I have heard a lot of suggestions from both sides of the argument, many of which are very well expressed. But what do we do now? Do we sweep it under yet another thread or do we do something tangible. Let’s organise ourselves and mobilise and lobby those who wield power. It won’t be easy but one of the reasons why I am very excited about the regulation of Khat is that, myself and few friends triggered the 2005 Home Office investigation in Khat. I made a call to the BBC, upon which they contacted me and sent a reporter. Myself and the reporter discussed the impacts of Khat and how it has destroyed the Somali community. About a week later, the reporter when to Kings College Guys Hospital to get the analysis of a sample Khat I bought for the analysis. The Prof of Pharmacology made an intensive analysis and then wrote a report to the Home Office. Despite our best efforts, having seen the analysis Home Office didn’t do anything due to greater forces at play, namely the Kenyan and Ethiopian Governments having a vested interest in this matter as Khat is one of their biggest exports. MARC

MARC SMITH VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: The Trouble With Somaliland http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piCeQSawwrQ Let me what you guys think? MARC

You know I am very disappointed with the responses I have received for this video. I am merely expressing an opinion on something I feel very strong about. Rather than applauding my courage to risk my life to talk about these controversial topics, all I get is abuse and insults. If you don’t like what you see, at least express yourselves in a calm and coherent manner, instead of shouting violent abuse. P.S : A.J, Take a chill pill. Ur either a Somali Chav or Euro-trash. MARC

MARC SMITH VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Somali chavs A serious and concerning issue among the somali community in london http://youtube.com/watch?v=cF2ypbsyEGE let me know what you guys think of this video! MARC

I for one will be more than happy to sit down with anyone who wants to talk about Khat or any other topic. I strong believe that Khat will be banned, but this is has been halted by the high levels of apathy of somali community leaders and so-called intelligensia who claim to have all the answers and yet sit there and do nothing (members of SOL). MARC

This is matter i feel very strong about!. somali euro-trash people are not all the same and shouldnt be painted with one brush. However there are the small minority of them who are morally bankrupt and thus a danger to the rest of us. MARC

somali euro-trash people are the biggest danger to the somali community. They are not willing to integrate and embrace our values. This is a very serious problem and one that needs to be dealt with. Additionally its estimated that since 2000, there has been an influx of somali refugees in the UK. most of whom are somali secondary migrant refugees. They have borought with them social ills. My suggest is that they go back to Euro-land and continue to live their liberal way of live. I for one will not tolarate this type of behaviour. MARC

Caano Geel: your argument doesn't stand and preaching it doesn't help this is completely pathetic, how can you suggest that banning KHAT is wrong! my argument is that is should be at first regulated then banned thereafter. Also you are a small minority of people who are pro-Khat. The vast majority of somalis are for the ban of khat and this will eventually happen.

to Caano Geel: you only need to see khat-houses to realise that its jam-packed with young people. In certain places, the owners have lured many young people to khat-houses by providing pool-tables, wide-screen televisions that show big sports events and then eventually Khat. Khat-houses are full of young somalis as the older generation either chew at their homes with respect or in exclusive khat-houses!. If the young were to bring it to their homes, the stigma attached to khat is a damning one and this often leaves them no choice but consume khat is marfeshes. get your argument in check, before commenting without any thought. marc

thanks guys for the support, really appreciate but i would like to know what areas do the police brutalise somalis and what can we do abou this! i hear in woolwich but i am not sure, can anyone please tell me? marc

Hi Guys, Your comments have all of a sudden become personally. Some of you may know me, others might not!, but does this really matter? I might have gone to uni with some of you, or might not have, but is that really something we need to discuss? I think not! Now lets concentrate on the matter at hand, Khat and why it should be banned. Some of you have argued that banning in the UK will make no difference and that it will cause more problems. -- i completely disagree with this idea for the simple reason that you only have to look at somalis in the US and Canada. these people have become prosperous and live a life much better than those of us who live in countries where khat is abused. Additionally my main concern with khat is that its destroying the future of young somalis in the west, particually in London, where khat usage among young people is endemic. Also what benefits does khat bring to those who consume it?, nothing except poverty. If we organised ourselve and lobby those who weild power then this can lead to khat being banned. Most of you seem rather cynical and i dont appreciate this. We are the future so let have some postive thinking please. NGONGE - MY REAL NAME IS MAMADOU SALAKIM AND I AM FROM MALI, WEST AFRICA. SALAM AND PEACE TO ALL! MARC

