To be honest with you, I have been travelling the world for almost two decades, and believe it or not. no one has ever posed the question of which tribe I belong to. The nearest I ever come to tribalism is when I hear the Sijui word . I live in a small town that is home to about 30 somalis from different parts of somalia, and I don't really what tribes they belong to. When we meet, the issue of tribalism is seldomly discussed (except as a joke). My theory is that tribalism is practised by the weak, those who lack other forms of relational bonds with their environment. I was in London and toronto, and I must admit that there is an air of tribalism based on geography at work in those towns. Nearly 8 years ago, I was contacted by a dude who claimed that they have formed a tribal organisation. He called to say that some people from my presumed tribe were being slaughtered and therefore, we should try to collect some funds. I asked him if he had any evidence that we belonged to the same tribe, whereby he recited a long gyn list of my forefather, his forefathers etc... I told him that those are myths.. He became mad to say the least and never called me again...I saved a few bucks, dignity etc... I would understand why a poor mother who has lost her son, husband would employ tribalism to get her kids fed, but what annoys me is when I see bright minds who have studied, who claim to be good muslims, who live in the west would be held hostage by this collective madness called tribalism. Arguments such as "everyone belongs to a tribe" or " it depends how one uses it", " I am proud of my tribe" are baseless when viewed from common sense... they only strengthen a mind embedded in bondage thinking...

Soyaal, sxb, I don't understand what politics is all about. As a matter of fact Lakkad's signature "BOLITIK WAA SIYAAD" is true for many somalis including me. Thew old cliché "politics is a dirty game" is a witness to how somalis debate issues. I agree with you discussing politics is contextual. But many of us don't live in the nation known as somalia anymore. We are confined to Ghettos in western europe, australia and north America- and it hurts to see many of our bright minds discuss "local" politics in somalia! Have a look at the dozen or so current threads on this board and you would discover that many of the contents lack the proper political ingredients!

waad mahadsantihiin! The reality is that the poor mother who lives in Baydhabo, Xamar, Bosaso or Hargeisa has been affected by the wars that have been fought in somalia. The truth is that many of us in the west would go back to any part of the world that is run by somalis who speak our language (puntland, somaliland etc) instead of being treated as second class citizens in the west. I visited somalinet which is known for being home to tribalists, fags, atheists etc. There were several threads that were introduced there on SOL. Many claim that the threads on this political section are equally tribalistic. My suggestion is that for those of us who are not in somalia, it would be better if we don't fuel hatred. Let us instead focus on issues that affect us. Now, looking at the current subjects on this site, one gets the impression that they have been introduced by warlords. I think it is time to rethink, reflect what we write. p.s I am not against excercising the freedom of speech but this concept often eludes us!

Assalamu calaykum, Reading the politics section of SOL, one get the impression that: 1) We have warlords and or their representatives. Some of us boast about nothing. It is like indian grandmothers bragging! 2) There are some people with multiple names who post the same kind of crap that you hear on the romour mills. Now, there are several facts that I would like to bring to your notice my dear somali fellows: a) The nation known as somalia is in shambles. We have several areas (states) that are more stable than others; there is some normality in some regions. BUT, for the average somali nothing has changed. He/she still lives in an atmosphere of poverty, uncertainity and the lack of law and order. b) Many of us have left somalia for fear of persecusion. We don't have a place to call home other than the ghettos that have surfaced in western metropols. Had the places some of you mention as safe heavens existed, many of us would have packed our bags and left institutional discrimination! c) To the outside world, somalis are classified as SOMALIS. Now, my brothers and sisters, tribalism is a dangerous tumour that kills the indvidual's ability to think independently.. If you adopt it, you are likely to reason as required by your tribe- thereby depriving you of intelligence! Discussing the future of somalia, proposing strategies to better relations, fostering common bonds between somalis are one thing...but enhancing hatred is another thing. It kills my brain cells to see bright minds that frequent somalionline engage in latent tribalism! So, walaalayaal, wake up !

