An indian classmate once told me that he used to think every time a group of Somali elders gathered and had discussion it will explode into fist fight until he realized its a culture thing. These are some of the manners somalis are famous for: 1. Somalis especially the old generation like to be loud: This is to be heard and be authorative so as you're seen a hard man 2.Speak firmly and unrelenlessly: so as you are feared 3. Lash out at times: waa libaax 4. Use a foul language like " aabahaa waxaa kusamee" and teach these to your children so as they are not bullied at the playground 5 Dismiss what the other say and bulldoze your way of thinking Also I noticed the "fish and chips" generation are completely in a loss becouse they are caught between two completely different cultures.No wonder they look bewildered! I also agree it comes down to education, but only a fraction of Somalia's children go to school. Two years ago I went back home and I was shocked how many children don't go to school and to some parents education is worthless. You can't blame them they hardly see any one succeeding becouse of his educational achievment. The few they see are from the abroad and that's where every one aims for, its that way to success or the high seas.

http://www.daarulcilmi.net/index.php?act=viewVideo&title=Sawirkii%20Andulus%20oo%20Somaliya%20Ka%20muuqdo&cid=163&vid=371 Sheikh Umal compares the failures of the moslems in Andalus and the current Somalia's calamities, and the Sheikh gives a stricking similraties in terms of potential opportunties wasted and the actors of the two events though for all its timing differences. Enjoy

Below is talk given by Sheikh Mohamed Idiris explaining the causes of Somalia's ills and gives a practical solution from the Quran and Sunnah. Somalia's influential scholars across the world are trying to take stock of events unfolding before our eyes and some how I believe this has came too late as it was needed long time ago, but as they say its better to be late than never. http://www.daarulcilmi.net/index.php?act=viewVideo&title=Dhibka%20Halkee%20nooga%20Imid%20Sideese%20looga%20Baxaa&cid=163&vid=375 if any one can copy the video in here please do so. This very interesting and an eye opener.

So where does these leave Somalia? I believe its good that we're interested by rich countrries with money that can help to allleviate poverty and the suffering we have been enduring, but I'm afraid we don't have the leaders and know-how to match at this point of time.

Dr Osman, don't you think its time you stop watching too much videos and get you *** there?

Some of the comments left by the readers are very strange and show deep seated hatred to Somalis in the UK, I wonder why?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/britains-new-year-resolution-intervene-in-somalia-6280391.html

