Yusufcade, a good question. Most of us blindly follow a myth called "qabiil". We have been told we belong to reer qansax, qurac, or garas. But the reality is that the somali notion of tribalism is the same as ST Clause. Even kids know that it has no validity! Some few years ago, I read a book entitled "reinventing somalia" by several somali scholars. The book confirmed my thesis that somali tribalism is based on false notions, hatred, resource dependency etc.

A few months ago I was asking "Xamareey yaa arkay?" and was almost lynched for claiming that things are not as bad as we are told they are in Xamar. :confused: Five months ago, I was overheard saying "benchmark somaliland-kudos somaliland" and was almost assasinated. :confused: Four months ago I was singing independence to Puntland, kudos etc. I was almost murdered! :confused: A month ago, I said let us face the Cadaawaha "kenya" and I was applauded: This week I have been trying to be sentimental about somalis- taking my anger at the somalis in diaspora (read the social debate section- and leave your contribution). Perhaps next week, I would end up in the general section or jokes section

:confused: African, you are a political analyst My observation is: Although tribalism appears to be banned, we are witnessing the onset of cyber warlordism. It seems that people have embraced some sort of political correctivness. How could we be able to discuss political taboos without being associated with a particular tribe or region? :confused: :confused:

salaama somalis; Very often we tend to neglect simple issues that are perhaps the root cause of somalia's problems: For starters why do we Somalis love titles? Listening to the BBC; reading websites one is confronted by titles such as "Dr"; Engineer;Duuliye; General; Captain etc. I have been living in the western hemisphere for the past 15 years and throughout those years I have only seen a few people that are addressed by their academic or military qualification. You seldom find a man or woman using; engineer, a pilot or captain, colonel or general in the western world. In fact, at most universities in the Scandinavian countries to which I have been attached to, many professors, lecturers etc shy away from being called Dr. I know several Somalis who are called "DR", and it is rather surprising that many of them have only basic degrees; college diplomas etc. For the Italian system the term "Doktoro" is used to address anyone who achieved a bachelor's degree. Talking to some Italian friends, I have been informed that this is disappearing in Italy. apparently it is a legacy that was inherited from the fascist government of the forties. A ninetieth century European traveller was reported to have written a book about the Somali mentality. I can't remember the name of this dude but he wrote that the Somalis were a proud people, who believed that they were the most intelligent people on earth. This "explorer" was reported to have shown some somali pastrolists the picture of a car; his aim was to reveal to them that there were other "intelligent" people; on viewing the pictures most of them retorted "Waxaad na tuseeysid ma tumaalo bir tumay". The present day Somalis are what one would term as members of the "waan daadshe" nation. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a Somali mall in North America, where I met several Somalis, who are opinionated in everything from politics, medicine; economics, relationships, you name it! I don't think this is unique for Somalis in N:A and the same attitude could be found in Stockholm, London or Rome. A Somali saying that I love is "Gaalka dil gartiisana si". The "gaalos" that I meet have the tendency to say "I don't know". They use this sentence not because they are ignorant but because they are afraid to discuss issues that they can't defend. The Somali though is quick to discuss, analyse and judge events that lie beyond our sphere. We have strong opinions about wars(Tjetjenia; Bosnia, Africa), medical breakthroughs; economic and political issues. I think most Somalis sound as if they have a PhD in politics! My question is ; why is it hard for Somalis to say "I don't know"?

Miz unique; I think our stance on this issue is similar; No one somali or not have the right to call people "Gaalo". Leave that unto Allah to do so. previously, you asked about how welfare earners qualify to be called "gaalos". this is an interesting issue. Allow me to come back to this issue on a later date. Thanks

Miz Unique: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To me rationality is on the eye of the beholder, what my be rational to me may not be rational to the society i live with , and the same goes for everyone , my point here is these people think they are doing the right thing so its rational to them but to us its not ratioanl at all and honestly we cant justify what is rational and what aint and allah is the only judge to rationality" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I am not a muslim scholar but rationality has nothing to do with heeding Allah's message. I think human beings practice bounded rationality. The way I see it; somalis are quick to judge others; calling them names such as GAALo, blaming others for our problems; It is not about judging other people, or condeming them. Merely to highlight the simple fact that we are not better than those we call GAALOS. Now if a warlord does not qualify for the title of Gaalo, i don't know who would do!

