Saaxiib, as long as you got Puntland on that map, nothing else matters. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

Sayid Somal, As the sole representatives of the TFG on these threads; somaliaonline's NEW President and VP, will be dhulQarnayn and General Duke, respectively. Marka wixii mucaarad noqonaya si fiican cimaamadihiina madaxa u saarta, wixii kalana fall in line, else the General and I will have to open A Can O' Whup-A$$ on y'all. Sayid, walaale, what were you thinking when you gave all these cyber reprobates HOPE with this thread of yours? Ceeb badnaaaaaaa! Maantaad tiri... QARAN DIID iyo QAXOOTI mucaarad ah ayaa madax noqonaya.Ha ha ha ... What a joker War meesha ku kala yaaca, ninkaan waxba nii ma hayee! dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic of California

^^^A&T, you of all people should have known the side effects a lil caano boore can have on a poor pirate such as myself. When I first picked up this evil vice from you--you forgot to include the instruction manual for the stuff. You know-- the do's and dont's. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

Originally posted by SCORPION_SISTA: quote:We were full on going at it in the back of the lounge and, at one point, I had my hand so far up her skirt I think my fingers got tangled up in her fallopian tubes Needless to say I couldn't go on reading any further, it was just getting ridiculous... Woman's internal anatomy ...As it is obvious in the picture, not only is it impossible to do it with fingers I can't imagine anyone woman finding it arousing or stimulating...So DQ aka fearing wadaad I can't even commend you on the effort because you didn't write this but merely copied and posted here on SOL and neither would I recommend as a education/interesting/engaging read for someone of your innocence because it is so outrageously filled with misinformation. Gosh scorp, did you really have to go find a picture of that? dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

I don't mean you write pornography, what i mean is that you create your own stories whateva they are. This dude wants to steal other stories and sign it with his name .......... There is no comparing here ,,, i just want him to follow you dee ... Adiguna markaasaad cid walba isku qaadaa ,,,, by dhulQarnayn :cool: Reppublic Of California

^^^Sax, I'm glad you caught the aforesaid for-your-eyes-ONLY item. Marka, hada maxaan kuu qabtaa oo kale oo aad weli lasoo jeedaa. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

^^^Waryaa Red, be good lil secessionist deviant support and take your medicine and then get to bed. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

^^^Hey Bililiqo supporter, MOVE OVER for more news about the beef brewing between the nut-case religionists. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Somalia: Uproar as Islamic Courts faction appoints 'new chairman' MOGADISHU, Somalia Oct 12 - Political infighting within the Islamic Courts movement deepened on Sunday when the Eritrea-based faction announced the election of a new chairman. An Islamic Courts delegation from Eritrea now visiting the Somali capital Mogadishu told a press conference that the group elected Sheikh Omar Iman as the new chairman, replacing Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed at the top. The visiting delegation's spokesman, Ismail Haji Addow, told reporters that the new executive council chairman will hold office "until the next gathering." Sheikh Omar Iman, the chairman-elect, lives in Eritrea and was deputy of the Islamic Courts' legislative council (Shura) since 2006. Mr. Haji Addow had strong words for Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Ghelle, saying that Ghelle's recent comments were "unexpected" from a Djiboutian leader. He accused UN Special Envoy to Somalia, Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, of being an "American agent" who is working to divide up the anti-Ethiopia insurgency. The Special Envoy was instrumental in facilitating the Somali peace talks in Djibouti, which led to the signing of a peace agreement last June between Sharif Sharif and interim Prime Minister Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein. Challenge Some Islamic Courts commanders have publicly come out and rejected Sheikh Omar Iman's ascension to the group's top. A group of Islamist officials on the ground, including the official spokesman Abdirahim Isse Addow, argued that a Shura Council meeting must be held to vote out the executive chairman. Sheikh Mohamud Jim'ale was quoted by local media in Mogadishu, saying: "The Asmara [Eritrea] meeting was attended by only three members of the Shura Council and the remaining 88 members were not present." Another senior official, Sheikh Abdulkadir Ali Omar, told reporters that "fighters on the ground are neutral" about the growing political dispute among Islamic Courts leaders. Both Islamic Courts officers extended support to Sheikh Sharif's leadership "until a Shura Council conference is held" to elect a new chairman. Since June, the Islamic Courts fractured into two major camps based in Djibouti and Eritrea, led by Sheikh Sharif and Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, respectively. Islamist rebels are leading an anti-Ethiopia insurgency in parts of Somalia, which has killed at least 9,500 people so far and contributed negatively to the humanitarian crisis in the country. ----------------------------------------------- dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

