Dude, I voted "NO" on the first question of experiencing racial harrassment. So why require us to answer Questions #2 and #3 when they don't even apply? I've probably experienced undercover racism (suspicions, you see) but nothing blatant and overt. Thank Allah.

Nice photos, indeed. The images of the people are most telling - content with their life and surroundings, despite the circumstances. Resilience, I say. And the natural scenery is absolutely breathtaking. In the photo with SL and UK flags next to each other, was that taken near the space allocated for the future UK embassy in Hargeisa? And the photographer got jokes. The metal containers are full of money. Although it seems as if there is lots of money, £1 is equivalent to 10000 shillings. Largest denominations are 500 shillings, so not more than £100 pounds there. Bank robbers would need Lorries! Bank robbers will need trucks to rob large sums in many countries, not just in Somaliland.

^^ I posted this article under the "Maxamed Dheere speaks" thread as it pertains to that debate. On the interesting "tribal bond" question you posed regarding Md. Barre Hiiraale and Md. Cabdullahi Yusuf, I suppose its anyone's guess as to their real intentions. However, let me flip the same question to you: when the "leaders" of Xamar convene, is that a "tribal" conference? Md. al-Xaaji Yalaxow, Md. Caato, Md. Cabdiqasim, Md. Qanyare are all members of the same tribe, are they not? How come their convention isn't scrutinized while a Barre-Cabdullahi "bond" raises questions? :confused:

My mother and I planned to go to Hajj this year. We applied through a travel agency in northern VA right after soon-fur for Hajj visas, but after weeks of waiting, got final word last Friday that they ran out of visas. Conversely, my mom recommended a fellow Hajj visa-seeker to a local travel agent and he actually got it (although he applied after we did). It was meant to be. There's always next year, though. Insha Allah. P.S. The lesson we learned is that its better to go with a group than to apply as individuals.

Maanta waxaa la dhaariye xubnaha maamul-goboleedka Benaadir oo ka kooban 64-ruux. Sida aad la wada socotaan, MG Benaadir waa kii labaad oo loo magacaabo gobolka caasimadda Soomaaliyeed ku taalo. Waxaa ka soo qeybgalay xaflada dhaarinta maamulka cusub shaqsiyo miisaan siyaasadeed iyo mid dhaqaaleba ku leh guud ahaan gobolka Benaadir, gaar ahaana caasimadda Muqdisho, oo ay ka dhex muuqdeen Cabdiqasim Salaad Booy , al-Xaaji Muuse Suudi Yalaxow, Ibrahim Xaabsade, Maxamed Qanyare Afrax, Cismaan Caato, Gen Morgan. Waxaa xusid mudan in goobta lagu dhaariye xubnahaas uu ka maqnaa Gudoomiyaha Baarlamaanka Federaalka, Md. Sharif Xasan, oo u ambabaxay caasimadda dalka Masar ee Qaahira. Maxaa ku kasabay Qanyare, Yalaxow, Caato, Morgan iyo Cabdiqasim inay is agfadhiistaan? Dhowr sano ka kor ragaan horseedka u ah maamulka cusub waxay ka soo horjeedeen dowladii Carta lagu soo dhisay oo uu Md. Cabdiqasim Salaad Booy madax ka ahaa. Meyde cadaawadii u dhaxeyse C/qasim Salaad Booy iyo hogaamiye-kooxeedyada Muqdisho? Ayadoo maanta xafladaan Xamar ka socoto ayaa wali wax xal ah loo helin dagaalkii qaraaraa ee dhawaan ka socday degmada Boondheere. Md. Cali Mahdi oo Xamar jooga ayaa ka hadlay dagaalkii Boondheere oo ugu baaqay raga dagaalka wada inay joojiyaan dagaalka ay ku laynayaan ummada masaakiinta ah. Maamulkaan cusub oo maanta la dhaariye muxuu kaga duwanyahay kii uu magacaabay RW Cali Geedi? Miyuu maamulkaan cusub ka awood badnaandoonaa kii hore? Miyuu awoodaa maamulkaan cusub inuu kala dhexgalo maleeshiyada isku dagaalaaya degmada Boondheere?

