Safferz, I agree, calling for a review of the Lul Ali case would be a good start. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/07/rapists-rewarded-somali-woman-cleared

MOGADISHU, Somalia — After months of denial, Somalia’s government has for the first time acknowledged that its security forces were involved in rape cases that drew an international outcry by human rights groups. Army commanders often denied accusations that soldiers were involved in a spate of rapes, blaming the crimes on the Islamic extremist rebels of al-Shabab who wore army uniforms to smear the reputation of the military. 'Those few among the security forces who rape and rob our citizens must be fought and be defeated just like Shabaab,” said President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, while speaking to military cadets at a training camp in Mogadishu on Monday. “Criminals who commit rape ought to be opposed just like (the Islamic extremist rebels of) Shabaab,” said the president, in a statement issued by his office. He also affirmed that his government would “fight those who rape as he’d fight al-Shabab,” the Al-Qaeda-linked rebel group fighting his government and the African Union forces in Somalia. In March, the New York based Human Rights Watch accused Somalia’s security forces and armed groups of raping and beating displaced Somalis who came to the capital fleeing famine and armed conflict. But Somalia has begun military tribunals in which soldiers have been punished and the number of rapes have declined since then, say residents. “The president’s commitment to tackle abuses, including rape, by security forces, is an important first step but needs to be followed by concrete action, including proper vetting of police and military,” said Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “And the government needs to appropriately investigate, suspend and prosecute members of its forces who commit crimes, in line with international standards.” Somalia’s highest profile rape case was one in which an alleged victim accused government soldiers but was herself put on trial and sentenced to one year in prison for insulting the state institution. A reporter who interviewed her was also arrested and jailed one year for offending national institutions. Human rights groups denounced the convictions. An appeals court acquitted and released the woman and the Supreme Court later overturned the verdict against the reporter. The Associated Press.

Number 1 on the list and my loved ones. Inshaallah.

^Maya.. Cadan baa laga heesayaa. Rahima, your study would make for an interesting read hon. I think in England there was a general rise and then a c-section reduction policy around 08 but I think the numbers remained the same, would be great if someone looked at the Somali community in the UK.

Alpha Blondy;935742 wrote: ask yourself before foolishly pledging support for this nonsense..........if his gross misrepresentation, sexist and pornographic portrayal of our women, who are indeed the laf-dhabarka of our society, is worthy of your support? also....... do you want your kids and other people's kids reading this highly perverse and disturbing graphic literature? i'll wait for your response. thanks. loool. Expanding your reading repertoire could be good for you, Alpha.

Chimera;935186 wrote: Well this is demoralising, so many views yet no support. Brother is in the wrong profession, or catering to a non-existent audience. This is a mistake many Somalis make, he should aim for a wider audience. All the best to him though.

Alpha Blondy;935411 wrote: LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL@BAN w ho or what is left on this site if i'm banned? i ought to be paid for posting, walle. :D Iska daaya Alpha, waa lagu cadho burburaa on a bad day, he's a good sport in that sense.

^Innaalilaah. Yusuf Warsame Illahay ha u naxariisto. Ameen.

Nagaa daa reer Europ saaxib inoo ma ahee. Aan ka daneysano uun. Tallaabo;935341 wrote: If few thousand tourists get off a plane and show up in Berbera tomorrow, will all of them be given a lavish casuumad? This bizarre culture of treating tourists as if they are dignitaries is getting out of hand. Someone should ask the Somalilanders to let these young men and women get on with their hiking and sunbathing. lol. I co-sign.

That's sad, another lad was killed in that area a few weeks ago by a Polish gang, two of his friends, also Somali were seriously injured. It's really hard for our young men walaahi, hard to stay out of trouble and hard to avoid it. *sigh*

Fantastic! This is going to have a prominent place in my book shelf, hope she does a Europe tour Inshaallah..

