David Hume (April 26, 1711 – August 25, 1776)[1] was a Scottish philosopher, economist, and historian who is one of the most important figures of Western philosophy and of the Scottish Enlightenment Historians most famously see Humean philosophy as a thoroughgoing form of skepticism, but many commentators have argued that the element of naturalism has no less importance in Hume's philosophy. I am apt to suspect the negroes to be naturally inferior to the whites. There scarcely ever was a civilized nation of that complexion, nor even any individual eminent either in action or speculation. No ingenious manufactures amongst them, no arts, no sciences. On the other hand, the most rude and barbarous of the whites, such as the ancient GERMANS, the present TARTARS, have still something eminent about them, in their valour, form of government, or some other particular. Such a uniform and constant difference could not happen, in so many countries and ages, if nature had not made an original distinction between these breeds of men. Not to mention our colonies, there are NEGROE slaves dispersed all over EUROPE, of whom none ever discovered any symptoms of ingenuity; though low people, without education, will start up amongst us, and distinguish themselves in every profession. In JAMAICA, indeed, they talk of one negroe as a man of parts and learning; but it is likely he is admired for slender accomplishments, like a parrot, who speaks a few words plainly. Immanuel Kant (22 April 1724 – 12 February 1804), was a German philosopher from Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) in East Prussia. Kant is frequently esteemed as one of the greatest and most influential thinkers of modern Europe. He is generally considered the last major philosopher of the Enlightenment. The Negroes of Africa have by nature no feeling that rises about the trifling. Mr. Hume challenges anyone to cite a single example in which a Negro has shown talents, and asserts that among the hundreds of thousands of black who are transported elsewhere from their countries, although many of them have even been set free, still not a single one was every found who presented anything great in art or science or any other praiseworthy quality, even though among the whites some continually rise aloft from the lowest rabble, and through superior gifts earn respect in the world. So fundamental is the difference between these two races of man, and it appears to be as great in regard to mental capacities as in color. The religion of fetishes so widespread among them is perhaps a sort of idolatry that sinks as deeply into the trifling as appears to be possible to human nature. A bird's feather, a cow's horn, a conch shell, or any other common object, as soon as it becomes consecreated by a few words, is an objct of veneration and of invocation in swearing oaths. The blacks are very vain but in the Negro's way, and so talkative that they must be driven apart from each other with thrashings. Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was a British naturalist who achieved lasting fame by convincing the scientific community of the occurrence of evolution and proposing the theory that this could be explained through natural and sexual selection. This theory is now considered the central explanatory paradigm in biology. At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world. At the same time, the anthropomorphous apes ... will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the Negro [sic] or Australian and the gorilla. Thomas Huxley wrote: "No rational man, cognizant of the facts, believes that the average Negro is the equal, still less the superior, of the white man. And if this be true, it is simply incredible that, when all his disabilities are removed, and our prognathous relative has a fair field and no favor, as well as no oppressor, he will be able to compete successively with his bigger-brained and smaller-jawed rival, in a contest which is to be carried on by thoughts and not by bites

The story is told of an atheist scientist, a friend of Sir Isaac Newton, who knocked on the door and came in after he had just finished making his solar system machine (i.e. one of the machines like the one in the science museum where you crank the handle and the planets and moons move round). The man saw the machine and said 'how wonderful' and went over to it and started cranking the handle and the planets went round. As he was doing this he asked, 'Who made this?' Sir Isaac stopped writing and said 'nobody did'. Then he carried on writing. The man said, 'you didn't hear me. Who made the machine?' Newton replied, 'I told you. Nobody did.' He stopped cranking and turned to Isaac 'Now listen Isaac, this marvelous machine must have been made by somebody - don't keep saying that nobody made it.' At which point Isaac Newton stopped writing and got up. He looked at him and said 'Now isn't it amazing. I tell you that nobody made a simple toy like that and you don't believe me. Yet you gaze out into the solar System - the intricate marvelous machine that is around you - and you dare say to me that no one made that. I don't believe it'. As far as the record goes the atheist went away and he was no longer an atheist. He was suddenly converted to the idea that God was behind the laws that were found in creation.

