sheherazade, Yes play it safe and avoid helping all men. Of course, I'm talking about the kind of help you were giving this old, man. Not some lost guy asking for directions, but you knew that, right? PS Don't listen to Bee. She thinks all old people are sweet and harmless awoowe and ayaayos who never have any sinful thoughts crossing their minds. Odey biiqay marko sabaaxadiyoo ayaay ogaan doonta (and I'm not talking about myself, thank you very much).

^^^ I'm still recovering from the last event dedicated for Somaliland hospitals. As much as I would like to go, I don't think I could face having to dodge all those kids again.

^^^^^ IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. Now we know why those eligible bachelors instantly find brides abroad. :rolleyes: I agree, it's a great book. The BBC’s adaptation of the story a few years ago created quite a fuss. Girls were swooning every time they read or saw Mr Darcy. It kicked off Colin Firth’s career.

North. Inadeero, those photos are rubbish, saaxib. Here is the real stuff http://ronaldo7.footballclips.net/Scoringer-Goals-04-05/England/Premier%20League/November/Uke%204/Liverpool%20-%20%22Immortals%22/ THE GOALS from the game. :cool:

I’m afraid to say that you have been naïve, my dear. Your intentions are great but you’re going about it the wrong way. In wanting to give and help you seem to give it one hundred per cent effort! Nothing wrong with that on it’s own. After all, if you’re going to help someone, you might as well make sure that you’ve done your best. Where you make the mistake is in the fact that you reveal to these people that this is something you HAVE to do. Besides, from reading your words, this does not sound like a passing gesture (as you put it), this is a full-time job! It’s not surprising then that these people will grow accustomed to it and are disappointed when you don’t turn up. I wouldn’t want to comment on the old man’s motives here. I have not met him or seen the way he looks at you. I’m sure you can though; does he look at you with lust in his eyes? (Pardon the question). If not, then he might just be a lonely old man who got used to you and this is his clumsy way to show his disappointment! You’ve already said that he’s a proud old man! Maybe that pride is what’s stopping him from getting on his knees and begging for help, maybe it’s what’s stopping him from coming out straight and telling you that he really is useless? Your efforts are admirable and purpose is commendable, however, try to stay away from the path of men of all ages. The old man might have been frail, old and weak but as long as his mind is in good working order, he’s not different to a twenty-year-old boy. Would you be as close to a twenty-year-old boy? Now, to your question about men seeing every boy-girl situation as a possible pairing up. Heh. I’m not sure that this is a “man†trait (though it’s probably more evident with men). Let us say that I was this old man that you were helping. Let us say that I’m lonely too. You on the other hand are this beautiful young lady who comes and helps me everyday. Nobody in this world helps me as much as you do. Nobody in the world spend their time and energy on me like you do. I’ve grown attached to you. I enjoy your company. I think you’re the greatest woman ever. I completely and utterly rely on you. A small thought enters my mind! At first it’s just a passing silly thought. Could it be that you’re helping me because you’ve seen something you’ve liked about me? Naah, it can’t be! I’m old, weak and almost crippled. What have I got to offer you in return? Why would you fall for an old man like me? But, hang on! There you go again bending over backwards in trying to help me. I’m more than capable of doing this on me own, why do it for me? Could it be? Could it be? Nay, it can’t. You’re young, beautiful, and intelligent and there are millions of better and intelligent guys out there for you to pick, why would you choose an old and weak man like me? But, I’ve seen you look at me. I’ve seen the gentle way you treat me. Your eyes are full of love and caring! The other old men tease me about you and make hints that this young filly might be interested in this old stud after all! Could they be right? For weeks, nay, months I sat here thinking about this, I’m not sure if you have feelings for me (though I suspect you do) but, I know that I have feelings for you! I might be old of body but I’m still young of heart and mind. With you, life is interesting. I look forward to your visits and get upset and melancholic when you don’t come. I get jealous when I hear of you talking to other men. What if they steal you away from me? I’m your hostage and you’re my captivating subjugator, and no, I don’t suffer from the Stockholm syndrome! This scenario is likely to work the other way round too. The combined power of loneliness, the desire to be “loved†and cared for, proximity, familiarity and trust are intensely romantic. They can easily turn a friendly situation into the beginnings of an amorous liaison (albeit a one-sided one). Helping others is great. Not many people have the time or the goodwill. But those that do though, need to be very patient and never lose sight of their initial objective! Many people appreciate the help you give them but there are many who are selfish, grumpy or just unable to communicate clearly. Sometimes, one finds that one has entangled oneself in a situation that goes beyond simple help. One should be able to disengage without feeling guilty or thinking that he’s letting people down. As for feeling confused, disappointed or even angry when people take your help and never show gratitude for it, this (though very understandable) is the wrong way to go about things. Always remember your goal. You help because it’s GOOD. You don’t help because of the gratitude (though it’s nice to see and hear). Letting the whims of those you help get on your nerves will separate you from your objective and bitterness will set in. It would be a great shame if you set out to be helpful and come out all angry and resentful (This is not a personal criticism, this is a general comment for any readers of this reply). All in all, well done on being the nice person that you are, you slayer of old men’s hearts. ** Swoons ** ** Has a feeling he’s going to regret all this “psychobabble†the next time he reads it ** ** Shuts eyes and posts anyway ** PS If you’re free on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sunday evenings, we’re in need of a reliable babysitter here. Don’t you go on enchanting my little son though!

