Originally posted by wind.talker: Moryaan in Garoowe is a chargable offense.

Inspirational moments.

Inaa lilaahi wa inaa ilaahi raajicun, ilaahay ha u naxariiistu Marxum Islaan Maxamed Islaan Muuse, eheladii u ka tagayna samir iyo imaan ha ka siiyo. Janadii fardowsana ka waraabiyo. Amiin Amiin Amiin

Gediid, mar kale akhri waxaan kuu qorey.

Gediid, how does one put it nicely...kindly stuff it please. Your so full of it.

There seems to be quite a queue forming to gain entry...I suggest the next hopeful candidates grab a ticket and wait their turn.

He does seem to enjoy using them doesn't he. But don't you think he will use them more often, now that he knows it annoys you so?

I must hand it to amin amiir, the man does capture moments very well. No words are needed in this last piece as it speak volumes in and of its self.

Raula, I would be had I not seen these sorts of scams artists before; whether its similar "nation building" businesses or fake oil exploration companies. These people are in it only to line their pockets...I somehow don't believe they are doing it for our benefit.

They sounded more like an NGO then a business... . We'll see where this goes soon enough...but what is the position of this current government under Cade Muse on this?

Duke, Your dreaming saaxib if you think all that will happen. Do you remember the Awdal Roads Company having similar things planned for that region a few years back? What came of that? Nothing. Let's not get our hopes up. Ambassador, thanks for the photos of Xafuun. They were amazing.

Very nice. Thanks nuune.

QL, I believe the upcoming revised consitution will have to pass through a nation-wide referendum or at least a vote within the assembly. And I am sure there will be wide ranging consultations before a final version is decided upon.

I agree with the Ugaas. Get started making those visas for all us 'expellees'....

Very inspiring photos. Gunmen protecting visiting Somalia parliament members keep guard, Saturday, Feb.5, 2005 as the parliament members tour parts of Mogadishu. Women wave the Somali flag Saturday, Feb.5, 2005 as a group of Somalian parliament members tour parts of Mogadishu. The speaker of the Somali parliament, Shariif Hassan Sheikh Aden, center, who heads a 275-member transitional parliament greets people upon his arrival at a private airstrip, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Thousands of people gather to listen to the speaker of the Somali parliament, Shariif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005 in Mogadishu, Somalia. An armed man stands guard as children wait for the arrival of the speaker of the Somali parliament, Shariif Hassan Sheikh Aden, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Women carry a Somali flag, Friday, Feb. 4, 2005, as a group of Somalian parliament members visit the old parliament building in Mogadishu, Somalia. A young girl stands next to a gunman protecting visiting Somalia parliament members in Mogadishu, Saturday, Feb.5, 2005.

Here are a couple of other articles: Those who lost their homes initially sheltered in the school. But UNICEF supplied plastic sheeting with which they have patched together makeshift homes amid the ruins of what was once the capital of Somalia under Italian rule. Tsunami: From Half Way Across the World(CNN/AP) Hafun was one of the worst-hit places. Most of the town, the former Italian colonial capital, was leveled. Nineteen people were found dead and 132 were missing, minimal compared with Asia but a trauma for a close-knit town of 3,000. Tsunami Relief: Recovery Efforts Once the bustling capital of Italian Somaliland, it bears the scars of the World War 2 battle in which the British bombed and seized the town from Mussolini’s forces. UNICEF: Tsunami Relief

800,000? Absolute rubbish.

I was not aware of this fact, Live and learn as the saying goes. Destroyed Town Was One Time Capital City The Nation (Nairobi) February 4, 2005 Posted to the web February 4, 2005 Mugo Njeru Nairobi Widow Nurto Ibrahim Mudey, who lost her husband and son in the tragedy, cooks a meal outside her makeshift house in Hafun. The rocky island of Hafun, off the northern coast of Somalia, has a rich history. It was once the capital city of Somalia. Historians, archaeologists and the Royal Geographical Society would love to tear into pieces what many have over the years referred to as an island. It would have qualified for the status had it not been for a thin 100 km or so strip of land that joins it with the mainland Somalia. Bosaso is not far away from the port of Aden in Yemen, which is a partner trading port. Although it is a 50-minute flight from Bosaso in the Gulf of Aden using a caravan aircraft, those who have travelled to Hafun by road talk of a rough dusty stretch of about 500 km, which is tackled in two days. Aviation experts said a Beechcraft plane takes about five straight hours from Bosaso to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. And the thin strip of land can only accommodate a two-way road but currently, only one vehicle can be accommodated as part of it has been damaged. God forbid if the road is cut off and both sides of the sea meet, as Hafun would be completely cut-off from the rest of the world, leaving only the air and sea entries. It is probably due to this that the Italians, who early last century colonised Somalia, set up a fortified base there, which they went on to make their capital city. Remains of what was a huge sea port stand on the southern part of the land that has little vegetation. But most of the historical buildings, some built in the 19th century, were reduced to ruins through heavy shelling by the British in 1942 during the Second World War. They included the port and a huge oil reservoir tank concealed behind a hill, which overlooked the port. Black building stones are still visible on the damaged parts of the oil tank and the ports harbour. The storeyed structure, which used to be a giant salt factory had its windows, doors and some floors shattered but it refused to crumble to the ground. And neither did the tsunami tidal waves shake it. But across the hills is yet another interesting spectre - tombs. Looking like ant-hills, the tombs, which are marked with stones, are said to contain a gem of the lives of Syrians, who the locals say occupied the land before the Somalis moved in from the mainland. http://allafrica.com/stories/200502040043.html

^^Not much of a comedian are we?

Thanks Baashi, that was a very good explaination. But how does it work in Canada as there are no Fannie Maes or Freddie Macs?

^^^I wouldn't say he was THAT big of a loser...

AJ, Yes, I am hoping to purchase a house this year if all goes well. I must say however that I was planning on going through the normal channels(broker or bank) as I had not considered this other form of financing. Although it still seems a tad confusing...I'll have to read more on it. Baashi, So the title would be in the Islamic bank's name then until it was paid off? And what if you wanted to take equity out, would that be possible? How would that affect your repayment schedule? And do you have any similar Islamic financing organizations north of the border?

Two places in Somalia that one does not oft see. Enjoy. Marka, Somalia Las Qoray area, Somalia

Half the parliament is now part of the cabinet...I must hand it to him, that must be some sort of record. Not to put too fine a point on it but there are also far too many old faces about for my liking. I very much doubt this 'old guard' will be able to implement the much vaunted 'changes' the new president wants to bring about or deal with the internal problems which have arisen. The more things(appear) to change, the more they stay the same. The only good note worthy of mention is Caasha Geele.