Nuurow waa runtaa saaxib! This dhal awliyo does not dance to the sheylilah beat! However, I think if you look at the historical perspective, you would understand the reason why in dark africa the sheikhs used the dikhri. It was part of a persuation strategy!

You must be modernized, smoke cigarettes, wear western trousers, drink red drinks (alcohol), walk the streets like civilized people". Another politician who lost a government post as a Minister, was immediately compensated with the job of the Head of Mogadishu Municipality. In his inauguration, a poet sang for him, " Mukhtaaroow, Minister waa ka weynaatay, ee minishiibiyaad tahay" meaning, " O mukhtaar, you are too good to be a cabinet Minister, you are the head of municipality" LOL@@@@@@@@@@@@@2that was a line from the late Zoope...lama lama indareeraw, biyo gaduudka waraaba! The mukhtaarow one was I assume in reference to sheikh mukhtar the speaker of the somali parliament! it was SHIRB! Nuurow, Dear Cagabaciid, We the association of the somali gurti and gun who live in the carliga gaalada would like to bring to the forefront our concerns in regards to the process of reconciliation. Sir, as you may be aware, we have been thanking Allah and the gaalo equally recently for providing us with quud. We would like to draw your attention to the benefits of the living in the carliga gaaladda. You see Mr. Cagabaciid, peace in somalia would mean: 1) return to the warm climate of africa which would turn our skins into black! Since our departure we have bleaching our skin to look like our masters. 2)work to feed our families. As the situation is today, most of us don't need to indulge in hard work. We are employed by the Cayr (shabta) organisation whose guidelines/job description include signing a form. 3)miss the good things including music, computers and TV which would be replaced by dikri, quran akhris, habaryar, abti adeer! We therefore request the somali anarchist association to work for a non settlement of the somali problem. Sincerely yours, Culusow qowdhan aweys madeey!

Sundus, garamgaramland is home to the reer garamgaram who are composed of the reer qurac, reer qansax, reer garas. In recent years garamgramland was invaded by their reer mareer cousins. well, actually garamgaram is used to describe somalis who live in the northern frontier district (NFD). This piece of land was stolen by the sankadhuude-lete kpande- who call it NEP(North eastern province). I hope I have shed some light!

Nuurow, saaxib, it depends isn't it? some dikri lyrics are poetic and regard praises of islam while some are not! Non-spritual sufism was about spreading islam - and played a communicative role in relaying the message. Two good examples: sayid maxamed cabdulle xasan (the poems) Sheikh aweys who took islam to southern africa. Laakin wax waliba haddii laga badbadiyo waa sun!

Assalamu calaykum, I have read the article by Mr. Goth (is this a somali name?" and was somehow disturbed by the first few sentences (did he write several articles on the death of the many somalis who died as a result of terrorism by afweyne? by the warlords? . The timing of the article appears to be inline with contemporary discourse! In regards to the other contents, Mr. goth appears to be confused... he equates arab culture with the principles of islam. He also suffers from an intellectual bias by blaming wahabism (I have no idea what it is!). I have seen several somalis discussing this article. I think we tend to forget that islam allows its followers to engage in a free and intellectual debates (SEE BAASHI's article). If Bashir Goth's aim was to condemn the arabic culture (which he calls wahabism) it is ok.... but again, reading the article, one gets the impression that his main motive is to tell the world that this italian aidworker(I have seen TB clinics that she built in wajir NFD)was killed in the name of islam which is not true!

Smith western........... saaxib ummaddaasi carabta isku diin, isku nabi unbaan nahay, laakin waxkale ma wadaagno! waa sidii sayidka uu horey u yiri "Caliyow cabaadka(cakaarka) iga daa carabi waa nagee". I don't think anyone should shed a tear for a fallen dictator. The problem with the middle east, is there are far worser dictators than him. I had a friend who once said "of all the leaders in the middle east saddam hussein is the most democratic one". When I heard the news I contacted and congragulated our local imam. in the late 80:s he was imprisoned by the saddam regime (never tried). At the begining of the first gulf war, as a conscript, the sheikh spent months without food on the kuwaiti/saud border, where he was captured and taken as POW by the saudis. He was subjected to the worst kind of treatment by the saudi regime for 7 years. In 1998, the swedish government accepted him as a quote refugee! Of course as many other dictators do when they feel the heat, saddam used the religious card!