^^ He was Edit: Both Qays and Cantar were real and genuine tales. A lot of mystery, romance and legend surround both stories but the main details are authentic facts.

Shehrazad, I’m sure someone somewhere wrote a few sweet verses about the great storyteller! As for the story of Cantar Bin Shadad, I think the love aspect was secondary here. His name was immortalised in Arabic literature because of his poetic ability rather than his love for Cabla bent Malik. Cantar was born to an Arab dad and an Ethiopian slave. He took after his mother and had a dark skin. The Arab custom back then was that a son of a slave is treated as a slave (even if his father was the chief/king of the tribe). Therefore, Cantar spent his childhood amongst the slaves. He was a proud man though and he refused to stay a slave all his life. He taught himself horse riding and how to be a “knightâ€! One day, a rival tribe raided his tribe’s dwellings. They stole all their camels and livestock. Cantar’s tribe (Bani Cabs) gave chase to the bandits. While chasing these raiders, Cantar’s father shouted for him to join the pursuit and fight the intruders. Canter retorted that “fighting†and giving chase was not a slave’s function! His father promised to release him from his slavery if he did. Cantar did and fought heroically to retrieve his tribe’s stolen goods. That day, he made his name as one of the bravest Arab knights in history. It’s also reported that one day, a member of his tribe taunted him about his colour, slavery and inability to recite poetry. Cantar responded by composing his famous “hanging poemâ€(there was an Arab tradition to suspend the best poems on the K‘aba in Mecca - The seven suspended (or hanging) poems are arguably the best in Arabic poetry)! His love for Cabla is obvious in most of his poems. This love though, is not the weak, pathetic love of Qays. Cantar was a proud man and in praising his beloved and showing her his love, he also saw fit to praise himself, his bravery, heroism and lineage (Cabla was his cousin). It’s as if he was telling her that all these great traits were a result of his love for her! Where Qays’s love was devastating, debilitating and destructive, Cantar’s was wholesome, satisfying and fitting! PS The raining arrows in the earlier poem is not, strictly speaking, correct. Rather in Arabic the arrows are “drinking†his blood! Erm, since it’s a poem, I’ll go for the “poetic licence†defence.