Cameron claims failed East African state poses a direct threat to British interests Britain plans to deepen its involvement in Somalia – a land that has become a byword for instability and violence – in the new year. Click HERE to view graphic David Cameron describes Somalia as "a failed state that directly threatens British interests" and will convene a summit in London in February to bring together the countries currently active in the Horn of Africa state. A number of key decisions are expected to be made there, ranging from humanitarian aid to military missions. The Prime Minister's decision to tackle the Somalia quagmire is seen by some as being fuelled by the success of the Libyan venture. Mr Cameron is concerned about tourists and aid workers from the UK being attacked and kidnapped, the rise of piracy and the potential for the East African country to become a place of extremist indoctrination for increasing numbers of young Muslims from the UK. The last point, in particular, is an acute security concern, with MI5 head Jonathan Evans warning that Somalia has become the next destination after Pakistan for terrorist training due to the presence of al-Shabaab, an extremist group with links to al-Qa'ida. The would-be jihadists are not just of Somali background, but include those from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Yemen and north Africa, resident in Britain. There is a real risk, Mr Evans has stressed, that returnees from Somalia could carry out bomb attacks in British cities. The UK has also been linked to the piracy in the Indian Ocean, with claims that members of the Somali diaspora are involved, with financial connections through Gulf states like the United Arab Emirates with the highly lucrative hijacking of vessels bringing in an estimated $12bn (£7.6bn) a year. Critics claim that rather than looking at Britain's recent involvement in Libya for inspiration, a closer analogy is provided by Helmand. The Afghan province was described by Tony Blair's government as "ungoverned space which is a source of threats to Britain" through terrorism and narcotics. Helmand provided 25 per cent of Afghanistan's total opium crop and around 80 per cent of heroin on British streets came from Helmand. Three years after UK military deployment, the province was producing 49 per cent of the national opium. The military mission, scheduled to last two years, will continue until 2014. Robert Emerson, a security analyst specialising in African conflict zones, said: "David Cameron has acquired a taste for foreign adventures. It is true that what goes on in Somalia is of interest and we must be wary of the terrorist threat. But how far does one get involved? "Of course there are no British boots on the ground, but the British and the Americans are funding Amisom [the African Union force in Somalia] and are thus seen by some Somalis as the enemy. "People are going to be wary of any form of mission creep." Whitehall officials point out that African Union forces, augmented by troops from Kenya and Ethiopia, have recaptured 95 per cent of Mogadishu from al-Shabaab, which also suffered a significant blow when Fazul Abdullah Mohammed – said to be their contact man with al-Qa'ida and the organiser of the 1998 bombings of US embassies in East Africa – was killed last summer. British officials maintain that with the militants on the back foot, this is the time to help Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG). A number of other countries are already active in Somalia, led by Turkey, whose Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently visited Mogadishu, Qatar and the UAE. Mr Erdogan's visit is seen in diplomatic circles as another example of his mission to recreate the influence of the Ottoman Empire following trips to north Africa and the Middle East. The Qatari intervention is the latest in a series into states in conflict after supplying arms to the rebellion against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and backing the Syrian uprising. The London conference will be attended by the TFG, countries in the region and neighbouring states including Kenya and Uganda as well as aid agencies. However Eritrea, which has been accused of supplying arms to al-Shabaab, has not been invited and it is unclear at what level Somaliland would be represented. The US is a major contributor to the AU force in Somalia. A senior US diplomat said: "We are fully behind the London conference. Yes, you could say that everyone will have their agenda, including the British. Our own Somali diaspora have links with both the good and bad guys in Somalia, the British much more so, so it's natural they want to be involved. "Where does it all lead to after London? We'll see."

Somalia boy, why assassinations don't happen in Garowe, in Qardo and other towns in Puntland? if you can answer that you can answer your question as well. About green lane, if you can not stop assassinations inside the area you control what makes you think you can enforce a Green Lane. Things are not straight forward as you think young man. There are no clear border lines and people are inter-mixed and bringing men in boots in people's door steps will lead to certain clashes. For your information Green Lane never existed physically, it was only based on fear that if you cross to the other side you will be shot. Qardaawi, If it is only that simple. That's against the whole reason why Galmudug never wanted to come under Puntland: Somali pride. May be if Puntland brings its cards on the table and give them a good deal they can not refuse. All in all, war is not an option and after twenty years of silly wars, Somalia can not afford to go into war again on clan lines. Rememember Somalia's civil war started in Galkio and should end in Galkio.

Somalia you are not comparing like with like, South is much smaller and less populated than the North, therefore its not easy for the assassins to operate in there withou risking capture or getting killed. The other thing is it may be well true that the assasins live and operate in the South, or may not be true at all, so what do you do? Do you wage a war which will have far reaching consequences on the basis of unsubstantiated information? prove by any means necessay, even by paying militias that actually such and such group plan assasinations in Galmudug, uncover all to know and then and onlythen take steps. But Faroole & co have became incompetent and all they do is throw accusations and threats here and there, no action at all.