Thank you saaxibiyaal for the inputs you made into this article. Please visit http://waqooyibari.com. It is a site in its infancy which would target somalis from kenya.

Assalamu calaykum, How are you doing my people. Growing up as a lad in the Somali inhabited area of "NFD" I remember the term "gaalo" being used to differentiate Somali Muslims from their animists, Christians and pagan neighbours. The occasional white man who visted that peripheral region was referred to as "fariinji" or "cadaan". It was clear_; a white man who is born or converted to the Islamic faith was addressed as "Fariinji", a black borana who practised paganism with gods such as Waaq were referred to "gaal". However, coming to Somalia as a young man and later, in a life marked by exile I have the opportunity to interact with many of my Somali brethren. To my dismay, these Somalis defined the concept of gaalosim using ethnicity. In many instances, a black pagan is not called a "gaal" but "madow" while a white Muslim would always be a gaal. But that is not the aim of this article. My aim with this short article is to highlight the double standards that my people, Somalis, Practice. In the later part of the fifties, when independence was knocking on our doorsteps, many of our parents and grandparents lived in the countryside pursuing nomadic life. The British and Italian colonists were anxious to leave power to a few greedy henchmen who would enhance the cultural and intellectual colonisation of our people. Many older and wiser men that I have spoken to have revealed that the words "alore, governo" etc were enough to help you acquire a political position. In the northern part, things were different. The British were reported to have invested in Institutions of higher education. Instead of scholars Somaliland also sent british lackeys to Xamar!. One common feature, however, was these new leaders were secularists; latent gaalos who smoked pipes, talked and walked like gaalos- Almost a half-century later, in the diasporas from London to Toronto, we are witnessing the marginalisation of somalis. On a recent visit to London which is reportedly to be home over 200 000 Somalis, I was surprised to learn of the modern day exodus of Somalis from continental Europe. Unlike the early 90;s this new wave of Somalis did not escape from the persecution of warlords, civil war or from dictatorship. They fled "GAALO". Apparently, many European countries have devised laws that specifically aim to target Somalis; FGM debate in Scandinavia, daily racist remarks by politicians who see Somalis as a threat to democracy, hard to integrate (in actual sense they mean assimilation) or in some cases equating Somalis with primitivism- not fit to live among the human race. In towns such as Toronto, Birmingham, Ohio, London and Minneapolis, you have certainly seen Somali women who wear the "Xijaab" or girls who wear jeans, revealing pants, T-shirts. These girls have the Hijab but do not look muslims or somalis. They have certainly got inspirations from MTV and somali gaalosim. Equally, you might have visited the many arenas including qaad houses, coffee houses, street parliaments where men discuss "GAALO". The same "gaalo" haters could sometimes be overheard supporting a certain warlord, or tribe. In the same token you might be aware that many Somalis in welfare states are over represented in the welfare beneficiary statistics; not to mention the many separations or marriage of conveniences that aim at increasing the GAALO income! Why???? Yes, any many somalis would certainly say "waa GAALADAA" In my layman view, we have Somali "gaalos" whose features are: · They play the blame game when discussing Somali issues; you would meet them everywhere uttering words such as "Gaalada allaha ha naga qabto; waxaan gaalada ayaa ka dambeeysa". In most cases these Somali Gaalos slander the hand that feeds them by on the one hand living on social security, while on the other they have the time to sit/stand idly in the "street" parliaments and condemning the white Gaalo. · Warlords and their supporters. According to the Islamic faith to which many of us subscribe to; Islam is a complete submission to Allah; including refraining from murdering women, children and men. Most of the Somali warlords are involved in massacres and only GAALOS are capable of some of the atrocities. ALLOW GAALADA MADOOW NAGA QABO!

