The article, those pics.. make me wanna go India too. Goodness, u make me want to write about it.. ....do that, please.

The article doesn’t dismiss polygamy, ya’ll need to read in between the lines. We weren’t asking him to do that either, we wanted objectivity and Nur has adopted a more balanced, responsible approach and as with all e-Nuri materials it's also very well written. May Allah reward you. WaterLily I also find that some women actually prefer to have a distance between them and the husbands rather than deal with their problems, only to create worse ones. Do you think such women and those who refuse to move abroad with their husbands have a right or are justified to object to a second wife? p.s A big thank you to Dr. Amelia for spearheading this campaign.

You gabdhos, remind me of the songHablaha Geeska Africa. Somali women are reknowned for their feistiness

Baashi It's supposed to Thepoint Development is good, urban regeneration coupled with education, community empowerment and government regulation is exactly what Somalia needs. I don’t like Somalia to be turned into a capitalist state and I hope it works out for everyone. Businessmen, have a responsibility towards the poor of our country, that’s crux of my argument. I’m not hating or wishing for the failure of anyone. Sayid, Bah! I already live in a villa like that I'd only dream of owning one back home, if there were decent schools. Anyway, I guess you know GK more than me, so ‘your right’

The picture of mike in abaya is to discredit the man's character which is wrong. Gaw, gaw! The 'man' is discrediting Muslim women and the hijab by wearing the Abaaya. :rolleyes: He has discredited his character all on his own, the freak.

Originally posted by Castro: ^ It's a satirical piece atheer. Animals don't have religions. quote: Originally posted by Blessed: I've only skimmed through it, but I think the piece in mocking Christianity. Right on. Even with skimming you got it. Now tell me this, is this sacrilegious? It depends on which way you look at it. If it’s written by a Muslim with the intent to mock, it is sacrilegious because it’s against the teachings of our religion. The Quran clearly forbids mocking other faiths and commands us to give special regard to the people of the Book. It’s not only wise to respect others, if you expect the same treatment but in light on the constant attack on people of faith, it’s sensible to show solidarity. It’s sad that Muslims are often quick to mock the jews in the way they dress when they are the only religious group share similarities with us in the application of our faiths. Same thing with the Jehovas. I don’t know what or if any parameters are set by Christianity with regards to mocking people of faith or religious believes. *This doesn’t mean that religion is beyond critique since both our religions (Christianity and Islam) are based on sharing the message- we have to be open to critique and debate but this too has to be regulated. P.S Speaking of comedy and religion. Has any heard of the Allah made me funny trio? Magnifique. I went to one of there London tours, you should’ve heard the Asian girls ; ‘subxan Allah, he is so crazy gigggggggle, giggleâ€

I've only skimmed through it, but I think the piece in mocking Christianity.

Danyer, Besides I read a book by a Somali author who would describe his accounts in both Somali and Ethiopian prisons. Very interesting. I'm interested in this book, can you tell me the title of the book and authors name. Thanks.

^ I wasn't avoiding naming you, just forgot who the nomad above me was. But, hey I didn't think good Baashi can be so insensitive. *pokes Baashi in the eye* Anyway, I think I've already (over) stated my take on the matter. If you really want to know where I'm coming from, I trust the following link might interest you. How to Capitalize on Entrepreneurship in Failed States? P.S I didn't call it illegal or haraam. Salaams

Castro, Of course, those outside the mall will have to compete with the ones inside the CCTV, air-conditioned mall That’s my point. I wonder why they don’t set up in London or Dubai where there is a need. Somalia doesn't need a retail out-let, we need to start producing more and exporting more. Thanks for the compliment Kashanre, but the Monkey is right. I don’t know much about economics but that doesn't blind me to the concept of fair trade. Who cares about those tacky cardboard dukaamo? The poor old ladies (and their 5 kids) that run them. Those Somali traders need this development to wake up and step up their game or find another job. LOL! Do you honestly think that they have the capacity or the money to compete with rich trader? I don't know, maybe the nomad above me is right, maybe I'm blinded by envy. :rolleyes: Laakin, if I had the choice of shopping in an air-conditioned rich Farax owned complex or giving my shillings to a poor Islaan that needs it, I'd go for the later.