Somalia you're wrong, war is not an answer and does not bring anything except death and destruction. The governor is over reacting and instead should think of a better strategy to alleviate the problem. First thing first, he should beef up his security apparatus. 200 men is not enough to patrol the whole city, the city needs double of that number or more. And in terms, of Galmudug it has always been clear the admin there is not strong and stable, so instead of all the time complaining about them, Puntland should work with them rather than against them and support in whatever way, even if it means having combined police force operating in the trouble areas. I believe that's achievable,if its well negotiated. I dont think they doing anything deliberately, its just they don't have the resources and so can not control different clan militias. Secondly, Galkio and surrounding has always been trouble hot spots, clan clashes, random killings, camel robbery you name it always existed and will exist until Rural mudug is brought into civilzation by force or by consent. In the meantime, elders who Pre Galmudug or even pre Puntland solved issues should be reached out to and get involved, this is very important.

Allah Yarham, Sheikh Dr Axmed Xaaji. Puntland and Somalia willl miss him. He was apeacemaker, teacher and preacher of good. Wallahi,I'm fearful of where Somalia is being headed! Ilaahay ha naga qabto shar wadayaasha, Amiin

Tarzan is doing well given the circumstances he's under. I got respect for any one who dodges daily road side bomb and death to change a situation he believes in, as Tarzan is

^ Giving you the benefit of the doubt, you are falling to a trap unknowingly. Carefully checking the link you quoted could have given you a clue of who's trying to set up the good Sheikh. Its no other than Pro-israel lobbyist, Islamaphic who see a danger in Islam spreading in Europe and Western world. As a moslem when some one badmouths another moslem we ought to stick of what we know best of that person, and ignore the rest until it becomes beyond doubt that person is guilty of the crimes alleged. Its not secret anti islam far right groups do not like Sheikh Yassin becouse of his hardwork and his persuasive nature,and will stop for nothing to taint his image. They tried many times before in the UK to a similar Sheikhs such as Sheikh Balhawi and they even went as far as making false documents that has been exposed by Channel 4 news.

Kenya is stretching its muscle to to show strength after Museveni comment that they can't resist Alshabab as they don't know how to fight. But, But why send their troops to somalia only after the Somali army plus Raskamboni defeated Alshabab. I think Kibaki want to take a credit frrm removing Alshabab from his borders where there's none due. I doubt if Kenya army (qori dheerayaal, as they were called) will face Alshabab but will just motivate the Somalis to chase them for them.

Poor seccessionists, every little incident in Puntland raises their hope of recognition, War give it up sxbayaal its not coming any time soon. Faroole must be doing something right if he's making these lot obsessed Puntland this much, a good motivation I guess to continue. Any one who knows Galkio and clan structure there know this meeting is futile and Reer Goldogob will not go any where. This meeting and others have been organised by Zakaria Haji Mohamed a rebel who opposes everything and anything and he never liked Puntland from inception and now he is trying to instigate hatred between brotherly clans, but will not succeed.

Resilince and hard work of Somali people will inshallah continue and one day will pay off. Somalis of all clans, of all regions, of all sect should stand up to these murderous,violent vampires that want to hold Somali people hostage. And God willingly we will prevail.

I hope these kids understand what opportunity is given to them and should not waste it by smuggling themsleves to Western Europe Many of them will be under pressure from their families in Europe and America to come, and if that happens Turkey will be disappointed and will give up on Somalis. In the long term Turkey should help Somalis to get a world class education in their own country.

