^^^^ Brother, with all due respect, who says that Dr Badawi misinterpreted the verse? Don’t let your distaste, distrust and dislike of the man cloud your judgment here and be fair in your analysis. I’ve checked the books of tafseer (Ibn Katheer, Al Tabari, etc) and they all give the same interpretation of the verse. The interpretations do not differ that much from what Dr Zaki states in his Fatwa. The women of Islam (according to the tafseer of the verse) were instructed to cover themselves so that those that used to obstruct their way and act indecently towards them will halt such actions and stop the harassment. If you go back and read the article about Dr Zaki’s fatwa, you will notice that this is the explanation he gave for issuing this fatwa (protecting Muslim women from those that might harass them). If you read it again too, you might notice that the Dr has also stated his opposition to the banning of the Hijab in France (indicating that he indeed believes it to be WAJIB). The correct methodology when saying that a scholar’s work is ‘invalid’ is to prove why do you think it is so with sound reasoning and authentic proofs. For if every Haddad in this world thought himself equal to the scholars and issued his/her own fatwas, it won’t be only the Hijab that our women will discard! Saaxib, my advice to you when encountering cases such as this Dr’s fatwa and not having sufficient retorts, is to keep your tongue and refrain from wading into unfamiliar terrain. This advice is not limited only to you.

^^^ A good read. However, it skirts round Dr Zaki’s fatwa and does not address it directly. I’m glad that you decided to clarify your first point, saaixb. Now explain how you arrived at this: We pray to Allah for the sheikh and we kindly thank him for his concerns and efforts, but we believe that this ‘fatwa’ is baseless, and that its claim of the support from the Qur’aan is unfounded, and hence we totally REJECT his call! As I said, what you wrote above was good and pretty convincing but it did not cancel out the Dr’s fatwa. Here is how the Dr used the Quran: The scholar cited the Qur’anic verse which reads: "O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful." (Al-Ahzab: 59) "If hijab becomes a reason of harm for Muslim women in Britain at this time, then I tell them to take it off so that they would not be recognized and consequently attacked ," said Egyptian-born Badawi. "Muslims (in Britain) are scared and each feels he/she is a suspect. The picture is, indeed, gloomy and we are trying all we can to address it." Source Now you have to understand that I’m not in agreement with him and chose not to encourage my women folk to follow his fatwa. However, and this is what you’re finding difficult and I would call you on every time, I cannot question the validity of his fatwa. So far, neither can you. This is not the simple one-line discussion about Tea, overfilled boats or Blue Monday’s, where one is free to talk any old nonsense and get away with it. You are questioning the ways fatwas are issued, those issuing them and the validity of such fatwas. Once you’ve decided to swim in such an ocean, you need to prove that you do indeed have the ability to do so, otherwise, people like me will have no choice but to follow you around like a bad smell and pester you with such posts.

714 posts all consisting of “one-line†each? How do you do it, man? It’s absurd to believe that anyone is of your subnormal level intelligence, saaxib. Stop being a troll and engage in the subjects or just go back to the chat room.

Originally posted by Taqwa: Dr. Badawi is not a scholar . He has no formal Islamic training beyond his PHD and being an Economics professor. He deserves to be respect but I don't know why people listen to his opinions regarding Hijab. Something that is ordained by Allah can not be over-ruled. What sort of training does a scholar need? Scholars have been issuing and still issue new fatwas every day of the week, saaxib. One has to understand that not every single one of these is binding and that when one is faced with that many fatwas, the decision is left to one’s discretion and (shock horror) reasoning. I might be having a wild guess here, but I have the feeling that not ONE single person on this site is on the level of knowledge of Dr Badwi’s. Therefore, until and unless some other prominent scholar issues a specific fatwa contradicting and cancelling (with proof) Dr Badawi’s one, we’re left with no choice but to accept his as valid and true. This does not mean that we are forced to follow it. There is a big difference between disagreeing with a scholar (because one chooses to stick with what Allah ordained, as you said above) and disrespecting, insulting or belittling the scholar’s knowledge. Allah allows us to eat pork, other un-Islamic foods and even renounce our religion if forced to do so. We can’t all agree that our faith is a flexible faith one minute and then act all rigid and unyielding when some scholar displays the flexibility of the faith. In the long term, you see, the nonchalant disrespect of the scholars is likely to be more damaging to Muslims and Islam than a simple fatwa about Hijab (which, I must reiterate, one can follow or discard).

