Originally posted by Viking: Didn't know that the Somali booty and the "mutton arms" existed B.C. I was gonna make a comment about the size and shape of that booty, but dang! Languages and cultures may disappear, but the booty survives the test of time. Thanks for sharing the pics, sxb.

"This particular union did not work, because there were two people with totally different backgrounds: colonial backgrounds, cultural differences, even language differences. Wow. Quite a statement. CAAMIR thanks for highlighting this part of the interview. Originally posted by LANDER: ...the real misinformation is the popularized myth of absolute cultural Homogeneity that was propagated during the days of somali nationlism and euphoria. You don't need to do extensive anthropological research to realize that there exist some real culural differences amongst somalis across regions and states. It seems, sxb, as if you've already made up your mind that the homogeneity of the Somali people is "misinformation." If it is "misinformation," then who was behind the misinformation? Who's interest lies in propagating this "misinformation?" Who are the culprits behind this conspiracy to "misinform" the world, and the Somali people, that Somalis have a single culture? And who believes this and who opposes it? Also, can you elaborate on the "cultural differences" that we should "realize" upon doing minimal anthropological work?

^^ True say. Hambalyo is definitely in order. Let's hope that the governor-elect will bear fruit for his new administration, with so much support from the community.

Xasan Dahir Afqurac, the Puntland Vice President, is currently on a State visit to Las Anod. Not as many people as expected showed up for his speech, including traditional leaders. His security staff was particularly brutal with area-based journalists. Also, the VP didn't talk about the Taleex controversy. What is exactly the story behind the Taleex controversy? On a positive note, the VP commended the TB section of LA hospital. He said something like its the best he's seen in Puntland - truly a proud achievement for the citizens therein. VP Xasan Dahir did, however, mention that Puntland and Somaliland militias will be removed from Adhicadeeye village, to Gumaays and Oog, respectively. Where's the Somaliland statement on such a significant move?

Let me be the first to burst the bubble: Syriana is highly-overated. The plot (and several mini-plots) tries to convey "the truth" in relations between the U.S. (gov't/corporate) and the Middle East. That's such an impossible task to accomplish in a two-hour event. They tried, but succeeded in confusing me about where the plot was headed, at times. Also, it seems like a well-researched movie, but they make the same mistake the producers of Kingdom of Heaven made: when the character of George Clooney says "Asalamu Alaykum" to the leader of Hesbollah movement, the leader replies with the proper "Wa'alaykuma Salaam" - when, in fact, it should be "Wa'alayka" since Clooney is a non-Muslim. In Kingdom of Heaven the same thing happened when a non-Muslim got a similiar reply from the Muslim caliph, Salah-u-diin. This mistake seems redundant amongst Hollywood movies. No matter how hard they try to understand, somehow they fall short. In short, Syriana is a good attempt to portray reality but fails in some cases because it tries to tell a gazillion stories in one. Pretty boring at times too - not as much action as I'd hoped. I give it a "C" grade.

^^ Thank your for sharing your personal story with the sistas. Hopefully, they'll realize its just their luck (good or bad) that they find "unromantic" men to complain about, and not Somali men in general. Secondly, the majority of the dudes I know and I'm friends with know how to cook, cause we all learned in scabulo life.

Originally posted by Castro: ...the politicization of anti-semitism and the Holocaust is what disturbs me...Not unlike the pity bestowed upon Americans following the 9/11 events. A most interesting comparison, and not far off from the truth, I must add. The Jewish Holocaust is the Holocaust, because its been politicized (over-politicized, some would say) to its limit. Now, ponder over this: While its not a crime to deny the existence of Allah (God), its actually a chargable crime to deny "the" [Jewish] Holocaust. Tell me the sense in that. On the other hand, there is no question that the politicization of 9/11 is the primary reason the U.S. is currently engulfed in the Iraqi quagmire. The ambiguous reason for attacking Iraq was alleged links between 9/11 and the Saddam regime (all such accusations have been disproved over time), on top of the false WMD allegations. 9/11 was politicized by the Bush administration at a much faster rate, due to ease of global communications, than was "the" [Jewish] Holocaust. Same policy, same results: today, the State of Israel is engaged in a wide range of human rights abuses and persecution of innocent civilians, and so is the U.S. The once-oppressed (or wronged), became the oppressors (and wrong-doers), their evil acts protected under the facade of "seeking justice" or some other speechwriters' hypocritical non-sense.

