I don't think there's any place for secularism for Islam. The concept itself doesn't fit into the ideological foundation of the religion. That's why a state such as Turkey is the perfect place for Nuraddin Farah and like-minded people want to live.

"...where Arabs alter our educational system and secular tradition?" This guy likes to kiss Whitey's *** huh! We're Muslims! That lives little ground for 'secularism' because Islam isn't just a religion but a way of life! But I guess Whitey is happy with Nuraddin Farah's rhetoric.

The same jibber-jabber about how the West is the 'enemy.' I wonder when people will revert back from the conspiracies that live only in their minds but have little or no applicable manifestation in reality. The West wants to 'brainwash' us. The West this, the West that! The real true enemy is ourselves. Conquer the evil within first. Our weakness is internal. The Islamic Empire dominated the world for more than 500 years. But what happened? The rulers became autocrats who wholly indulged themselves in the unholy acts of adultery, alcoholism and injustice! Since the fall of the Islamic Empire, what has followed is generation after generation of corrupt rulers and piously weakened societies across the Muslim world. Let's conquer our internal enemies first before finger-pointing at others. We do everything we abhor about the non-Muslim community!

nice poem bro/sis

Asalamu calaykum, I appreciate all you're responses. Jazeera Tell me why is it that its 'hard' to NOT be influenced by the West in terms of you're views? Are you suggesting that you're more a follower than a leader? Think about the statement you made. We're all influenced by different forces, at one point or another. My central concern is for us NOT to be so influenced by Western or any other culture so much that we loose sight of our national goals, as Somalis. Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqyaar I suggest, brother, that you keep the first two labels of your name and drop the 'aqyaar' part. I have presented a topic here for ALL Somalis to discuss and you're so narrow-minded as to linger upon a 'name.' I, along with my entire family, hail from the region of Nugaal, in and around the Nugaal Valley, northeastern Somalia. So why would I not have this name? Wiil_NUGAAL simply means a boy from Nugaal. I'm representing my roots. You should respect people's roots and their choice of names. And if you don't have anything to contribute to this ongoing discussion, then please feel free NOT to respond! On to the subject at hand, a centralized government all controlled from a Somali capital, whether it be Muqdisho or else, is not a viable solution. Somalis are a freedom loving people. I see the chances of conflict severely lessing when we're all free to do and choose as a society how we would like to be governed. Remember, a government CANNOT exist without the CONSENT of the governed. If WE choose a form of government, then our differences will gradually diminish and we'll focus on more important issues, such as schooling and healthcare. Right now, peace is the key. It opens all doors! Sidaa iyo nabadgelyo!

Asalamu calaykum, To my understanding, the Hadith only states that a tiny incision be made whereby a drop of blood could be mustered. After that, nothing else. This is called a 'Sunni' circumcision. And as Somali/African/Arab culture has it, female 'circumcision' involves a severed clit, i.e. a woman's feelings. This is known as a 'Fircooni' circumcision and the religion DOES NOT allow it! Please bare in mind the distinction. I also want to add and support Nasra's viewpoint. Although I DON'T agree with her view that just because its our culture we have to follow it, I do see the hardships in overcoming something that has lasted for centuries and has inherently become so natural to us. On my behalf, I would have my daughter go through the painless 'Sunni' circumcision. Simply because its Sunna! Sidaa iyo nabadey!

Asalamu calaykum, I think that these types of discussion forums are created to stimulate our minds and engage all of us in meaningful arguments. Therefore, I pose a question to all Somalis, especially politically-concious ones... Somalia proper has gone through three stages, two with governments, and a third without. The first government, between 1960 and 1969, and the second government from 1969 to 1991. The third stage is the post-'91 era, which still continues. My question then is, if and when we get an all-inclusive and justified government that truly represents the Somali people, how would YOU like it to be different from the previous ones? Remember, mistakes are harmful unless we learn from them. We learned that dictatorship doesn't work and neither does a centralized government, all based in Mogadishu. We're too diverse for that. So what qualities would the government have? What ministries should be priority? What type of government? And please don't say anything about 'democracy.' Think deep as Somalis, NOT as Western-influenced Somalis! The answers are all there. I'll start by saying I support a Confederation of Clans. Somalia, the Third Republic! Sidaa iyo Nabadgelyo!

Asalamu Calaykum, Wonderful topic. Like Ameenah stated, the globe currently lacks a truly 'Islamic state', other than Iran. So the matter of female heads of state in Muslim countries is, under our status quo of today, acceptable. Bhutto of Pakistan in the recent past, and today's Indonesian President Megawati. The irony is Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country! On to the question of the status of Somali women. One of the sisters mentioned Somali women being abused for driving on roads? Personally speaking, I never heard of that. If it happened, I hardly think its right to blame the entire male population. I think that Somali women are the fabric of Somali society. Somali men are dead. They chew khat and fight each other constantly. I wouldn't mind to have a capable female in leadership, since none of our so-called 'leaders' of today are truly leaders of anything other than a few armed bandits! Sidaa iyo nabadgelyo!