talk all around me i stare off into deep space contemplating the things of my past looking for bright spots amongst the torrents of darkness i daydream of tomorrow what joys my Creator will bring my way what lessons have i to learn what blessings have i to receive i think of my future and smile my path has been luminated i can see the road ahead there is only room for one fear will not tag along for the ride i will set off alone physically accompanied only in spirit by those who have tread the path before me a new day dawns im ready Rainy side a snapshot of time the story of a young girl told the sole tear upon her cheek weaving the tale revealing dark secrets and deep passion known to none but her the silence of it all eerie, disturbing her eyes speak of dreams stolen the crushing of her spirit yet a slight crease at the sides of her painted lips sign of hope recovery renewal she'll move on all the same carrying the strength of her foremothers she deals with the burdens of life and sheds them all in that one tear that only still life could enshrine for all time *not my best work but i had a sprak of inspiration so i went for it.

I was reading an article the other day on BBC Website. The article reported that the head of the Commission for Racial Equality in Britian suggested that black boys may have to be seperated from classmates to help improve school performance. Mr Phillips did not call for a return to segregation. What he suggested was that black boys in the UK might benefit from being taught separately from other children in some subjects. He was not saying they would benefit, but that they might. His comments came after a visit to an all-black St Louis school, where boys were separated from girls, and achieved a 12% increase over eight months. "The comments of Mr Phillips, a former television journalist, were made in a BBC documentary shown on while ago (in the London area) that had followed him on visits to his old London school and a new American experiment in St Louis, Missouri" (The Guardian). What I think? Being black male, and majoring in education this issue is very important to me. By saying that i am a propoment of iterracial harmony and cross-coulture understand I do believe that separating students on the grounds of race can never do anything except fuel racism and prejudice. I think this is a ****** and offensive idea. I didn't know that we had rewound and started back with segregation. Instead of trying to label black youths as 'problem children' they should start working with them and trying to make things better. Instead of pushing black people to the side as usual. Start working with them and see why they aren't doing as.The answer may lie in more black male teachers, curriculum changes that take into consideration vocational studies and an understanding of certain boys circumstances at home. Young black males need role models other than ball players and rappers.

It's pleasure my friends!

There has to be a brighter way to deal with the situation my friend!

History from ancient time to the present, man had a two interrelated blessings he survived on: His food abundance and his high level of living standard, But without the abundance of food, he would not have the high living standard. Most of us in here are blessed with the two qualities I mentioned since we live in the western world where three meals a day is not a gauge to measure a family or an individual richness. Today some people back home East Africa do not get enough to satisfy their daily hunger. Famine and disease epidemic held down their population growth. I personally think that the banishment of this hunger largely depends on the Somali community gear towards Agricultural productivity than relying solely on livestock. Even though we are not blessed with a favorable climate we can still pull some technological based agricultural practices. I understand that all this cannot be achieved at this time overnight, but surely agricultural education and strong research on these areas is a foot in the right direction. It is time to come back to the earth as a community and find out what it can offer us.

It occurs to me how much all of us want a certain something or someone at times. We commit to all costs concerned just fir plain materialism or satisfaction. I grew up never knowing what it was like having a father and a mother under one roof. but today I'm man, college student, and most of all a friend and respected athlete and the best part is I brought myself to point. In this life, we do all we can to impress and we do all we can to be remembered by a certain action. It is often said that for 100 good things we do and one bad thing we commit, we are remembered for that one bad thing. The mentality of man was such that one could not have everything. Sometimes no matter how hard you wish to try, you are just unable to please everyone. And in this life, we try our best to be the best people while some of us choose to be the people that will do or become anyting as long as it is to their advantage. All our life, we try to create a legacy or even a memory to be remembered, to make or please people. Yet in this life, with birth, we forget there eventually comes death. A famous lawyer in his time, Albert Pike once said, "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." We may choose to be selfish in life to create a legacy for the next generation or we can be an example and do things for others. People remember death as not how one died but as how one lived. In this life, we try too hard to hold on to things that are meant to slip past. We all have different rationales for our existence and we live throughout these very principles. whether or not that should be corrected by influence or not remains ambiguous. But life as it is isnt meant to be for yourself but for something else and that itself is an enigma. I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth. Simplistically, we do not need to know the reason for life or how it is played. We treasure the people we have and we try our best to make everyone happy. Its not the right to life but a way of life. Anyone can make an influence, it is not the length of life, but the depth of life. Enjoy.