...And the lesson here is: Cry "terrorism!" and George will send in the Marines. Hopefully.

Originally posted by Haniif: In many American Cities, and in the many black ghettos and inner cities, about 80% of the liquor stores are owned by Arabs! Many, if not all of them are muslims. No surprise there at all. Its called Capitalism. Everyone's out to get their piece of the pie.

Originally posted by Socod_badne: It's not about what you should wear but whether you should be allotted like men the right to dress as you like. A right allotted to men but evidently not to women. Alloted by whom? In Islam, there are dressing etiquette for the Muslim male as for the Muslim female. Its not a one-way street, regardless of how much the media tries to portray it as such. I'm dead certain not every girl who wears the Hijab wears out of religious conviction. It seems as if you've fully convinced yourself and on your way to convince others. Now, unless you're blessed with the power to read a woman's soul, the impending question is: How can you be dead certain that not every girl wears the hijab out of religious conviction? :confused: Frankly speaking if men can't exercise control at the sight of bare female skin, Once again, its not a man-made rule for Muslim women to wear the hijab. Let's look at the West, where the White man made the rules as to what a woman can wear and what she can't wear. (The trick is, of course, they wear what they "choose" - that choice is made by new fashion trends, what they see on TV etc. - who owns gigantic TV stations?). Go back a 100 years (yr 1905) and tell me what the average Western woman used to dress like. They didn't even wear pants - forget short skirts and tight clothes. As time went and as the West began to loose its moral standards based on religion (Judeo-Christianity), Capitalism took over and terms such as "gold digger" came into existence. Because of the man-made Capitalist system/religion (which has no moral standard whatsoever), musicians like Mike Jones can make a rap song and tell the truth: "Back then, hoes didn't want me/Now I'm hot, hoes all on me." Why do they all want him now? How come the finest of finest ladies are featured in his music videos? How come those women dress "sexy"? Who do they dress "sexy" for (those actually wearing clothes, I mean)? The popular marketing phrase sex sells doesn't generally apply to men, does it? In fact, "sex sells" is a relatively new phrase, as man (the Western white man - who owns mouthpieces like Mike Jones) became super rich and saw that he could, in essence, buy whatever he wanted. That is the world whereby man makes the rules. The hijab is the dignity Allah SWT has bestowed upon Muslim women. And dignity is priceless.

Originally posted by Castro: Are they the 'chosen people' or what? That's a very abstract question, which can only get an abstract answer: Who's to say? :confused: Originally posted by Red sea: They are trageressors who break the borders of Allah and any punishment that comes upon them is therefore well deserved. Using this same definition, I can say that many in the Muslim Ummah (i.e. Somalis) deserve any punishment they get - even annahilation - because they're hypocrites and transgressors. The non-believers' reason for transgressing is that they don't know any better. What of the munaafiquun, who know Islam and yet transgress its most basic tenets? I believe the type of judgment you placed upon the Jews should also apply to all of mankind, including us Muslims. Originally posted by Callypso: dude who accused the Jews of "crying like little girls", I wonder how you would react if 1 in 3 Somalis was wiped off the face of the Earth? Despite what you're implying, with me, an innocent human being persecuted and murdered is just that: wrong, regardless of race or religion. The "little girls" comment was in regards to the living Jews who used all means in their hands to propagate the Jewish Holocaust as "the" Holocaust, as if it was the only holocaust in human history. Castro asked why other holocausts don't get the same recognition. Should they? Why shouldn't they: Aren't innocent human beings maimed and murdered all the same? Tutsis, regardless of who attacked them, faced mass extermination. Where was the help then? Where was the Allied invasion of Kigali then? And what importance is the weapon of choice? Whether its a missile or a machete, they both have the same result: death. The Rwandans didn't have the world's attention, nor did they have the economic capability to gain and maintain the world's attention. But they fought back without anyone's help - Colonel Paul Kagame, a Tutsi, is still the president of Rwanda. At the end of the day, a holocaust is a holocaust and a genocide is a genocide. The difference is made by how the survivors of such atrocities market and propagate their suffering to the world stage. The Jews, history has shown, are particularly gifted in portraying their agony to the world stage - and using it to justify the controversial policies of Tel Aviv, inc. torture, assassinations, executions, and military invasion of others' homelands. Let's not forget their gross misuse of global pity.