http://www.channel4.com/news/un-probe-after-aid-stolen-from-somalia-refugees The he UN's head of aid operation has launched an inquiry after Channel 4 News revealed thousands of sacks of food were diverted from refugees and sold by Somali businessmen on the open market. An investigation by tonight's programme shows piles of maize, wheat and cooking oil - clearly marked "not for re-sale" and bearing the UN World Food Programme (WFP) logo - for sale from 10 warehouses and 15 shops in the main market of the capital, Mogadishu. Over 45,000 tons of WFP food are shipped to Somalia from Kenya every month. It was attacks on food convoys by Somali pirates which first prompted the deployment of an international naval flotilla, currently patrolling the Gulf of Aden. But although Somali pirates have caught the world's attention and imagination, Somalia itself is so dangerous that the diversion of aid convoys inland has gone almost completely hidden from the outside world. "We buy aid from WFP staff directly or from people they employ" a market trader tells Channel 4 News. "They take us to the warehouses used by the WFP and let us load our lorries. The goods are freely available and you can buy as much as you like, but we usually buy no more than 500 to 1,000 sacks at a time. Just a ton or half a ton a day can be shifted more discreetly." That food could hardly be more needed. Over a million people have been driven from their homes by fighting, including 117,000 people that have fled from Mogadishu's fighting in the last month according to the UN. One in three Somali children are classified by the UN as malnourished. UN officials claim that civil war and the worst drought in a decade have created "near-famine conditions", with Somalia ranking alongside Darfur as the worst humanitarian emergency anywhere in the world. The WFP is tasked with feeding 3.5 million Somalis - almost half the entire population - and is struggling to overcome an operational shortfall of over $84m (£51m) over the next six months. Britain gave the WFP £9m for Somalia last year through the Department for International Development (DFID) and is now weighing up whether to give more. 'Fictional refugee camp' Yet a market trader describes to Channel 4 News how he invents fictional refugee camps, which are then allocated food which he can sell. "You go to the WFP office and fill in an application form to create a camp" he says. "When we receive the food, we give out some, and then divide the rest between ourselves and the WFP guys, who negotiated the deal." We took the findings of our investigation to Mark Bowden, the former British diplomat who is now the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Somalia: "It is extremely disturbing and potentially disruptive of the aid programme" he said, urging the WFP to investigate as a "high priority". "Somalia is probably the most complex and difficult humanitarian crisis the world is facing. I think that there is transparency in the operation....but allegations of diversion are very worrying." Mr Bowden admits that "thousands" of sacks were stolen earlier this year in a "major incident of diversion", but says the transport contractor responsible was forced to reimburse the cost. In April the Somali government complained to Bowden about bags openly for sale in Mogadishu's Bakhara market. Many of the sacks for sale are marked "from the American people", with the US government's aid agency, USAID, funding food and humanitarian assistance for Somalia to the tune of $274m (£168m) last year. Peter Goossens, the WFP's Somalia Director, describes food for sale as a "minor phenomenon". "There is no big corruption going on," he claims. "Relative to the environment, we are doing a very good job. And the donors know it." The WFP accepts that so-called "gatekeepers" - often powerful Somali clans - may siphon off aid after it reaches the camps, but it rejects claims that WFP staff are party to corruption. WFP truck drivers are docked money from a Nairobi-based bank account if they fail to deliver. In relation to the claims of fictional camps the WFP responded that it had never heard of such camps and questioned whether the word of the traders could be trusted. Mr Goossens maintains that the vast majority of the food reaches those who need it. "We do post-distribution monitoring" says Mr Goossens, claiming his staff numbers have doubled in the past year and that he would know if large amounts of aid were going astray. "We have absolutely not lost control." A statement from the WFP said: "The World Food Programme takes any allegation of food diversion extremely seriously and we rigorously investigate all allegations that are drawn to our attention. WFP has been ever-present in Somalia throughout this recent turbulent period of its history. This year alone, we expect to reach more than 3.5 million people with vital food assistance. We have maintained our supply lines to the hungry overcoming obstacles ranging from pirates on the seas off the coast of Somalia, to insecurity and attacks on our staff on the ground. In the past 12 months, WFP has lost four staff members who were killed while carrying out the life-saving work of bringing food to the hungry. Despite the continuing threat of violence WFP is committed to maintaining its presence in Somalia and delivering food transparently and efficiently to those who need it most."