The Man Who Finds That His Son Has Become a Thief by Raymond Souster Coming into the store at first angry At the accusation, believing in The word of his boy who has told him: I didn't steal anything, honest. Then becoming calmer, seeing that anger Will not help in the business, listening painfully As the other's evidence unfolds, so painfully slow. Then seeing gradually that evidence Almost as if tighten slowly around the neck Of his son, at first vaguely circumstantial, then gathering damage, Until there is present the unmistakable odor of guilt Which seeps now into the mind and lays its poison. Suddenly feeling sick and alone and afraid, As if an unseen hand had slapped him in the face For no reason whatsoever: wanting to get out Into the street, the night, the darkness, anywhere to hide The pain that must show in the face to these strangers, the fear. It must be like this. It could hardly be otherwise.

^^^ha ha ha... Red Sea, saaxiib, the thought never crossed my mind. I know you aint a bad guy. I know it's the fake cimaamad, oo kala jeeda aad qabtid, thats driving this insanity of yours. But insha Allah, the day aad iska dhigtid ma foga, and I'll be more than willing to toast up a glass of caano boore with you, just as I did with my other not-so-bright antagonists, A&T and Zack. Besides, I am no longer interested in engaging in a pointless discussion that leads nowhere with you; so good luck and good night. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

^^^Oh No, It wasn't me, it was the caano boore that made me do it. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

^^^War A&T, ma asaa ogol ina caana booraha lala qeybsado. Gaajo socoto weeye ninkaasu ee. But nonetheless, stay tuned. I can see JB, you're into reading hanky-panky stories such as all the other old farts on SOL...lol dhulQarnayn Republic Of California

Originally posted by Mujahid: Red Sea: Dhulqarnayn you are part of the problem that we need to get rid of along with the Ethiopians. So be patient. Your time will come when you will regret every word you have said here. Uff calaa shaklak. Wow! Those are some macho words coming from a grudge festering secessionist. Red Sea, sir, you're nothing more than a keyboard "mujahid". All talk. No action. But nonetheless, a tough guy behind a computer. Seek some professional help. Lying about Cabdullahi Yuusuf won't qualify as therapy for a misanthropic religionist such as yourself. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

Originally posted by AfricaOwn: Were you not calling the people "Waqooyi galbeed" cowards in another thread? first of all cretin, learn the difference between waqooyi galbeed and SomaliGalbeed. When you do, feel free to reply with your drivel in here, in the meantime you ain't converting no one with that hokum, so move along, alright! Originally posted by AfricaOwn: We rather support "the fake cimaamad wearing deviants" then to side with your likes lol. We see your uncle Yey and his supporters as the vampire. Horta odaygaan Cabdullahi Yuusuf, nephew badanaa? It seems, qof walba oo munaafiqiinta Al-Shabab ka soo horjeeda, adeer buu uyahay...Show ninku Somaalida kala bar, bar buu adeer uyahay. Waa cajaa ib. Kulahaa, "We see his supporters as the vampire". Alright from henceforth, you should start calling me, Count Dracula, kapish dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

^^^War maxaad isla waaleesaan meeshaan...Y'all wanted summin nasty to read and hooked y'all up. Ungrateful charlatans! Anyway, there is more caano boore where that came from, so let me know when y'all ready to toast up some more with moi'...lol dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