^^ Who cares about what you wear? :confused:

Originally posted by xiinfaniin: the Somali name fir-coon How is fircoon a Somali name? Its in the Qur'an.

Originally posted by Muhammad: so the land which the somalis occupy does have some links with ancient egypt. but as for Somalis(todays), I don't know. perhaps someone else can shed a light on it. Somalis back then, as they are today, were groupies for whomever was in charge. If you look at history, we've been groupies for the Arabs, the European colonialists, the Soviets, etc. Today, we're groupies for the Ethiopians. Using that, one can argue that we were, perhaps, once groupies for the pharoahs. Land of Punt, anyone...?

Originally posted by Caano Geel: all pharoahs were black In the same token, all pharoahs were short.

Originally posted by Castro: why does the Shoah (of six decades ago) receive exponentially more commemoration and coverage than the Rwandan genocide that occured a mere decade ago? Are the victims of the Holocaust more innocent? Sxb, you're comparing two aspects of history that might seem similar on the surface but are, in reality, on different sides of the spectrum. First of all, to be absolutely clear, there is no such thing as a victim being more innocent than any other victim. A victim (of persecution, in this case) is a victim - a powerless human being maimed and murdered by rival humans. Now, there are several factors as to why we can't compare the Rwandan genocide (and it was a genocide) vis-a-vis the Jewish Holocaust. The Jewish Holocaust ocurred during a very historic time for the entire world: World War Two. The whole world was was aflame and the Jews were being burnt alive. All eyes were on Hitler and Nazi Germany. The Jewish state, Israel, came into being in the post-WW2 period, in 1948. Millions of European Jews who felt threatened in Europe (and for good reason) fled to the new State of Israel. Let's remember that these Jews were fairly wealthy families who'd lived in Europe for centuries, including businessmen and professional elite. The State of Israel knew it had history on its side because one of its primary policies was to raise awareness about the Jewish Holocaust worldwide. They used political, financial and communication means to deliver this vital message that would assure their continued existence in a hostile part of the world. Did the victims of the Rwandan genocide have such opportunities? Did they have the financial and communication capability to deliver their message to the world? Did they even have the whole world's attention? Let's remember that in early-mid 1994 when the Rwandan genocide being was taking place, South Africa was fighting to overcome the Apartheid regime, the OJ Simpson case had over American TV, Serbian forces were committing massacres in Saravejo, among other global events. Why does the Jewish Holocaust get more commeration? Because the founders of Isreal made sure that the legacy of the "Final Solution" is never forgotten. They used all means in their ability to market their holocaust as "The Holocaust." They were so sucessful that denying the Holocaust is a crime in some countries.

^^ Modesty...in the 21st century? Such high standards for, out of all things, "romance." Is it really that important? Whatever happened to desired qualities like a sensible personality, a good sense of humor and, generally, what Somalis refer to as dadnimo? It seems, from your writing above, that the aforementioned qualities take the backseat when it comes to "romance." I hope I am mistaken, however.

Originally posted by Castro: What makes the Shoah so special? Cause the Jews cried like frightened little girls. The whole world pitied them - the race that faced annahilation at the hands of evil Adolf and his "Final Solution." They simply capitalized on global pity for them. Quite the champions in that fora, I must add.

^^ So, um, is this the part I'm supposed to feel ashamed and cower beneath blankets? You're certainly taking the "cyber thug" thing to new heights.