I complete agree with you, but have slight concern. banning Khat in the UK and In somalia are two different things and thus cannot be compared as you have so clearly done. In somalia, khat sustains the economy, in the UK its doesnt. In somalia- its the main source of income for hundreds of thousands of people. in the UK it doesnt play such an important role. Khat needs to be banned not only for its health, economic and social impacts, but as its destroying the future of an entire generation of young somalis who would have otherwise be far better off without this drug! MARC

GJ_Goate - I completely agree with you, that exactly the type of Islam that somalia needs. A islamic based state, which has infused Political islam and democracy. This will not only make somalia more progressive but also economical and socially developed. As for the title- you need catchy title in order to lure people in, so i hope that explains my points. thugged out but cant feel my feet - Again I agree with you. the muslim wordd is in disaray and this is largely the result of embracing a western form of democracy, which doesnt consider islam as the focal and central point of goverance. Additionally, we need to improve the image of islam as a peaceful and prosperous faith, this isnt helped by seeing a mob weilding machetes and holding insulting plackards. we as muslim have a duty to educate people about islam and this is the only forward. Moreover while Shariah law should be implemented across all muslim countries, the reality suggests otherwise. So-called muslim government are corrupt and often embrace democracy as a way of subjegating the true values of islam. thanks NGONGE- finally, i am glad you raised the issue of the topics i discuss as being nothing new or intellectually changing . I agree!, the average person is hardly academic, so i make it my intention to appeal to the masses and not the elite. additionally i also make it my intention to educate somalis and non-somalis about the issues facing somalis in a simple minded manner. i appreciate your comments and will seek to improve the depth of their contents Salam and thanks

thanks for your comments, really appreciate them and i respect them. but people are entitled to opinions and i am merely express mine. thanks for welcoming me. one of the problems with the somali community is there is very limited reach in communicating information. and this has caused many problems. So I as marc as humble as i am . is shaping the discourse on somali social and political issues. i am not saying i am authority and i have all the knowledge but my views are been communicated to the masses - using a different medium - however controvesial and many people seem to believe them. if you guys want to change my ideas, dont write in a hidden and private forum, get your ideas across to the masses by mobilising and organise yourselfs. this is also a lesson somalis need to learn to particiapte in poltics. Organisation and mobilisation Marc

The Threat of Islamisation in Somalia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0_TrffVGkU LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS THINK? I MIGHT BE WRONG IN MY VIEWS BUT PLEASE CONVINCE OTHERWISE! MARC

thanks for your comments, really appreciate them and i respect them. but people are entitled to opinions and i am merely express mine. thanks for welcoming me. one of the problems with the somali community is there is very limited reach in communicating information. and this has caused many problems. So I as marc as humble as i am . is shaping the discourse on somali social and political issues. i am not saying i am authority and i have all the knowledge but my views are been communicated to the masses - using a different medium - however controvesial and many people seem to believe them. if you guys want to change my ideas, dont write in a hidden and private forum, get your ideas across to the masses by mobilising and organise yourselfs. this is also a lesson somalis need to learn to particiapte in poltics. Organisation and mobilisation Marc

i see alot of people with intelligent thoughts but who have lost hope. The worst form of anger is apathy. I am guessing most of the people who commented on this post have lost hope and have become cynics, whenever a new idea is mentioned, they tend to dismiss it. open your minds and be active!. dont lose hope brothers and sisters. Marc

you wouldnt write that unless you know me (!). which i doubt. marc

thanks for welcoming me to this forum. please dont judge me cos i use an alias and glasses to hide my identity. instead judge me on my words, even if you disagree with them. marc

MARC SMITH VIDEO EXCLUSIVE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9K6JVuGoIk BAN KHAT NOW!!!

MARC SMITH VIDEO EXCLUSIVE Police Brutality of Somalis in London http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKOT3Ww5kwA MARC

MARC SMITH VIDEO EXCLUSIVE!!! History of Modern Somalia - Part 1: 1869-1991 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npGHaC_RajQ MARC

Hi guys, I am new to Somalionline but some of you might be familar with my work. I Have a Dream - A Somali Dream http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phJrn6NNLbE MARC