^^^ War wiilka madaxa ha ka cunin seef laboodyahow cimaamada kala jeeda qaba. Kulahaa, "the target audience of this thread was somalilanders". Just because you only meant to address your fellow cretinous secessionists, does NOT mean no one else baa runta kuu sheegi kara. I'm not sure what's more unbelievable Red Sea--your ignorance or your bigotry. Soliciting to have a whole group of people to support a demented bunch of charlatans is tantamount to asking decent Muslims to do many unholy things not sanctioned by Islam or any other religious or legal system. The significant problem with ignorant bigots such as yourself is that you actually believe that the people of Waqooyi galbeed have the same criminal predilection to champion the fake cimaamad wearing deviants you support. And you're wrong, saaxiib! So please take your wishy-washy twaddle elsewhere. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California p.s What's wrong with supporting the TFG? bring it on suckahs!LOL

Once again Red Sea, as usual, you are coming across as a little under-medicated. Ma anaa kudhahay, google "what is Shari'a?" and paste the results on this thread. All I said was that we need to have the CHOICE to use Shari'a law in Somalia for people like youself and I. However; I don't think we have the right to FORCE Shari'a upon other Somalis who do not want it. Now that was the GIST of my post! So don't try to go on a PR campaign in here about the goodness of the Shari'a system of law. I know that very well and I'm sure many other Somalis feel the same way. I also appreciate how you've shared your thoughts on this matter. But I'm confident that Somalis will see through the munaafiqnimo of Shabab&CO and will protect their personal freedoms, because the "Shari'a is the solution" and the "I'm telling you it's the solution or else off with your head" crowd do NOT really have any real solutions for us. The lack of real solutions is why they will always try to whip up mass sentiments and try to use the excuse that they fighting for the implementation of Islamic law to achieve a hidden and politically motivated agenda. But in the end, I'm sure it will NOT work on Somalis. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