Assalamu calaykum, Muraad, Miskiin-macruuf-qadiim, Barwaaqo iyo inta kale. Runtii maqaalkaan wuxuu igu noqday "wake-up call" sababtoo ah marar badan ayaan isweeydiyey arrinta ah luqad barasho ma wax cilmi lahaa. Waxaa jirta in sababo badan awgeed af somaligii uu nagu yeeraday. qaarkeena waxaa na sameeyey wadamada aan ku soo kornay amaba aan ku dhalanay- tusaale anigu AF MAXAA TIRIGA anigoo qof weyn ayaan bartay- lahjidaha somaliyeed oo kala duwana (sida maay-maayga, borana etc) waan ku hadlaa. Afafka gaalada iyagana xoogaa ayaan aqaanaa- inkastoo aanan si fiican u xafidin (dhibaatada qaxootinimada waxaa ugu weyn afaf badan oo aad ku hadli taqaanid- adigoo aan midnaba si fiican u xafidin). waxaanse la yabaa markii aan safar ku tagay dhowr wadan oo aay somaliddu degtay beryahaan dambe in af somaliga aad moodid in laga faatamo- waxaad arkeeysaa qof somali ah oo qaan gaar ah, joogeyna wadamada reer galbeedka amaba carabta oo iska doondoonayo inuu af gaaleed ku hadlo (Markaad tagtid ingiriska waxaad arkeeysaa qof somaliyeed oo dhehayo (walaahi waa BOORIN), Amerika (BIG TAAYM), Kanada (AAY AM KANEEDHIAN) etc. Dhulalka gaalada aan joogo waxaa jira dad badan oo aqoon sare gaarey, kuna qoro maqaal af qalaad si loo daabaco (hase yeeshe markii aay wadankooda joogaan doododa waxaay ku qoraan luqadooda hooyo). Anaga se keena xoogaa farta gaalada (kaftan) la geliyey waxaa uu isku deyaa inuu ku faantamo. waxay aniga ila tahay in af qalaad ama mid hooyo uusan ahayn cilmi- ee uu yahay aalad war isgaarsin.

Assalamu calaykum, waxaan halkaan ku soo gudbinayaa maqaal aad u fiican oo aay qoreen laba nin oo somali ah. Runtii waa maqaal markii aan aqriyey igu biirey walwal ku saabsan sida aanu u qiimeyno afafka qalaad- anagoo yaseeyneno kan soomaaliga ah. http://www.bakaaraha.com/News/Afqalaad.html

Animal farm salaan kadib, Atheists? this was before the advent of monotheism!!! Philosophers? Could it be that this is western mythology and that these dudes never existed? I have this feeling that Plato, socrates, aristotles etc are fictious figures just like our Cigaal shidaad, Bucur baceyr and aaw geedi shambow!

salaama, I agree with Farah! What is somali culture? do we have a culture of our own? or is the so called somali culture a cocktail of other "cultures"? My layman view on culture is a dynamic identity that a goup of people knowlingly/unknowlingly construct. Because it is constructed, deconstructing and reinventing it is also part of the process. Students of culture that I have spoken to have failed to explain the difference between value, culture, tradition, ethics, religious superstitions, philosophical viewpoints´etc. This has made me to conclude that culture is a relative phenomenon that has place and time dimensions. Positive; Your classification of somali culture rests on the sole premises that "our" culture is shaped by religion- could be true- but isn't it true that we have some aspects of somali culture that is heathenic?

Another "******* " who kicked the basket is not a bad day saaxib. This dude represents the repressive government of kenya which is responsible for the deaths of thousands of somalis- and the arrest, imprisonment of somalis. Shed no tears when colonial rulers die! one by one they would face the angel of death.

