The guy wants information and everyone giving everything but that. The best spots I think to start off with are the places like Spitalfields market on a Sunday morning its right near Liverpool Street. It's a very trendy and it'll give you a taste of London’s diversity but don't forget to walk down Brick lane. There's always Camden lock which has some pretty wonderful finds and artwork but Goth dominated. You should also stop by the Columbia flower market it's very vibrant and inspiring and it's one of the oldest in the city. Obviously portabella on a Saturday morning but be prepared for a walk but i think you'll enjoy it with all those one off pieces. Other places that are ideal are Hyde Park; stop by speakers corners on a Sunday for some off the wall entertainment. Go on a boat ride on the Thames from the city centre to Greenwich which is just so quaint and gorgeous. You walk on the GMT line where time beings and on a nice day around sunset walk along the bank on the Thames. You can go to Tower Bridge but make sure you walk through Butlers Warf which has beautiful cobbled streets or cross the bridge to St Catherine’s docks and enjoy a Starbucks in the harbour surrounded by yachts. Definitely get someone to drive you through London at night there’s a lovely route that pass through Knightsbridge, Trafalgar square, Westminster and Embankment, where you’ll see the famous Harrods building and all the fancy designer boutiques, obviously the statue of Lord Nelson (Nice place to sit and chill out on a hot night by the way), there’s the house of parliament and big Ben and along embankment you’ll get the best view of the London eye all lit up. There’s bags more to see and do believe me, those were just some on the inexpensive ones mine you, by the way most of the museums and galleries have free access so you could also brush up on your knowledge. Phew that was a lot aye? And people say London is boring!

You should include voicemails with Quran on that too! I dislike the whole ringtone/voicemail thing; you need pay attention to the meaning of the words. However I am confused about the whole leave Quran playing in a house when you out...I have been advised to do that and don't really understand the point. It's almost like when people use quran verse as decoration on their walls or have the Quran in a room. As though the power of the quran in it's written form will protect you. In fact it's been describe as shirik by many as only Allah can protect you, so reciting quran is the best thing to do. On the other hand we used to have a dua on toilet door to remind people to read the dua so I guess if you're using it in that context that's different.

Episode 9 was absurd! Fatima's trying desperately to sort out her passport situation and the producers are talking with her lawyers and booking appointments, so you can't help but think hey this didn't just come up on that day and it must have been an ongoing thing right? So why is she being blamed for the producers fault, who books her appointment right in her shoot? They let her through but they didn't need to blame her and give her all that stick for something she had no control over. In any rate the criteria for the show clear states you need a passport/travel document so why did they put her through knowing full well she did? For the drama perhaps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdMqWDgFDC8

You know that's an interesting question... At what point do you become African American, Black British or even Black Arab (If there even is that term). I guess it's easier to call yourself Somali first. It's not such an issue here in the UK but in America with such a thriving African American community wouldn't you feel alittle left out?

Am I the only person wondering why no one has pointed out the ridiculousness of the fact that American's and Canadian's have drive through ATMs? Say hello to obesity!

Seriously how can you go into the modelling industry and not even know to shave your armpits??! And personally if I hadn't shaved in days I wouldn't feel comfortable putting on display like that. she's either loopy or extremely confident.

why do we always think we're better than no one and everyone?

Oh come on! “We’re black but just lighter” I think we need to introduce you to the rest of the Somali nation, like all humans we come in all hues, shades and shapes. I've seen Nigerian's lighter than me and I've seen Asians darker than me. Lets do an IQ question: If Layla is darker than Olu and Olu is lighter than Ravinda. What colour are you, black or white?

You know it could just be a fear of having sex rather than a physical thing, either way she's the only one that knows.

Would you like the next instalment?

Having said all that guys, it annoyed me just as much when Marvita said "does that make you less of a woman" talk about crude!

After the Scandinavian next top model I wasn't surprised to see that the newest season of ANTM has a Somali girl called Fatima. So far from the first episode I'm just in shock of how Fatima's using some really serious issues as spin tools to push her to the top. Not to mention how naive she's come across with the comments "I'm never getting married" and “I can never have sex with a man!". What the hell are you on about?! She's also annoying the hell out of me, as at every chance she gets she has to mention that she's Somali. My point is that fine congratulations to you for doing whatever you believe in but hey you don't have to beat the dead horse. You don't see the other girls obsessing over their origin. Brace yourselves! ANTM cycle 1 episode part 2 ANTM cycle 10 Episode 1 part 4