The story of Qays and Leila Al Camiriyah is one of the legends of Islamic literature (not that either lived in the days of Islam). Qays was Leila’s first cousin. They grew up playing together and were the best of friends. But, once Qays became a man and started to write poems about Leila, he was banned from seeing her! That’s what started the legend. The idea of forbidden love! This idea is prevalent in Muslim society even now. Any girl in this forum will be horrified to hear people reciting poems about her. If she’s not, her family and brothers will. How dare Qays make love poems about a woman he’s not even married to? Who did he think he was? Of course, he was in love. He was infatuated with his Leila. To him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. But, even then, he was not interested in her beauty alone. People told him about other more beautiful women but he was totally, utterly and completely besotted with Leila! The story of Qays (or Majnuun) has been passed down through the centuries. It’s known in places as far and wide as Somalia, the Arab world, Pakistan, Afghanistan and many of the former Soviet republics! They all have their own interpretations of Qay’s love. Even old philosophers ruminated on this unique case of love (maybe our resident PK can give us more on that ). Many commentators attribute the inspiration for European stories (such as Romeo and Juliet and the many others) to this original and real one. For Qays preceded these other lovers by at least a thousand years! Qays’s love was unhealthy though. In his love for Leila, he was blind to everything else. His only purpose in life was to LOVE Leila! When she was refused to him, he ran into the wilderness and started reading his poems to the wild animals and asking them to pass his words to Leila. He would recite a poem to total strangers and tell them about his beloved Leila! When his father took him to Mecca to pray for a “cure†from GOD, he instead prayed that his love become stronger! The beauty of Qays’s love came through in his poems. The pain, joy, love and infatuations were all displayed in his poems. At times, Leila didn’t even matter; all that mattered to Qays was this LOVE. Qays was pathetic. However, because of his poems, I too enjoy reading his story and love. A better man than Qays, in my humble opinion, is Cantar Bin Shadad! He too recited many poems about his beloved. But unlike Qays, he was not mad. Or, maybe he was! Check the following verse from one of his famous poems: I remembered you though the arrows were raining down on me And the swords were trickling my blood But I wanted to kiss the blades Because They shone like your beaming grin! ولقد ذكرتك والرماح نواهل مني وبيض الهند تقطر من دمي Ùوددت تقبيل السيو٠لانها لمعت كبارق ثغرك المتبسم

^^^^ Sorry. Whenever I hear the words babies and vomiting mentioned in the same sentence I get panic attacks. Ala maxan walac eyo yalaalogo nacay! ** reinstates her in the list **

Bee!! Babies? Vomiting? Twice? Maybe I'm just being paranoid here. ** crosses her of his list **

Nin durban xaday xagoo ku tume?

This was Swiss Toni’s catch phrase in the long forgotten TV comedy The Fast Show. SoOOoooo late 90s if I may say so. :rolleyes: Fast Show Revisited Introducing Swiss Toni Quotes MAKING COFFEE Making a cup of coffee is like making love to a beautiful woman. It's got to be hot. You've got to take your time. You've got to stir...gently, and firmly. You've got to grind your beans until they squeak. And then you put in the milk. LAYING A CARPET Laying a carpet is... very much like making love to a beautiful woman. You check the dimensions, lay her out on the floor, pin her down, walk all over her. If you're adventurous - like me - you might like to try an underlay. HANGING WALLPAPER Well, hanging wallpaper is also very much like making love to a beautiful woman. Clean all the relevant surfaces, spread her out on the table,cover her with paste, and stick her up. Then you clean your brush, light your pipe, stand back and admire your handywork. PUTTING UP A TENT Putting up a tent, Paul, is... very much like making love to a beautiful woman. You rent her, unzip the door, put up your pole an'... slip in to the old bag. WASHING A CAR Washing a car, Paul, is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. You've got to caress the bodywork. Breathe softly and gently. And give every inch of it your loving attention. And make sure you've got a nice wet sponge. ANSWERING THE PHONE Answering the phone, Paul, is... a little like making love to a beautiful woman. In that you've gotta... lift the receiver, put it to your ear, speak... loudly and clearly... oh, yes - and don't forget to state your name. BEING IN THERAPY And yet, having therapy is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. You... get on the couch, string 'em along with some half-lies and evasions, probe some deep dark holes, and then hand over all your money. BEING IN A CRASH Going to the brink of death and back, in a nine car pile-up on a dual carriage-way, Paul, is... very much like making love to a beautiful woman. First of all, brace yourself, hold on tight - particularly if it's a rear-ender. And pray you make contact with her twin airbags as soon as possible. GOING FISHING Of course, Paul. As you know, I'm a very keen fisherman myself. You know, I've often thought that going fishing was very much like making love to a beautiful woman. First of all, clean and inspect your tackle, carefully pull back your rod cover, and remove any dirt or gunge that may have built up whilst not in use. Then, extend your rod to its full length, and check that there are no kinks or any wear. Particularly at the base, where the grip is usually applied. Make sure you've got a decent float, the appropriate bait, and that there's plenty of shot in your bag. Swiss Toni