Ina Libaax sanka-kataabtay, saaxib, where is blue ocean restaurant located? didn't you visit the somali restaurants in southall, Wemberly, the eastend? saaxib you mentioned people making "fun" of your accent. wasn't the somali language the medium of communication of the esteemed gathering?. I hoped you survived the bodily harm that could be caused by the usage of two tubs in london homes! or the constant offer of laba mijimood? I was in toronto myself this summer and I must report I hardly met any nomad from SOL. Meeshu sidaan mooday ma noqonin. Too many somali restaurants that would improve with an injection of managing customer relationships. (you are invited to eat lunch at 1300 but end up eating dinner at 2000) Too many dameerada Dixon (vans) and somali microbusinesses were among the memories that I took with me. My visit to hall fame studios which I was hoping would be a miniature of Madame T but turned out to be hall of shame was another.

Brother Ayoub-sheikh, The usage of "adoon" was out of anger and if that offended you or any other reader- my heartfelt appology. I use the "adoon" word to differentiate between the somalis and non-somalis. I disagree to your thesis that somalis in Kenya have made strides. saaxib, the NFD despite all its resources is backward in terms of economic development and education not to mention the constant denial of basic civil rights. Just to name a few things: *North eastern is the only province in kenya that lacks tarmac roads. *There is no massmedia represented (the two largest dailies don't report on development from NEP) *Exams (KCE) have been cancelled on several occassions contributing to the lack of somalis who enter universities. *there is still state of emergency (the police force in NFD wear special uniforms and have the right to detain and shot "shifts". *as a somali born in the NFD or in kenya for that matter, you can hardly walk in the streets of nairobi, mombasa, nakuru etc without being asked "lete kpande" *you are denied passport ( a basic right that other kenyans enjoy) *rape of somali women is sanctioned!!! etc...

Hey!! what is the fuss? There is nothing wrong with consuming donkey meat! I am not even sure that islam forbids it! Even if it does, it is not as bad as pork is it?

Jamaal, nice article saaxib. Thanks for posting it! It seems that we have many more somali donkey-entrepreneurs out there! I thought I was the only one who realised the potentials of donkeys. For the record, this article has nothing to do with my dreams of establishing a donkey farm, butcheries, clinics etc in africa to overcome poverty!

Nin Yaabanow, Saaxib a difficult question to answer with certainity! In the census conducted by the kenyan authorities in 1979, there were nearly 290 000 somalis. Twenty years later that number has jumped to nearly 870 000 somalis. You need to have some kind of permanent residence to be counted in the census. But most somalis in the NFD are pastrolists and my guess is that the number 870 000 are those that live in towns. Nin Yaaban- saaxib growing under colonial rule makes one mentally impotent. Hornafrique; you are right- this is not perhaps the right time to start a war of liberation. But I would like to start some sort of liasson with somalis to bring the NFD-issue to the agenda. This shifta war that I am propogating for would be quite different. We are going to use peaceful means insha allah. Lakkad, true: paying taxes is not a common thing among somalis anywhere. I have mailed the kenyan government to provide me with trade statistics for the NFD (the regional domestic production, regional per capita income etc, livestock exports, inhabitants etc). I am still waiting for that!

Lakkad, thank you for your input. I am looking forward to reading the solutions! The elements you mentioned are very important saaxib. But I have given them some thoughts. Economic development is no longer measured in comparative advantages (land, labour etc). In this modern world, it is competitive advantages (brain based resources)- and I am sure we do have that! There is a resource drain in the NFD. Most of the livestock (which makes the backbone of the local economy is transported southwards to feed the Adoons), most of the educated people from NFD are either abroad (living in exile) or are officials in down kenya contributing to their dynamics of the colonial state!

Hornafrique, Thanks sxb for the wlc and the informative response. I have travelled in the former republic of somalia quite extensively. My journey of meeting my somali people took me to as far north as Zeylac and south as Raskambooni. Despite the civil war that has plagued our people, there is still love for somalis from kenya. every somali I met was indeed aware that the somalis in the NFD are victims of colonialism. So, it is not a utopia to relive somalinimo. However, as things are at present, I think we need to wait for things to settle. But I wonder what kind of message to warlords meeting in Doofareey sending to the government? Kenya is one the players who don't want a peaceful somalia! The problem saaxib is I want to start a shifta movement that would pave the way for "self determination". But it seems that the kenyan government is using the concept of terrorism to imprison somalis. Marka noo soo duceeya si aan gumeysiga madoow iskaaga dhaadhacino!