2. Let them go to jail here. Let me know where they're going. I have family back home and I don't want imported psychos there? A person should pay for the crimes they commit. Full stop!

Castro. Maybe next year, I don't know, depends. Why d’ya ask? P.S I don't do bacaad fighting. I might break a nail

Originally posted by Danyer: At least they're investing in their country. If they would build a shopping complex in the US, they would be praised. Let that marinade...... I'd praise them! My only objection is the potential impact these ventures have on the local market. I'm sure the locals weren't consulted so it’s very worrisome. I don’t have a problem with small-scale retail outlets that sell things Somalis would travel to Dubai for (dirac store) but when someone builds a complex as huge as this, they’re only setting out to monopolize the consumer market. That is wrong in the Somali context. Those markets as tacky as they are (to our taste) have been the backbone for Somali economy since time immemorial and a source of income for many families.

Guantanamo Detainee Gives BBC Interview A Kuwaiti detainee at Guantanamo Bay has given a rare interview to the BBC. The interview was conducted through a legal representative as journalists are not permitted to speak directly to detainees. The BBC Today programme's Jon Manel submitted questions for Fawzi al-Odah to his lawyer, Tom Wilner. The BBC was unable to challenge or question any of Mr Odah's responses. No-one from the outside world can see you. So describe your physical appearance now. I am much lighter than I was. I am now about 120 pounds, down from about 150 pounds when I came here. I have become an old man here. I'm only 29, but I have been here four years in isolation and have got old and much weaker. How's your health? I'm always tired. I have pain in my kidneys. I have trouble breathing. I have pain in my heart and am short of breath. I have trouble urinating and having bowel movements. How would you describe your mental health? I have given up. I am hopeless. I don't care about anything any more. I just want to be released. My health doesn't matter. Death in this situation is better than being alive and staying here without hope. Death would be better if it helped end this situation. They told me: if you continue the hunger strike, you will be punished. First, they took my comfort items away from me one by one. You know, my blanket, my towel, my long pants, then my shoes. I was put in isolation for 10 days. Then, an officer came in and read me an order from General Hood [commander of Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay]. It said if you refuse to eat, we will put you on the chair - these are special, new metal chairs they have brought to Guantanamo - that you will be strapped up and down very tightly in the chair and that liquid food would be forced into me using a thicker tube with a metal edge. The tube would no longer be left in all the time, but would be forced in and pulled out at each feeding, and that this would happen three times a day. I told him: "This is torture." He said to me: "Call it whatever you like - this is the way it's going to be: we're going to break this hunger strike." One guy, a Saudi, told me that he had once been tortured in Saudi Arabia and that this metal chair treatment was worse than any torture he had ever endured or could imagine. They gave these formulas on purpose to make them defecate and urinate and throw up on themselves. I would still be on this strike if I had any choice. Death is better than continuing life like this. Did those in charge at Guantanamo agree to negotiate with detainees or hold any discussions in any way? For a while they did. And there were some changes in conditions, but then it went back. You must understand that the real problem here is not the horrible conditions - the lousy food, no reading materials, bad medical care, being in isolation. The real problem is being here without reason, without hope, without a hearing. I am an innocent person who has done nothing wrong and I have had no opportunity to show that. That is the real problem. General Hood sent messengers to me and asked to talk to me himself about ending my hunger strike. I refused. I told the messengers to tell him that the problem was not you - you are irrelevant. My issue is with the people in Washington. They are making the decisions. We need to be released or have the opportunity to show that we are innocent. The American authorities say that you are being held because you are a dangerous enemy combatant. What do you say to that? It is rubbish. Why don't they charge me then if they really think this is true? It's absolutely untrue. And I have never had a fair hearing. I left my home to teach and work for needy people on my official leave. I was caught out of the country and couldn't get back. I have never supported terrorism. I hate it. I have never done anything against the United States. I was simply sold by a Pakistani for money to the United States. Why are they afraid of giving me a hearing? I was simply unlucky. I was out of the country and couldn't get back home. Everything else is simply rubbish. What do you say to their allegations against you? They allege that you admitted travelling through Afghanistan with Taleban members, that you admitted firing an AK-47 rifle at a training camp near Kandahar, that you admitted staying at a guest house with fighters armed with AK-47s, that you engaged in hostilities against the US or its coalition partners, that you carried an AK-47 through the Tora Bora mountains for 10 to 11 days during the US air campaign in that region and that you were captured with five other men by the Pakistani border. How do you react to those allegations? I don't think it is right to discuss these details on radio; I should discuss them at a hearing in court. As you know, they are ****** . I was out of my country and couldn't get back. I found myself in an area that suddenly became incredibly dangerous, with everyone carrying guns around and hunting Arabs. I was in this place at the wrong time and couldn't get home. And I still can't get home. The guards will beat you up quickly if you give any problem at all. They are very young people. They think we are terrorists and they treat us that way. They hate us. If anything bad happens to the United States anywhere in the world, they immediately react to us and treat us badly, like animals. It's understandable they would treat us that way. And maybe if we were terrorists they should treat us that way. But we're not. Have you been tortured? I don't want to repeat it again. No details here. But I was tortured badly in Kandahar. I was tortured here, too. I was beaten up badly at first when I was brought here. Also, when I first started on this last hunger strike, they abused us badly. They pulled the tubes in and out. If I resisted or tried to take the tubes out, they would strap me down, hold my head back and force the tubes in and out causing a lot more pain. It was useless to resist. A fair court with fair procedures is what I have been asking for. That is all I have asked for from the beginning so that the truth can be known. Before all this happened, what was your view of America? I loved America. It freed my country from Saddam Hussein. My father fought with America against Saddam. I respected America. It stood for human rights and fairness around the world. America was the country we all looked up to. What is your view now? It has abandoned all of its own traditions and beliefs which were the cause of my respect for it. As someone who lived in the US, I cannot believe the American people know what is happening down here. This is wrong. SOURCE: BBC News