I came across this article is very old but shocking nonetheless, I just don't understand how our cultural methods of dealing with disputes can be classified as Sharia law. Someone needs to tell them Sharia law for the stabbing wouldn't have ordered a "kiss and make up". And am I going crazy but wasn't it the British media and central government that was going on about how the local community should be responsible for the actions of their youths and how parents should be supported with parenting skills? The first time the community and the parents take things into their own hands they're damn for it! ------------------------------------- Sharia law is spreading as authority wanes By Joshua Rozenberg, Legal Editor Last Updated: 1:59am GMT 30/11/2006 Islamic sharia law is gaining an increasing foothold in parts of Britain, a report claims. Sharia, derived from several sources including the Koran, is applied to varying degrees in predominantly Muslim countries but it has no binding status in Britain. The Koran is one of the sources that Sharia derives from However, the BBC Radio 4 programme Law in Action produced evidence yesterday that it was being used by some Muslims as an alternative to English criminal law. Aydarus Yusuf, 29, a youth worker from Somalia, recalled a stabbing case that was decided by an unofficial Somali "court" sitting in Woolwich, south-east London. Mr Yusuf said a group of Somali youths were arrested on suspicion of stabbing another Somali teenager. The victim's family told the police it would be settled out of court and the suspects were released on bail. A hearing was convened and elders ordered the assailants to compensate their victim. "All their uncles and their fathers were there," said Mr Yusuf. "So they all put something towards that and apologised for the wrongdoing." Although Scotland Yard had no information about that case yesterday, a spokesman said it was common for the police not to proceed with assault cases if the victims decided not to press charges. advertisement However, the spokesman said cases of domestic violence, including rape, might go to trial regardless of the victim's wishes. Mr Yusuf told the programme he felt more bound by the traditional law of his birth than by the laws of his adopted country. "Us Somalis, wherever we are in the world, we have our own law," he said. "It's not sharia, it's not religious — it's just a cultural thing." Sharia's great strength was the effectiveness of its penalties, he said. Those who appeared before religious courts would avoid re-offending so as not to bring shame on their families. Some lawyers welcomed the advance of what has become known as "legal pluralism". Dr Prakash Shah, a senior lecturer in law at Queen Mary University of London, said such tribunals "could be more effective than the formal legal system". In his book Islam in Britain, Patrick Sookhdeo, director of the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity, says there is an "alternative parallel unofficial legal system" that operates in the Muslim community on a voluntary basis. "Sharia courts now operate in most larger cities, with different sectarian and ethnic groups operating their own courts that cater to their specific needs according to their traditions," he says. These are based on sharia councils, set up in Britain to help Muslims solve family and personal problems. Sharia councils may grant divorces under religious law to a woman whose husband refuses to complete a civil divorce by declaring his marriage over. There is evidence that these councils are evolving into courts of arbitration. Faizul Aqtab Siddiqi, a barrister and principal of Hijaz College Islamic University, near Nuneaton, Warwicks, said this type of court had advantages for Muslims. "It operates on a low budget, it operates on very small timescales and the process and the laws of evidence are far more lenient and it's less awesome an environment than the English courts," he said. Mr Siddiqi predicted that there would be a formal network of Muslim courts within a decade. "I was speaking to a police officer who said we no longer have the bobby on the beat who will give somebody a slap on the wrist. "So I think there is a case to be made under which the elders sit together and reprimand people, trying to get them to change." -------------------------------------------

I think you too really missed the point there! :rolleyes:

I received an email a couple of days ago and it went a little like this…… Read all of this, it is interesting!! Read down to > the very bottom highlighted in green , IT'LL > GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS!!! You don't want to miss > this! ((*_*) ) VERY INTERESTING- 1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq 2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq ,was the cradle of civilization! 3. Noah built the ark in Iraq 4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq 5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq ! 6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq 7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq 8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq 9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel 10. Amos cried out in Iraq ! 11. Babylon , which is in Iraq , destroyed Jerusalem 12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq ! 13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the Fiery Furnace!) 14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the 'writing on the wall' in Iraq 15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq 16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq 16. The wise men were from Iraq .. 17. Peterpreached in Iraq . 18. The 'Empire of Man'described in Revelation is called Babylon , which was a city in Iraq ! And you have probably seen this one: Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq ! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon , Land of Shinar , and Mesopotamia The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris And Euphrates Rivers . The name Iraq , means country with deep roots. Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible. No other nation, except Israel , has more history and prophecy associated With it than Iraq And also, This is something to think about: Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages ... The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible) Koran ( 9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle.. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; And there was peace. (Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - As you may have noticed but the verse isn’t correct. So as you can imagine I was offended that my college friend could send me something like so I decided to reply back to all the people included in the chain letter to set it straight, with the following email…. Hi, I doubt any of you know me except for Abby BUT I would just like to correct this chain email. The verse quoted in the qu'ran doesn't exist it was completely made up check it out for yourself on http://www3.alislam.org/index.jsp As a Muslim I'm actually offended by it and honestly hope that no believed the quote as for the rest I can't say for sure. I am certain of one thing which is the American government didn't target Iraq to cleanse it of evil but to cleanse it of its oil. You decide! Regards, Sue ------------------------------------------------- I didn’t think anyone would reply but they did surprisingly with the following comments……… Hi Sue, I don't see the reason why you had to send me the e-mail below. I understand that you are a devoted Muslim but there is no need to take the e-mail seriously. The e-mail was forwarded to me and guess what, i haven't even read it. I am honestly not bothered about the American or Iraq government, i am just minding my own business. I don't mean to be rude or anything but i will appreciate it if you don't e-mail me about what you think is right or wrong especially when the e-mail is not even real. Remain Blessed & Hi Sue Thank you for the email. i have never received this chain email but it is really nice to see that someone has noticed propaganda being sent in such away as to make people believe this. I for one never read chain mails. But i will ensure that i forward this email to all those that i know so that they are made aware of this. Aba ------------------------------------ And I was left thinking what the hell is wrong with the world!

Easier said than done i'd love to take them in but you can't help but consider how this effects your own life. you would have to give up work since they are pre-schoolers and want to give it your all. So really how many of you would adopt and what about all those muslim children out there? isn't that our burden too. in anyrate I will not pretend to know all the answers or judge others, distance aside. I know of only one single somali woman who has been selfless enough to be a foster carer yet even she is judged.

Religion is the source of evil? Justify that please...I am tired of people making statements without facts. Religions begot law and order, an example being the 10 commandants which is shared by Christians, Muslims and Jews alike. These values and morals are the very thing governments worldwide have adopted, developed and adapted to the laws we know today. So in retrospect since law is decidedly a good thing then how can you then call religion evil?

In the words of Micheal Jackson. I'm starting with the man/woman in the mirror. You're friend can not A) question another person's faith if they claim it so and B) sterotype a whole nation although I see why he might have said so.

Ok thepoint in your part of town weddings are segregated, Somali music is about our country and war and imposing your ideology on others which bear in mind was what my post was about is perfectly fine. GREAT, I'm glad we sorted that out!

Interesting replies, well from the little I read. I wonder sometimes why we fall into to these obvious traps. Someone belittles Muslims and the silly actions of a minority by calling us all barbaric and we reply in just the way they expected. The prophet (SAW) lived amongst non Muslims peacefully and we can't do the same on a website. As for you KK maybe you should think about the KKK and how those so called Christians killed for their religion. But you don't see us sweeping all Christians with the same brush now. In fact you’ll find the majority of African Americans who were victimised by them were Christians.

Thank you, lily I couldn't have said it better.

Khalaf I've witnessed that myself back home as you would imagine is far more backwards. It's just shocking to see it here in SOL when you assume people are educated. Just have a look at the Hawa thread there are loads of nasty comments.

You know where they get these stories right? It's all those asylum seekers, they make up the most hidious stories just to become citizens of western countries. Don't tell me you haven't heard of at least one story like that.

well I'm glad some of you don't come across this backward way of thinking. So just to make sure...no one here has ever heard elders calling a girl ugly because she isn't covered? I know we wear see through dircas without people raising eyebrows but hey it's ok because it's a wedding! you can flaunt yourself at weddings and any other time it's bisinka haraam! it's this type of strange contradictions that makes me really loose my confidence and respect for our culture. I'm not really a fan of somali music but from what I've been told it's usually talking about women's bodies in a rather perverted manner, so I've been told anyways. That's hardly mmmh a postive thing. Aaliyah I know why they're doing it but I don't think it's the healthiest way I just think that method is more likely to have the opposite effect. And thepoint I think you've missed my point, I'm not saying bear all. Anyway, I guess I'm alone on this one as usual.

Hang on people this is getting alittle out of hand and off the topic. blessed you're right, islam teaches us to be attractive to our husbands behind closed doors and not in public and doesn't deamonise sexuality but that wasn't what i said. I was referring to the way our culture and community misinterepret our religion. The average Somali parent would teach their child sex and love is disgusting and covering up your body is beautiful in a physical sense. I did say that modesty is beautiful in a different way. SO again I will reintroduce the topic, Which isn't about the boyish look of models or Hawa Ahmed hence the separate topic. Why is our community painting women's bodies as ugly?