assalamu calaykum, I am creating this thread to get the opinion of my fellow somalis from the Northern frontier district in Kenya (and those who live in various parts of kenya). Of course my non-sijui bros/sis are welcome to contribute. As a second generation somali born in the NFD, I became exposed quite early to the plight of ethnic somalis in kenya. As a young lad, I remember being harrassed by the kenyan police who were there to defend us. Somalis were often refered to as shiftas. I remember the names of my maternal uncles "Hassan Gooro" and Abdullahi gamaas " sending shivers on the vains of adoon army! Following the negative portrayal, the word shifta evoked images of marauding gangs who caused death, maiming and destruction. By the reality was they were freedom fighters. As a young lad, I recall being a student in one of kenya's finest high schools where I was constantly refered to as shifta- and accorded the status of a second class citizen. Even though education wise I exhaled, I remembered being at the lowest league in terms of statues. Likewise, I witnessed how my fellow somalis were harrassed in eastleigh. I left kenya when the state of emergency was declared in NFD and the subsequent massacres in Garisa, Wajir and mandera. While in somalia i came in direct contact with "greater somalia" sentiment then commonly voiced and recieving the blessings of somali governments. Today, however, there is a considerable evidence to suggest the spirit of somali nationalism has waned. But the harrassment and constant targeting of somalis continue in kenya. On a recent trip which i undertook after years of living in exile, I was met with the same kind of hatred by the Kenyans. In eastleigh which has become home to many somalis I learnt that somalis lived under a state of fear. My trip took me also to Mombasa, and the NFD. I found that the hatred of somalis is even rampant in that part of kenya. But my biggest surprise was to learn that the state of emergency declared in 1967 was still in use in the NFD. for those of you who are not familiar with this, several acts were passed by the various kenyan government to surpress somali nationalism. these include: The north-eastern province and contagious district regulations , which is a subsidiary legislation of the preservation of public security act, chapter 57 of the laws of kenya. Within this legislation are a number of regulations; the public security order L:N 265 which gives the armed forces the right to shoot any shifta (another word for somalis), LN 266 (armed forces) which gives the army the power to court marshall.. the public security control of movement ln 43 (which limits freedom of movement of somalis). The northern frontier is backward in terms of social , political and economic aspects. there is not tarmic roads, water resources are limited despite it being the largest province in kenya. The somalis who own business in non-NFD area such as machakos, narok, naivasha to name a few are robbed occassionally, denied basic rights. I know that following the elections in kenya some pragmatic leaders were elected. But they have not solved the problem such as equal rights. Similiarly, I know that our brethen in former somalia are at against each other's throats- but that should of course not deter them from thinking of us. In this respect, joining a greater somalia is a utopic idea, but should we seek independence? independence from these adoons? self governance? If we are given independence do you think, we could be a viable country economic wise?

Bari Geeljire, saaxib, I have to agree with Samurai warrior on this one. Self determination is a prerequisite to achieving democracy in somalia which has been eluding us for decades. I am for giving every town, region, village etc the right to determine their future. Perhaps that would contribute to the healing process that we really need. I think we should not be obsessed with boundaries and geography. Instead, we should focus on the people i.e somalis. somalis have and would always have a common bond that is not fragile as borders! Borders come and go and thus dynamic but somalis would remain on this earth. In the eyes of the world and how we percieve ourselves, we shall remain somalis- and a geographical division matters less. Marka suaashaada jawaabteeda waa HAA sxb

Miskiin macruuf aqyaar LOL Good pictures! That dude was funny. I read about him making a speech in london in which he said: "Thank you for the queer of england for her hostility. Before I go to Kampala I would pass away in Nairobi where I would kick the basket"

