Salam to all. I hope you are all doing well. We are organising a Somali Youth event on the 24th of September inshallah, and I am looking for stand up comedians, fashion show models and volunteers. This event is extremely important and full of activities...NOT ONLY fashion and comedies! We are expecting around 1,000 people or more, including non-Somalis. I am particularly keen to get in touch with students from queen Mary university who organised a fashion show and and a riwaaya a while ago. I am also chasing up one of the funniest Somali man I know. His nick name is Ilka Case. Please brother get in touch. Find programme attached below. Please contact me via email: saynabm@yahoo.co.uk Thank you all very much Kind regards Saynab Maxamud UKSSA "Somali Youth Forum" presents Somali Youth: United Against Terrorism Friday 5/8/2005 In the aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings and the 21/7 attempted bombings, Somalis in the UK and particularly in London have come under the spot of the media and public debate regarding the reported involvement of a Somali man in the attempted bombings of the 21/7. Somalis were described in the media as "scroungers" and a burden to society and with "no sense of citizenship". The images painted on a number of national newspapers have not only tarnished the image of the whole community but directly resulted in a rise in the number of hate crimes committed against those living in London and other parts of the country. It is unfortunate and worrying that a whole community with a mixed background of a long, peaceful and law abiding history in the UK, on the one hand, and new immigrants who have escaped from political persecution, on the other, should have to deal with damaging allegations, verbal and physical abuses. This pressure faced by the community has been compounded by the lack of leadership and united representation by the community leaders to counter the allegations in the media. Frustrated by both these factors, a group of Somali youth has formed a "Somali Youth Forum" to represent the voice of the youth and encourage more young people to get actively involved in community issues. The forum is organising an event to address the issues faced by the youth in London following the 21/7 incident. The event aims to create a platform for Somali youth to express their concerns and create a common voice to represent them. This event will cater for all Somalis and non-Somalis but the main target audience is the younger generation of Somalis who are isolated from both the community organisations and the larger British society. The event will dispel the negative stereotypes about Somalis in the UK and will showcase positive images of the role Somalis play as law abiding citizens, tax payers, students, bus drivers, civil servants, professionals, businessmen/women, artists and so forth. Summary of the event: Date: Saturday, 24th September 2005 Venue - Gladesmore Community College Time: 12 noon -11pm Audience target: Somali youth primarily but is open to everyone No alcohol served Number expected: 1000-1500 Free admission What to expect on the day: Spoken word by young voices Music (young Somali bands/rappers -- AAR, Ali DJ, King Khalid, Fadumo Haldhaa, Farax Yare...) Poetry (11 and 15 year old Somali poets) Folk dance Modern dances (Choreographed break dancing) Fashion show (young Somali designer/stylist) 10-11 year old saxophone players young stand-up comedians Exhibition of Somali arts and crafts Documentaries and short films (produced, directed and filmed by Somalis) Stalls Workshops Face painting, bouncing castle and possibly crèche for children. If you would like to know more about this event please contact me on the details bellow. Many Thanks, Fatuma Abdulahi Event Manager Email: xagaayo@yahoo.co.uk

