LOL Nur, see Mantra, Help is at hand.

My sister studied law, she works in immigration and HELPS ppl. She would like to eventually get into either Family law, specifically children or Human Rights law, with specific reference to prisoner rights and so on. In both these areas her aim is to HELP. She hasn't come across anything which would lead her to compromise her faith so far. There is nothing wrong with studying law, maybe you can even do further study in islamic law later on. I know there are many 'Sharia complaint' law offices opening up all over the place in the UK (Muslim community), espcially in relation to doemstic voilence, divorce, wills etc.

That's a good idea Khayr, but going umra without a guy isnt easy, unless you have one at your disposal.

Lol Jimca, you beat us to it. That's the whole point, half measures, parts of puzzels, whatever you want to call it. Kafaaxiye it's called the 'Life' list, almost there but not quite-will I ever get there-do I even want to get there- List. More interesting then the 'I have everything List'.

Well then, stop worrying! Embrace it and have fun. This is pre-holiday-jitters.

Sounds like an organised trip. However, have you thought through exactly how you will get from your intial destination, from A-B, on to D-E? People tend to compromise their later trips. It might be safer for example, to head directly to N Afica, travel safely, therefore going to less places but do it in style. France, Spain and Italy can be visited cheaply all year around. Just an idea.

Ibtisam, if your parents are fine with it, GO. Why dont you go with girls? I plan to go with my sister insha allah & maybe my friend as well. I was hoping to do this when I finished uni but decided against it for same reasons as you did. Now I wish I had gone though. Why does backpacking have to be dangerous, dirty tents and in groups? You can have a very decent adventure without all the hype.And why not visit big cities and stay in well known areas? Safety is paramount, as you have figued it out. Unofrtunately I must agree with Ahura, too many dead ppl as a result of carelessness. analyze the situation and stay objective, neither go with irrational fear or over confidence. Don't give up so soon!

lol mantra, typical somali response.

Sounds like fun Amelia, looks like a lot of people are heading for Africa, with the occasional tourists in war zones.

Just how many Americans read? I doubt they will buy it in their masses. Xoogsade, first they demand a FGM woman, now they all want an 'untouchted' woman like you say. What an outrage! I feel sorry for these girls wallahi. I think we can all agree that the displaying of these pictures are distasteful, no?

I'm blessed beyond counting Alhamdullilah. Thanks Ibtisam, perhaps we should count our blessings more often, rather than constantly asking for more.

So BOB, when will Safiya put Ibrahim in his place and realize the world does not allow room for naivety? And will we get to see them meet once Ibrahim is rich beyond his wildes dreams? Or will Safiya's family loose their fortune in the war and finally both will be equals? Do tell, I'm looking forward to the next bit.

Ibtisam it's www.kuoni.co.uk I don't know about flights but the hotels and packages look good. Do you plan to travel from Spain by sea? How exciting.

I thought we shouldn't leave the modest sisters out, stores do that enough. I found this website that does designer (its a french based in dubai) abays, very nice. http://www.arabesque-hc.com/index.htm Also some nice scarfs

A friend of mine forwarded this and I thought it was funny: > >English around the world >(For Some, English is not Easy) > >In a Bangkok temple: > "IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A >MAN." > >Cocktail lounge, Norway: >"LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR." > >Doctors office, Rome: >"SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES." > >Dry cleaners, Bangkok: >"DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS." > >In a Nairobi restaurant: >"CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE >OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER." > >On an Athi River highway: this is the main road to Mombasa, leaving >Nairobi. >"TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE." > >On a poster at Kencom: >"ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO, WE CAN HELP." > >In a City restaurant: >"OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS." > >In a cemetery: >"PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN >GRAVES." > >Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations: >"GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHERDISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN >BED." > >On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: >"OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR." > >In a Tokyo bar: >"SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS." > >Hotel, Yugoslavia: >"THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE >CHAMBERMAID." > >Hotel, Japan: >"YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID." > >In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery: >"YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET >COMPOSERS, ARTISTS, AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY." > >A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest: >"IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE >OF DIFFERENT SEX, FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT >UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED WITH EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE." > >Hotel, Zurich: >"BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX >IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS >PURPOSE." > >Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand: >"WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN *** ?" > >Airline ticket office, Copenhagen: > "WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS." > >A laundry in Rome: > "LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A >GOOD TIME"

Sounds nice Ibtisam. Have you already booked? If not I know a good website with beautiful hotels and affordable too.

It looks good. Will try

Ibtisam, I hope NAfrika is big enough for the both of us. I plan to visit Cairo/Marrakesh/Tanzania (well eastish). My best friend the digital camara will acompany me.

Pride and Predjudice Mansfield Park Northern Abbey Name 3 cities in Somalia

JB, whatever take people have on it, it has been resolved by a) equality in race and creation in Islam, b) the prophet's campaign against slavery. Salam, althought I have a feeling none of those will satisfy you.

Wow. This is funny sad and nice at the same time.

The small intestine is made up of :the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. Goodness, is this science freaks day? Name three poems by Alaxanda Pushkin

Well most male/female friends I know hang out publically together, or are surrounded by people if they are indoors. Like I said, a pure brotherly/sisterly friendship is rare and highly valued. I can understand what Ibtisam said. On many levels I don't think the concept of male/female friendships has quiet taken hold in our community. If you are friendly with a guy his ego shoots up and all of a sudden you are 'running after him'. Despite this, you should't put people down unless they have explicidly expressed anything other than friendship (girls egos are equally huge when it comes to 'he's into me'). Having said all of that, I still think the best success stories are those that have started of as friendships.I mean who could just by pass frindship and jump into romance?

Where exactly is the 'South'? I think it's a huge mistake to bundle the whole region into 'lawlessness'. There are many areas where there is relative peace, schools, businesses, trade and farming going on. Or does 'South' mean Mogadishu and the surrounding vicinity?