^LoooL. He was a 'colourful' little man, wasn't he? I've avoided those poems myself.

^It is... LOL@Castro.

http://www.ottomantour.com/ I've always wanted to visit Turkey (and everywhere else..) but the intenrary looks too rigid. Not a fan of organised tours - like Shereban I like to mingle with the locals and do as they do..would be nice if threw in some free days, so you can do important things like shopping, xamaams, shopping, people watching, shopping...get lost and having to use the local language and err. shopping.

Ailamos, you cryptic so and so. Maxaad samaysay. LOL. I think both universities have strengths in different departments. If you're interested in studying law, history and the sciences in an Islamic context, Al Azhar is your best bet. Madinah is good for aqeedah and fiqh of sunnah etc. Living in a Madinah for few years it's an accomplishment on it's own though- that place is simply amazing! That's true. I've been to Al Azhar and was thoroughly impressed by everything... no wonder it's been the locus of Islamic learning for over 1000 years... As far as Madina is concerned, I'm not a big fan of its propagation of Salafism and rigid interpretations... Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to visit that beautiful city, it is on my list should I return to the Middle East. Speaking of religious schools, some people I know went off to the International Islamic University Malaysia and had nothing but praise for it, particularly its progressive attitude. Apparently, it is sponsored by eight different governments from the OIC. It should be noted that prominent Islamic feminist Dr. Amina Wadud is a faculty member there. [/QB] I agree with you on Al Azhar. Malaysia is doing some great things too in Finance, development but I'm personally not a fan of the progressive or rather revisionist approach to Islam employed by Amina W and her colleagues. The early Muslims didn't need to oppose fundamental tenets of the deen and abandon the segments of the deen they've found difficult in order to suceed. As far as rigidity @ Madinah. I think it's a necessity as far as aqeedah is concerned. Islamic monotheism is unique in it's absolute approach to worship- unfortunately the teachings of our Messenger (saw) have been lost as Islam spread and mingled with the cultures of host nations. Madinah university is taking great strides in clarifying these misconceptions - in light of Quran and sunnah. I think it deserves credit for that. I don't always agree with the Fatwas that come out of KSA nor do I always agree with those that come out of Al Azhar - but I believe that both are centres of excellence. p.s I've always wanted to visit Al Azhar - have you got any photos?

^Ignore it, ailamoS. Takfiirism seems to be in vogue now. I think both universities have strengths in different departments. If you're interested in studying law, history and the sciences in an Islamic context, Al Azhar is your best bet. Madinah is good for aqeedah and fiqh of sunnah etc. Living in a Madinah for few years it's an accomplishment on it's own though- that place is simply amazing!

You've got to admire the Faaraxs consistence here. First they attack women for having standards, then they attack them for marrying none Somalis and when they see the sisters wavering, questioning themselves... They provide a solution: Queue noo soo gala.

Here is a blog which is run by students currently at the university. I think they are the best people to ask. You should also look into Al Azhar and the online Islamic universities.. I can give you details on these if you wish. May Allah reward you with the knowledge and hikmah you seek, walaalo. It's nice to see a young brother with a desire for seeking knowledge .. This is the link to the university's website: http://iu.edu.sa/web/Default.aspx

This story reminds me of my childhood in Saudi - these guys would go around souqs at prayer time to send people off to the Masjid- my mum would ask them why THEY are not praying? Aren't you 'Muslim?', she would add.. That's always the case with faduulis, too busy judging others, they forget take to themselves to account.

Ibts, Interesting.. Still, you failed to produce an actual link between Dubai Police and the murder.. Waxaan ku leeyahay uun wax aanad hubin ha sheegin, adigaanay kuu fiicnayn. I've read everything about the mass deportation (reasons ranged from security, expired temporary passports, emiritsation) and braced myself for madness in the UAE and then – nothing, not even in blogsphere (where you get the real news). I don't think it happened or was going to begin with, even Al Quds which started it all didn't do a follow up. Emiritsation is not as sinister as you make it- Locals have a hard time finding jobs in the private sector- the government is training and educating them so they can adequetly compete for jobs. Even those with adequet degrees get discriminated agaisnt because of prejudice against them (which you seem to hold too despite never vitisting the country). No, one will turn up to work and find an Emarati in their seat. The idea is to build a knowledge economy and to decrease recruitment from aborad but the country will still need a majority expat workforce because there's just isn't enough Emaratis to fill all the positions. They only make up 20% of the population- and the majority work and prefer working for the government. Even so... the UAE has given thousands of Palestinian refugees Emarati passports, they and the poor Emaratis would benefit from the Emiritsation drive most. Ng, LOL@ that was very convenient for us.