^^^Hey Cara, Don't you worry about SOLers like Zack&Co and SCORPION_SISTA who were hoping to read summin a lil "risque" and juicy-- It so happens that I, dhulQarnayn, have a particular forte, when it comes to narrating gamy stories. So enjoy! **************************************************** I once met a girl on somalinet.com, if I recall correctly. She was a twenty-three year old college student who lived somewhere in the east bay, which was very convenient as it meant she wouldn’t have to drive far to deliver herself to moi'. Her profile pictures showed a cute and thin Somali chick who looked westernized, but those are always the best kind. Westernized Somali chicks usually tend to love the whole Killafornia “bad boy” image I’d cultivated, along with the ability to write in complete sentences and speak with a reasonable level of intelligence, until I'm drunk with caano boore ofcourse. This is usually a recipe for “I’ve never been with a Somali guy like you. Now, keen aan caano booraha kuu shubee" Now since, this girl was particularly cute, I didn’t balk when she said she wanted to meet and share with me some caano boore at a local spot. See, I typically didn’t like to leave my house and, as a general rule, I made chicks come to me. This served a number of reasons including, but not limited to: 1) Calming my massive ego- I like it when chicks offer themselves at my door, ergo I am king. 2) Appeasing my massive insecurities. In the real world, I’m just another self-concious big fore-headed Somali dude. But in my own domain, I am king. 3) Saving me huge sums of cash. Lots of caano boore and shiisha at Casa de dhulQarnayn. Drink as much as you like, smoke as much as you like, I’ve got plenty (Of caano boore, not cash. I’m a broke a$$ nigga). 4) When THE favourable moment hits, where homegirl arrives at the intersections of shiisha high, caano boore drunk and horny, we’re already on location for MY incursion. (Have I shown you my marrakesh pewter duvet?) 5) I’m lazy and don’t like to go anywhere. (Snores before whores!) But like I said, she was cute enough and seemingly “normal” for a Somali chick (They all seem normal at first). I suspected that she might back out altogether if I pushed her to come straight to my place. Plus it was kind of a challenge. Could I play the game outside of my own domain? Could I get her to buy the caano boore and shiisha? Could I get her back to my crib before she realized that she’s about to screw a total stranger who’s only criteria for a date was that she be cute and paid for my shiisha and caano boore?(I’m a romantic) So I gave her the affirmative and agreed to meet up with her at her favorite watering hole (and hopefully later be up in her favorite wet-hole?). She chose: It is, or at least was, a cool little place in the east bay, right on Mowry Blvd. Not exactly my style, but they had caano boore and shiisha (which was totally my style), and girls (which were even more my style). I arrived a few minutes late and she was already there, puffing away at her first shiisha. I apologized for being late but she said no problem, she’d only been there a few minutes. A few minutes and she was already burning through the charcoal and polishing off her first glass of caano boore? That’s a good sign. As I was a chronic caano boore drinker, who gulped down caano boore like a thirsty man drains a tall glass of cold water, I enjoyed a female who imbibed the same way (I also enjoyed a female who could drain a tall glass of water, preferably mine). It usually turned out great. We both got a$$-out inebriated and thought it in our best interest to screw each other in spite of the fact that we probably did not know anything about each other. Of course, there was the occasional issue where one or the other of us got too high to function, or the other turned into a fcuking puss. But that shite happens. Call it a job hazard. Anyway, turns out she was a bit horny just like me and we got along swimmingly. We ordered numerous sessions of shiisha, had some great conversation, followed quickly by silly chit chat, and then kissed. We were full on going at it in the back of the lounge and, at one point, I had my hand so far up her skirt I think my fingers got tangled up in her fallopian tubes. Needless to say, we had a mutual attraction. This went on for a while until I finally said in af somaali, “Naa meesha naga kaxee!”, and let her pay the bill (I’m a feminist). We collected ourselves and staggered out the front door and onto the sidewalk. I suggested that she follow me home and she said, “Nope. I got a class to go to early tomorrow.” Ummm, did I just hear this naccas correctly? I left my house to come here. I drove almost three miles (ok, more like three quarters of a mile), but still she wasn’t going to give me ANY? Because she had a class in the morning? Oh noo! I didn’t spend the last couple of hours in a