Do you think it's for these people? Somali TV

^^^^ The first thing to make me laugh out loud in weeks, saaxib. Thanks for that. Skittles indeed.

An enjoyable read. Of course the fact that it’s nonsensical and full of bias makes no difference to the writer’s ability to keep our interest and amuse us in parts. If the speaker is really the non-entity the author claims he is, then all his antics, deadlock and political wrangling really doesn’t portray the Somali government, people and this author in a very flattering light. Non-entities R Us.

Great site

Fidel, These were not my words, saaxib. كان شعر ابو العلاء المعري. بس من الذاكره مش من موقع :cool:

I’m not usually a fan of cut & paste articles . If I have a point to make, I try to use my own words. However, these words of Sheikh Salman struck a cord with me. I hope they do the same to you. For those making disparaging and offensive comments about Dr Badawi in those other threads, here is another article by Sheikh Salman talking about respecting the scholars: Read

Sheikh Salman al-Oadah| We find that some Muslims, especially those who are enthusiastic about their religion, exhibit excessive fear for the future of Islam and the Muslims. Their fear is extreme and debilitating, not a reasonable fear that inspires productive work, cooperation, and research, but a distorted fear that fosters listlessness and despair. Such people typically feel that reform is hopeless and that nothing remains for them but to wait for the end of it all. This fear has caused many people to retreat into an ideological stance that we can describe as a “doctorine of waitingâ€. These people pin all their hopes on the emergence of the Mahdî who will come into the world or on the descent of Jesus (peace be upon him) from the heavens. Now, we as Muslims truly believe that Jesus (peace be upon him) will indeed return to Earth, descending from the heavens. We also believe that the Mahdî will appear among the Muslims. However, Allah has not prescribed for us to await these people or anyone else for that matter. By contrast, Allah calls upon us to act – to perform righteous deeds, to call others to the truth, to enjoin what is right, to forbid what is wrong, to conduct ourselves in a proper manner, to worship Him, and to build up our community. This is what Allah wants us to do. We are not supposed to sit around and wait, incapacitated by fear and despair. Allah has not informed us as to the day and the year in which the Mahdî or Jesus (peace be upon him) will arrive. What He has detailed to us in a clear and indisputable manner are the duties that we have mentioned above. The Qur’ân and Sunnah are both quite clear about these matters. Inordinate fear and worry make a person incapable of productive action. However, there is another unwholesome symptom of fear that can surface in some people; it is an exaggerated sense of personal responsibility for Islam. While some people succumb to their fear and become as invalids, others are propelled by their fear into a distorted feeling of personal liability until they feel that they are personally accountable for the religion in its entirety and that its protection and preservation is their individual duty. This feeling makes a person feel that he must act as the guardian of the faith and its followers. He feels it is his duty to carry out a personal mandate over Islamic work and Islamic workers. This is an unhealthy state of mind, causing the person to act in an unnatural manner. Such a person typically brings harm to others, because he overburdens them and deals with them in an unbalanced way. This behavior comes as a consequence of confused priorities. The person so affected loses the ability to put things into proper perspective, so he tends to become obsessive about certain issues. There is a type of excessive fear called a phobia. It is an irrational fear that is detached from reality. A phobia is different from anxiety, since a phobia is an unbalanced fear of something that exists in the world, whereas an anxiety disorder is an irrational fear of the future. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to seek refuge with Allah from “anxiety and afflictionâ€. He prayed to Allah to protect him from “anxietyâ€, from being afflicted with an unjustifiable fear of the future. Such anxiety makes a person afraid when he wants to get married. It makes him anxious when he is about to graduate from school, worrying about whether or not he is going to find work. It makes him afraid to travel. As for a phobia, it is connected to the present day. It is the “affliction†that the Prophet (peace be upon him) also used to seek refuge from in his supplications to Allah. A person can become afflicted and beset by irrational fear, his chest constricted by his distorted view of the world around him. In this way, many Westerners fear Islam. This fear can frequently be found manifested in the Western media and in what is taught in Western educational institutions. It is referred to as “Islamophobiaâ€. Islam is indeed the true religion. As a faith, it is strong, robust, and able to stand up for itself. However, the reality of the Muslim world gives the West no occasion to fear it so crazily. The fear the West has for Islam is indeed a phobia, a sick and misplaced fear. The cultivation of this fear may be the result of deliberate efforts from some sectors seeking to create an “enemy†for the West to further their own agendas, in the same way that Communism used to be the enemy. We can often describe the Muslim fear of the West as a phobia as well. Islam, as we have said, is a strong, enduring, and robust religion. Allah ensures us that He shall protect it. He says: “Indeed, it is We who have sent down the reminder and surely it is We who shall be its protectors.†[sûrah al-Hijr: 9] Allah has not bequeathed the responsibility of preserving the faith upon any of His creatures. Allah speaks about the death of His Prophet (peace be upon him) and addresses the Prophet’s Companions, saying: “Muhammad is naught but a Messenger. Many were the Messengers who passed away before him. So if he were to die or be slain, would you turn on your heels? Whoever turns on his heels will not harm Allah in the least And Allah shall reward those who are grateful.†[sûrah Âl `Imrân: 144] The religion of Islam is protected by Allah. The Muslim community shall exist until the arrival of the Hour. The Law of Islam shall endure with Allah’s permission. Allah says: “He is the one who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it manifest over all religions, though the polytheists may detest it.†[sûrah al-Tawbah: 33] Allah also says: “Sufficient is Allah as a witness.†[sûrah al-Fath: 28] Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) has informed us about the last days of the Muslim community and the goodness and the blessings that they will possess, and how Allah will establish them on Earth with His help at the hands of their valiant people, their leaders, and their scholars. Yes, the West does cause us harm, but Allah assures us: “They do you no harm save a trifling annoyance.†[sûrah Âl `Imrân: 111] If we have fear of the West, we should keep that fear within reasonable limits. Our fear should not be so feeble as to make us lose vigilance and become easy prey to those who wish to do us harm. At the same time, we should not become victims of our fear, unable to distinguish what harms us from what benefits us. We should not sink into a sense of helplessness and despair. As I have mentioned, anxiety can be a deadly form of fear. Our anxieties have a tendency to perpetuate themselves, giving us no rest from worry. We can preoccupy our minds with them every moment of the day without ever arriving at any solutions to our problems. In this way, we tax ourselves to no avail. Some of the tribe of Banû Umayyah were asked: “Where were you on the day your kinsman `Uthmân was murdered?†They replied: “Our anger at his murder kept us too busy to mourn.†This is something we should reflect upon. We should say to ourselves and our brethren in faith: “Our concern for what is happening to Islam and the Muslims is keeping us too busy to mourn.†If we succumb to lamentation and tears, this will not help us in the least. What will help us is for us to engage in positive and productive work, if only to a small extent. To light the smallest of lights is far better than cursing the darkness a thousand times. Source