Dear brothers and sisters, Please read the document attached and forward it to all of your contacts, whether they are Somalis or non-Somalis. Please send it to your local newspapers, law centres, citizen advice bureaus, local schools/colleges, Universities, Hospitals, Social Services, Housing and Benefit departments, Police Stations and any other public institution. Please forward it to your friends and family living abroad as well. Everyone needs to know that the Somali community in the UK has a voice, is united and will not put up with racial abuse. We need to let everyone in this society know Somalis would not tolerate to be victimised and frightened. We deserve to be treated with respect as anyone else. We give our solidarity to Muslims and other Ethnic minorities, especialy our Ethiopian and Erithrean friends. Crime has no specific colour or religion. There are criminals in every community. We have serial killers such as Harold Shipman, paedophiles who rape their own grand children as young as 8 months, racist murderers who kill young men like Steven lawrence and Anthony Walker just because they are Black, in this White British society. I don't see their decent people apologising for their behaviour or being harassed and abuse for belonging to the same community. So why should we pay for the crimes of one person just because he is Somali? It is time for us to really show what we are made of and defend our name, integrity and reputation. This is no time to be sleeping, complaining or to be paralysed by cynicism and lethargy. Please support your community and forward this email. One love Saynab A Statement by the Somali Community in the UK 03/08/05 Following the terrible events of 7/7 and 21/7, the Somali community having mobilised and deliberated, re-affirm our unanimous condemnation of these terrorist atrocities. We are indeed deeply shocked and deeply concerned for the safety and well being of our community. We re-affirm that Islam condemns such acts of violence and we totally dissociates ourselves from the culprits who carried out these attacks These attacks targeted all sections of London's communities; people of every race, faith and creed have been affected including Muslims and Somalis. As much as we share the frustration and hurt of Muslims worldwide feel as a result of the British Government’s foreign policy, we believe that there is no justification, whatsoever, for the indiscriminate killing of innocent people. We are particularly saddened by the fact that London’s enlightened and well informed inhabitants, who have marched in their millions against the war on Iraq, should suffer such mindless atrocities under any pretext. The few misguided individuals who perpetrated these terrorist acts have indeed greatly undermined the cause they claim to be killing and dying for and the effective democratic process pursued by the British public in regards to the Iraqi controversy. Islam and our own Somali culture do not condone unlawful killing and it is wrong to imply so in any form. We are also disappointed and angry at the misleading and Islamophobic coverage of the media. The ethnic origins of the bombers and would-be-bombers may be a matter of detail, but for the communities that have been ‘marked’ by the media’s hate-fuelling finger-pointing, living a normal life is leading to hiding out of fear: fear of the bombs as well as fear of reprisals. The Somali community is aware that only the alleged Warren Street would-be-bomber is rumoured to be an ethnic Somali. Yet no one in the Somali community seems to have known him personally for the past 5 to 10 years; this in a community where clan links are very strong. It is also now clear that he was in fact raised in this country from the age of 12 by British foster parents. The Somali community has no reason to believe any other detainee is of Somali origin. We strongly oppose the manner in which these terrible crimes are being sensationalized. We are being victimized and made scapegoats for the actions of one individual. Neither the Somali Community nor any other community should be blamed for the criminal actions of the few. The Somali community has suffered a great deal in the backlash that has followed the attacks. This is a community that is already suffering from racism, discrimination, Islamophobia and hostility generated by the hysteria about immigration and asylum. Certain newspapers’ deliberate misinformation campaign of racist and sectarian abuse directed at the Somali community has resulted in a manifold increase in the number of racist assaults and abuse hurled at members of our community, especially women in Islamic costume. We fear this unhealthy atmosphere created will undermine greatly the good race relations we are all entitled to enjoy in London and the UK as a whole. We trust the media will condemn this and report objectively and accurately so as to avoid further damage to our peaceful community relations. The overwhelming majority of Somalis and Muslims are law abiding and contribute enormously to Britain's economic success. Somalis have lived and worked in cities such as Cardiff, Liverpool and Greater London since the 1850s. Somalis have contributed to the sacrifices of WW1 and WWII, and also served with distinction in the Royal Navy and in the Burma campaigns. Our peaceful and participatory history in Britain therefore is long standing. Britain’s long and historic relationship with the Muslim world should not be allowed to be damaged by the ill-advised few, whoever they maybe. In that spirit, the Somali community will co-operate, fully and sincerely, with the police and other security services to safeguard our common purpose and our collective safety. We call upon all communities, the host communities of Britain, the African, Caribbean and Asian communities, as well as the religious and non-religious groups, to show solidarity and support not only for victims of these atrocities but for all communities who have suffered as a result of these terrorist acts. We are all equally affected by this indiscriminate violence. We must stand together and reject any form of extremism but we must also work for the greater good and create a fairer and more tolerant society. E N D For any further information please contact : Mr. Omar Yusuf (Mobile no. 07956 221 389) Somali Community Centre 1-2 Lismore Circus London NW5 4QF 020 7267 8897 020 7284 2023

Salam, The UKSSA website is officially launched! Please feel free to participate and post anything you feel relevant to Somali students or to our community in general. Also, send us your comments about what you think of the website and how we can improve it even more. To those handsome and pretty faces on the pictures...thank you so much for pausing! Here is the address: www.somalistudents.com Please, forward to your contacts. Thank you. Much love, Saynab

Salam, The UKSSA website is officially launched! Please feel free to participate and post anything you feel relevant to Somali students or to our community in general. Also, send us your comments about what you think of the website and how we can improve it even more. To those handsome and pretty faces on the pictures...thank you so much for pausing! Here is the address: www.somalistudents.com Please, forward to your contacts. Thank you. Much love, Saynab

Salam to all, The UKSSA website is officially launched! Please feel free to participate and post anything you feel relevant to Somali students or to our community in general. Also, send us your comments about what you think of the website and how we can improve it even more. To those handsome and pretty faces on the pictures...thank you so much for pausing! Here is the address: www.somalistudents.com Please, forward it to your contacts. Thank you. Much love, Saynab