I can't be that eloquent Malika when both Che and Lily are responding to arguments that I haven't made. I'm@confused.com Lily, I meant people overcome barriers if they want to, I'm sure you've seen successful interracial marriages- Muslim or otherwise. Everything I wrote is based on the arguments presented by Gheelle and Naasiro that thse marriages dilute, effect Somali culture in general. It's a very weak argument. We're losing our culture on our own, case in point Dukes example. I know many revert sisters who are married to Somalis and they've adobted our culture. Che, Actually what is fashionable is not get married at all and for Faaraxs and Xalimos to bash @each other. I'm not advocating for anything but in faduulimada la joojiyo.-- oh.. and shall I also state my personal preference for good measure? LOL. p.s Are you trying to give me a heart attack here.. do you know how old my babies are? Hopefully we'll be living back home by then- culture lose won't be an issue for us. Insha Allah.

Ibts, there's a difference between individual informants and the establishment- you were pointing the finger at the Dubai establishment. The UAE has it short comings as with every other establishment on earth but as a country they have time and time again demonstrated that their loyalty lies with the Palestinians. This is a country where even carryng Israeli currency is criminal. People here are very sensitive about the Palestinian cause and I find it unfair that you rush to accuse the state - without facts. Duke, Senior leaders have been killed in ther parts of the world too..Fact. Teeda kale, what has that 'sheikhs' story got to do with this? He's a sick individual who didn't hold an official post.. nor was he acting for a westerner. The abuse was over grain if you bothered to follow the story.

^LOOOOOOOOOOL! Somethings genes ka adag, saaxib! I hope you're prepared...

GD, Soft spot in what regard? Besides, all I'm saying is seperate your opinions and dislike for a place from facts. Waxaa idiin fiican that you refrain from accusing Muslims of things you have no knowledge of.

^Cultural differences aren't neccesarily barriers unless you make them. I don't think Malika meant that you're prejudiced for making your own personal choice to stick to your own. The prejudice comes into the debate when people like Mr Geello and Naasir campaign against such marriages. It goes agaisnt the spirit of Islamic walaaltinimo as most of these revert brothers and sisters lose their families and communities and need accomodating. And really this dilution of culture argument is pretty weak.

Cardio.. Cardio. I've lost belly fat after child birth through cardio. I couldn't even do crunches and it worked. As C&H said, you can't spot reduce you have to burn the fat and it eventually comes off.

Allah Yarxamuh. Originally posted by *Ibtisam: The Police in Dubai probably got paid and were in on it. Come on, Ibts. Waxaan waad dhaanta. Tut, tut! Leave my home town alone, people.

^Well said, Duke. It seems some people cultural perservation khalad bay ka fahansanyihiin. Originally posted by -Lily-: Malika, one can believe in one Ummah and still value their own culture and people (to be as important as everyone else). There is nothing wrong in appreciating my culture and wanting to continue and preserve it and choosing a life partner in line with this. It would be a boring world where everything was diluted and the only thing remaining was shared faith. Lily, my darling.. Marrying someone from another race doesn't automatically translate to not valueing your own cultural identity or a dilution of who you are. Most Somalis are doing that quiet happily without a foreigner in sight.. I don't have to marry a Somali to be a Somali; my language, the traditions that I hold on to and the values that I was raised with are what makes me a Somali and that would stay with me, even if I married out. The children will also be exposed to the Somali dhaqan and won't lose out either. What is boring and sad, is that we dictate peoples choices based on baseless scaremongering. For starters, Somali and perhaps Bengalis are least likely to marry out of their nationality amongst the British Mulsims. This is a no issue for us... p.s I hate to put brother Cadaan on the spot but he's an example of a common trend amongst reverts who tend to adopt the culture of their Muslim born spouse. In this case, we gain a Somali, not lose one - if you're into that sort of thing.

You guys are suckkkkkers. Exhibit 1. Exhibit 2. Tabloid "journalists", love YOU.

Illahay indinka iyo qalbi xumadiina ha idin destroy gareeyo. What have the Muslims of SL done to you? Maxaad noo habaareysaan? JB, Still flogging that dead horse, I see.

^All is well, my dear. village life is getting too much for you, miyaa?

I guess you will never understand the choices people make when you haven't experienced their pain / walked in their shoes. I do agree that the lure of dhoof is sometimes stronger than common sense, some of these sisters probably invested thousands of dollars just to cross into Yemen but now they find themselves in a reality that so far from their perception of what life in Yemen was like. I doubt selling your body is an easy option for any woman to make. Comparing them to rappers in the US is in bad taste, walaal. Illahay ha u sahlo is all that I could say.

^Ahleeeeeeeeen, ya madam. See tahay? Aaliyah, are you looking for this song: . It's in Oromo but if you really listen you can sort of understand it.. I once saw him sing Najma on youtube. Is that the one you're looking for? I'm a fan of Qamar pronounced Kamer. Helloo is a cool song too.

Ngonge, I actually got told off by an Indian colleague for allowing the kids to paint a picture of a pig, yesterday. Apparently 'they' are really sensitive about those things over here.

*sigh* inaa lilaah!

^I agree with that.. hadaad ka xadantoonaysidba , maxaad ka sheegsheegi? On the other hand, I think it is nice to reflect on the blessings of life. Anyway.. Khay iyo Barokaan kuu rajaynayaa@ JB.