Way heee! Our very own Joe Cole ( will not make a difference to the total sum of the team though). War Totti needs to be playing with the English, saaxib. He'll be wasted on Real.

Heh. How about including speed dating next? Man: Naaaya, you look good! Woman: Bax waraya! Sorry. Carry on...

Lovely poem, Ameenah. Though I don’t approve of the catchphrase “Rock on...â€. It might require them to take their Hijaab off and become complete head bangers! (Ah! What an image!). As for the greeting part, it’s not a woman thing. It’s not even a Somali thing. It’s just human nature. Some people, were told by their mothers not to talk to strangers! This is where the “Waji Looox†comes in. If your intention is to greet someone, who cares if they reply or not? Just greet them and be on your way. All that remains to be said is Rock on, erm, err, no don’t. Just put your hijaab on your hair and tie like you just don’t care..say Saaaa laaaaa m...Saaa laaaa m..Saaaa..Saaaa.. Again, nice poem.

^^^Still blathering, charlatan? Still dodging the issue, fake Mullah? Still making assumptions, phoney? Enough already! I have used up enough time and cyber space on this one-way discussion, fraudster. It reached a stage where it’s neither advantageous nor compelling! I see no reason for prolonging this worthless charade. Take care and happy flaming, impostor.

Orgi, Point taken, saaxib. This is not to say I entirely agree with it of course. I do. However, the fathers you speak of are a small minority. The people that give fathers a hard time are those that suffer at the hands of absent, irresponsible and useless fathers. There is an abundance of single mothers, divorced women and abused women. They (and their children) are the ones who complain about the state of Somali fathers today. The points you have raised and described, though true and great, do not absolve the errors of the many useless and absent fathers (they add to the greatness of the good fathers of course). Anyway, apart from a few mad relatives and wives, I doubt that anyone ignores good fathers these days. In fact, because they’re a rarity, when one is found he gets buried with praise! This brings us back to the issue of “bad†fathers. We can argue that they’re not all bad and that life, circumstances, their wives or whatever else is what made them look bad. We can argue that they’re really “bad†and cite numerous instances of irresponsible divorces, domestic violence and over all examples of arrogance. In either case, we’ll only be discussing a problem that exists in our society and needs addressing, a problem that takes precedence over the minor issue of neglecting “good†fathers. On a side note, I realise that the ranting of young and single girls about the state of Somali husbands today could get on some married men’s nerves at times, but we’ve got to take it on the chin, people. These ladies are not talking from experience and are no threat. It’s when the wives start repeating these comments that one needs to start panicking (or purchase a sports bag – they’re water proof, unlike those black bags).