Nur, I am a victim of the I-contact love bug because as a kid I was always made to believe that GAALADA cowru ma laha!!!

Ku socoto Guddoomiyaha Ururka biliqo, Ujeedo: warcelin Taliye, Marka hore aan afeef ku bilaabo doodeeyda. Maadaama uu beriga iga maqanyahay kurigii farta gaalada la geliyey, waxaan door biday inaan war celinta ku soo qoro af maxaa tiriga. Guddiga reer garamgaram oo aan madax ka ahay, arrimahaad kor ku soo xustey waay kugu raacsanyihiin. Hase yeeshe, waxaan qabnaa arrimahan: Markaan faalada u kaco, falaar meel lagu fariyo, hal faataxa ayaa iiga fudud inaan ka faaleeyo falalka foosha xun ee reer falfaliir aay ka wadaan goobaha aay deganaa reerka carabta ah. Guddigaan waxuu doonayaa inuu soo cuskado sayidka oo hore u yiri "caliyow cabaadka(cakaarka) daa carabi waa naage". Nimaanka ilaaheey uu ku bishaareey wax sida biyaha u muuqdo oo haddana baabuurta ka xiimiyo, hantina leh, waxaay door bideen inaay hantidooda geeyaan carliga gaalada si loogu dulaalo lacagtoodi, hub lagu laayana loo sameeysto. Beri ayaa waxaa igu maqal ah, mid reer garas ah oo xamar joogay inuu qabanqaabiyey dood cilmiyeed oo ku saleeysan in la caawiyo nimankaasi ashahaada aan wadaagno: Islaan da' ahayd oo dhageeysaneeysay doodaasi ayaa waxaay tiri: MANDHOOW II MACNEEY WAA KUWEE DADKA AAN KA HADLEEYNO? Markaasa ninkii reer garas ahaa wuxuu yiri: WAA NIMANKA CARABTA AH OO WALALAHEENA ah.. markaasi ayaay tiri: NAGA daa carabta maandhoow rubac yarida ayaan ku nacee (Malaha islaanta waxaay wax ka gadan jirtey dukaan ku yaal xamar oo nin carab ah iska leeyahay; markaasu miisaanka ku qiyaameeyn jirey). Taliye, waxaan warkeeyga ku soo gunaanudayaa gabay uu beri tiriyey nin la yiraahdo Yamyam oo uu ku dhaliiceeynaayey dagaalkii aan amxaarada iyo kuuba naasweyn iyo xulafada warsaw aan ku qaadney. Ninkaasi gabayaaga ah wuxuu yiri asagoo ka duulaayo dhibataada somaliweynta somalia ku sugan: "Intaan leenahay somali galbeed, soomali nfd aan xoreyno, bal aan is weeydiino inaay somalidda konfureed, bariyeed, waqooyi aay xurtahay". Marka Jaalle taliye, haddii aan nahay reer garamgaram, reer qurac, reer garas iyo weliba reer mareer, qumanahayaga ayaa qorta noogu jira, oo anagoo qaran ahayn baanu noqonay kuwa qabyaaladu aay kala qeybisay , qoysba qoys dhaco, qabtana aan isku haayno, sida qoonka fircoon; Nimaankaasi xukumayo carabta isku nabi unbaan nahay (inkastoo dadkóoda isku diin nahay). Inaan afar faataxo u soo marno mooye awood kala malihin. Waxaan quud dareeynayaa in markii uu yimaado kureygii dhal awliyo, aan maqaal dheeri ah oo afka gaalada ku qoran soo gudbiyo: Nabadgelyo, Jaalle Jaahil Guddoomiyaha garamgaramta joogto carliyada laiska dhiibo!