pretentious hookah lounge, fingering your poonanny and tongue wrestling, so I could go home and rub one out. Hell no!! you’re going to have to quit your bloody college! I suggested that maybe she’d like to drive me home, just to make sure I get there safely (horny me IS very clever). To my amazement, she actually agrees to that idea (horny her is decidedly NOT very clever), so we start walking to her car. We get about 20 feet away and she pushes me back into a semi-darkened doorway right off the sidewalk. She pushes her tongue into my mouth and starts rubbing my member in a way too aggressive for any public street, even in california. I'm thinking to myself,"Tan kuwii dhalay walee wey ku khasaareen". Anyway, I get hard instantly and I can’t decide if I’m turned on by her actions or by how clever I am. Nothing turns me on like my own ego(I’d screw me). One thing about good ol' dhulQarnayn, I never had a problem ever getting it up. Even in the most extreme conditions, I could still get it up. And up I was at attention, ready to pay homage to the nether regions of this crazy somali chick. The girl actually starts to unzip my slacks and I figure she’s just trying to get me amped up before we head to my crib. Head, apparently, is the operative word here. Seconds later she is on her knees and performing very "unsomali" things to me. I’m halfway between “DAMN this feels good” and “holy shit there are a lot of cars driving by”. I’m not an exhibitionist by nature and prefer that nobody watch me make monkey sex faces, particularly if they’re sitting at a traffic light in their Mercedes. And we’re not exactly in a removed alleyway either, nor behind a dumpster, off on some side street (Very romantic by the way, just fyi). We’re in a tiny corner, on a busy carriageway, next to a Hookah lounge that’s just closing down, street lights blazing. Two minutes later, people start pouring out of the lounge. All I can do is stand there, frozen, while this chick is on her knees manhandling my groin in front of most of the Westside(If only I could make that 2Pac shakur ‘W’ with my hand). Now I have a multitude of problems (I have always had a multitude of problems). One, I have an overwhelming desire to start yelling down at her, “It’s last call b*tch, finish that drink!”, and watch if anyone else finds me funny. Two, I’m extremely uncomfortable and want to leave, but I don’t exactly want her to just get up and step away just yet, leaving me fumbling to cover up my naked pecker. Three, at this point I’d be happy to let her continue, but there’s no way I can do it with all of these bloody looky loo’s staring at me. Can’t these folks just mind their own fcuking business? Move along people. Nothing to see here. This chick is not on her knees, sucking my phallus here on Mowry Blvd. She’s not. No seriously. It’s all a big misunderstanding. She dropped her contacts on my loins and is trying to find it with her tonsils. Finally I had a moment of clarity, reached down and literally shoved it back in my pants. Zip. Snap. Kapish. Done. I start walking. She struggles to get up, steadies herself, then staggers and chases me down the sidewalk. I’m laughing and she’s a little angry but hey, it’s not like the sidewalk-suckoff was dhulQarnayn's idea. After a few seconds of blowing off steam (she’s doing a lot of blowing tonight), it’s right back to being lovey-dovey and ready to get in the car. Once in her car, she leans over and tries to get at it again with me. Now I'm kinda tired and would like to take a leak and really just wanna get home. I miss my home. I tell her let’s wait and get out of this area first, lest the highway patrol came and bust us for lewd behavior(Qofta waxaan uma leeyey ineena ogeen inaan "oday" Somaaliyeed ahay!). Moments later we pull into the parking behind my building (finally, dhulQarnayn's den, where real romance occurs) and she starts to lean over. I assume she’s going to come inside but she says no, that she really has to get up early for college. I start to argue but my heart isn’t really in it. I’m tired and truth be told, our rendervouz in the alleyway wasn’t all that great. The fun part was only in the fact that we were on a public sidewalk. I said goodnight, gave her a peck on the cheek, and jumped out of the car. In no time at all I was in my bed. And we never went out again. Two days later I get a call from another Somali chick saying, “Did I see you at the hookah lounge on Mowry the other night?” I replied with, “Nope, never been there. But Somaali badan baa ii faanisay, so I've always wanted to check it out.” “Wanna meet there for some shiisha sometime?” I said, "Suuure!" To be continued... dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California p.s A&T, eat your heart out Mr Sheeko Baaba Raqiis...LOL! p.s.s Some of the events that took place in that story were purely fictional-- dhulQarnayn is a God fearing wadaad.