Thank you, Rahiima I do! Lazy, they chose to have those children and therefore should be grateful for the blessing of Allah. If a Somali woman has the misfortune of having a deadbeat husband, then she should get smart and start making smart decision. Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear and whilst it is ideal to have a large family, if circumstances do not permit Islam and your intelligence permit for you to seek other alternatives. They should stop having children so often, one after another every year. Five years pass, she has popped out five, and cannot provide for them (not necessarily financially). I blame them walaahi. If he won't help you, help yourself I say. Couldn't have said it better. Somalis have this strange notion that they'll get ajer for popping out a baby every year. The ajer is in patiently raising sound, healthy Muslim children. Alle-ubaahne Bless= Barko. Blessed = qof barako lagu maneystey. Alhamdulilah. The word barwaqo only deals with prosperity and wealth. It's a type of blessing (barako0. I think, you should also check your definitions of feminism

In 2003, I've met an old Pakistani man whose 19-year-old son was detained in Guatnamo. He had a photo and a petition. The photo, the look on the fathers face always haunts me. I wonder, how many miserable fathers are out there...

The building of these supermarkets / malls is the most senseless, selfish act by capitalist Expiat Somalis. Hotels have their uses, villas house otherwise homeless relatives. But, I can’t for the life of me find a single justification for these malls. Expect maybe to provide an escape zone for those spoilt qurbaawi dhaqan celis kids or maybe to attract tourists but trust me, they will not interested in sub-standard shopping malls. So that leaves the locals. What on earth does the average Somali need these malls for? Can they afford to spend away their $100 a month allowance? What about the impact this will have on local markets that are the main source of income for many locals? I understand that there is a great need for development, but the government should stop this callous capitalist venture before gets out of hand.