One man bursts a bubble and a million others duck. CAIRO, July 28, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – A leading British Muslim scholar has said that Muslim women living in the European country, where Muslims have been suffering mounting abuse and harassment since the July 7 London attacks, can take off their hijab. "I have issued a fatwa that Muslim women in Britain have an Islamic right to take off their hijab at this point of time if attacked or fearing to be attacked," Dr. Zaki Badawi, the Dean of the Muslim College in London, told IslamOnline.net over the phone from the British capital. Badawi said they have registered more than 15,00 assault against hijab-clad women during the past three days only, in addition to a flood of threat letters. He asserted that in Islam hijab is originally meant to identify Muslim women, so that they might not be attacked or harassed. The scholar cited the Qur’anic verse which reads: "O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful." (Al-Ahzab: 59) "If hijab becomes a reason of harm for Muslim women in Britain at this time, then I tell them to take it off so that they would not be recognized and consequently attacked," said Egyptian-born Badawi. "Muslims (in Britain) are scared and each feels he/she is a suspect. The picture is, indeed, gloomy and we are trying all we can to address it." A Guardian/ICM poll published Tuesday, July 26, indicated that nearly half a million Muslims contemplated leaving Britain after the London attacks. It showed that tens of thousands of Muslims have suffered from increased Islamophobia, with one in five saying they or a family member have faced abuse or hostility since the attacks. Police have recorded more than 1,200 suspected Islamophobic incidents across the country ranging from verbal abuse to one murder in the past three weeks. A British Muslim of Pakistani origin was beaten to death by a gang of extremists in Nottingham in northern Britain on Sunday, July 10. At least seven mosques have come under arson and racist attacks few hours after the bombings. Hijab Defender Dr. Badawi, a prominent Islamic scholar, community activist, and promoter of interfaith-dialogue, stressed that his fatwa only applies to Muslim women in Britain. "I staunchly opposed the March 2004 French law banning hijab in state-run schools," he said. "However, the British case is different and hence requires a different reading." France triggered a world controversy after adopting a bill banning hijab in public schools and institutions, which was branded by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) as "discriminatory". Islam sees hijab as an obligatory code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one’s affiliations. Badawi, born 1922, is currently the principal of the Muslim College in Britain, a postgraduate seminary responsible for the training of imams and Muslim leaders in the West which he founded in 1986. He received his undergraduate degree in theology from the Cairo-based Al-Azhar University, and a master's degree in Arabic Language and Literature in 1947. Badawi moved to the United Kingdom in 1951 and studied psychology at University College London, obtaining his bachelor's degree in 1954 and a doctorate in Modern Muslim Thought from London University. His teaching posts have taken him to universities in Malaysia, Singapore, Nigeria and the United Kingdom. In 1978, Badawi was appointed director of the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC) and Chief Imam of the London Central Mosque in Regents Park. During that period he participated in establishing the Shari`ah Council as a facility to reconcile conflicts between Islamic law and the British civil code. Badawi was elected chairman of the Imams and Mosques Council by the National Conference of Imams and Mosque Officials of the UK in 1984. He still holds this position. He participated in negotiations with the Bank of England to establish the first Islamic financial institution licensed in the United Kingdom, the Islamic Finance House (IFH), which he managed for three years. Badawi has published and lectured on a wide range of issues, including various conflicts, Islam in Britain, democracy, the rights of the unborn child, and human rights. He is a co-founder of the Three Faiths Forum, vice chairman of the World Congress of Faiths and director/trustee of the Forum Against Islamophobia and Racism (FAIR). Source Fidel, O ye of little faith :mad:

ولما رايت الجهل ÙÙŠ الناس Ùاشيا تجاهلت حتي ظن اني جاهل Ùوا عجبا كم يدعي الÙضل ناقص وواسÙا كم يظهر النقص Ùاضل

^^^ Try and come up with specifics next time. Spare me another opinionated sermon. The specifics should come from you, saaxib. After all, you’re the one “exposing†him! Still, I shall not engage in this pointless exercise in the defamation of the dead anymore. I’ve given you more than enough to plant seeds of doubts in your adamant and stubborn skull. Some of it should get you to wonder if you were wrong in your assessments and rethink your words (one hopes, we are talking about the dead after all). You have no conclusive evidence for your disparaging words. Until you provide such evidence, I’ll humbly request that you cease your slandering of the dead. Here are a few more links for your education: Read this Read this Still reading? Don't stop now Almost there Not long to go now Not CNN, BBC or CBS ** End of opinionated Sermon **