Nino-brown an interesting observation! In terms of Gaalo inspired topics on discussion forums on the internet, I think SOL, deserves an "elogue". I have been a regular on somalinet and that place is home to satanists who disguise as somalis... but are in actual effect gaalo evangelists. In regards to your question, I would say it is a combination of the two factors that you mentioned above. Firstly, somalis are more than ever exposed to the media bruises that we have witnessed during the last few decades. There appears to be an air of propagandism on the islamic faith- and if the bearer of the islamic faith is not strong enough to absorp, diffuse and digest the information that we are exposed to, certainly he/she falls a prey to the message. Westernisation is latent in its initial phase but becomes an active virus on the stranger who buys all the crap without a critical brain. Secondly, ignorance does play a paramount role too. many of us (including me) are very ignorant when it comes to adopting a strategy to relay a message... we do not however use the western phrase of "I don't know".. Instead, we try to explain matters that we don't know...not from a layman perspective, but we adopt an all knower attitude.,,, I have to rush............ to be continued insha allah

Nuurow, soo noqod wanaagsan akhi, cid mubarak to you and all the other somalis on this forum! Jeziira, ukhti casiisa (For a weird reason I thought of Jezeera near Gendershe and assumed it was a male name). I don't think I have any reason to appologise to Nuur for, because WE did not hijack the topic as you purport! This was a topic about career planning and I was simply replying to you in regards to that. Were we not discussing career planing? In addition, my reply was prompted by a common belief among somalis that basic economic theory is alien to the principles of our faith. Inadeerey, whether we call it economics, behaviourial science, sociology, pol science etc what we are studying is a western perspective of a complex world. Anyway, in the good old days people used to give XAAL, even in the event of innocense (marka maadama aad tahay ina adeertey xaal qaado- oo sabeen iyo wankeeda ayaan kugu xeray). Who is Gibran? was he an islamic economist? Ciid mubaraak, p.s consider political economics as a major.

jazeera, bro/sister but you're jumping into details that I never intended to discuss. And even more, you've made such grossly unsubstantiated statements that I would be foolish to respond, considering you side-stepped my initial reply, and is essentially demanding a defense of my program of studies grossly? Unsubstanstiated? side-stepped? I don't really know how to respond to these accusations saaxib! Akhi, I wonder who is coming with unsubstantiated statement? I assume there is an appology in the making but I am not quite sure from who! Anyway ciid mubarak

Sayfulahi, Why were the USC; SNM SSDF and the other organisations established? Let me frank saaxib. The SNM, USC; SSDF were born to rekindle the lights of somaliweyn which unfortunately were extinguished by the so called revolution! Somalis lost their innocense when tribalism became the norm of the ruling class. The somali nation and people were raped off their trust, cohesion and unity.

jeziira, Entrepeneur, I get enough exercise discussing micro/macroecnomic theory in class, so pardon me if I opt not to engage in such banter Akhi, banter? that was not my aim.. I was merely illustrating: 1: Islamic banking is an illusion given the prevailing conditions. 2: Economics and western sciences (including pol.science)are built along premises that are far from islamic ideals!

assalamu calaykum somaliyey, Waxaan idin rajeeynayaa ciid wanaagsan. Let us not forget those back home in africa who do not have a few cents to feed their families, who sleep in fear of being persecuted, those who don't have relatives who could remit a few bucks etc. may Allah show us the straight path, the path of those that he favours. Despite the opportunities that the digital technology offers us, the interactions of somalis is marked by tribalism, hatred, paganism etc.... Lastly, may Allah help us acquire a place called home that has been eluding us for the past 13 years!

