You can appeal for help without posting that photo! That is truly disrespectful and in extremely bad taste. If you had a similar condition and someone posted a photo of you with your privates exposed, how would you feel? The fact that it's a child makes it 10 times worse! PLEASE REMOVE!!!!!

This is not a hoax at all. I read it on many reputable news sites, most notably the BBC. They rarely report on unfounded events. Wow, how crazy is that guy?! To kill two people because of a disagreement?! Apparently he's a muslim gay guy(!) Hmmm.... :confused:

I don't wear a hijab, and am not really swayed by the arguments in that piece. I'm not an expert on the Quran but I believe the crux of the advice was that both women and men should dress modestly. The reason that a traditional burqa has evolved for the woman is due to culture, not necessarily islam. It is really annoying when a girl wearing the full garb appears to be looking down on one without as if she's a lesser creature. Why can't muslims today be content with modest dressing, like something which covers the obvious shape of the body for both genders. The hysteria surrounding the hijab is mind-boggling! I'm not taken in by the assertion that it is to prevent the lascivious attentions of the men. Are men such weak creatures that they cannot avert their eyess unless a woman resembles something crucially asexual? I give them more credit! Anyway, I'm all for freedom of choice. If a woman chooses to wear it, that's fine. However, why do some feel the need to ram it down our throats? We're all accountable for our own deeds, not that of others.

I am a true romantic at heart, lol. I would without doubt marry just for love. I would hope that my parents are happy with my choice, but I wouldn't let their views overrule mine. Ultimately, it's my life and I guess I have to choose my own paths be they right or wrong. I've known too many people who have made sacrifices for the sake of others and lived to regret it and become embittered. Seriously, life is way to short to do things for others at the expense of hurting yourself. Look after no.1, it's the best policy!

I'm a non-somali. I came across the site randomly and found it very interesting. I'm also muslim so it's nice to interact with fellow young muslims with varied and stimulating ideas and opinions. I'm quite intrigued with the somali culture as it resembles mine in many ways.(south east asian) I have a close friend who is somali and we constantly complain about the same things! Thanks to all those who make us non somalis feel so welcome!

Ew, ew, ew , ew!!!!

Being Indian myself, I can list a few things that we seem to like giving and receiving as wedding gifts: 1. His 'n Hers matching indian gold rings ( not hugely expensive, can buy one from £20+) 2. Household items for the couple to begin their new lives together, ornate wall clocks and china dinner sets are particularly popular. 3. Clothing: Sari for the bride and maybe a nice tie for the bridegroom. 4. A gift voucher for a store, e.g M&S - although this is only advisable if you are truly stuck! 5. Any of the above may be supplemented with a nice box of mithai, as Hibo suggested. Anyway, I hope that helps!

Lovely! Through all of lifes tribulations, your girlfriends are the constant force there to support you. We should let them know how special they are once in a while! Three cheers for the sisterhood, hip hip hooray...

Originally posted by rayaana: Mob to Flame...I have seen your very nasty reply. I will though try to ignore you, i have encountered many of your type and so you are not so hmmm...exciting! Hi Rayaana. Thanks for responding and claryfying your thoughts. I offer my unreserved apologies if you felt my response was "nasty" as that was never my intention. Now, I can understand what you meant and if you read back to your first comment you will see that you said something entirely different there. (That's what led to my "nasty" reply!) I'm sorry to know that you have had negative experiences with Arab people and that has led you to think badly of most of them. I am however pleased and heartened to know that you have acknowledged that there are good arabs and bad arabs, just like any other race. When you face prejudice from small-minded people, you just have to rise against it, it's the best way! A lot of the prejudice is to do with not wanting to venture into the unknown. My significant other (to use an old fashioned phrase!) is arab and some of his relatives disapproved of his seeing me to begin with. I found that once they'd gotten to know me, they realised that I was really no different to any other arab girl. So I can relate to what you're saying about non-acceptance. Once again, apologies if you though I was mean!