Originally posted by Fyr: Wafah Dufour is an aspiring New York-based musician who told the magazine that her family ties to the al Qaeda leader suspected of masterminding the September 11, 2001 attacks have prompted death threats What did she expect? The people sending the death threats are probably of the same mindset as the morons who killed a Sikh dude because he looked like a Muslim.

"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors." [surah al-Baqarah: 190-193] The truth is in the Qur'an for anyone willing to read and truly comprehend. Jazaaka'Llaah Kheyr for posting the article.

^^ So off topic. Are you really the guy in the picture? And if so, does your wife know what you look like? P.S. I don't know about SOL but 2005 has been a most terrible year for me. Insha Allah 2006 shall bring good news. Insha Allah.

^^ Labadiina isku gooya. Read this: Bye Bye Jowhar,Hello Kismaayo!! Mohammed Dhere has lately embarked on a political mission to patch up things with his rivals in Mogadishu and beyond. In the past few days, we all heard about the new peace treaty between the governors of the two fertile Shabelle regions. As the sources from the Jowhar grapevines want us to believe, the pact was initiated by none other than the madcap himself, the indisputable landlord of Yusuf and Ghedi, His Excellency Mohammed Dhere. There are also accounts from reliable sources that he had been making calls to Mogadishu powerbrokers and had some constructive consultations with Muse Sudi. Is this late maneuvering of Mr. Dhere, a political maturity? Or could it all be construed as the customary shifting alliances of the chameleon warlords of Somalia? It seems that the governor has reservations about Yusuf’s courting of Hiiraale. There is something anomalous about this much-hyped Kismayo talks between the warlords? The usual spin-doctors of Fadhi-ku-dirir venues are putting together new-fangled hypothesis about Yusuf’s longing to base his seat in Kismayo. It is rumored that Yusuf’s close interlocutors had in the past campaigned for the patronage of Hiiraale. So it goes that if Yusuf wants to make up with his ilk why should Mohammed Dhere alienate his kinfolk? What kind of covert ruse has come to the fore that forced Mohamed Dhere to look for alliance elsewhere? What compelled him to craft this political realignment and tactical repositioning? As soon as we heard about this new truce between the Shabelle governors, both the president his protégé premier and large numbers of his cohorts were off to Yusuf’s homelands of Boosaaso and Garoowe. And lo and behold, Mohammed Dhere didn’t rest and let them off the hook. He come up with the litmus test, fired the one million dollar question after them. He challenged both Yusuf and Ghedi to define the difference between Indhocade, the lower Shabelle boss and Hiiraale, the Juba Valley ruler since in Mr.Dhere’s logic; both men are from the same central region of Galgaduud. He wondered why one is considered as a man of peace and the other is seen as a defiant pariah? Mohammed Dhere made these exigent remarks in retaliation of the recent comments of Abdalle Deeroow, the constitution minister -- another one of those lame portfolios of Ghedi’s inflated cabinet -- who ironically doesn’t hail the regions in the covenant. But thanks to Somalia’s clannish raison d’être; the conventional wisdom dictates Deeroow to question and protest of this peace accord. So it is said and written somewhere in the Somalia’s half-baked constitution that Mr. Deeroow is at liberty to represent the “natives†of Lower Shabelle. Here the inhabitants of Shabelle are hypothetically from the minister’s clan grouping. Forget the fact that Deeroow is from Bay and is a persona-non-grata in his own constituency. See the irony of Somalia’s nonsensical clan adherence! But that was not the only reason the chief of Jowhar made his provocative discourse. The cynics are wondering was this ultimatum of Mohamed Dhere a masked eviction of the TFG or one of his spur-of-the moment invectives. Some people have been arguing for quite sometime that because of their stubborn nature and strong personality, both the Jowhar governor and the warlord-turned president would sooner or later be at odds. Now that the writings are on the wall, their falling out of each other is about to happen. The short honeymoon between Yusuf and Dhere is about to come to an end. As they say “marry in haste, repent at leisure†Yusuf is now in search of a new temporary capita. What a better place to set sights other than the port city of Kismayo. Bye Bye Dheere ... Hello Hiiraale! The stubbornness of the Somali warlords, their shifting alliances and their political opportunism may seem so inexplicable to most outsiders but not to the suffering populace of Somalia. Shaacir Mataan Minneapolis , MN E-mail: abaadir2002@yahoo.com The cynics are wondering was this ultimatum of Mohamed Dhere a masked eviction of the TFG or one of his spur-of-the moment invectives. You decide: http://www.somaliweyn.com/pages/news/Dec_05/24Dec10.htm