Jezira since an Economics degree pretty much leads you into the banking, financing, etc. industries--which obviously means dealing with riba/interest. I don't think that is the case saaxib. Strictly, in terms of microeconomics, IR is defined as cost of acquiring capital . In other words the profit margin that you make by engaging in a business venture. The term RIba is usery. Political science (western PS) is based on the idea of economic theories- and I don't think you would be immune from IR (macroeconomic). Saaxib, many students of economics don't work in industries that trade in Usery or IR. If you are afraid that studying economics would lead you to work in IR, then saaxib, you could consider business economics (microeconomics)! I don't think there is much difference in what is called islamic banking and western banking in terms of what they charge. recently, on a visit to Toronto, I was introduced to some somalis and foreigners who have devised a method to lend money for home owners. I was surprised to learn that they do take a fee instead of IR. Paradoxically, they charged 17% rate (they called it expenses) on a loan of 70 000 canadian dollars while their counterparts, western banks charged 7%. There are indeed organisations and bank that claim to depart from islamic systems but if you pay a shrewed eye, you would find, they use the name as a marketing tool. CIID MUBARAK!

This guy attended A PEACE CONFERENCE!!!!! He is a peace martyr who despite living in the comfort of the west wanted to bring changes to the war ravaged somalia. may Allah reward him with a place in Janna. Comparing him with warlords and murderers is an insult to the many other somalis who have dedicated their lives to reconciliation!

Lol @fadhi ku dirir! Second Case. End the marriage, by any means necessary Hayaay, drastic tallo saaxib! I was expecting afar faataxa u mar, ilaahey u baryi, give him a second chance etc... I thought divorce is the last resort after every other effort including dialogue are exhausted!

With all due respect, cooking, cleaning, taking care of children etc should not be equated with the task of "a maid". I think we are forgetting that the muslim mother's obligation includes nurturing and creating a good environment for her husband and offsprings. You are quite right though, that we live in another world today than we did a few decades back. In the good old days the man was the provider and sole breadwinner, the woman had a nurturing role. But today most of us in the west and are confronted with the challenges of western materialism including the ability for both of the parents to work! Anyway, I have a good friend of mine who has really tried hard to help his wife with household activities including cooking and cleaning. He is a very educated guy who has embraced the challenges. Despite his education, this guy does not hold a permanent job. He takes odd jobs that many with his calibre would never take. He works double shifts to make sure that his kids do not grow up in the vicious cycle of welfare dependency that many of his peers have fallen in. When he is at home, my friend cleans, cooks and performs his obligations in raising the kids. Meanwhile, his wife complains about him being a machoman who has been eluded by the facts of living in the west. She listens more to western propagandism and xaawaley gossips. On several occassions, she proposed seperation as the best solution. Nearly three weeks ago, she filed divorce papers in the local courts here citing his "macholike" behaviour. several somalis who wanted to reconcile the family were met by "cambaro" who claimed that "cabdi" was not cleaning, cooking etc... whereupon he retorted that he did..... her answer was: "well, you did that but not sufficiently"... Marka maalin nabi ma lagu noqon karaa?

Sophist akhi waa runtaa ..waxjira ilaahey baa og! waxaaba laga yaabaa in waxaani aay yihiin Tiyaatar!

Nuurow, allow me to be philosophical here. Ok, common sense agreements- we take the traffic lights for instance. they were made to facilitate for the free flow of traffic and people, to contribute to safety. If someone opts to cross the road when the red light is on, or when a car violates and in the process a bodily harm is caused, Surely saaxib, we need courts that try, lawyers that know the islamic juripundence ! Within the framework of sharica, we need xakims right?

Corporate Law, a subset of the civil laws practiced in many western countries had its origins in Islamic laws dating back to the Islamic Empire in Spain where many Islamic laws found there way into European legislation. One such law was the inheritance law, first adopted by France from the Hanafi School of thought and later transmitted to Swiss law. VERY TRUE!!! From the point of view of the Sharia, any man made law does not have a mandate, as any law must emanate from a sovreign, and the only sovreign Islam recognizes is Allah SWT whose name is SAMAD, meaning the Sovreign. True, but what would you call qanuun? contractual undertakings between parties? is the word LAW the same as Xeer, dastuur, qawaanin etc? Nuurow, don't you think we need lawyers, barristers, solicitors, judges, prosecuters whose work depart from islamic sharia?