Kashafa, As I said, the first part of this discussion does not concern me and is pointless. I shall happily accept all your labels: Western apologist, tyrant defender, taghoot defender and seeker of Islamic credentials. One would not expect anything less from one that defames the dead. But, I return to the blatantly ignorant allegations about Arafat that you refuse to retract. Where are those millions of dollars? Why did he not use them in all his time as the leader of his people? Why did the Palestinians NEVER reject him (this includes Hamas, Al Aqsa Brigade and all those that still call for an armed struggle)? Have you followed this “corrupt†man’s history? The prisons he was thrown in? The battles that he won? The humiliations he endured in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and countless other places? The sacrifices he made? As for the Israeli tanks, let us not rewrite recent history so hastily (you might have been too young for all the other events but this one at least you should have been old enough to witness). The Israelis held him prisoner in that compound for TWO YEARS. Surely a corrupt man would not lock himself up in one room for that long JUST for International sympathy! Don’t be childish saaxib and know when you’ve made a mistake. Let me drop a bit of Shakespeare your way, saaxib. When Caesar was killed by the conspirators (the et tu Brute fame), Mark Anthony was given the chance to talk to the crowd in defence of Caesar. By this time, Brutus has already spoken to the mob and convinced them that he killed Caesar in the name of the Republic (It’s not that I loved Caesar less, I loved Rome more..etc). Anthony gets up on the podium and delivers an unforgettable tribute that turns the crowd against Brutus and the rest of the assassins! Your accusations of Arafat reminded me of that Speech (you probably will not get the point, but it would be enough if you enjoy the speech alone, if you can). The Bard at his finest: Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest - For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men - Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me. William Shakespeare - Julius Caesar Source

Dear Mr Blair, This is the second time I write you this letter. Hoyo said you lost the first one! Hoyo also says that you will take away our benefits because da xabashi boys blew up your underground. Hoyo hates the Xabashi boys and she says Xabashis always cause our family trouble. She says dey destroyed Somalia and she says dey always pretend to be Somali. Hoyo is very upset about these bombs and very scared. Yesterday, hoyo was talking on the phone to Ediow Caasha. She was saying to her that we are moving to Dubai. My aabo is going to buy a house in Dubai and send us there. Hoyo said she wished Dubai had a benefit system! Hoyo said maybe she will take half of the children to Dubai and leave half here with aabo. She said that she hates you Mr Blair, and wished that bad things happen to you (she doesn’t mean it really. She says the same thing about me when I make her angry too). Hoyo also said that all these bombs are your fault and your ****** friend Bush. She says you’re a good guy but this Bush person is a bad influence on you (she says this about my friend Adan too. Adan is not a bad influence. Plus he can do five continues press-ups and he has real muscle). Anyway, hoyo says that if you didn’t invade Iraq none of this would have happened and that our family would not have broken up. Mr Blair can you please stop invading Iraq and breaking up my family? Hoyo says you should invade the xabashi country. If it does not mean I have to go to Dubai and leave aabo and my other brothers, I agree too. Invade the xabashi lands. Yours Sincerely Saxardiid (aged 7 and 3/4)

Originally posted by Kashafa: Well, what's the common denominator of these great leaders ? All died with more than 10 billion Doolaar Amreekii(estimate) gathering dust in private accounts in Swiss Banks. Arafat's case is more despicable; he prostituted the Palestinian cause and grew fat off it. Brings a whole new meaning to "Low-Life". Though I believe this to be yet another of those pointless discussions. Pointless because it really leads nowhere and sheds no new light on the rule of King Fahad. It’s the same old allegations really. They might be wrong and they might be right. The man is dead and one can’t fathom why this argument is still raging on or what those “debating†hope to achieve. Still, when clear lack of knowledge is being displayed and thoughtless comments are being made one becomes obliged to shed some light and censor some Nomads for shooting their mouths of without thinking. I’m talking about the case of Yassir Arafat. It’s alleged that he “prostituted the Palestinian cause and grew fat off itâ€. These are strong allegations. They’re also what the Zionists have been peddling for the past thirty years. Still, for a fat, rich man is it not curious that he spent the last two years of his life imprisoned in his own compound? Is it not curious that in all his years of association with the Palestinian cause one could not spot any visible signs of wealth on the man? The same old Khaki uniform and scarf were worn at all times! Is it not even more curious that instead of dying a normal rich man’s death, he was poisoned? Below is a previous SOL discussion about Arafat. Go and educate yourself. Was he better than Mandela?