Modesty, hun I do feel for you! Some may say that "there's nothing wrong about a girl paying her way"! Well, I'd say that's true once you're good friends with a guy, you can split it in half or pay for each other in turns. However, when it's a first date, that's a completely different issue! Surely, it's only gentlemanly that he pays? I once went on a date with a guy to a fairly pricey Thai restaurant and the same thing happened! He wanted us to split the bill in half when he'd ordered a starter too as well as lots more drinks than me! The W*****!! My response was to pretend that my sister had called, so I walked out of the restaurant and made way straight for the underground! Lol! That's what I call just deserts, what do you girls think?!

Oh noooooo! You poor thing! An experience like that would have thoroughly traumatised me, how disgusting! Did he have a disability or was he pissed?! :confused:

Great topic Hibo! The old fashioned way does seem to have been a simple, effective and stress-free one, doesn't it? That is exactly how my parents met. He was a uni friend of my mother's brother, saw her on a visit and fell in luurrrveee! He got all the parents involved, they met with a chaperone and voila, a marriage followed! I think the reason this old fashioned method has died out is that the young people of today have changed! If a random stranger turned up at my doorstep with his brood, I would probably scream "STALKER!", lol! In order for a guy to approach our parents and have any success, there must be a prior understanding of some sort between us. That's where the old-fashioned merges to the spanking new! That bit of the relationship often turns into full blown dating. To me, that is perhaps a good thing, as long as it's done in a moderately islamic manner, at least we get to know the man we may be spending the rest of our lives with. The thing I find most amusing is the "meeting" of the prospective bride and groom when a potential marriage is being arranged. In the asian culture, this becomes an all out free for all PARTY! All the nosy aunties come along to lend a hand making samosas and to gossip about the flaws of the guy and how "our bride is far too good for him"!

It is good to be a woman: 1. We got off the Titanic first. 2. We can scare male bosses with the mysterious gynecological disorder excuses. 3. Taxis stop for us. 4. We don't look like a frog in a blender when dancing. 5. No fashion faux pas we make, could ever rival the Speedo. 6. We don't have to pass gas to amuse ourselves. 7. If we forget to shave, no one has to know. 8. We can congratulate our teammate without ever touching her rear end. 9. We never have to reach down every so often to make sure our privates are still there. 10. We have the ability to dress ourselves. 11. We can talk to the opposite sex without having to picture them naked. 12. If we marry someone 20 years younger, we are aware that we will look like an ***** . 13. We will never regret piercing our ears. 14. There are times when chocolate really can solve all your problems. 15. We can make comments about how silly men are in their presence because they aren't listening anyway. Send this to all the bright women you know and make their day!!!!!

Originally posted by dawoco: ps:I agree with afro, sister you were very aggressive to rayaane. You would be surprised how many nomads believe that its good to stick to ones kind. It shouldn't be classified as racism, all cultures share that sentiment. It just so happens that you are in a place dominated by somalis. Hi Dawoco, thanks for your insight! I would just like to highlight that I was not offended by the suggestion that it is good to marry one's own race. I completely respect that, my parents are of that opinion as are many of my friends. At one time, I myself felt that way. Of course we all feel most comfortable around those that are similar to us and that is completely natural. I did not call Rayaana racist for the above opinion, BUT for calling all arabs and Indians "racist and unicivilised". I think most right thinking people will agree that that is an ignorant and overwhelmingly racist comment. I have absolutely no problem with a person choosing their life partner, the criteria is set by them alone and those who judge need to get a life! As muslims, we can surely hope that one Muslim would choose another, but again, we have no right to assert our will on others.

Afronaut: I'll talk in whatever way I wish to, that has nothing to do with me being new on this site! I am entitled to my opinions just as any other person here. There you go again, the constant need to categorise things into boxes. Old v New, Black v White etc... Just because you're racist, don't be so hasty to place everyone else in the same bracket. :rolleyes: Ngonge: I'll watch out for him, thanks for the warning, lol!