Originally posted by McPharax: Arent we all glad that our hooyos are not computer literate right about now??? Even if they were computer literate, are you worried they might be chatting online? The story is disgusting, but you pose an even more disgusting question. Get a grip!

Djibouti is teeming with foreign soldiers from the U.S., France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and now, the U.K. I understand the short-term economic gains that will be made by Djibouti, but what of the long-term consequences? This so-called "war on terror" will, sooner or later, have an end (naturally, everything that has a beginning has an end, i.e. the "Cold War"). I wonder how long the terms of deployment signed between the Djiboutian government and these foreign militaries are. Fyrkanten, anything on this?

Alas, positive news without the usual tit-for-tat debate. Intriguing design whose prominence is hard to miss. Thanks for the post.

^^ @ 90lbs. Originally posted by Haniif: Why don't they respect themselves and attempt to keep their dignity as human beings? And a skinny person has dignity simply because they're skinny? Then we Somali men should be the most dignified of all men on earth. But look at how crappy we are! i.e. You actually exist.

Originally posted by Castro: You can't deny the what just because you don't like the why I did not deny "the" [Jewish] Holocaust. I've always reiterated the fact that there have been plenty of holocausts through time, especially in the 20th century. I think its hypocritical to make it a crime to deny "the" [Jewish] Holocaust, while another holocaust, the annahilation of millions of Native Americans, for example, isn't given much mention. What's the difference between millions of Jews dead and millions of Native Americans dead? Aren't they all dead human beings? Yet, everyone knows about "the" [Jewish] Holocaust and sympathizes with it, and rightfully so. But let's never forget other holocausts - let's not forget the Khmer Rouge, Stalin's Red Terror, the Hutus' Rwanda genocide, the Hargeisa bombings etc. But you didn't answer my original question though: What is the objective and the result of keeping the memory of "the" [Jewish] Holocaust alive, while other holocausts are kept in the backrows of history? Taa ka soo jawaab.

^ If the next government isn't one based on the teachings and tenets of Islam, then I'm afraid it will fail, just like all its predecessors. KASHANRE - HAHA Thanks, bro. So, the worst thing you can muster against Md. Hiiraale is that, under his administration, Kismaayo port has become a shipping center for the deforestation of the Jubba Valley? That's the worst thing that comes to mind? Every warlord in Somalia is legitimized by his clan or sub-clan because he forms their armed wing, which protects their political and property interests, sometimes at the expense of fellow Somalis. So while the Kismaayo debate gets its loudest voices from Reer Puntland v. Reer Gedo, the "other" Reer Kismaayo (such as Soomaali Baajuun) get stepped on and overlooked by their Big Brothers, it seems. Where's the justice? :confused: So the final trick is: How do you merge these diametrically opposed notions (unity v. clan segregation) into one Somali nation? Islam. But who listens to me?

Ethiopia wants compensation! Isn't that ironic? At first, Meles wouldn't abide by the 2002 ruling that awarded Eritrea legal rule over disputed territory, including the strategic town of Badme. Now, another commission has ruled that Eritrea initiated the bloody 1998-2000 war between the East African rivals. Ethiopian officials promise a compensation suit in the hundreds of millions, since Eritrea started the war. What's interesting is the timing of this new ruling. Eritrea has recently expelled all White (North American or European) soldiers from the U.N. monitoring team, because their countries supported U.N. sanctions against Eritrea. But the Eritrean government is mad because the int'l community has failed to pressure Ethiopia to abide by the 2002 ruling and pull back its troops from such places as Badme. It would be hypocritical, on the part of the int'l community, to expect Eritrea to endorse this recent ruling and pay Ethiopia compensation, while Ethiopia continues to refuse to abide international law.