Salaam to all, Just to give you more information on the event and the programme of the day. Thank you. Saynab The UK Somali students Association presents Its 3rd annual conference: "Looking towards the future." The UK Somali Students Association is inviting you to take part in its 3rd Annual Conference on Friday, 26th March, at 5pm. You may know the existence of the UKSSA or you may not. This event will introduce the association, its past, present and future, and the activities of the organisation that carry a real potential to positive changes. Issues that will be discussed include: Somalis and health, the media and its portrayal of Somalis, the frightening level of under-achievements of our pupils in schools, and crime and its devastating affects on young Somali men. More importantly, the UKSSA will propose ways to deal with those problems and explain what each one of us can do to improve the situation for our people. We very much hope you will make your contributions in form of proposals, recommendations, ideas and support. Students, professionals and community organisations are all welcomed to attend. We look forward seeing you, insha Allah. Full details of the venue: London metropolitan University (former North London University) Tower building 166-220 Holloway Road London N7 8DB Room UB01 Bus services: 4, 19, 43, 153, 253, 271, 279, Underground stations: Holloway Road (Piccadilly Line), Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line)

At the end of the day! ITS UR CHOICE!......certain people feel different in certain issues so ma advice to u sis is!.....GO AT UR OWN PASTE!....dont let no man rush you...and remember lookz fade out after a while, you have to chose the one thats goin to keep you entertained mentally with a decent conversation!...as the touching business becomes over played! Not that am saying it every does GET OVERPLAYED!...BUT WE DO AS FEMALES GET TIRED AN JUST WANT A GOOD OLD CHIT CHAT NOW N THEN!!

Salam to all, It was very much interesting to read all of your comments on this very controversial letter. In my opinion, there are few visible facts raised by the author, however I will be damned if I agree with it. How can I or any of you for that matter agree with such remarks, especially if it is coming from a white person? That would be pure disrespect to my soul and mind as a Somali-Black-African Woman! (let me use a good friend's expression there!) Please to all of ya people, Somali brothers and sisters who think they aren’t Blacks, you better see how the system, whether in Britain or America sees you. No matter how hard you try to disassociate yourselves from other Black people, you are still going to be labelled as Blacks, Africans, Ethnic monority. It is good to know your own history, your ethnicity but the fact and the matter is that you are described as a Black person once you have left mother land Africa. The statement “Blacks don’t read” is too superficial and simplistic. The question to ask is what kind of literature was /is available to Black people? We grew up with biased, prejudiced, and racist writings that have only one specific aim: Make us confused, brainwashed and believe in something that goes in the favour of the white folks and give them credit they don’t deserve. While getting my primary education, we worked on text books written by French people for those they thought “don’t need to know nothing else but how great was the French republic”. I was taught French, Italian, German, American history, geography, scientific discoveries, but nothing from my home country…nothing admirable, enviable from Africa. Black writers, such as Leopold Sedar Songor who said “I am darker than the sole of my shoes but I teach French to French people” and many others, had enormous difficulties to be heard, recognise and valued…even by their own people who after decades of brainwash, miseducation, misinformation, and mental slavery ended up losing their self-esteem and identity. Now that I am mature enough to question/analyse and critically evaluate what I read, I am able to look for the truth behind the white man’s ideology. All the books (historical, cultural and political books) that I have tried to read revolt me because of the non sense they contain. You will read these books and you will see Africa as a land without civilisation, inhabited by people no better than animals, to whom the white man brought civilisation! Crusades, colonialism, slavery have all been dark periods in white history but still portrayed as Black people misery. Ask yourselves, who took credit for the Abolition of Slavery? White men! No word is said for the millions of African people who revolted against there “Masters” using there own means against them. Who took credit for the independence of African countries? White men, again! We are told that they suddently felt it was immoral to enslave and colonise other human beings! Please, tell me that the reasons for the end of slavery and colonisation were purely and simply economical and political and you will get all of my attention. Why is there so much emphasis on the calamities suffered by Africans in Africa or those stolen from it and implanted in foreign lands? Is that the only thing we managed to bring to the world? What about our civilisations, resources, our labour and sweat that made the West what it is now? Rich and advanced! WHO IS GOING TO RECOGNISE OUR OWN CONTRIBUTIONS IF WE DON’T…don’t wait for the system to do that for us and do not wait for a provocative statement to learn that we do need to do our home work. It is just not that simple and that straight forward. One of the very, very rare white people I so far agree with is Michael More who wrote “****** white men”. Please, do read that book and you will be less judgemental of yourselves. We do have plenty of well educated, smart people who do read and will not accept to bow their head or nod to agree with what a white man says is true…his truth cannot be ours! Peace and love to ya all Saynab

Salamu calaykum all, I hope you are all doing well wherever you might be. I wanted to say a big thank you to all my brothers and sisters who wrote in this topic. Thank you all for all the prayers you said for Mohamed, allah yarxamo, and thank you for your support and good words about my tribute to my brother. After the sadness and grieving, I can now be grateful and feel fortunate that I have known him. Allah yarxamo! For sure, Mohamed will be remembered. God speed Saynab

