Hit the road jack and don't you come back no mo no mo! *hate is such a strong word, but your comments the ones of i've seen are more like very annoying and puke inducing* war tag hadaad war yelesid.

Salaams to all, hope all of you are well. The greatest Jihad (struggle) is the one against oneself, be it against one's desires, or bad characteristics such as laziness. If you don't mind, share with us how you keep up your worship to Allah SWT. What helps you in this struggle that is life and I'A hopfully others can benefit. For me and this may sound a bit morbid to some, it is thinking about death or the grave. Knowning life is short, regardless of how many years you have on this earth and what you accomplish you and the ones you love most will eventually be wrapped in white sheets and put underground, gives me a perspective and alhamdullah instills the fear of Allah to seek forgiveness in prayer and be a better person to others. It also helps listening to Quran and attending jummmah, this softens the heart for me. So how about you. Feel free to share anything that helps you personally or tips you may have. Jazkallah in advance.

He is not the "Elvis of our time", but the Michael Jackson of our time, there is not a city, town, or village across the world that did not know this man. It's pretty amazing, one of a kind, he'll be missed. RIP Michael.

LOL bunch of freaks.......than i'm glad i am not in Somalia....Love you MJ rest in peace.

I think a lot of Somali parents have this passive attitude when it comes to parenting (ie It is Allah that Guides people, etc) and many families are disfunctional, from my obervations (parents are not involved in their children lives, in their school etc). It's by no means due to lack of love for their children, but I think culture in how they were raised. It is indeed true whom Allah guides no one can misguide (because their are a lot of ppl that have knowledge about the deen but don't act on it), but it's important to be really involved with one's children and know their activities, likes, dislikes etc. Not police them etc. I personally don't see anything wrong with having friends of the opposite sex nor did my parents, i've always have and never been the sort of girl to engage in haraam, nor do i understand this business of hiding something from your parents when your talking to the opposite sex, that shows one does not have a good relationship with their parents. Perhaps, parenting workshops for Somali parents are in order if kids are out of control these days. ps: Girl obession boys need rules too.

Nagwa, great choice. I have his CD, according to my mom all those songs are recycled but he has a great voice nonetheless. I like only 2 songs on the CD, cawo iyo nasib and this one: http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=0XUiDTaTi m0&feature=related

We Won't Budge: An African Exile in the World, by Manthia Diawara

^Love that song Siren. Any idea about the song that goes with the music in the last 12secs in that video? Sounds wonderful. There are many songs that i enjoy that fit your topic, but can't find it on youtube. Love Omar Dhuule, (RIP). Salgula, and his song "gacmahada xadaaleh markan so xasusto i get goosebumps" lovely song ruunti. http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=rAt5tT6Bq kw&feature=related SIDAAD II OGEYD BAAN ADIGA MOYEE RAG BA ILOOWAY Hot song: nin xun Maryan Mursal: http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=NrdATjJdX II

Salams, Do I agree with that statement? Hmm I’m positive the statistics are higher as they are for all cultures in this era, even in western culture it was unheard of to divorce a little over 50 years ago and today the rates are well over 50%. I think desi culture (regardless of religious background) is far more stringent in mate selection as opposed to Somalis and as result have lower divorce rates. With that said, I don’t believe Somalis are prone to divorce, and your friend (or anyone for that matter), need not to worry about divorce statistics in certain communities as long as they as individuals make the right decisions etc and leave the rest to Allah. If you get a divorce it is Allah’s Will just as it was His Will for you to get married. Further, as a woman in today’s society you can’t count on your husband providing for you, it’s in her best interests to study, be educated and be financially stable.

This website is not to bad to get an intro: http://www.somalicul ture.net/ . It's missing table etiquette though (wonders if we have specific rules), i know some cultures have strict table etiquette. Hope it helps. Salams

Originally posted by -MARX-: definition of a somali miskeen guy: prays, works, well mannered, loving husband, loving father, loving son, looks after his family, polite, kind, considerate, compassionate! has all the attributes of a well-rounded personality! I can not think of any sane woman whom wouldn't want such fine attributes.

^Actually people are talking about human rights abuses being done, the torture scandle by American troops is the main topic in the states at this moment. With that said, I don't see why there needs to be a connection made. Muslims need to ask hard questions, without feeling the need to point the finger at the West. I don't agree with the article, as Muslim I believe Allah SWT Knows best and the Law of Allah is Most Superior to all others, and Muslims should aspire to live by it. With that said, the Ummah has not seen the justice, peace, equality, the superiority of this law, since the end of the Calipha (the Four Rightly Guided Caliphas). Even with these great men as leaders for the ummah (May Allah reward them), there was in-fighting and fitna, and the killing of the Caliphs. As I've said, we need to ask ourselves tough questions, instead of just mouthing, Islam is the solution (which every Muslim ought to believe if they do not already).

Thank you Nassir, I didn't even think about that. I filled out for a loan, I'A it will come through. Thanks again.