Originally posted by Alle-ubaahne: Mudug nin ka yimid oo hadana Dating ka hadlaaya walee caadi maahan, Oo maxaad lee dahay marka: Raga Mudug ka yimi waxba kama yaqaanaan "dating"?

Other men are wishful, but they are afraid from lacking what the majority of those girls seek in men, which is money . Here comes the stone-throwing squad... P.S. A most terrible idea.

^^ Taking dolls home for unnatural practices. I suppose we should celebrate that you're not a fella. As far as the doll: Is SOL running low on topics was the first question that came to my head. What is the purpose of designing an Arab Barbie doll? Couldn't find anything on the website. And the name...Fulla. Fulla what? Fulla onions?

^ Such a passionate defense for a warlord. Its quite surprising, then, when you express dismay at those Somalis who blindly support the likes of Max'd Dheere, C/llahi Yusuf and Indhocade, because your blind support of Md. Hiiraale, believe it or not, is on par with those folks - regardless of the reasons for your support. His brother-in-law was wronged. Worse things have happened in Somalia, bro, but life continues. Today, an estimated 2 million Somalis - some in Gedo region even - face a terrible drought. Is Md. Hiiraale coming to the rescue of his fellow sub-clan comrades who face potential drought in nearby Gedo region? Is it in his political interest to help those innocent souls? If it was, he'd come to their rescue a long time ago, instead of spending time, money and energy hosting yet another "peace conference" for all of Somalia's warlords. Does Hiiraale work for the interest of the very people he supposedly represents? :confused: Do any of these filthy warlords work for the interests of those they supposedly represent? I think not. A warlord is a warlord and I consider all the differences you mentioned between Md. Hiiraale and Md. Indhocade as minor because you are not admitting the biggest similarity: they're both warlords! Indha-cade's relations were not expelled from their homes and treated as human dirt. Priceless! Since Md. Hiiraale's "relations" were also expelled from Booli Qaran and other lively parts of Xamar, did Md. Hiiraale use his moral judgment to wage war on Xamar to regain those "lost treasures"? You are being subjective and completely partison, so I can only ask; do you hail from Puntland? Great! Now only people from Puntland are "subjective and completely partisan"? That's pretty much as bigoted as one can get. Make an indirect insult against millions of Somalis in the honor (ironic) of defending a warlord? We have nothing further to discuss, my brother. P.S. I'm not from Puntland and I've never seen Puntland. I'm from 253. HAHA

Cadde Muuse speaks out for the first time about the months-old controversy regarding the natural resources exploration deal. He spoke candidly to Reer Nugaaleed and vice versa. ...Maxamuud Muuse (Cadde) Madaxwaynaha DG Puntland , ayaa ugu horayntii wuxuu sheegay in uu Caafimaadkiisu uu aad u wanaagsan yahay. ...M/waynuhu , wuxuu sheegay in uusan wax heshiis ah aysan kala saxiixan Shirkadaha Khayraadka dalka ka baaraya. Hase ahaatee , wuxuu sheegay in ay qalqaalo ugu jiraan , sidii dalka loo keeni lahaa shirkadahaasi , maadaamada dalka ammaankiisa ay ka cabsi qabaan , oo loo sheekeeyay in Puntland ay ammaan-daro ka jirto. ...Gobolada ugu horeeya ee Khayraadka laga baarayo Nugaal , Sool iyo meelo ka mid ah Bari , ayuu sheegay M/waynuhu in khayraadka laga baarayo , oo ay ugu horeeyaan. ...Guddoomiyaha gobolka Nugaal C/laahi Ciise , wuxuu M/waynaha u sheegay in aan gobolka wax dhaqaale ah oo wax looga qabto ammaankiisa iyo hawlaha kalaba aan loo qoon dayn. ...Maxamed Xaaji Aadan Duqa Degmada EYL , ayaa ka warbixyay xaalada Degmada EYL , wuxuuna sheegay in ay tahay mid aad u liidata oo ay ka jirto qas iyo fowdo. ...Maxamed Xaaji Aadan , wuxuu eedeen u soo jeediyay 2 Wasiir oo ka mid Wasiirada Puntland , wuxuuna ku eedeeyay in ay qaska ka wadaan Degmada. ...Islaan Ciise Islaan Maxamed iyo Suldaan Siciid Maxamed Garaase , ayaa labaduba si isku mid ugu sheegay in reer Nugaaleed ay caashaqeen in Caasumadu garoon yeelato , oo ay ka wada siman yihiin. Sidoo kale , waxay sheegeen in ay soo dhawaynayaan shirkadaha dalka khayraadka ka baaraya ee lagu wado in ay dhawaan dalka yimaadaan intii karaaamkodoa ahna la shaqaynayaan.