^^^Dabshid, inleyn mar mar caqli baad leedahay saaxiib. Ilaahay ha kuu kordhiyo....lol dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

Originally posted by Mujahid: Red Sea: So 17 sano ee hore waa ka kac miyaa? LOL..if at first you don't secede, try again! dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

Originally posted by Mujahid: Red Sea: ^Insha Allah Amiin. Dhulka, That last post suprisingly had some facts planted in it. While leaving the current status of somalia alone for a moment; how does Dhulqarnayn feel about Islamic sharica in somalia? Given the knowleadge you have shown bout Islamic history, the answer should be easy. Forget about whether we can or can't for sec. As hypothetical question would you be willing to except it if it showed up at your door steps? ^^^^ Well but ofcourse my dear secessionist amigo, Red Sea! First things first- Unlike the Shabab deviants and the keyboard "warriors" who ulalate on behalf of them on SOL, I don't think Shari'a law should become an instrument to usurp political control in Somalia. PERIOD! Now with that out of the way, I'll give you a minute or two, to take off that fake cimaamad you knavishly wear on the top of your head, and return to your good old secessionist-self before I continue.... Now Señor Red, Shari'a is NOT a single collection of rules. Numerous interpretations and exegesis exist of the Holy Qu'ran, Ahadith and Sunnah, by many different madhabs. Therefore, what Shari'a laws are you referring to? Which regulations will you accept as Islamic, which dictums do you think all Muslims should accept in Somalia? The predominant Madhab in Somalia is Shaafi'i, however, Muslims following other madhabs such as Hanbali, Maliki and Hanafi also live in Somalia, will they have recourse to their madhab? Although Somalia is currently a state without any executable set of laws, I believe it owes itself and ALL its people a fair and equal system of governance and law. Now whilst most Shari'a laws were inspired by the Holy Qu'ran, it has developed and evolved through time and through the efforts of men. Men who, like the rest of us, could BE fallible and corruptible. Men who to some folks should NEVER be questioned, to which I say, bullocks mate! I believe Shari'a laws should be open to scrutiny, dissection, and criticism like any other system of law. Its divine roots(i.e it being based on the Holy Qu'ran and Sunnah) should NOT be a bulwark against criticism. Or else, pernicious interpretations of Shari'a will lead to unfairness and discrimination, just like in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Mogadishu(during the short-lived rule of cimaamad wearing bililiqo&CO). Remember on this same thread, when LaZie G tried to oppose some of the inherent human rights violations that could take place under the banner of Shari'a in Somalia and when she suggested a little securalism as an alternative, how many of you were quick to accuse her of being on the edge of blasphemy and apostasy. :rolleyes: ...To those folks-- I urge y'all return to the five pillars of Islam and to study the Holy Qu'ran. Somalis must recognize that we live in a very globalized world. It is time to renounce the idea that Somalia should be ruled EXCLUSIVELY by Shari'a. More than ever before, we need a secular state in Somalia that respects freedom of religion(for those that want Shari'a), and freedom from religion (for those that want none of it), and human rights founded on the Qu'ranic principle that says..."Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth has been made clear from error. Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things [sûrah al-Baqarah: 256]". This means that we must reject the claims of the deviants(Al-Shabab&CO) in Somalia who wish to hijack our faith and LIE to us that the sovereignty of Somalia belongs to THEM exclusively, because they're magically the self-appointed representatives of Allah's(SWT). Indeed this demands that this very concept of an Islamic state in Somalia be challenged and the imposition of Shari'a law for political ends must be opposed at all cost in Somalia. What is needed is nothing less than the secularization of Somalia, and the establishment of the idea that individual CHOICE must be our guide and the gauge of our personal and private conduct on earth--And only Allah(SWT) will be the Judge of our actions on earth in the hereafter. Secularization, however, should NOT be imposed on us either. The onus is on us ALL to promote the ideals of personal freedom, national progress and change from within Somalia. Wabilahi Towfiiq! dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