Although the British annihilation of the Somali leader, Mohamed Abdullah Hassan - in England normally known as "the mad Mullah" - took twenty years and was finally made utilizing an independent air force unit, this war is not well known to the public. And yet this is the story of one of the first examples of the utilization of modern arms against a powerful people's army, who had the nearly total control of an immense area with strong-points which could not be overrun without extremely severe losses, and with utilization of the sanctuary on the other side of international borders. The parallel with Vietnam is obvious. It has been argued as to whether Sheikh Mohamed was a tribalist or a nationalist. It might be a rather theoretical question in this environment, but the national pride can be seen in a letter he wrote to the English people in 1903: "If the country was cultivated or contained houses or property it would be worth your while to fight. The country is all jungle and that is no use to you. If you want wood or stone you can get them in plenty. There are also many ants heaps. The sun is very hot. All you can get from me is war, nothing else". http://www.chakoten.dk/mad_mullah.html

I think Somalis are a nation with "too many" heroes, think about it daroid , hawaye , isaac.... these are all heroes to generations of somalis. A British observer one said that the somalis where a civilised people but " every man ones to be his own master".Just like Saddam some people see Siad Bare as a hero. As they say one mans freedom fighter maybe another mans "terrorist".

Asalamucalaykum http://youtube.com/watch?v=YharlhfqCsc&search=quran SURAH LUQMAN I have been trying to register in the past week, to contribute to this blessed disscusion. However there was an error every time. Therefore after deciding to give up,whilst reading this very topic and listening to Surah Luqman at the above link, something in my heart told me that this time there will no be error and that i must post to this wonderful discussion. By the grace of ALLAH swt this time there was no error and i succesfully managed to register.The beautiful recitation brings tears to ones eyes. At the same time there is also a deep meaning to the Surah. Which i will try to convey inshallah, if there are any mistakes please point point them out so we can all learn. 1. A. L. M. 2. These are Verses of the Wise Book,- 3. A Guide and a Mercy to the Doers of Good,- 4. Those who establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity, and have (in their hearts) the assurance of the Hereafter. 5. These are on (true) guidance from their Lord: and these are the ones who will prosper. 6. But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge (or meaning), to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah and throw ridicule (on the Path): for such there will be a Humiliating Penalty. 7. When Our Signs are rehearsed to such a one, he turns away in arrogance, as if he heard them not, as if there were deafness in both his ears: announce to him a grievous Penalty. The opening ayats reminded me of the dual nature of humanity. We are reminded by ALLAH swt the wisdom and mercy contained in the quran if we choose to pay heeed to it.When recited in the original arabic the opening ayats inject optimism and a sense of hope into the believers. It also reminds the believers of the importance of salat, charity and seeking the pleasure of ALLAH SWT. Then suddenly in the next ayat the dual nature of humanity is truly revealed.After ALLAH swt praises the believers and commands them to good, to prosper in this world and the hereafter.Suddenly the next ayat switches to "But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge", thus revealing to us the punishment of those who chose to follow a different to that of ALLAH swt.Therefore we understand the reward contained in "the book of wisdom" and the punishment for turning away from it. Ayahs six and seven saddened and reminded me of the youth who are growing up in the west and also in our homeland. It reminded me of the precious time wasted in our lifes. The countless hours spent listening to music. Which know seems like a pointless excercise. ALLAH SWT has warned in this surah about purchasing "idle tales". I also remember when i was younger going to the masjid with the other kids. The quran seemed like something distant,most of us couldn't wait to get out.Therefore to me the idles tales are the football scores, the hip hop music and the many other distractions in this world which are nothing but the temptations of the shaytan. However these idle tales have been chosen over the wisdom of the holy quran by the majority of the world. Religion has been relegated to the background, even some of our own people have chosen this idle tales over the wisdom contained in the quran. A conversation about qabil may attract more debate then the surah of ALLAH SWT.Men are paid millions for singing about shooting people and selling crack, People will actually pay money to read about gossip concerning other peoples lives. Yet like ALLAH swt has wonderfully reminded us in the Quran surah"when our verses our recited to them they say nothing but the tales of the ancients". Then on reflection this surah makes me appreciate the true blessings of islam,there is surely wisdom in the quran. For it is the only thing which brings tears to my eyes.Nothing in this world can compare to it is a guidance and miracle for the entire world. But like ALLAH SWT warned humanity in surah QAMAR: And We have left this as a Sign (for all time): then is there any that will receive admonition? And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?

He sanctioned mixed prayers so long as men and women did not sit too close to each other, in order to avoid "arousing sexual feelings" that could distract worshippers from their praying. Turabi also advocated dialogue with the West in order to improve the image of Islam and stressed that jihad [holy struggle] should only be waged "in self-defence and not in aggression against others". He deplored that the West had "a wrong idea and a bad image of Islam". "We seek to present a good model and I have even spoken with the Pope on this matter," he added. If the motives of this man are to appease the west so that they get the type of islam they are looking for. Then surely he doesn't have the best interests of muslims at heart and will not be taken seriously. The west did not get a bad idea of islam, rather they created a bad idea of islam themselves. Anyhow this cleric is an intellectual therefore other prominent ulema should engage in a discussion with him even though they may not agree with his view, rather then simply making loud statements which no serve no meaning to the wider muslim public.