Hell no!!! But there should be a great deal of education about the effects. Then ppl can make there own decision. At the very least give them access to dental care so I don't have to look at all their messed up grills

It is my belief that some level of education is necessary to be sucessful in business. However, this does not necessarily mean college degrees, etc. Education can be obtained through a variety of means, but one must be knowledgeable or willing to obtain knowledge of the area in which they hope to pursue. What is more important is the proper attitude. A business person is an educated risk taker, has persistence, learns from mistakes (because there are likely to be a lot), adaptable to new circumstances. In modern society, a degree of some sort is extremely helpful in building the credibility necessary to gain access to capital. It is not the only way, successful businesses have been created through a vareity of means. In the context of diasporic communities, I think that community is very important to the fostering of successful business ppl. No person is an island, without the proper support and help no business will be succesful. I have pursued both the business and academic tracks at different points in my life. right now I am on the academic track, because of a mixture of circumstances, but definitely see myself returning to entrepreneurship soon. Btw, I think the personality of an entrepreneur is necessary in most successful endeavors. my two cents... P.S. Baashi how you doing?

It is my belief that some level of education is necessary to be sucessful in business. However, this does not necessarily mean college degrees, etc. Education can be obtained through a variety of means, but one must be knowledgeable or willing to obtain knowledge of the area in which they hope to pursue. What is more important is the proper attitude. A business person is an educated risk taker, has persistence, learns from mistakes (because there are likely to be a lot), adaptable to new circumstances. In modern society, a degree of some sort is extremely helpful in building the credibility necessary to gain access to capital. It is not the only way, successful businesses have been created through a vareity of means. In the context of diasporic communities, I think that community is very important to the fostering of successful business ppl. No person is an island, without the proper support and help no business will be succesful. I have pursued both the business and academic tracks at different points in my life. right now I am on the academic track, because of a mixture of circumstances, but definitely see myself returning to entrepreneurship soon. Btw, I think the personality of an entrepreneur is necessary in most successful endeavors. my two cents... P.S. Baashi how you doing?

Personally being a man I can never understand this practice. It sounds horrible, but I also cannot agree with the traditional discourse on the subject from people like Alice Walker. FGM, as it is called now has been practiced in this country by middle class white folks as recently as the 50's and 60's. Currently, it is used mainly as a method to prove the inferiority of the practices of other cultures. This is a critique of the issue of FGM, not the act. The act is something I would never consider for my children, but despite my first reaction I cannot condemn others. We only hope to educate them so that they might make a more informed decision. And if they are determined to continue provide a safe method for doing so. This could prevent death related from the process, much like abortion in this country only a few decades ago. For OG_Moti, I think you misunderstand the term culture. Your examples are all flawed. Latinos, Arabs, Indians, etc. are hardly uniform cultures. Cultures change continually that is their nature. Also, in a patriarchal society, women don't complain because it can get them in trouble. That is not a good measure of any issue.

Insha Allah one day one of you will become a linguistics scholar so that we can better understand the origins of our language. No language is pure as they all build on each other and meld different words and grammar. It makes sense to me that colloquial Somali has many loan words from Arabic, Sanskrit, and Persian because these peoples have had contact with Somalis for over a 1000 years, especially the Arabs.

When you speak of philosphy, do you have any particular school of thought. Or just the work done by Plato or Socrates. I think philosphy is interesting, but I am wary of it because it is not mine. In the west we are talk that Greek civilization is the birthplace of Western thought, but we are not people of the "west", but the "east." For example the concept of a universal morality, for me morality is a product of circumstances. For example, I live a very comfortable life, so it would not be moral for me to kill someone at the supermarket over a loaf of bread, but if the circumstances are different this might be moral. I guess my point is that philosphy is a product of many factors, and doesn't yield universal truths. In fact, some of the greatest philosphers of our time were instrumental in justifiying such things as the trans-atlantic slave trade. But I think all discussion is good, so if you suggest a book or article I will read it and share my thoughts. Salam

Thanks Shujui for the article. Although Edward Said is a christian, he has grown up around Islam, being born in Jeursalem and living in Cairo. His article was good, as Lewis is the classic orientalist. Salam,

Peace Sistas and Brothas, For all you oldies fans, a little tune from the chief himself Sam Cooke!!! you're always my mind instilled in my heart you're always on my mind although we are apart you're always, always always on my mind baby, the reason why I know I can't forget your face cause everywhere I go I see you everyplace you're always, always always on my mind life is so empty along with a broken heart please, please tell me honey, why did we have to part you know it's you I love to my heart you hold the key I pray the stars above that you hurry back to me you're always, always you're always on my mind

sorry muna, But you sure that is your best friend? Know u love him, but might be best to let go for now. Or you lose him and your best friend. Mahadi

None of the Above. We don't need the same fools that messed everything up to try to put it back again.