Oh, my dear charlatan. Quit sneaking up on me in such a way. I promise to reply to your evasive questions as soon as you justify your first statements. I don’t recall calling you any names, saaxib. Are you referring to being called a fraud, a charlatan, an impostor? These are not names, saaxib. These are descriptions of a con man. So far, you’ve proved them all to be CORRECT. At least now you’re showing signs of boredom with this whole thing (I’m bored of it too). So, how about we start again. Take it from the top and justify, explain and clarify your comments with proofs. I suspect that you’re one of those that scan posts quickly and never take the time to read and comprehend. I suspect that you also have the same failing when posting your own replies. So, to make life easy for you, here is a recap of some of your comments. Take your time, read them and think them over. I doubt you’ll have a problem comprehending them (they’re your words after all). Indeed, am very confused about the flip-flopping state of these people! Our religion is under attack round the clock, and none of them is acting in defense of it. Those who acted are smeared on their backs. No wisdom, no courage and no meaningful position. I can see the absense of sound knowledge in their writings, and thus they are running around and calling each other 'articulate, eloquent and awesome'. Walaahi aduunkaan dadka qaarkiis waa wax lala yaabo, cajiib. Ilaahoow nahanuuni, adaa hanuunka bixiyee, aamiin. Need to see your "sound knowledge", saaxib. Mr. NGONGE, It seems that you are legitimizing something that is very much in contradiction with the teachings of Islam. In Islam, there is no dispute whatsoever as to the treatment of Murtad. The quran and the Sunnah speak precisely about the exact punitive justice for murtad without any discrepancies. And my question to you is how come your little knowledge doesn’t relate to any references on the bases of Islam? Where did you get that? According to the wide spread consensus of the Ulumaa, it was said, †The punishment prescribed by the shari'a for apostacy is death.†Check the many books of the major scholars under the subject of apostasy, you find numerous instances where there is clearly ruled the punishment of the murtad. So far, I can’t see where you took the so-called disputes between the scholars on the issue of murtad punishments. Let’s not talk about views or what some people think of something outside the Islamic premises. I don’t mind talking about the analysis of certain views, but the subject we’re engaging here is at religious perspectives, and there is no room for us to exercise our surmises and personal point of view. Therefore, its always a wise thing to refrain from such mischievous falsehoods over Islam. This is a warning for you and I, in case we mistakenly overlook the consequences of that. Now, you said, “The film maker was not a Muslim†therefore, he, “is not the first ever non-believer to criticise Islamâ€. I found two gross mistakes from here. First you implied the gaal as a peaceful one, and dismissed his hostile warring blasphemy. And secondly, you painted his major blasphemy as nothing but a simplistic by extenuating and minimizing his blasphemy as criticism. I think you know English more than me, but tell me why you choose criticism instead of blasphemy? Or may be in this case you are a self promoted human rights activist, which I don't mind, but please, speak of the truth and be objective. The gaal has done what even many non-believers viewed as a major violation, of course, in any religion and law. Look my brother, in physics there is a newtonian theory which says every action has a subsequent reaction. I can say the film has a purpose and so do the killing. So many statements to counter mine but WHERE is your PROOF? Don't just state something that you can't back up with evidence. Legal reactions? Yes, in one of the famous narrations, it says, whoever can stop a wrong doing, let them do so by their hands, if not, by their tongues, and if not, by their hearts, which is the least of imaan. this I believe applies to the case at hand. But anyway, there are both legal and historical precedents in Islam for such cases, as the killing concerns. I would suggest you to find out for your self and at least read the biography of the Prophet, in relation to his orders against the poet in Meddina who used to penetrate his critical blasphemy to the Prophet and Islam in the form of poems. Almost slipped there and hinted at a situation in Islam. Who’s the poet? What did he do or say? Proofs, saaxib. Proofs. Look saaxiib, I fully respect you as a muslim, and somali brother. But I oppose the entire philosophy you stand for. You think the killing of that criminal was wrong, according to your western-minded perception, and I think it was absulately the right thing to do. Because he offended our religion, period. Not only that is my opinion, but its also how our religion rules such cases. If you don't believe me, ask the people of knowledge. Its obvious that you are more than wrong here. And indeed we are fortunate that your position is marginal and off the mark from the majority of muslim community. Another post, yet more ducking and diving. Notice the lack of proof, saaxib? When you say, “Not only that is my opinion, but its also how our religion rules such cases†you are supposed to follow it up with examples, fatwas and historical proofs, saaxib. You don’t just say that’s how it is and that’s that. It is a debate, remember! Alle Ubahanane, I think that (atleast according to Abu Hanifa), a non-Muslim cannot be senteced to death for blasphemy. Women (like in the case of Ayan Hirsi) are NOT to be killed according to Islamic jurisprudence, they are given a chance to reiterate and then imprisoned if that doesn't help. Viking helped you out here with what he "thought" was Abu Hanifa's take on such cases(note the subtle difference between your words and his?). What was your reply to that? Haye vicking, Where abu Hanifa is saying that, no killing, just imprisonment? I guess you can't prove what Prof. NGONGE has failed to prove. I will listen whatever you present, but be ready for any rejections if that will not comform the purest sense of Islam. What is the "purest sense of Islam"? Don’t spew all these sanctimonious statements. Back them up with sound reason and substantiations. Are you embarrassed yet? PS My patience is wearing thin. Do get your act together please.