Anigu kuwaan somali laynka ah waa la gartay laakiin waxaan layaabay kuwaan allssc sheeganaya ee raadinaya burburka puntland! waa wax lalayaabo

Abtigiis you misunderstand Faroole. You could accuse him of anything, bad temperedness, dictatorial tendencies, nepotism but secessionism is not one of them. I don’t know how much of his public speeches you listen, but he always talks the Somalia of the old with nostalgic way, calls for unity in every opportunity, that would not come out from the mouth of a man who wanted to cut Somalia into pieces. What does he stand for? United federal Somalia, where each part takes its fair share of the wealth and have a say about its own internal policies. He is fearful that past mistakes will be repeated. He talks Somalia of the old ignoring his region and dubbing “ Gaari waa” and the “unreachable land” and accumulating all Somalia’s resources in one city i.e. Mogadishu. That to me is not bad as a negotiated settlement could be reached on how Somalia should structure itself (central or federal) and how resources should be shared.

Puntland is facing challenges no doubt, but crisis that is bit of exageration. Puntland is under attack from Alshabab wether you believe or not. They have been killing people in the last three years in Galkio, Bosaso and other main cities in Puntland. In particular Galkio they are hiding behind clans so as to find protection from these clans while continuing with their assasinations and bombings. Especially they target those clans that have a traditional grievance from the state and other clans. This is history repeating itself. Remember, in Mogadishu they were protected by Indhocade and Sh Xassan Dahir's sub clan and we know what happened and the rest is history. Puntland can not affrod to let extremism and violent few to disrupt its peace and security and needed to take action. But Faroole's answer lack strategy, vision and proper leadership.What happened in Garsor is point proof. He needn't to attack instead should have used other strategy, for example, addressing some of the grievances by bringing the elders of the said clan on board, fighting these criminals with same token of tactics that they're use ie using their clans to apprehend suspects and giving assurances that there will be fair justice for any one improsoned. And that's why the blame of what happened in Garsoor solely lies with him and he should change tactics becouse its not working but hurting.

Thank you Erdogan, Thank you Turkey Somalia and Somali people are grateful for your kindness! Somalia Inshallah will pay you back in kind