All of my life I dreamed of meeting one with immense beauty, and once I found her I would charm her and she?do be mine forever.....I have found her and indeed she is all I wished for and more but she is not charmed nor intrigued. Then I think 2 myself "What can I offer her?" The tears warm my eyes and blur my vision. I stick 2 my stance of bravado and give her the same uninterested look she gave me. She was so beautiful But what can I offer her. TP

There is famine there is drought in Somalia. But there is also the longest coastline in Africa, estimated to more than 3,000 Kms. So why can't we exploit these natural marine resources which Allah has endowed us with. Are we afraid of the sea or are we on bad terms with the sea itself much the same way as we harbor hostility to anyone not belonging to our tribe. After all is the sea an enemy to us? I ask this question to the nomad-turned pirate who is up on arms to attack vessels. Do you think it has covered a large tract of land which could have given enough vegetation to your camel? Is that why you don't show any friendly approach to the sea? Are you accusing it of invading your land -- a land which you would otherwise have comfortably roamed.... a land that would very much have fitted your nomadic mentality? Do you see it as an occupation force which should be expelled at any cost? If you have no hard feelings for the sea then why can't you use it wisely and harness it to the advantage of yourself and your people? Do we need some one to intervene and reconcile the differences lying between you and the sea? Why can't you take boats and catch fish instead of becoming a pirate who attacks vessels in the high seas? You claim to be protecting the sea from those ships illegally fishing in the Somali seas while you yourself don't eat the very fish you claim to be protecting. Strange as it may look, our culture has put a barrier between us and the sea. How many cities, towns and villages do we have in the coastal areas of Somalia with populations whose nutritional status is very poor? Children in those locations die enormously from diseases mainly related to malnutrition.

Last month Minneapolis Community and Technical College hosted a reception sponsored by Somali students from several area colleges to present a check for over $27,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help the relief effort for thousands of Somalis facing starvation due to a famine in Somalia. The students, who represented Somali student groups from Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC), the University of Minnesota, Normandale Community College, North Hennepin Community College, and Minnesota State University Mankato, organized the fundraising drive over the past month. “Drought and armed violence continue to affect thousands of Somali civilians,†said Laura Olson, Legal Adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross, Regional Delegation for the U.S. and Canada, who came from Washington DC for the event. “This is tragic and avoidable. This generous donation by the Somali student groups will help the ICRC save lives as it delivers food, water, seeds and tools to those affected by this latest crisis.†In addition to raising money, the fundraising effort is intended to bring awareness to the humanitarian crisis engulfing the people of Somalia. Years of drought have triggered the famine, with women and children most a risk for starvation. Everyone should take time to thank this hard working students, and their kind heart!!!!