^^ And keeping the memory "alive" (such as "the" Holocaust) has what objective and what result? Continuing to make generation after generation of Germans pay for crimes they never actually committed?

Originally posted by Xoogsade: There is no warlord with a good cause really. They all su-ck. Adiga you're off the hook, as long as you believe the above statement. However, Originally posted by Kashanre: because when you look at it honestly, Indha-cade and Hiiraale do not compare. Why? Is it because Md. Hiiraale is better at what he does (warlordism) than Md. Indhocade? And if warlord Max'd Dheere wasn't invited to Jowhar by community elders, how'd he come to rule it in 2000? I do recognize the minor historical differences between Md. Indhocade and Md. Hiiraale. However, in strictly legal terms, Md. Indhocade was appointed governor of Shabellaha Hoose region by then-President Cabdiqasim Salaad Booy. Md. Indhocade can always use that as a reference point. Md. Max'd Dheere can use the fact that he was invited to Jowhar by community leaders as his reference of legality. Md. C/llahi Yusuf's rule over Boosaaso has the legal stamp of hundreds of community elders from 5 regions in northeastern Somalia in 1998. [They (warlords) are all illegal rulers, of course, but I'm using warlord-logic here]. So, my final question is, under the same warlord-logic, what reference of legality does Md. Hiiraale have? He came to Kismaayo with "tekniko" and hundreds of clan militias, did he not (regardless of the reasons)?

Originally posted by nabadshe: the hargeysa holacaust Waryaa Castro, add that to the long list of holocausts you've been compiling lately. There is no such thing is "the" holocaust. Many ocurred - the Jews simply made the most noise. VIKING - Don't forget to mention its actually a chargeable offense (in some countries) to deny "the" [Jewish] Holocaust. Conversely, its perfectly normal to deny the existence of Allah SWT. Interesting times, indeed.

^^ Surely, Cadde Muuse was ill for the past two months. He had kidney surgery in Germany, so do reserve judgment for the ill, as advised by XIIN. However, Originally posted by Mansa Munsa: doesn't Cadde have the authority to hand pick who will or will not be in his cabinet? That's the million-dollar question. C/llahi Yusuf was interviewed by Radio Garoowe upon landing in Boosaaso on Dec. 20. This is my transcript of some of what he said in the interview around the 2:46th minute: "...Laga yaabo beri iyo inaan idinla joogno. Inta ka danbeyso waxaan ka tashaneynaa...ee...Madaxweynaha Puntland iyo dowladiisaan ka tashaneynaa..." Maxaa laga tashanaa is the question Cadde should ask? Isn't Cadde Muuse supposed to confer with his VP, Xasan Dahir Afqurac, or is C/llahi Yusuf still calling the shots? "Do your job and let me do mine" should be Cadde's attitude towards C/llahi Yusuf's clear violation of his authority. It makes Cadde look like a weak leader who needs the consultation of an old, confused Colonel in Jowhar when making vital decisions.