Malawi windmill boy with big fans William Kamkwamba up one of his windmills William Kamkwamba educated himself in his local library By Jude Sheerin BBC News The extraordinary true story of a Malawian teenager who transformed his village by building electric windmills out of junk is the subject of a new book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Self-taught William Kamkwamba has been feted by climate change campaigners like Al Gore and business leaders the world over. His against-all-odds achievements are all the more remarkable considering he was forced to quit school aged 14 because his family could no longer afford the $80-a-year (£50) fees. When he returned to his parents' small plot of farmland in the central Malawian village of Masitala, his future seemed limited. But this was not another tale of African potential thwarted by poverty. Defence against hunger The teenager had a dream of bringing electricity and running water to his village. William Kamkwamba and one of his windmills Many, including my mother, thought I was going crazy - people thought I was smoking marijuana William Kamkwamba And he was not prepared to wait for politicians or aid groups to do it for him. The need for action was even greater in 2002 following one of Malawi's worst droughts, which killed thousands of people and left his family on the brink of starvation. Unable to attend school, he kept up his education by using a local library. Fascinated by science, his life changed one day when he picked up a tattered textbook and saw a picture of a windmill. Mr Kamkwamba told the BBC News website: "I was very interested when I saw the windmill could make electricity and pump water. "I thought: 'That could be a defence against hunger. Maybe I should build one for myself'." When not helping his family farm maize, he plugged away at his prototype, working by the light of a paraffin lamp in the evenings. But his ingenious project met blank looks in his community of about 200 people. "Many, including my mother, thought I was going crazy," he recalls. "They had never seen a windmill before." Shocks Neighbours were further perplexed at the youngster spending so much time scouring rubbish tips. Al Gore William Kamkwamba's achievements with wind energy show what one person, with an inspired idea, can do to tackle the crisis we face Al Gore "People thought I was smoking marijuana," he said. "So I told them I was only making something for juju [magic].' Then they said: 'Ah, I see.'" Mr Kamkwamba, who is now 22 years old, knocked together a turbine from spare bicycle parts, a tractor fan blade and an old shock absorber, and fashioned blades from plastic pipes, flattened by being held over a fire. "I got a few electric shocks climbing that [windmill]," says Mr Kamkwamba, ruefully recalling his months of painstaking work. The finished product - a 5-m (16-ft) tall blue-gum-tree wood tower, swaying in the breeze over Masitala - seemed little more than a quixotic tinkerer's folly. But his neighbours' mirth turned to amazement when Mr Kamkwamba scrambled up the windmill and hooked a car light bulb to the turbine. As the blades began to spin in the breeze, the bulb flickered to life and a crowd of astonished onlookers went wild. Soon the whiz kid's 12-watt wonder was pumping power into his family's mud brick compound. 'Electric wind' Out went the paraffin lanterns and in came light bulbs and a circuit breaker, made from nails and magnets off an old stereo speaker, and a light switch cobbled together from bicycle spokes and flip-flop rubber. Before long, locals were queuing up to charge their mobile phones. WINDS OF CHANGE 2002: Drought strikes; he leaves school; builds 5m windmill 2006: Daily Times writes article on him; he builds a 12m windmill 2007: Brings solar power to his village and installs solar pump Mid-2008: Builds Green Machine windmill, pumping well water Sep 2008: Attends inaugural African Leadership Academy class Mid-2009: Builds replica of original 5m windmill Mr Kamkwamba's story was sent hurtling through the blogosphere when a reporter from the Daily Times newspaper in Blantyre wrote an article about him in November 2006. Meanwhile, he installed a solar-powered mechanical pump, donated by well-wishers, above a borehole, adding water storage tanks and bringing the first potable water source to the entire region around his village. He upgraded his original windmill to 48-volts and anchored it in concrete after its wooden base was chewed away by termites. Then he built a new windmill, dubbed the Green Machine, which turned a water pump to irrigate his family's field. Before long, visitors were traipsing from miles around to gawp at the boy prodigy's magetsi a mphepo - "electric wind". As the fame of his renewable energy projects grew, he was invited in mid-2007 to the prestigious Technology Entertainment Design conference in Arusha, Tanzania. Cheetah generation He recalls his excitement using a computer for the first time at the event. "I had never seen the internet, it was amazing," he says. "I Googled about windmills and found so much information." Onstage, the native Chichewa speaker recounted his story in halting English, moving hard-bitten venture capitalists and receiving a standing ovation. Bryan Mealer (left) with William Kamkwamba William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer (left) spent a year writing the book A glowing front-page portrait of him followed in the Wall Street Journal. He is now on a scholarship at the elite African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr Kamkwamba - who has been flown to conferences around the globe to recount his life-story - has the world at his feet, but is determined to return home after his studies. The home-grown hero aims to finish bringing power, not just to the rest of his village, but to all Malawians, only 2% of whom have electricity. "I want to help my country and apply the knowledge I've learned," he says. "I feel there's lots of work to be done." Former Associated Press news agency reporter Bryan Mealer had been reporting on conflict across Africa for five years when he heard Mr Kamkwamba's story. The incredible tale was the kind of positive story Mealer, from New York, had long hoped to cover. The author spent a year with Mr Kamkwamba writing The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, which has just been published in the US. Mealer says Mr Kamkwamba represents Africa's new "cheetah generation", young people, energetic and technology-hungry, who are taking control of their own destiny. "Spending a year with William writing this book reminded me why I fell in love with Africa in the first place," says Mr Mealer, 34. "It's the kind of tale that resonates with every human being and reminds us of our own potential." Can it be long before the film rights to the triumph-over-adversity story are snapped up, and William Kamkwamba, the boy who dared to dream, finds himself on the big screen? We asked for your reaction to this story. Please find a selection of your comments below. Kudos to this lad for his perseverance. The answers to Africa's problems lie within - not from w