Rigorous research over many years by many in the scientific community have come to the conclusion that there is no link between thimerosal in vaccines and autism, to reduce this mounting evidence as done by those with vested interest I think is irresponsible. It's understandable and my heart goes out to parents with autistic children, but as where research stands at this moment in time, there is no link between thimerosal and autism. Further, the FDA, CDC among many others 10 years ago did come to the conclusion that thimerosal should be removed from vaccines, hardly sounds like a promotion as mentioned in the article. However I do agree with Jim, that more research needs to be done on what causes autism, than again that is being done as well.

Originally posted by XamarGalle: [ Ignorance is the enemy of love by Faarax M.J. Cawl. I was like Hayem, reading this book in the end. It has tragic end. [/QB] Where can I find this book? (I've looked everywhere)

It's no secret Somalia (like many other poor nations) has been the dumping ground of these countries and companies, not to mention stealing of these poor nations resources. What really ticks me off is the coverage in the media, not suprising afterall it's American Media but really! The only agency i enjoy and listen to is NPR, and not once did they show this side of the story, I've made sure they heard from me. I hope all of you on this board, writing or reading, since this issue is the topic of the day, will contact and send your comments to the media outlets (Start with NPR!). It will only take a mere 2 minutes of your time.

Don’t give out your trust so easily walaal, let history be your teacher. These imperial systems never have in the past nor will in the future have the interests of the poor countries, to think so is only deluding oneself.

^Your dreaming kiddo, to hope the very exploiters of Somalia to help 'save it."

Not so recent, but an informative piece. Source Recent: By: Hablayo Cabi

^Pirate, I don't think a true nationalist, would use such words, as "you" were "defeated" and "humiliated" when concerning the subjection of Somalia by the Colonial Powers, rather see it as "we" were, same way as the Pirate Issue is a Somali Issue, and not a "Puntland issue" as your "nationalist" wants us to believe. I think Peasent got it right.

^Salams dear LOL@ bakoorad, I believe your refering to the similar topic on the general section for those of us whom are not following the debate. To answer your question, I am not really interested in their motivations, I share the view of the other member whom said "its their loss". I am more interested with the theory I have and I am certain many others do as well. And since I do not know of any "Ex Muslims" personally and Nur mentioned he knew a few, I wanted to see if their stories fit into this theory of mine, which in short states, the so called "ex-Muslims" are those whom scummed to their base desires (finding Islam restrictive-thus take the easier road), hence why it's unheard of to see the likes of Hamza Yusuf, Bilal Phillips, and many others of former non-Muslims whom were guided to the true faith. Don't you find it funny, all the famous "ex-Muslims" such as our very own Ayan Hirsi, put so much emphasis on "why they left Islam" as opposed to what truth they found? As is the case with those whom converted to Islam? In any case I would like to say, someone's choices in their life (even that of Ayan Hirsi) is totally upto them, but I do find it strange and it's very suspious of these so called "former Muslims."

Salams everyone, I do agree with both of you that faith really is a personal matter, and the Quran tells us, Allah Alone is the Final Judge. Nur waan ku salamay walaal. You mentioned you know a few converts whom left Islam. Do you personally know them, and what were the reasons behind their change of faith? As we know those whom enter Islam by the Grace of Allah, the overwhelming majority if not all do so after studying the deen in great detail and masha-Allah are very series about their Islam, even surpassing those whom were Muslims all their lives. Many of these reverts to Islam have been even very knowledgable people before hand, and some were scholars of their old faith. The same can not be said of those whom leave Islam. On the contary, they were never series about Islam or were religious to begin with, and find Islam restrictive (ie moral code of Islam no drinking, sex ect), therefore take the easier way out. Have you ever heard of a Muslim scholar or a learned Muslim that converted from Islam? I certainly haven't. Anyhow, religion is personal to each their own. I thank Allah for making me a Muslim.

I read this earlier today, Masha-Allah! Very wonderful very happy for him. May Allah SWT keep us all on the straight path, Islam is truely the greatest blessing.

Originally posted by Nephissa: The idea that because they served "alcohol" or received "naked tourists" therefore deserve no sympathy is ridiculous. They were robbing nobody! It's a tragedy to see anyone's 12yrs of hard work burn down to ashes, alcohol or not! Hope they catch the arsonists soon and make real examples out of them African-tan cawaanta ah. We all see the world through different lenses dear. I personally didn't read the long article in detail but skimmed it, wasn't aware it was the work of arsonists. I do hope they catch the perpetrators of the crime. But isn't it even a greater tragedy when 12yrs of one's hard work is of no use them, but rather harms them because the means were unlawful? The irony, the owner quotes the holy book. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, very fortunate that no one was harmed.

^You seem to take this personally, if you know more, than why don't you inform him instead of taking it as an attack? Does it or does it not serve alcohol and "naked tourists" as another indicated? Go on, set the record straight. Otherwise don't expect "sympathy" from other members with a religious conscience.