Originally posted by Shams-ud-Din: Dear brothers and sisters, I know Dr Badawi and I advice you all not to take that man seriously. WCWW But, they’re supposed to take you, a mere name on a screen seriously? Just because you say so? Rethink your words saaxib and do not cast passing aspersions on Muslim scholars without providing any proof for your implicit accusations. “Sheikh Zaki Badawi, the principal of the Muslim College in London and chairman of the Council of Mosques and Imams in Britain, told IOL Thursday, July 28, that Muslim women in Britain can take off their hijab to head off racist attacks. "I have issued a fatwa that Muslim women in Britain have an Islamic right to take off their hijab at this point of time if attacked or fearing to be attacked," he said, citing 15,00 assault against hijab-clad women in three days. A Guardian/ICM poll published Tuesday, July 26, indicated that nearly half a million Muslims contemplated leaving Britain after the London attacks.†Source One can’t dispute the Sheikh’s logic here. If the Hijab is an Islamic requirement that protects women’s decency and shields their bodies from prying eyes and unwanted attention, surely in this case it’s not doing its job and is attracting harm on these women instead of keeping it away. The Dr is concerned for these women’s welfare and felt the issuing of such a fatwa might be helpful to those that are suffering from attacks because of their hijab. The links below show other scholars giving similar fatwas.* The Hijab is not a symbol of defiance or a faith in itself; it’s a religious obligation, no more, no less. The Sheikh’s argument is that, sometimes, necessity commands the temporary abandoning of such obligations (i.e. when someone’s life is in danger). Some people might refuse to follow his Fatwa and instead, decide that they can ‘cope’. Great! Others might not. They should not be made to feel guilty about it (though, one would assume that they, as Muslims, did not take such a decision lightly). Neither faith nor logic convicts Dr Badawi of any wrongdoing here. Does the brother who said that he “knew†Dr Badawi know the man’s heart? Is he making an educated guess (show workings if possible)? How about Haddad? How did he KNOW when he said: I know what the kind of Muslim figure like Dr Badawi would also advice Muslims; change your Muslim names to Western names to stay safe from race attacks You’ve come out from your one-line comfort zone, saaxib. But it’s still the same disappointing drivel. THINK. I personally am apprehensive about this ‘Fatwa’, not because I disagree with it, but rather because of the way it will be interpreted (as we can see above) and the long-term implications of it. I don’t doubt the sincerity and intentions of Dr Badawi when he issued it though. However, I believe that it will give the West an excuse to bash the Hijab and, also give the ignorant zealots amongst us a reason to turn the Hijab from mere religious obligation into some symbol of the struggle; or; worse still, a mini version of the Lat, Ozza or Hobal. * Islam on line fatwa Another Islam on line fatwa

^^^^ Have you already bought the island then? I suppose you’re expecting your poor hubby to pay the mortgage for that one? My prayers and commiserations go with him.

