Subhanallah!!!. Seems to be an increase of cases of babies born with two heads. Similar case report in egypt, bangladesh, india, indonesia in the last few years. As long the baby is healthy; testing can be done and if necessary surgery. There are alot of reports of Siamese twins with 2 heads who live a fairly normal life without the need of surgery. The longest surviving American twins Abigail and Britney have celebrated their 19th bday. May Allah give the family patience. JB. I think some basic tests like ultrasound and Xrays can be done in Somalia, right? That could help with the diagnosis and buy time for the family to be helped through donors.

Ina lillahi wa ina illeyhi rajiun.

Children of heaven is a masterpeice!!! I havent watched Baran yet. Inshallah will look it up.

A great documentary, thanks for sharing. The last documentary I have seen was called Somali voices an Olol filmproduction. And between the two, there is a great difference.

Asalaam aleykum wa Raxmatullah wa barakatuu Jazakhallah Kheir, a great reminder.

Originally posted by m_aden_nur: Sayyid Qutb Was an Author, Educator, Islamist,Thinker and Poet. He was an Anti-Seclurarist and worked on Social and Political role in Islam. I totally agree. The interesting thing if you read his biography he was pro american but after living in America and experiencing the life here it changed his views...

Apart from the African continent Somali women in the Diaspora are the "NEW" Dubai women. Come visit Minnesota or Columbus Somali owned shops are filled with merchandise from Dubai or Saudia. Women are leaving their mark.

Oh boy... Im speechless.

You welcome, dear. You can send me a Pm if you need more help.

^^^ Sayyid Qutb was a great scholar. What people do with the teachings they have themselves to blame. As they have been given the intellect and ability to choose whats right from wrong.

Waleikum salaam Wabarakatuuh, Sijambo kaka... mambo poa, tu. Nimefurahi kusikia the spirit of Ramadhan is dear to you, may it be always. Amin. naomba myezi mungu akubariki Insha Allah. Amin, Mwenyezi Mungu mmiliki wa Ardhi na Mbingu atubariki sote na jamii Muslimiin. Fii amanillah WOL

Jazakhallah Kheir Ashkiro. One of my favorite book goes with the same title - Muslim's character by Muhammed Al Ghazali (in PDF) Fii amanillah WOL

Asalaam Aleykum, Try learnerstv.com they have videos, lecture notes and practise tests(It maybe a little advanced). And biology resources., its all about biology you can find resources for secondary school. For PDF's try scribd.com or if there are specific books you are looking for just google them- you maybe surprised what you can find. . Best of luck WOL

Didnt understand the song but nice pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Didnt understand the song but nice pictures. Thanks for sharing.

It's sad and devastating to any parent be Somali, afghani, pakistani or palestinian to lose a child. May Allah help the families and may the people behind these acts be held responsible for brainwashing children of others than their own.

^^^Couldnt say more.. Jazakhallah Kheir Brother Nur. Originally posted by Nur: Nomads I have some more ideas on this great Surah, and some thoughts on the EXIT and ENTRY Verses: Mukhraja Sidqin, Mudkhala Sidqin! Visit again please Nur looking forward to your upcoming article. Fii amanillah WOL

Originally posted by Nur: Its said that the Taabiciin used to prepare for Ramadan for six months before Ramadan, and worry about their performance and Allah's acceptance of their worship in the following six months. Asalaam aleykum Brother Nur, Thats whats called Devotion. Mashallah. May Allah make us among the mindful. Amin. Fii amanillah WOL.

Zulfa, I grew up calling them dishdasha but I beleive it's the same thing - Jalabiya. Choc &Honey, I understand the way you feel. I usually wear a camisole which compliments the dress or my skin colour under my dirac and with the help of a brooch keep the garbasaar in place. If Im still not comfortable enough,I don an abaya on top of the diraac -the type which is open in the middle.

I think she should have also made a clause with her hubby beforehand. We had our "I like this about you and dont like this" discussion But its on equal terms. I maintain a healthy body and and he also works out to keep his looks. So its a win win both ends. Whoever lapses get a little verbal reminder and assistance to keep the "healthy goals" achieved. This includes apart from the looks making healthy life choices like cooking healthy, creating an exercise plan and the moral support. The partner cant just sit there an nag. Has to be part of the solution. AdamZayla, I would first like to congratulate you for your reply. Thats the way it should be. And I would advice you to start the walks once you know your wife is pregnant and not after delivery. We, Somali's still hold a beleif that once a woman is pregnant she can eat as much as she wants and rest alot.Its like pregnancy is an excuse the woman can eat,yuss n rest. Which is not healthy and unrealist.. a pregnant woman needs to be active, maintain a healthy weight and gain it steadily but slowly. We, health professions even have guidelines how many pounds should a woman put on while pregnant or advice a woman to shed if she is overweight. Why? Because of the increased risk of complications or health problems to the woman and the risk of harming her precious fetus during her pregnancy, at labour and even after. Just yesterday while watching BBC America a new study came out if a mother is obese or has bad health choices has a 10% risk of her children to become obese. Dads have a 6% risk. So, we all collectively as a family need to work on maintaining a healthy weight. We shouldnt fall into the two extremes; anorexia nor obesity.As they both have their problems.