^^ The United Kingdom is Kenya's largest foreign investor. What do they get for their investment? Little London, anyone? P.S. Article below was written a little over a year ago. Enjoy. British Businesses Urged To Invest In Kenya Released: 18 Nov 2004 Kenya as an attractive market for foreign investment was the theme of a business round-table meeting organised by the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) on 11 November 2004 at Marlborough House, London, UK. The event, attended by more than 100 UK businessmen and women, was addressed by Kenya's Minister for Planning and National Development, Professor Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, and Permanent Secretary for Governance and Ethics John Githongo. The meeting was convened to promote further investment in Kenya by British businesses. According to the UK's Department of Trade and Industry, the country is already the largest foreign investor in Kenya, with investments worth US$1.5 billion. Dr Kituyi said an Investment Bill was being passed in Kenya's parliament. "We are providing a fast track for investors. The international business community should not miss this opportunity." Professor Anyang' Nyong'o stressed that existing investors in his country played a vital role in attracting new international players. He stated: "You are our ambassadors. You are the ones we need to persuade others that we are creating a conducive environment for foreign investment." Mr Githongo spoke about the Government of Kenya's approach to tackling corruption. He said: "The economic benefits of the fight against corruption can already be seen. These include an increase in revenues, improved tax collection and a decrease in losses from public works. "It is also evident from the growth in customs receipts, enhanced investor confidence, development of regional and international trade, and the resumption of donor aid." Organised in collaboration with the Eastern Africa Association, the meeting followed a series of conferences in Kenya with local and international businesspeople. It was part of the CBC's continued efforts to promote interaction between governments and the private sector in Commonwealth African countries. CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 210 17 November 2004 http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/System/LatestNews.asp?NodeID=141460

Originally posted by Castro: If you don't agree, what other historical events could, or should, be widely investigated and commemorated? Read about the Hidden Holocausts for yourself and decide. There is good reason to consider the 20th century the "bloodiest century" of all time. Read about it. The fact remains that there have been many Holocausts, especially during the 20th century.

McPharax: Thanks for the reply. I don't believe in those statistics, however. For Kenya, those stats are relatively accurate because they do keep track of such things occassionally. Who knows what the real numbers are for Somalia - a nonexistent state? For Somalia, the CIA, the UN, World Bank and all other orgs use "estimates" with higher margin of error than a nation like Kenya. Include that fact as a footnote next time you compare such stats. Originally posted by Castro: I'd say we are at least 50 years behind Kenya in education. I'd agree, but I'd add that we're 50 years ahead of Kenya in freedom - that intangible aspect of life, but so essential for the mind, body and soul of a Republic. Why do you think they refer to Nairobi as "Little London"? Kenya is, in reality, the poster boy for neo-colonialism. Wasn't it 19th Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata who said: "Its better to die on your feet than to live on your knees?" Originally posted by LayZieGirl: Sweetie, lets not put sijui and beautiful in the same sentence...I know you are screaming for attention, but you are not going to get it from me. Ouch. Let's remember, folks, that Somali refugees to Kenya were the original "Sujui" people (because they didn't know Kiswahili). They managed to revert the moniker back to the Somali Kenyans (for not speaking proper Somali). Isn't that an accomplishment all on its own?

Originally posted by The Flipmode..: 1. EDUCATION: You will find Sijui people are more learned than their 'other' brothers and sisters from greater Somalia.They tend to Grasp/concentrate and study more. According to who's research? Find where...? 4.ROMANTIC/BEAUTIFUL: You will find most of them 'Handsome and Romantic . What's "beautiful" to you might not be so eye-appealing to the next nomad. I'm sure you're familiar with the overused cliche: "Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder." Nonetheless, do carry on!

Jazaa ka'Laah Kheyr for the thread, walaal. Seek guidance only from Allah SWT and do not oppress one another. Two basic premises, yet it seems the whole of mankind might've missed the deeper meaning to the message. May Allah SWT guide all of us to the Right Path. Aamin!

Generally speaking, a non-nagging girl will get the romantic side out of me. Its private - only she and I may know what I consider romantic.