^^^ Whoooosh. The hint was about Fathers4Justice, saaxib. Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) is a new civil rights movement campaigning for a child's right to see both parents and grandparents. The group comprises Fathers, Mothers, Grandparents, Teachers, Doctors, Company Directors, Policemen, Barristers – a complete cross section of society – all whom believe that Britain is needlessly creating a nation of children without parents and parents without children. Fathers 4 Justice have adopted a twin track strategy based around publicity and press. Raising awareness through publicity 'making the injustice visible' and mobilising a 'dads army' – applying pressure to the system and MP's to bring around meaningful change & enforce the will of Parliament. All children, their parents and grandparents have inalienable rights to enjoy a meaningful, loving relationship with each other woven into our social fabric for over 6,000 years. Parliament's express intention in the 1989 Children's Act was exactly this yet the child's best interest principle has now effectively become the mothers best interest. A recent judgement by Lord Justice Thorpe severing contact between a child and her father gave the green light to recalcitrant mothers that they could veto contact between children and their fathers if this made them 'anxious or depressed.' So why is the Lord Chancellor's Department failing to uphold the will of Parliament? Why is it failing families? Why is it failing our children and grandchildren? "When the law promotes injustice, it will fall." BOB GELDOF - JUNE 2002 There you go, daddy-o

^^ You be Batman and I'll be Robin.

^^^^ I’ve seen little of the team only this season, saaxib. But, on the whole, I don’t rate either player as a good defender. They’re great going forward but are awful defenders. They both play for national teams purely on reputation and their ability to “bomb†forward at every given opportunity. They’re no Maldini, man. I agree on the Makelele point though. He’s one of the reasons these guys were not found out all this time.

Originally posted by ORGILAQE: better be obsesses with Somaliness than non somaliness. Carrying on the same theme of the classics. In Homer’s Odyssey he mentions two horrid sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis, one was a rock (or a monster in a rock) and the other was a giant vortex. They were on opposite sides and the sailors had to sail right in the middle to get past them. Some sailors (most I should say) got scared by the site of one and in trying to avoid it, found themselves enveloped by the other! The only one that’s reported to have sailed safely past these two monsters was Odysseus (he of the wooden horse and Greeks baring gifts fame). (Homer eulogises the wisdom of the man). Wouldn’t you rather be an Odysseus, He-Goat?

I can see that. Try to keep it in check though; it might turn into an obsession.

^^^ But, but, but..don't you want to see him spit in Dennis Wise's face?

Orgi, you're not dumb and I'm not clever. This however is nothing but a storm in a teacup, saaxib. Still, now that I got involved I might as well ask a question (purely to satisfy my curiosity you understand). How many Nomads have studied Somali in schools?