Asalaam aleykum Alhamdullilah a new month of blessing is drawing near. We are currently in the Month of Rajab Inshallah by 23rd of August(depending on the moon sighting or lunar calendar) Muslims around the world will start to fast. Question to us all; are we ready to welcome this month? We have a month and a half to prepare mentally,emotionally ,spiritually and physically to make it a month of success and reward in the eyes of Allah, our communities and ourselves. You can now take small steps to prepare yourselves by fasting on mondays and thursdays, read more of the quraan, make more dhikr, stay steadfast to your 5 daily prayers, help others, controlling your tongue and rectifying a character or habit you dont like. Advice in a quotation: "Sow a thought,reap an action; reap an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny." Quote from Stephen Covey. Set your Goal for this years Ramadhaan now. An audio khubah to reflect on the month of Rajab and preparation for Ramadhan. Fii imanillah WOL

Topgirl, There are alot of quick fixes out there but I would advice you the best and healthy way is reduce your calorie intake and put in some extra exercise every day. So be conscientious in what you consume- eat more lean protein, fruits and veges with low carbs , drink alot of water and add an exercise regime. Depending on your current activity level you have to increase it gradually. As Imtithal suggested long brisk walks and jog. You could start walking for 30 minutes and in between jog for 5 minutes X 2 then increase your jogging episodes till you can jog for 30 minutes nonstop.ETC. But you also need to work on your muscles so twice a week take up a sculpting/toning exercises targeting your upper, lower body abs n back. You can use resistant bands, ball, bar bells or just basic squats and lunges, bench presses could so. fiiamanillah WOL

Wear whatever makes you comfortable. I was never a diraac person but I do occassionally wear dishdasha's(arabic thobes) at home. I prefer them as you dont have the risk of falling or tripping and the fabrics looks good and you look more presentable. (NB. I dont know what a baati is) I started to wear Diraacs after marriage and Im still not comfortable wearing them. And are only worn for special occassions - weddings, hosting guests or for my otherhalf. On another note: If you have to wear a diraac at home then have a couple of them altered to your size.

I prefer using the spring roll wraps which are square/rectangular in shape. I slice it into 4 strips( depends on the width) then for every strip I make a sambosa out of it. Sometimes I may have to use 2 strips if the wrap is very thin. Personally I like the spring roll wraps because they are more thinner and crisper.And well brought up using them. Easier and you can wrap up 100-200 sambosa at a go n store them in the freezer without the shoulder and back ache of having to roll the sambusa dough.