Asalaamu calaykum brothers and sisters, My personal tribute to my brother... I didn't write anything about Mohamed Ismael's death, (a friend, a colleague, a classmate, a brother, an exceptionally good human being) before now, because I was, and still am, trying to come to terms with this terrible tragedy. Few people so far in the student e-list asked how Mohamed died. It is a question all humans always ask. Mohamed wasn't ill and didn't have an accident...he just slept and never woke up. His heart stopped beating. Allah yarhamo forever! Mohamed Ismael, is one of the founders of the Somali Students Association in which I have been involved in since November 2001. He was actually the backbone of the organisation and we will always be grateful to him for his hard work. His relentless efforts to put somali students together so they can work together and help each other, were extremely valuable, although he was humble, modest, and never took credit for nothing. Mohamed graduated last year from London Guildhall University in International Relations and Politics. He was currently doing Development studies as Masters in SOAS University. For the past 3-4 years he was the president of the Somali Society in Guildhall university until he had to pass it on to others. The vast majority of students in Guildhall knew him well whether they were Somalis or not. He was always there to advise everyone on units, grades and you only needed to give him a title of an essay for him to set up a plan for you. He used to email his essays to anyone who would ask him help. I remember how he used to scare teachers in seminars because of his challenging views about World Politics, from Somalia to Indonesia passing by Cuba, US, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Palestine. He was like a walking library and one of his favourite writers was Edward W. Said. Mohamed was always present wherever anything was discussed regarding Somalis because he had this deep commitment to our people and their rising above the ashes. He had a very different way of looking at things because unlike most of us, his views and feelings about people and things weren't hindered by any preconceived prejudice...he seriously and honestly didn't know the meaning of the word "selfishness". Please, don't misunderstand me and think I am portraying here a prefect human being...that doesn't exist. But knowing Mohamed, I can say without a single doubt or hesitation that he was one of the best people with real goodness in them. It is almost like he was out of place and didn't really belong to this world....Allah Yarxamo! I knew him personally...I knew him well. I dearly loved him and respected him. He was like a family to me and the rest of my brothers and sisters from the SSA. We all looked up to him and wanted to be more like him. He had this unique, mature, calm, consistent, reasonable, fair, respectful way of talking and handling issues. He was a man with integrity and he is a great loss to me, his family, his friends, his colleagues and to all of those who knew him. He is a great loss to the Somali community as he had so many plans to improve things for his people. It was just never meant to be! Allah knows best. I can only ask Allah to grant him Jannah and to forgive his sins...nothing else can ease my pain right now or console me apart the fact that I know we are all going to leave this life. I am just going to pray for him and I will call on to all the faith I have in Allah. Lets this tragedy be a lesson for all of us. We have to ask ourselves, what is the purpose of life? That is the question we should try and answer. We all know more or less what is the purpose of life on earth: We are here to worship Allah and be good to others, to work hard and honestly to support our families and give Zakaat, to seek a good education and learn about our religion and pass that knowledge on to others, get married, have children that will continue the human race until judgement day comes. That is what I think the purpose of our life is...or what it should be. However, do we really stick to that or follow that rule as closely as we can? I doubt it very much! Somewhere a long the road we lost touch with that purpose highlighted by our religion. Without realising it, we replaced with other purposes determined by humans and not by Allah. We work like slaves, get so tired that we don't even get the energy to praise Allah the way we should. We do things that have no real meaning, no real benefit, things that will not change the world for better. We compete with each other, we become greedy. We want to own more money, more material things. We argue and exchange unnecessary bad and hurtful words never realising that it might be the last words we ever say to one another. We put down and hate while all we should be feeling is love in the name of Allah and kindness towards others. We get upset, angry and take our frustration out on others while we should cherish every single minute that we live and feel blessed and grateful that Allah granted us a day more to live. We complain and feel sorry for ourselves while we should be thinking about those who are worse off than we are, here or back home, living with terminal illnesses or struggling against hunger. Subxaana laah cazawajal!! We need to reassess, reevaluate our principles. We need to keep our focus on the right things and to keep Allah's thoughts in our minds at all time. This is not a lecture to no one...it is more for me than for you, but those of you who can identify yourselves with me can share it. May Allah bless our brother Mohamed. May Allah forgive me for holding on to him by hurting like this. May Allah give us and his family the imaan and patience to overcome his loss. Amiin! Wa salaam (Mohamed use to say!) Please, say a prayer for Mohamed...that is what he needs most right now. I thank you, Saynab PS: Friends and I intend to organise a meeting for this occasion to pray, pay tribute and talk about how we can help his family or raise donations. If you would like to take part or contribute, please contact me private message. Thanks.