By Ibrahim Abdulkadir If pronouncement of marriage is the peak of happiness in ones life, then no doubt divorce is the opposite of it, and the psychological moment of that grief in a woman is more intense and damaging in the long term. But in America, the experience of one Somali woman’s divorce is tantamount to the most unthinkable tragedy that inflicts an individual. Her story is one of heart-wrenching, and of depressing conclusion. For privacy reasons, I call her Dhiban in this article, just to conceal her identity. She spent most of her life in Mogadishu, Somalia. As a student of knowledge, her passion to learn and the no-schooling lifestyle of Mogadishu’s idleness in 1990’s collided, causing her to depart to Nairobi, Kenya. In her mind, she was in search for an opportunity to learn and expand her educational scope. For that young age at the time, that was an exceptional good inspiration to lean on, indeed. And, after years of hurdles in the process to set foot in America, she finally arrived to New York in one of the most unwelcoming days of America: few minutes prior in the morning of September 11th, of 2001 attacks. The beginning of her Dhib (hardship) and shattering expectations of America has started to unfold. Flights were suspended, no English, no money, alone and hijabified helpless girl in the middle of a major wilderness. Her strangeness of African and of Muslim origin gave an incentive to the passer-by people to scold her brutally in seven long days as the furor of yet-to-act nation spills from its enraged citizens. Immediately, with the resilience of her enduring patience and adaptations in America, she opted to live in Minneapolis, and worked hard to sustain not only for her life, but also for the lives of those loved ones still confined in Somalia. A well-bred decent girl with a principle was now overwhelmed with huge problems – the calls of help from Somalia, the need to make ends meet in here – and above all was the urge to marry – in preserving her dignity - before her time is up. However, early in last year, she married a Somali man she thought would be the charming compliment of her life. Unfortunately, in few unbearable days, of not more than three weeks, the marriage was torn-a-parted. Why? Still, the maker of that decision is unable to provide a reasonable explanation for it, but he could only regret from the hastiness of his unforgiving irresponsibility. What was left in her heart is a mark and lasting intrinsic nightmare of shattered hopes, unfinished goals, and great vulnerabilities ahead. Miraculously, she became pregnant with a baby girl she would deliver late in the same year. In this juncture, problems tend to intensify, because with the burden of pregnancy, lack of help, state of vagabond, and the depressing impact of a debilitating divorce that held her hostage until she gave birth. Of course, divorce in this part of the world is unique with something that is appalling to many of us: social isolations and the stigmatized outcast of a single parenthood. In reality, the affect of divorce is taking a deep root in our society today, mainly in our Diasporas community, where the sanctity of marriage is repeatedly violated. A recent observational trip to Minneapolis, aside from the dazzling entrepreneurial progress of my people, was indeed an absolute dismal in terms of the consequential dark side of our presence. Ilaahow naga soo gaar! Given the amount of insurmountable cases of family issues in our community, cum the outnumbering single-parent families still recovering from the shock of three-count divorce strikes (Dalaaq), our society’s core extended, (not nuclear), family values are threatened. This issue has discouraged many young people to embark on marriage commitments because the lessons of their peers and the experience of evaporating short-span marriages. Thus, are not we afraid of seeing the boy- friend and girl-friend notion taking a full swing turn in our community, and replacing the marriage entity? If that perception - i.e. marriage as a hot water, or no go near - becomes well appeasing, then how far is that from an illicit sex and abortion issues getting justified among us, or HIV related issues eroding our sense of everything good, including the Islam, we stand for? The collective neglect of social responsibility to address lurking crisis in our midst, especially, at the level of our learned spiritual leaders, seasoned elders, and community center propellers, would be enough to revolutionize much of the negatives we suppress from our at risk youth until what we fear most take a grim hold on us. Now, the calling of 911 police enforcements, and the attempts to solve problems through the wrong elements would only fuel the flame with more gasoline, but with diligent traditional problem-solving skills from cultured elders applied as key to first step, would make matters less intricate, and that is only if we intend to rectify each other and rescue our families. Our beautiful Somali women, the bedrock of our social spirit and the holding pillars of a demised Somalia, require us an unconditional support to stand shoulder to shoulder in these troubled times, while assuming responsibilities on our failures, and then of course, offer assurances to our sisters from our now increasingly hair-triggering three-count divorce strikes. The history of our family/ethnic traditions, as Somalis, testifies that our fathers were understanding and flexible to the circumstances of the time. They practically understood the wisdom of being humble in the family and at home, while acting the lion of the village in the outside. Never has it become customary in our decent culture for a man to act out of emotions and wreck havoc in the existence of the family. It’s time for retrospective analysis to understand the trend that took us here, so as to frame a mechanism for saving families from the pitfalls of total breakups. This problem is increasingly festering in many stable-looking houses today. What we also need to come up is a plan at the community level led by our Sheikhs, to remind people the crucial responsibility counted on them as they marry. That marriage has its own etiquettes and need to be practiced at home. That Allah (sw) loves the ones who keep their family’s interest at heart, and never neglect their obligations. For a plan with sound and practical ingredients in it can at least alleviate some of the burdens, if our spiritual authorities engage this with concerted efforts and make its prevention a priority for the community. Finally, to the upcoming wave of our sisters in Africa who are bound to America, I tell you the glittering of America, and exactly the one you might have seen on TV’s, has a danger beneath, the one that has trapped our gifted sister in Minneapolis, Dhiban. And for my surviving sister, Dhiban, please know that we will, under moral obligations, pray for you, as well as share the burden and pain you undergoing in your holly struggle to overcome the problems. My hope is that you, and the likes of other sisters in your situation, will lead a successful life – keeping in mind the patience and the fear of Allah - in this planet and the next, insha-Allah. War nimanyahow aan Ilaahey ka cabsano, dumarkeenana si u dhaano!