Fidel, Yours are all great, practical and noble ideas, saaxib. But yaad waxan o sheegaysa dee? Ignorance, superstition and unawareness are rife in Somalia. Contrary to what humanitarian reports say, this is not the result of war alone, this has ALWAYS been the case. The tired old idea of giving them contraceptives is not very practical either. Knowing the simplicity of our people (all nomadic people) they’ll probably rib the top of the condoms off for a better performance and still think it will work. The women might take the pill once or twice, but like all backwards societies that rely on hearsay and rumour in life, they’ll soon stop using it because, allegedly, it’s a Western evil plot to wipe out the Somali race (a race, in case you didn’t know, that is essential to the workings of international diplomacy). Even your defence of the women and attribution of blame on the men is faulty, saaxib. Nothing much has changed there. Somali life has always been organised, run and controlled by the women. The men always sauntered around and pretended to be “caqils†or what have you. The responsible ones sought work that took them away from their families for the best part of the day or went abroad for better opportunities, leaving the women home to do everything else (the only difference now is that these men go and sit in some dirty marfash, but this has no real impact on the woman’s role and responsibility). Men fight the wars and women fan the flames. It’s painful to watch and hear about the unnecessary number of children that pass away in Somalia (and elsewhere), however, it’s the way of the world too. A few years back, death, disease, poverty, despair and starvation were things we expected and would take in our stride. Now, we all jump if a tiny spider or mouse was found in the room we sit in. Some of us mistake this new awareness of spiders in rooms for educations and knowledge! Comfort is what that is of course. It is nice to live in such comfort, is it not? Enjoy it, savour it and always remember that we’re now part of the minority of people in the world that can afford the luxury of talking about dead children and how these deaths can be prevented. We can also get scared about a spider in the room without any of the people around us throwing an old shoe at us and telling us to grow up. Having said all of that, there is no harm in one trying to spread the joy and attempt to save some of these dying children. In fact, it’s a duty. How would one do it? (Blame the international community? Or blame the Somali men?).

Originally posted by Blessed: My Husband. He can do the stressing for us, look for food, shelter, comfort and entertain me . Me, would just sit pretty and take in the beauty of an Island. Aaah! what a life, I've always wanted my own Island- wow!

Caano G, It was a parody of a Somali open letter. Blair waa nin cad, the Somali Odayal always try to look for a connection or shared history on such occasions (see Somaliland and the way our old people there try to turn old British occupation into some sort of badge of honour). They usually end up going off on a tangent and forget the purpose of the letter altogether. I think the song you’re talking about can be found here: Full Album

The Honourable Mr. Tony Blair Prime Minister United Kingdom 10 Downing Street London, SW1A 2AA Fax No. 011-442079250918 Dear Mr Blair We at Somalia online are sure that your Excellency is fed up with all the various open letters that you daily receive. This, sir, is not an open letter. This is a specific, plain and anxious letter. Sir, it’s with great sorrow and rising alarm that we here at Somalia online.com (SOL) watched the tragic and sad events in London during the month of July. As news of the first bombs filtered through to us, our first and immediate thought was “what type of callous animal would do such a thing?