Salaama, QUOTES: INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM OF DANISH XENOPHOBIA, 1997-2002 Günther Grass: »The Danes have far fewer immigrants and refugees than Germany, but even so, the Danes react hysterically and vote for an extreme right-wing, racist party. (...) Denmark, which was formerly known for its tolerance, now has racists taking part in a government which pursues a policy that is hostile to foreigners.« (August 30, 2002, the Danish newspaper 'Information'). The Guardian: »Denmark may long have been perceived as the small, friendly country which gave the world Lego, Hans Christian Andersen and the beauty of Copenhagen. And it still gives more of its wealth in aid to the developing world than any other country and has welfare benefits that are among the most generous in the industrialised world. But on Monday Denmark will acquire a less friendly image when it introduces the toughest immigration laws in Europe. On the same day as it takes over the EU's prestigious rotating presidency and begins to broker a common EU asylum policy, the new laws will turn Denmark, overnight, into one of the world's most hostile places for asylum seekers.« (June 29, 2002). Neue Zürcher Zeitung: »By court order, the head of the DPP, Pia Kjaersgaard, may not be labeled "racist," but she keeps things humming in her own party's ranks with frequent xenophobic utterances. Late this past May, referring to Sweden's relatively open policy toward foreigners, Kjaersgaard remarked that the Stockholm regime was perfectly free to let Swedish cities become Scandinavian Beiruts, replete with mass rapes, revenge killings and clan wars.« (June 19, 2002). The Guardian: »Denmark's government is now taking steps which will turn one of the world's most liberal countries into a bastion of introverted nationalism. There is no 'final solution' looming in Copenhagen, but there is the creation of new solutions, using legalised discrimination. (...) So for all of those who shake their heads over the silence of our forebears, here's a chance to show we are not like them. In the heartland of liberal Europe, there is now a minority community, defined by their age and lack of Danish citizenship, who have just lost a key component of their human rights. What have we got to say about that?« (Comment by Stephen Smith, co-founder of the UK-based Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre, June 5, 2002). Financial Times: »While most Danes would be loath to admit it, there are some uncomfortable parallels between the new measures [den danske udlændingelov] and some of Mr. Le Pen’s stated policies.« (May 3, 2002). The New York Times: »The news from Europe sounds grim. (…) The ultranationalist, xenophobic right is manifestly on the rise.« (April 28, 2002). Washington Post: »A wave of anti-Muslim sentiment has bolstered far-right parties in some European countries since Sept. 11 and left the continent's large communities of foreigners wondering how long their welcome will last. The changing mood has found its fullest political expression here in Denmark, where an anti-immigrant party won 12 percent of the vote in parliamentary elections in November, nearly doubling its showing from the previous election. Its campaign posters featured a picture of a young blond girl and the slogan: "When she retires, Denmark will have a Muslim majority.« (March 29, 2002). Radio Netherlands: »What happened to Denmark? It currently has the lowest jobless rate in 25 years and is one of the richest countries of Europe. And on top of that immigrants make up for only 4.9 percent of the population. Many European countries harbour much more immigrants than Denmark. So how did the extreme right Peoples Party of Pia Kjaersgaard manage to set the tone of the election campaign by focussing on immigration and xenophobic sentiments?« (November 21, 2001). BBC Online News: »Denmark has been plagued in recent years by the right-wing's attempt to curry the favour of the electorate by drumming up an anti-immigration, anti-asylum seeker sentiment, particularly against Muslims.« (August 22, 2001). Anti-Defamation League: »Denmark, a liberal country with a long tradition of democratic and socially progressive governments, now has an ultra-nationalist party led by Pia Kjaersgaard, with a xenophobic, anti-European rhetoric similar to that of Joerg Haider in Austria or Jean-Marie Le Pen in France. This Danish development tends to be overlooked in the world’s media, as much happening in Scandinavia has trouble breaking into the headlines in the papers of larger countries.« (October 2000: http://www.adl.org/international/lfe/lfe_10_00.html). L.A. Times: »Nowhere else in Europe has the anti-immigration rhetoric ascended to such heights. A small organization preaching multicultural tolerance mocked Danes' prejudices this year by erecting billboards that showed a black youth saying, 'When I become white, I'll be a schoolteacher.' Activists in the Danish People's Party responded with a parody showing a homeless white man saying, 'When I become a Muslim, I'll have a house,' echoing the party's refrain that immigrants are edging out Danes for housing and social services.