:rolleyes: You wrong, I right. You bad, I good. You ****** , I smart. There’s no in between with Somalis. No give and take. Why call it a discussion markaa?

Originally posted by Castro: Blessed, this is what the gripe is all about: quote: Originally posted by Modesty: Everyone who lives in the darkness of kafir lands should visit a muslim country,............ you see people who might not even have anything to eat but they never frown or get depressed, people here have strong faith and trust in Allah, their culture and faith is so untainted by kafirism. I know, love. I agree with Naden on the fact that people (praticulary the young) sensationalize life in Somalia but never stay, it's something that I always question. And, yet, I also agree with Modesty and The Point on the impact of faith in a persons attitude. Despite all that hardship, their faith and sanity remain in tact; I love that about our people. And in the great scheme of things, Allah will reward them greatly for it, insha Allah. I tend to look at things from all angles, which usually puts me on the fence. I’m just going to sit it out. *gets pop corn*

Originally posted by Kooleey: ^ I never said that; I meant by 'ungrateful' that you don't have to disgard the blessing you have meesha joogtid. Acknowlege that too -- waa lagu xisaabaa. I wasn't directing that at you K. We posted at the same time and I've edited mine for clarity, after I've seen your post.

Glad your enjoying yourself Modesty.. I agree Kooleey! For me, England has treated me better than my 'brethren' be they Somali or Saudi. London will always be my beloved but I don't like the life-style. My child deserves better. I fail, to understand why people are being called ungrateful for wanting to be in a land that is conducive to their believe and identity or for wanting to live a better quality of life. There's no need to get one dimesional about these things.

The SCC, Somali Coordinating Committee that deals with this issue. I'll try and find their contacts for you or maybe one of the Nomads involved can help you out....

^Wa Salaam, London, between June and July when I'm there lol. Jokes aside, I'm surprised that they haven't been to the UK, yet. There's a great need and a very active Muslim community in terms of seeking knowledge. An online course would be good too, I've been to their website and www.khubah.com. They appear to have a very talented web designer so an interactive web class can be added. It's a good way of reaching Muslims everywhere including poor little me in dead Oh Man Can you mention this in forum for me?

WaterLily I didn’t disagree with any of your comments walaal, including the part about the necessity of women in the work place. My comment was a digression of the work-home argument- I’ve always maintained that’s it’s dependent on individual circumstances. As for finding children burdensome, I find that those feelings are common amongst traditional Somali women. From, my observations, Somalis though they have many children aren’t very child friendly. Intaa wey ka cabonayaan about the sacrifices that they make for their children, their always ranting and raving about parental rights but pay little attention to that of the child. Honest to Allah, they depress me. It’s true, it is hard work and biggest challenge of this life, but how do we expect paradise to be at our feet if we aren’t patient with the trials, which are really nothing in comparison to the rewards of parenting. Khayr It doesn't matter what others think, as long as you and yours are both happy with it. There are also many women in the ME and Somalia who sit at home and gossip all day, whilst the maid, ayeeyo, eedo or older children play mother and bring up the children. You also need to understand, that many women don’t really have an ‘option’ in the matter. My Arab neighbor, a teacher has had a baby 3 months ago and she’s already back in work. Does she want to go to work? No! Does she need to go to work? And are she and other women like her contributing positively to society? Yes! Yes! It’s easy to criticize the women, when governments create systems that make it impossible for families to live on one income. Alle Ubahne You’re a Joker walahi. I dare you go to the Markets of Hargaisa and Muqdishu and tell the women there to go home and wait on their useless qaad-daaqers of husbands, fathers, and brothers. daaq on this! :rolleyes:

^Yaa kuu yeedhay :mad: You say you like both, but looks are more important, right? Anyways, tell me. How about you? Would you rather have a six pack or be a geek. Be honest. The above question applies to every farax that chooses to mess up my poll.