^ Mansha'Allah.

Rag kaa faqay rafiiq nimaad tihiin talo lagaa reebay, Meel aan lagaa rabin indhaha lalama sii raaco, Layskuma ridaan rido haddaan ruuxu ku aryeynin. Abwaan: ?

Since Columbus' Somali community reflected the competing tribal and clan ties of Somalia, county government and local funding agencies were confused about who to deal with. In 2001, with more than three-quarters of a million dollars at stake, city official Gail Grey helped representatives from rival clans and tribes prepare for the election. Bal tab dheh! Check it out

Conquest, The best solution is to get a WinTV product. You can get it from BestBuy stores or fron Circuit City. The later is cheaper. The price is $56 to $140. The $140 product comes with remote control, and VHS port. It has a video editing feature and u can watch TV programs, burn it as well.

Conquest, The best solution is to get a WinTV product. You can get it from BestBuy stores or fron Circuit City. The later is cheaper. The price is $56 to $140. The $140 product comes with remote control, and VHS port. It has a video editing feature and u can watch TV programs, burn it as well.

Hibo, Bravo! wlc back qallanjo. Mobb_Deep, I wish the organizers of GURMAD all the best. It is very noble cause. Let us know how we can help.

Cawaale, The respect is mutual sxb. Of course I wasn't there but I have been informed what had happened by a friend whose family were murdered by SNM not in Hargeisa or Burco but in the rural area around Buuhoodle. There are 2 sides of these events, we should give the benefit of the doubt to both of them. Diehards will always attemp to make facts fit the story they want to tell, SNM supporters are not an exception.