« (April 28, 2000). International Herald Tribune: »The politician spoke dramatically about local families who feel outnumbered by immigrants in their own neighborhoods, who see themselves as strangers in their own land, and victims of ghettos they didn't create. Perhaps because his countrymen were afraid of not being tolerant enough, the problems had been allowed to drift, the politician said. There were good foreigners who contributed to society, of course, but others, he went on, who didn't 'care a whit for our fundamental values.' So the time had come to 'impose' a number of 'requirements' on the immigrants 'to ensure a coherent fabric of society'. To call the tone of the speech populist – Europe's new tag word for political argumentation that runs to the edges of demagoguery or racism but does not cross the borders of still-polite convention – requires little daring. Its particularity was that it came last month from a totally traditional representative of European social democracy, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, the prime minister of Denmark. More than anything else, the remarks, and the restrictions proposed this month for Denmark's immigrant community, seem to illustrate how much once-standard notions of political acceptability can be displaced in the debate about immigration and racism in Europe. Denmark is no Austria, but its image of apple-cheeked decency is living now with mainstream vocabulary and regulations that some Danes find distressingly close to the ideas of the Freedom Party of Joerg Haider.« (February 24, 2000). Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: »Haider's theories are government policy in Denmark. (…) The emergence of an uncontrolled development in a thoroughly regulated welfare society leaves behind a trace of uncertainty, extreme points of view and a malevolent atmosphere. According to an investigation by the OECD, Denmark has the worst record of any country in Europe with regard to the integration of foreigners into the labour market. (…) The reaction to Haider is a shot in the arm for this tired-out social state, whereby, EU governments confirm all of the prejudices that the Danish guard dogs led by Pia Kjærsgaard employ when they complain about Europe intervening in such a manner in the sovereignty of individual countries. Furthermore, with the appearance of Haider we have a politician who preaches in Vienna what has long been practised in Copenhagen under the auspices of the Social Democrats. From now on, Danes no longer have to fear their country being inundated by foreigners, or feel themselves 'strangers in their own country'. They can take it easy: Denmark as a multiethnic society is completely out of the question. These are not the words of Pia Kjærsgaard or other right-wing extremists, they are the words of Prime Minister Paul Nyrup Rasmussen in his New Year's speech.« (February 15, 2000). Liberation: »This brutal xenophobia is all the much more striking because it appears in a place where you would not expect it. In a kingdom which stands as a severe judge of human rights … and where scarcely 4,4 percent of the population are foreigners.« (Translated from the Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende, November 20, 1997). International Herald Tribune: Denmark »experiences a wave of aversion to refugees and immigrants.« The Herald Tribune finds it difficult to reconcile this picture of Denmark with the widespread picture of »a little place so beautiful, so well-mannered and mild that it appears like God’s own little red house with a white fence in front.« But of late something has happened with little Denmark of the picture postcards, Herald Tribune observes, for »when as little as 4,5 percent of the population are foreigners, you cannot say that hordes of strangers have been creeping in over their borders … something must apparently have happened to the tolerance of the Danes.« (Translated from the Danish newspaper, Berlingske Tidende, November 18, 1997) Frankfurter Rundschau: »Nothing more than a weekend with 30 persons detained for crossing the border illegally was needed to create panic in Denmark. The right wing started screaming about using the military or demanded the purchase of parachutes for throwing deported refugees over their home countries (…) Even the government leaded by the Social Democrats swallow the refugee hysteria.« (Translated from Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende, November 1, 1997).

Salaama sister, The digital technology has offered people everywhere the ability to communicate at any time. Most somalis are hooked up and are victims of the internet revolution. In most somali homes the KAMBIYUUTAR has become a tool to converse (infact JAAT (chat,) Baal tool (paltalk) and LOL have become part of our vernacular. There is a downside though. Please check the article I wrote about internet addiction!