†Sir, Somalis follow the Muslim faith and as such, to say that we were alarmed when we heard that the perpetrators of such acts were said to be Muslim, would be an understatement of the utmost proportion. In fact, this puts one in mind of one of PG Woodhouse’s famous episodes of Jeeves and Wooster, in which Jeeves carried out an outrageous act and then tried to play it down with nonchalant indifference. But, forgive me sir, I digressed! Somalis in general, and those that frequent ‘Somalia Online.com’ in particular, reject all acts of terrorism, sir. We as a people and a nation scorn all those that would kill innocents for no material gain. Sir, as you’re aware, and your foreign office will testify, Somalis are seasoned experts in the noble art of war. We can rob, murder, loot, rape and pillage with careless ease; as long as our victim is a fellow Somali. Sir, nobody knows murder better than we do. Nobody knows suffering more than we do. Nobody does rage better than us. Mr Prime Minster, it has come to our attention that a number of Ethiopians /Eritreans masquerading as Somalis have attempted, but failed miserably, to emulate the previous Pakistani gang and blow up the London Underground System! Mr Blair, we here at SOL can assure you, and know that we speak on behalf and with the blessing of Somalis everywhere, when we say that Somalis have never nor ever will attempt any terrorist attack on London. Of course there is one tiny possibility when such an attack might take place, but the conditions and circumstances are never likely to conspire for such a thing to happen; the possibility we speak of, is if the British government grants our illustrious president (Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed) political asylum in the UK and our various ministers (led by the speaker of the Somali parliament) try to carry out an assassination attempt on his life. This is the only case in which we here at SOL could envisage any sort of aggressive attack carried out by Somalis on British soil, Sir. Your Excellency would surely agree with us on the farfetchedness and absurdness of such a scenario. Nonetheless, should your government ever grant our president political asylum, we here at SOL strongly recommend that you accompany it with constant police guard. Sir, we would briefly like to return to those fraudulent Ethiopians and the damage they have done to the Somali name worldwide. We strongly deny such connections and would stress the importance of distancing ourselves (as users of SOL and a nation) from such murdering terrorists. Sir, we expect and humbly request that you clarify this issue in every news conference you give and help in purifying the noble Somali name. Mr Prime Minster, many of us are law-abiding British citizens. We condemn terrorism, racism, sexism, ageism, Marxism, capitalism, imperialism and every word that ends with ‘ism’ . Mr Blair, the coverage that your media has given us Somalis has been negative and unfair. We here at SOL would not want you to conduct the affairs of your lands under the mistaken understanding that Somalis are savages, backwards or social welfare dependents. Sir, god knows that we have our fair share of such people – 15 on the last count, all were certified mad by the way. Somalis in the UK and abroad are the talented, the selfless, and the pioneers, Sir. Somalis looked at the mannerisms of Mother Teresa and most wondered if she was not a Somali in disguise (never let your left hand see the generosity of your right). We saw the genius of Bill Gates and instinctively knew that he had a Somali gene. Your great singer Shirley Bassy is alleged to have been married to a Somali. The former undisputed Heavy Weight Champions of the world, Lennox Lewis and Mohammed Ali are the spitting images of Somalis. Sir, we here at SOL, hope that with every passing word our familiarity with your Excellency increases. We watch your TV interviews and the easy way in which you speak and wonder if Tony is not a dormant Somali himself (we feel at the stage that we can call you by your first name, sir). Your mannerisms, metaphors and even body language scream Somali(ness). Tony, we are the people that gave you Raageh Omer, Iman, Waris and Ayan (though we’re not proud of that last one). In time, we’re sure to provide you with more intelligent people (it’s the Somali gene that you and they share, see). We’re sure that you’ll agree that a country that produces such beautiful and clever people is never likely to deliver ugly and dim-witted terrorists. Tony, we here at SOL, feel that this was a useful exchange and hope that, time permitting of course, you will visit our site whenever you or any of your colleagues are faced with a Somali dilemma. Until then, Tony, some of us remain your ever-dutiful citizens and humble servants. PS Xxx & hugs to Cherie and the kids.