Originally posted by Rahima: quote: The notion of an Islamic state is in itself an oxymoron which was TOO exceptional to be useful to us as a model today I think that you and I have different understandings of Islam altogether. Islam to me can and should be applied at all times for all people, none of it was an exception for the time of Rasulallah. Rahima, That fact that, you are admiting there are "different understanding of Islam" should be a sufficient arguement AGAINST the establishment of an Islamic state in Somalia. Because of the diversity you call "a different understanding of Islam"-- any enactment of Shari'a law would have to select some understanding(yours) over others(mine), and that could cause conflict amongst muslims with equally legitimate competing "understandings of Islam". As for the exceptionality of the early muslim state of Medina, I'm confident no mortal today could replicate it, because it had for a head of state, our Holy Prophet(SAS). And since Somalis, for the most part are a fallible, corruptible and puny bunch--I don't think we can implement such a state. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

^^^And why did you DIG up this scum???

^^^ Now back to the topic at hand... ------------------------------------------------ Somalia's Islamic Courts Fracture A closed source on the ground in Somalia,who is conversant with the country's political dynamics, reports a marked shift in its power configuration, as sub-clan loyalties increasingly supplant broader alliances and coalitions in the face of an expected and imminent withdrawal of Ethiopian occupation forces. The source says that despite the apparent gains by the Islamic Courts movement, to the point at which it nominally controls several of Somalia's regions and is making headway in all of them in its "re-liberation" struggle against the occupation and the country's notional Transitional Federal Government (T.F.G.), the movement has entered a process of splintering into clan-based militias that are often at odds with one another. The source describes the developing situation as a "free-for-all" that is replicated outside the movement with the proliferation of free-lance criminal gangs, rearming by business interests and a general retreat to sub-clan self-protection. According the source, devolution to the sub-clan level is complicated by cross-cutting allegiances to different tendencies in the Courts movement, creating rapidly shifting coalitions and radical uncertainty among all of the players:"There is huge apprehension as to how coalitions will form and sustain themselves, as traditional clan structures are now divided across ideological and profit lines."A separate source in the United Arab Emirates confirms the preceding description, reporting that Somali businessmen in the Gulf states have redirected their financial support away from umbrella organizations to their specific sub-clans. The dynamic of accelerated devolution that is noted by both sources has been precipitated by the broad consensus among Somali political actors that Ethiopia has reached the end of its tether in Somalia and will remove its forces from the country whether or not they are replaced by an unlikely United Nations stabilization mission and despite Western pressure to remain in the absence of such a mission.An Ethiopian pull-out would leave the powerless T.F.G. incapable of sustaining itself, setting the stage for a scramble for power among the fragmented factions, forcing each of them into a posture of pro-active self-defense. Should such a situation transpire, the greatest likelihood for Somalia would be a period of civil warfare preceding the emergence of a more stable configuration of power, the design of which is at present unpredictable. Signs of an Ethiopian withdrawal have already been reported in Somali media during late September and early October.On September 27, Ethiopian forces withdrew from their major base in the Hiraan region on the outskirts of its capital Beledweyne, leaving the region under the control of the Courts movement, which announced plans to form an administration based on Shari'a law. Hiraan, which borders Ethiopia's restive Somali Regional State and is the gateway to central Somalia, held the third largest number of occupation troops in the country after the official capital Mogadishu and the transitional capital Baidoa. Local media also reported that Ethiopian forces were heading for the border in the southwestern Gedo region, where the Courts movement already holds the capital Bardhere,but faces opposition from local clans. Other reports indicate that Ethiopian forces are concentrating in the Bay region, where Baidoa is located, to make a last-ditch effort to dislodge Courts militias, led by the internationalist-jihadist al-Shabaab group, from the control of towns surrounding the provisional capital. With various factions of the Courts movement dominant in every region of Somalia south of the autonomous sub-state of Puntland, Ethiopia is playing an increasingly diminished role in the country's power configuration, regardless of whether or not it intends to withdraw. All the actors are aware of the looming power vacuum, which is why they are in the process of continually positioning and repositioning themselves. Further indications of weakness in Addis Ababa came at the end of Sept when Ethiopia's prime minister, Meles Zenawi, met with United States Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and told her that his forces could not remain in Somalia for an "indefinite period of time." Sensing Zenawi's failing resolve, the fractious and divided parties forming Ethiopia's political opposition found common ground in agitating for a pull-out when the Ethiopian Democratic Party, which had backed the occupation, called for a timetable for withdrawal, joining the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces and the Unity for Democracy and Justice, both of which have demanded an immediate end to the occupation. The Case of Middle Shabelle The closed source in Somalia indicated the shape of things to come in a detailed description of the situation in the Middle Shabelle region, which has been administered by the Courts movement for several months. Beginning with the observation that "what we see on the ground is the perpetual fracturing of the Islamic groups," the source reports that after the Courts movement took control of the region, there were four factions present: a group linked to al-Shabaab, two clan-linked groups operating under the umbrella of the Islamic Courts Union (I.C.U.) and an I.C.U. group affiliated with the diplomatic wing of the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (A.R.S.), to which administrative control had been provisionally "ceded." Currently, says the source, there are at least four new factions, three of which are clan-based and nominally affiliated with the I.C.U., and one or more of which have splintered from the A.R.S. along clan lines. The source adds that the agreement allowing the A.R.S. faction administrative control expires in a month with little prospect for its renewal. The source reports that not only has the Courts movement splintered in Middle Shabelle, but that its factions are engaging in predatory acts, such as looting food shipments and firing on aid recipients, and using access to humanitarianaid as a political weapon. Violent clashes resulting in deaths occurred when I.C.U. forces guarding food shipments attempted to loot them - in one case, local residents mobilized against the I.C.U. "guards," killing one of them and driving the rest of them off. The source likens the Courts factions in Middle Shabelle to warlord and "rogue-businessman" groups that are "driven by the profit and control motive." Although the source's account of events in Middle Shabelle has not been directly confirmed in open sources, local media reported on October 3 that there had been a spike in robberies in the region's capital Jowhar by "unidentified militia groups" stealing cell phones, and that I.C.U. officials were meeting to "decide how to resolve the situation." On October 6, a United Nations delegation from Nairobi met with I.C.U. officials in Jowhar to discuss the delivery of humanitarian aid; taken at face value, this would appear to be a sign of stability in the region and of growing legitimacy of the Courts movement. In light of the source's report, the meaning of the visit is less clear. Conclusion If the sources in Somalia and the U.A.E. are correct - and they have proven to be reliable in the past - southern and central Somalia is poised to descend into a period of strife with power draining to the sub-clan level of society and attended by the complications of cross-cutting ideological and business interests. Garowe Online reported on October 6 that the chair of the Ha'wiye clan's Tradition and Unity Council, Mohamed Hassan Haad, had recently returned from a trip through Somalia's central regions, which are dominated by the Ha'wiye clan family, with the aim of testing a proposal for a Ha'wiye regional government, which would open up a process of clan-based cantonization. Garowe Online's source, a former Puntland official, said that the trip had met with "mixed results," but that it indicated "a process of Ha'wiyism." With the Somalia source reporting that Washington is in a state of "paralysis" on Somalia and with Ethiopia's power vector weakening, it appears that Somalia will be abandoned to its own devices once again, as it had been before the Courts movement mounted its aborted revolution in 2006. As the Courts movement gained ground through 2008, it appeared possible that it might maintain sufficient unity of purpose to provide a political formula for Somalia. The source's report on Middle Shabelle was intended to correct that misconception. At present, there is no protagonist in Somalia, only a multitude of defensive antagonists. -------------------------- dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California