Not true. Somalia and Somalis have done much for themselves in the last 12 years. Sure, not as much as we would have hoped. Sure, still lots of problems. But there is hope. Most advanced telecom in Africa. Rebuilding of the much of the NorthEast and NorthWest. Close to a 1 billion in remittances to Somalia from the diaspora. Business of all sorts occuring A University No major famine These are all accomplishments for a stateless society. BTW, there is a third Samater (no relation) professor at Rutgers, and he wrote an interesting essay about his own travel from a self hating somali back to a proud somali again. I think it can be found on the web somewhere.

I have not heard nor read any of her comments, but I hope you would all stop talking about killing, beating, and whatever other terrible thing you have in your heads or hearts. How about telling your own story, in opposition to hers. Explain why she is wrong or has misrepresented Islam. Threatening her, much like Rushidie was threatened does nothing but add further credibility to her comments. Peace be unto you

Hell no!!!! Well maybe under the right circumstances. My experience has been either you develop feelings, or the other person does, and then it is all ****ed up. Because even though you didn't reject them flat out, it feels like rejection and they get hurt, you feel bad, etc. Some people take it out on your *** . Becomes messy, cause even though you try to still be friends there is always the ever present anger that follows rejection. I think you can be friends, but up to a certain point.

Until the Amhara and Tigray stop their colonial ambitions with regard to the Horn of Africa, realtions will not be cordial. Especially given the rising economic power of Somali refugees in Ethiopia proper. Somalis have had little problems with the Eriterians and Oromos, but the colonially ambitions of Ethiopia, and there willingness to gravel to the west for help with those ambitions will lead to conflict for the forseeable future. That is why the Ethiopians sabotage the peace process now, because they fear a strong and united Somali state. They have always feared the Somalization of particularly the Oromo (majority of Ethiopia). Ethiopians have conducted a subtle and not so subtle campaign over the years to remove from history the Somali claim to the Ogadean. This must be stopped. Peace

Globalization in the current sense of the word really applies to the extension of the world capitalist system through a variety of mechanisms. Such regimes as the WTO and the Intellectual property treaties do not create a level playing field as the rhetoric would have you believe, but rather strength the already greatly unbalanced playing field. Globalization is not a new concept, as it has been occuring for a thousand or so years. Somalia being a prime example of the exchange that occured in the old world. True, certain factors such as information and communication technologies have definitely increased the potency of this old phenomenon. By the same token, nationalism in its strict sense has not helped Somalis all that much over the years. Because of our strong identity and homogeniety we have undertaken some ill advised policies such as the Ogaden war. I for one would like to see greater Somalia exist. I hate when I hear ethiopians refer to the Ogadeen as their land inhabited by Somalis. As we all know this is not true, and simple examination of history will validate our claim. Or the neglect by the Kenyan government of the NFD( If you won't help the people then let then leave your government). Somali nationalism is a powerful force, and is one of the reasons both Kenya and Ethiopia have undermined covertly reconciliation attempts. However, nationalism in the broader context of the world is a dying breed, era of the nation-state is coming to an end. More than ever regional economic development will be a requirement for prosperity, or at least stability and a decent life. Salam, MAhad

I wish I could relate. At my university, there are only five somalis out of 36,000. We try to hang out, but that doesn't mean we are all best friends. But we try to help each other. I wish there were more Somalis here, especially women ! BTW, We are trying to start a Somali Students Association, to help Somalis who want to go to college. I heard there is one in Minnesota and the UK. Thought it would be nice to try to get this going worldwide. Peace

This is an interesting thread of discussion. Are we African or Arab? Why do you have to be either one or the other. Every somali I have ever spoken with reserves their most violent reaction to being called an Arab. Why I do not know. I for one have always considered myself African. To be an Arab, you must speak Arabic. It is the equivalent of being Hispanic or Latino. The Arabs share no common ethnicity, but a common language, which is easily demonstrated by the extreme differences in spoken Arabic. Just as latinos, Arabs come in all different colors from the white lebanese to the dark Omani. I think it is indisputable that the Cushitic peoples have had a great deal of contact with the Arabs(particularly those of the Hijaz, Yemen, and Oman) However, that does not make us Arab. We are somali. Unlike our nubian brothers from Eygpt and Sudan, we have yet to be arabized. Hopefully never will. After reading much history, it hard to dispute that beginning in the 6th century, much mixing with the Arabs has occured. Being a Somali is one of the strongest and most homogenous identities in the world. Despite are current troubles, hopefully we will remember that.