The McCain-Kennedy bill has introduced major changes in the area of family-based sponsorships and unification by easing the allocation of the permanent resident visas, which, in turn, reduces the outrageously long waiting period under the current system. The Bill also removes the financial requirements for the sponsors who are required to fill out Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). Under the bill, the sponsor can support the immigrant at 100% of Federal Poverty Guidelines rather than the current 125 % Federal Poverty Guidelines. The bill would also expand the waiver for fraud or misrepresentation and make this waiver available to non-citizens who pay a $2,000 fine. Reliable estimates suggest that there are thousands of Somalis in the US with legal problems in their documentation or legal status. Can the new Bill be the answer to this problems? Main Features Some of the main features of this Bill include: I. Earned Legalization Program (H-5B Visa) The Earned Legalization Program (H-5B) is a new program that would allow the undocumented immigrants in the US to participate in a new H-5B temporary visa program and, after six years, apply for permanent residency. In order to become eligible for the H-5B Visa, the Bill requires the immigrant to: A) Undergo criminal and security checks in order to eliminate the existence of criminal record or security concerns that would prevent him/her from legalizing. B) Have sufficient understanding and study of English, US civics and history, C) Have been engaged in an employment in the US on May 12, 2005 under a status considered “not legally present†D) Have complied with tax requirements By: Prof. Abdul Wahid SheikhOsman http://www.hiiraan.com/op/2006/apr/Abdul_Wahid_Osman.aspx

I deeply appreciated for the feedback everyone!

sit back allow my word to provide comfort and warmth allow me to be your winter retreat the shady tree to escape the blazin sun let my words hold you embrace you empower you be the all that you need no need to worry cuz im right here my words will be your shelter

This one particular flower who leaned in my direction with lips of affection, hoping I would touch her texture or par take of her nectar... But I didn't select her. U see, I'm into quality, not quantity. and I understand that there's an abundance of flowers but a shartage of bess So who or why settle for leaves when I can have tress.

Don't spend major time with minor people. If there are people in your life that continually disappoint you, break promises, stomp on your dreams, too judgmental, serves you no purpose and don't have your back during difficult times ...that is not a friend. To have a friend, be a friend. Sometimes in life as you grow, your friends will either grow or go. Surround yourself with people who reflect values, goals interests and lifestyle. When I think of any of my successes, I am thankful to GOD from whom all blessings flow, and to my family and friends that enrich my life. Over the years my phone book has changed because I changed for the better. At first you think you're going to be alone, but after a while new people show up in your life that make your life so much sweeter and easier to endure. Remember what your elders used to say, "Birds of a feather flock together. If you're an eagle, don't hang around chickens: Chickens Can't Fly!