Originally posted by Rahima: ^The two of you need to reassess your stance. The fundamental premise of an Islamic state is that there is no separation between the masjid/diin and politics or running of the state. Just because the interpretations of Iranians is warped, it does not mean that the concept is wrong. Islam is not a religion, it is a way of life. I know I’m preaching somewhat,lol, but that is the basic point. We need to look at Islam as dictating every sphere of life. That said, does it mean that the man who has spent his whole life at the masjid learning the sciences of hadith alone should be the leader of the state? No t necessarily. On the flip side, does it mean that the Harvard graduate of political science who performs the bare minimum requirements to be a Muslim should be the leader of the state? Once again not necessarily. Ideal leaders are people like Abu Bakr, Omar, Cuthman and Ali. They were well versed in Islam and the world as it was in their times. You guys are treading on thin water really. What you’re advocating for is an oxymoron. You cannot say that you support an Islamic state, yet call for separation of diin and state affairs. quote: All in all, I believe we need to have the best of both worlds, that of secular and islamic aspect of state. Ofcourse, I have much more to say, but I am short on time this morning. The beauty of a proper Islamic state LG, is just as you describe it. A good Muslim takes his/her share of both this world and the hereafter. Islam doesn’t instruct us to neglect this world. What you call as the best of the secular state, is in fact part of an Islamic state- That the leader is a person who is taking his share in this world and who will oversee the interests of the Muslim Ummah in the hereafter AS WELL AS in this world. Like i said, Iran is not an Islamic state, far from it actually. Neither is Saudi Arabia, we shouldn’t be using them as examples for they are flawed. To understand how a proper Islamic state runs, you need to go waaaay back in Islamic history. I’m sure, that will appeal to you. To Rahima&CO: The notion of an Islamic state is in itself an oxymoron and a contradiction by the very act of enacting it as the law of the land. Since there is so much diversity of opinion amongst Muslim scholars and schools of thought, any enactment of Shari'a principles as law would have to select some opinions over others, thereby denying some believers their FREEDOM OF CHOICE among equally legitimate competing opinions. Besides, there has NEVER been a single decent precedent of an Islamic state throughout Muslim history to be followed by Somalis, with the exception ofcourse, of our Holy Prophets'(pbuh) in Medina, which was TOO exceptional to be useful to us as a model today. Also, most Somalis have the tendency to limit secularism as it is practised in Europe and America as the separation of religion from state afairs, and such contextualization obviously does not address the continuing social and political role of Islam in Somali life. From this perspective, I think secularism should be understood in terms of the type of relationship that can develop between Islam and the state, rather than a specific way in which that relationship has evolved in some western society. So in Somalia, I suggest that any type of relationship between Islam and securalism should development over time, and should also be accepted as legitimate by the population at large, instead of drastically forcing it down the people's throats without their consent. dhulQarnayn :cool: Republic Of California