Oh, stop talking rubbish, Viking. Try at least to be honest with yourself if not with me. 1. Muslims can criticize the terrorist attacks but are being duplicitous if they try to understand the underlying causes. You are not in any way; shape or form trying to “understand†the causes as you put it. Stop this cringe worthy evasiveness and have the courage to stand by your beliefs. One that tries to understand does not spend three weeks trying to 'understand'. .2. It is ok to post an article written by a secular homo but hypocritical to post one that explains how terrorism is to be dealt with according to Islam. Especially if the name of some occidentals happen to be used as an example. Again? Is there a grain of self awareness here at all? One tiny grain, saaxib? You’re being sneaky yet again. I shall not try to explain my thread (it’s there for you or anyone else to read) I’m more concerned with this thread. You say the name of some occidental happened to be used as an example! You make it sound as if it was not a fundamental part of the piece. Was not the author trying to preach to this occidental and show him how great Omar (RA) was? Oops, I forgot, you can’t read. I stand by every name I called you in this discussion. You have been hypocritical in your replies, positions and arguments. Lets hope that this is a passing phase and not a permanent affliction. Once you decide on a solid moral position, I’ll be more than happy to debate with you. For now, I’ll take your advice and go back to my Boredom thread and leave you to have your one-line “discussions†with Haddad. It’s been emotional.

Originally posted by Caano Geel: while phrases such as: quote: SCG is willing to work with the government and the police with a view to eradicate those individuals who are ready to blow up themselves, source . just show up the authors as ill equipped to fully analyse and understand the situation in their communities and thus unable to provide an authoritative opinion that can be taken seriously. My opinions only ... I can just picture a group of Somali vigilantes going round and eradicating individuals that are about to blow themselves up. A priceless read.