Please explain the unity of our country? Our people no longer understand what “unity†stands for, or more importantly, why we should unite. To them the word “unity†is extensively misused and abused it is like saying hello and goodbye something that is required but not always wished to be said. Having coexist separate nations won’t bring peace, it makes us look bad. So, I ask why knock it until it coexists? Why Somali and Somaliland? Aadanaha dhammaantiis wuxuu dhashaa isagoo xor ah kana siman xagga sharafta iyo xuquuqada Waxaa Alle (Ilaah) siiyay aqoon iyo wacyi, waana in qof la arkaa qofka kale ula dhaqmaa si walaaltinimo ah. Translation All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Don’t you hate how there is violence everywhere you go, Like no one can get along no matter what, I would pay just to see two people hug you know, But I guess that it just too much to ask for, Nowadays we whether just run around and threaten people, I can whoop you, Whatever man stop talking and bring it then, That is all you hear on campus, at home and everywhere else you go, Personally, it makes my heart hurt, Can you tell me what that accomplishes, Being able to put someone in the hospital, That is not something that I would be bragging about, Is that what you think makes you a man today, I rather brag about something that is going to keep me out of jail, Like what is going to get me trough college, You feel me, Is ironic how our black men are scared to be intelligent, Like if they get called soft or a nerd, then they lives are over, That is a compliment last time I checked, and it really makes my heart hurt seeing my high school peers out there on the street selling drugs, while some of them already serving ten to fifteen years in jail... I want to see my somali homies running their own businesses, I want to see them as doctors and lawyers, I want them to not care about being the baddest brotha they can be, But instead looking to be the best that they can be, Stop blaming, How you got brought up in the hood for black man unsuccessfulness, Instead, Get up and do something to change your life around, If you were ever told that you can take yourself out the streets, But you cant take the streets out yourself, I’m sorry brotha, But someone lied to you.

Rappers will say their music has no effect on people's behavior, but rather, it shows life in America today what kind music we get and how it portrays negative attitudes toward women, especially black women. My main focus is to father who fail to teach, explain and instill into their sons the fact that black women and black girls are not to be disrespected, period. Civilized black men teach their sons to respect all women regardless of their race. Black men who have a thorough knowledge of self, know without question that black women, in all their glory, beauty, and splendor, are referred to as the Mothers of Civilization. Black men who refer to black women as *****es and ho's don't realize that statistics show that nearly half (48.2%) of black households are headed by black women. (http://www.the-infoshop.com/press/pf16755_en.shtml) That's a very ugly situation... Man how can you you talked women like that? Didn't she raise you, clothed you, feed you, and put a roof over your head- despite the circumstances of being single-mother? I wonder how would Malcolm X feel about this, if he were alive today? I believe Malcolm would intelligently and strategically attack that mentality. I believe he would expose it for what it's worth. I also believe he would CHALLENGE the black men for being childish and irresponsible. He would also challenge their manhood by giving them the definition of what a boy is and what a (real) man is. But who knows where gangster rap will go from here? Even with so much negative response by the public, the music will still be bought and played...

I saw you, You saw me, And i fell deeply Into the possibility Of maybe we can ... chill. My foundation of love was rocky to begin with Adding levels only corrupted its structure Yet, I thought you could be the addition that strengthen its foundation but you happen to undermine the social instructive and there aren't enough words for my mouth to play to make you understand how deeply my heart feels for you...

Worldly wealth shifts like the shade of a tree... Often we see a poor man becoming rich, and a rich man becoming impoverished, and it's because there is no check and balance system. Toward a Regional Approach To Somali Pastoral... A warrior approaches an elder seeking guidance on how to deal with a rival clan: Warrior: I come to ask your advice about how we may best defend ourselves. Elder: Which of the two clans has the greater number? Warrior: Ours. Elder: Which has the better warriors? Warrior: Ours. Elder: Which has the stronger relations through marriage? Warrior: Theirs. Elders: And which lives in the direction of the wells and of the town where water, cloth, and foodstuff are available? Warriors: Theirs. Elder: Seek peace from them, then, for they have the upper hand __ A legendary Somali dialogue:)

I have low tolerance for people who criticize religious people who don't even bother them. Did I miss behave if I stand for What I believe is right? And should physical be the answer if some ignorant person dictate my believe?

The drums of Africa still beat in my heart. I have witness the bitterness and the agony of the dry air, it's a political jungle with all the seeds fusilladed and now it's all left fruitless. You see, I (Abu) don't bang for the land, I don't bang for the color; I bang for the moral and the principles of humanity as whole. It's very humbling to see so many young brothers and sisters fighting for higher education, perhaps they can erase the ignorance surrounded in our country? is uplifting to see many young people around the world working hard to improve the quality and life in their country, and I thank god for giving me the privilege of a higher education, especially outside Africa, which broadened my original horizon and encouraged me to focus on the environment, women and development in order to improve the quality of life of people in my country in particular and in the African region in general. Somali is one country therefore we are Soomalis, not somalilander, not putlander and only when we fixis this problem there will be people among us walking on the moon...