^My story was similar to yours Rahima, my c-section was due to fetal distress, so it was necessary and although it was horrendous recovering from it, I don't regret that it happened as it was a very close call for my little girl, Alhamdulilah Alhamdulilah! My second Dr. tried to convince me that I had no chance of a vbac at all, she pathogolised my whole pregnancy which didn't sit too well with me. My sister told me to see some one wlse, so I've decided to speak to another Dr and looked at my old medical records and there was no reason that I couldn't, I guess she was thinking about her convenience and money, so I wrote up my own plan and told her that I was prepared for risks. I tried my best to prepare for labour, drank this special tea and Alhamdulilah, it worked out for the best.. but have to say, with birth and pregnancy, you just don't know what the outcome will be.. so yes, Alhamdulilah for our healthy children.

Che.. that's why I said 'until a xaliimo' marries a revert.. it seems intaa ka hor sheekadu waa daadax between Somalis lol@Rudy being ironic.

Che- kind of funny, right? It seems like Somali are perfect until one of our 'self hating xaliimos' meets a revert. Juxa, the poster has no idea about the Somali marriage protocol. Sheeko barelay iga dheh. lol.

This is such a bogus story but as I'm in a good mood..I wanted to provide a therapeutic theme song for this thread...

Hello Bess. 1. Did you have a birth plan? First: Yes, I was asked to do one to help me understand the process, decide on birth options (hospital, birth center, home) and to think about pain control. Second. Dr. felt that she was in total control of my birth plan, so I did one- just to put her in her place. 2. Did u visit an ob-gyn, a midwife or a doula? Why? First: Got excellent midwife care with the NHS. Only saw the Ob-gyn at the beginning when I had hypermessis and then again once towards the birth. Second: Used a private American hospital in Dubai, so I saw Ob-gyn throughout. I didn't like this medicalised approach to childbirth at all..!! 3. Did u have a scheduled Caesarian? First: No, but ended up having emergency caesarian. Second: Control freak Dr. did schedule a caesarian. I made her change the date and ended up having a straightforward vbac as I wanted, Alhamdulilah. 4. Pro epidural or anti? Anti- didn't like the side effects. I was initially completely against pain control but I'm a little flexible about that now lol.. 5. Take classes before the birth? Yes, along with hubby for the first birth. 6. Nurse and for how long? For 11 months with my first and about 18 months with my second, I have used formula for both as well. Alhamdulilah, my mum and sisters have always been an amazing support network for me, one of my sisters is also a midwife who is always there to help with birth related things.

Aamin.

Che.. there is also unimaginable creativity, talent, hospitality, kindness and generosity - good things the world refuses to associated with Somalis. I went expecting the worst because ppl insisted in telling me how bad it was but I was actually pleasantly surprised.. despite the poverty, you don't even need to go to IDP camps and dire need for development.

Oh, how I wish to have had the opportunity to learn sugaanta Somaalida like those who grew up back home. In fact, it's something that I want to do in the near future inshaallah. There are some video on youtube where poets recite and explain their own works or the work of others - just search your favourit poet. You can buy books with translations or explanations as well. I think relating to the words and understanding the meaning are first steps to memorising. I don't know if it's possible to memorise a complete Somali poem as they are usually very long.

I'd suggest talking to family / qaraabo in Muqdisho or those who have contacts there. Those numbers sound like NGO prices, it's a different when you're renting from someone you know / or some who knows a relative.

LOL@ having two makes you a referee.

Layaabay oo kuu yabay Yaxyow. lol MashaAllah.

looool waar Jamaal qarxiska ka daa raga hakaa noolaadaane. Koley these western journalists would add their own lies to sensationalise their articles about the 'witless' African.

^Most of them are single..and would probably remain so until they get over themselves and actually see another person for their humanity rather than how they can mold them to their fantastical views of the world and most crucially learn to view women as equals with strengths as well as faults like themselves. No woman wants a man who sees her as a deficient minor who aught to be tolerated! This is sisterly advice boys, no offence intended

Nuune.. seeing it with different eyes, not so depressed I think I'll give the bus ride a miss, waxay ku fiican tahay dadka daydayga malahan certainly not a family with young ones, though it sounds fun..I love traveling with Somalis waa xaraabo and some people can also be really nice and helpful..