Article by Abukar Arman. Whether in Somalia or elsewhere, any attempt to tame religious extremism with violence leads to costly tragedies and disenchantments. And anyone who doubts this ought to simply reevaluate the miserable results of GWT -- the global war on terrorism. So it goes without saying: a non-violent paradigm to solving problems is direly needed. And since political problems are often fueled by internal and external elements, effective collaboration between these elements is necessary for the non-violent approach to work. That said: the Somali political problem is escalating into a new phase of violent struggle. And unless the current momentum is significantly slowed, a longer-lasting, much bloodier sectarian war is bound to replace the old ones. The Islamist group that led a successful insurgency campaign that ended the Ethiopian occupation has primarily split into one faction that is now part of the unity government and another that is sworn to oppose it to the end. And, in recent months, in what is clearly a politically-driven campaign to decapitate the unity government, the opposition faction made of al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam, an entity that I refer to as the neo-Islamists, have carried out strings of violent attacks, high profile assassinations and suicide bombings in various parts of the country. However, few have openly challenged their self-righteous claim to be fighting a just, religious war. Indeed, even fewer challenged the religious justification they employ in defending their deadly campaign. Instead, the unity government, in what seems like a reactionary move, opted to follow the ill-advised strategy of its predecessor -- the former TFG -- by responding to violence with equally indiscriminate violence without any regard for the helpless civilians. However, according to the latest issue of Foreign Policy magazine, "a recent report by West Point's Combating Terrorism Center revealed that Osama bin Laden's outfit had an awful experience trying to operate out of Somalia, for all the same reasons that international peacekeepers found Somalia unmanageable in the 1990s: terrible infrastructure, excessive violence and criminality, and few basic services, among other factors. In short, Somalia was too failed even for al Qaeda." In spite of this, the theatrical blame game continues in full force. And the hyperbole of the two actors currently competing for power is already setting off alarm bells as well as setting the stage for ramifications that could outlast any future peace reconciliations. The neo-Islamists accuse the unity government of being a foreign agent installed in power by the U.N. and the West and believe they are religiously ordained to end that foreign domination. And the unity government on its part accuses the neo-Islamists in being agents of al-Qaida and foreign terrorists who want to launch transnational terror campaigns from lawless Somalia. The latter accusation has only worked to lionize the neo-Islamists to legendary status. They rapidly developed a reputation as brainwashed "global jihadists" with whom resistance is futile. Now, as anecdotal stories go, they routinely enter villages or towns and demand youth to fight on their side or their families to pay into their war chest. In an oral culture where scrutiny is irrelevant and facts and fiction often converge, this kind of reputation is more potent than any army. So it should surprise no one that the neo-Islamists are rapidly spreading their sphere of influence and now control much wider territories than the unity government. However, the current coalition of neo-Islamists is not a monolith and therefore should not be treated as such. Among them are political pragmatists such as Sheikh Hassan Dahir Awes who, at least at this juncture, is driven by existentialist motives. These individuals are influential stakeholders who led the insurgency who could not partake in post occupation power-sharing mainly because they are on a U.S. terrorist watch list and are "wanted, dead or alive." All the neo-Islamists are not emotionally-driven jihadists whose ultimate goal is to be killed on the battle field. They make rational decisions when they deem it necessary. Why else would they tactically retreat when they were facing annihilation between the Ethiopian land invasion and American aerial bombardment in late 2006 and early 2007? If their ultimate goal is engaging the enemy face-to-face and attaining martyrdom through that process, why would many of them hide their identities by covering their faces? So, it is not entirely implausible for these rational survivalist individuals to sign on to any deal that would ensure them positions and take them off that controversial list which mainly worked to further radicalize many individuals and groups around the world. Granted, the unity government has been in dialogue with these individuals. However, the unity government, more specifically the Transitional Parliament, has resorted to what many consider a haphazard call for help as President Ahmed's office continued their behind the scene negotiation with key figures of the neo-Islamists. In a statement that would not only offend the supporters of the unity government but also work to further radicalize the neo-Islamists, the Speaker of the Parliament did the unthinkable. He called on Somalia's neighboring states among which are the very Ethiopian troops whose oppressive occupation ended only a few months earlier. "We ask neighboring countries -- including Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Yemen -- to send troops to Somalia within 24 hours," said Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur. And while there are some parliament members known for decency and high integrity, by and large, that institution has earned a profound reputation for corruption. It is infested with pro Ethiopia demagogues who could care less about the well being of their people and the interest of their nation. So what is the alternative to violence? Aside from refraining to rush into an artificial collective reconciliation process, there should be an attempt made to restore confidence and change people's defeated psyche by providing them (including the armed ones) the essentials that they immediately need. In other words, food, medicine and the right understanding of their religion! Instead of sending more weapons to Somalia, as did the Obama administration recently, imagine a two-track benevolent campaign launched concurrently to positively impact hearts and minds. Operation 3.5: A two year goodwill campaign whose primary objective is to save the 3.5 million Somalis on the verge of starvation by flooding the country with food and medicine. The unity government, assisted by a commission appointed by the donor countries, could set up a sound, transparent checks and balances process. And, instead of contracting the big name international Non-Governmental Organizations, many of whom have already taken an antagonistic position against the neo-Islamists, to contract faith-based NGOs such as Islamic Relief, Life, Somali Relief Fund, Mercy International, and Somali operated ARAHA -- America Relief Agency for the Horn of Africa -- to distribute the food and medicine. The African peacekeepers -- AMISOM -- could provide the security necessary to operate the distribution stations in strategic places. Done right, the likely credibility that this kind of operation would earn the unity government, the donor nations, AMISOM, etc. is beyond measure. More importantly, this seemingly grandiose humanitarian endeavor could cost a fraction of the billions of dollars spent on Somalia since 1991. Operation Middle Ground (Deen Al Wasata): this campaign could be launched immediately after Operation 3.5 gets off the ground. It is primary objective is to cultivate an environment conducive to the discovery, teaching and reinforcement of the right teachings of Islam which is described in the Quran itself as "the middle ground religion"; particularly in areas of peace and coexistence, freedom of religion and choice, etc. In this campaign, the unity government could solicit Muslim scholars, mosques, schools, Islamic courts, dugsis (madrasas) to teach how forcing religion upon people negates the teachings of Islam. The following are examples of what the Quran teaches about forcing one's understanding or faith upon others. Allah (God) commands that "There is no compulsion in religion" Surah (Chapter) 2, Ayah (Verse) 256. He also says "So remind them (O' Muhammad) for you are only a reminder. You are not one who should be authoritarian over them (in teaching them about their religion)" Chapter 88, Verses 21 and 22. He also says "And if it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed (all mankind.) Wilt thou (O' Muhammad) then compel mankind, against their will to Believe? (Nay!)" Chapter 10, Verses 99 and 100. [This particular kind of operation could be extended to countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, etc.] The survival of the unity government and indeed the restoration of peace and order depend on the support of the masses. That is what helped the Islamic Courts Union defeat the warlords and that is what helped the insurgency end the two year brutal Ethiopian occupation. It is all about 'What have you done for us lately?' Abukar Arman is writer who lives in Ohio. His articles and analysis are widely published. http://www.huffingto npost.com/abukar-arm an/somalia-outside-t he-viole_b_225607.ht ml