Published: Aug 20, 2011 17:26 Updated: Aug 20, 2011 23:36 JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has ordered a national fundraising campaign to alleviate the suffering of Somalis who have been hit by drought and famine. The campaign will be launched Monday. In a statement issued Saturday, King Abdullah urged Saudis to donate generously for the benefit of their Somali brethren. He quoted a number of Qur'anic verses that encourage Muslims to spend their money in the way of God. "Inspired by these Qur'anic verses and moved by the sense of responsibility toward our brethren in Somalia ... King Abdullah has instructed that Monday, Aug. 22, will be the beginning of the fundraiser," a Royal Court announcement said. King Abdullah reminded his people of a Qur’anic verse that says: “Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it.” Another Qur’anic verse said those who do a good work will receive a better reward. King Abdullah also said the land of the two holy mosques is the best place to start this charitable campaign. A number of Saudi-based organizations including the Islamic Development Bank, the International Islamic Relief Organization of Saudi Arabia and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth have already sent relief supplies to Somalia.

Xaaji Xunjuf, We are in tough times and It's Ramaadan. Fear Allah. We're one people who share the same religion, culture and language.

Abdul;741853 wrote: This is the reason why a functioning somali government which can take care of its affairs is what the somali people need to put an end to this ceeb Well said Abdul.

Inflation and the unintended creation of disincentives for our poor consumers and Somali farmers, respectively, are both valid points. But I agree with you Abtigiis that this is a booming business for some personnel and this recurring issue of diversion and embezzlement needs to be tackled through internal control such as probably rotation policies at the top and middle level. Oftentimes, the scapegoat is al-Shabaab as to why emergency aid reaches out to only 1 out of 5 children in Somalia. The Islamic relief agencies and individuals are doing otherwise. Latest... "Ben Rawlence, author of a Human Rights Watch report detailing abuses inflicted on Somalis by both al-Shabaab and the interim government, said: "I don't think there are any easy solutions. Peacekeepers with World Food Programme convoys are not the answer. You don't want to introduce another armed factor into what is already a very messy civil war.""

Thanks for sharing. Wonders indeed. SOMALIA shall rise from its ruins someday.

Somalina, What are your take of this new press release. I think the WFP's policies in distributing food & and other aid resources to the intended recipients are under strong scrutiny. Perhaps the reason it issued this statement is to forstall any investigation of theft or allegations of corruption at the lower managerial level of the agency or reform. It's business as usual. S@mali, You're comparing apples and oranges saxib. The full briefcases of cash from the oil-rich gulf states were handed over to our corrupt leaderby means of political leverage and old ties. The fact that only $2 is accounted out of $300 million has to do with the caducity of the transitional institutions, lack of public records, accountability and enforcement.

^well said.

The fact that the PM indicated to invest or aid in this key infrastructure of Somalia's agriculture is a very good sign of HOPE. "Helping Africa Grow Its Own Food: A Declining Effort By NPR Staff Weekend Edition Sunday, August 14, 2011 · Famines like Somalia's might be a thing of the past if farmers in the Horn of Africa could grow enough crops to protect against hunger. Making that possible would require a number of things, including international development aid to small farmers, but that's been in decline over the past 25 years. Guest host John Ydstie talks to author and Harvard Professor Robert Paarlberg about U.S. investment in farm development in Africa. Link

Where is Dr. Abdiwali, Erdogan's counterpart on paper?

Thanks for the pics, Somalina. Very emotional moments.

Very emotional moments.... I was deeply touched by their compassion, love and brotherhood.

He is truly in the same calibre and popularity as President Obama was when he won the electoral votes. As PM, he has delivered the promises he made for his country. A great global leader!

Dabrow;740804 wrote: What kind of animals would do such thing? Sometimes I wonder how low people can go.... We're all outraged & frustrated, but we don't have to give up the relief efforts. Perhaps the cash relief method can be a much better solution

Oba, Is it now a better solution for the WFP to opt for the cash relief method. No need for transportation cost, acquisition cost, middle man fees, insurance, sub-contractors.... This method of responding to the widespread famine not only saves money for the UN agency and others but it also helps affected families respond better to their most immediate needs. The cash relief method also deterrs fraud and theft.

OIC pledges $350 million to Somalia Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:50:57 GMT Members of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have pledged to donate $350 million in relief to fight famine in Somalia. "All in all we have secured $350 million in pledges. We hope to raise the commitments to $500 million in a very short time," said OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu after an emergency meeting in Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the "Western world” for turning a blind eye to the plight of the poor. "I hope the efforts (of the OIC) will mobilize the sleeping consciences. We hope the Western world, which likes to boast about its per capita income, shows its support for Somalia," Erdogan told foreign ministers from the 57-nation OIC. Iran, an OIC member, pledged last week to donate USD 25 million to the famine-stricken people of Somalia. Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi is scheduled to visit Somalia in the next few days to speed up the distribution of Iranian aid. Iran has already dispatched three planeload of humanitarian aid for Somali people and plans to send its fourth air convoy by sea. The United Nations has warned that some 3.7 million people are at risk of starvation in Somalia, the worst affected by the humanitarian catastrophe that has affected more than 12 million people across East Africa. MA/MGH

Lol@collecting baseball cards. I do sometimes... Here is my imagination of some our SOL members Somalina - fits the description of Poet Hadrawi anent the beautiful Beledweyne Girls Blessed - light-skinned with beautiful smile. Bel espirit & good instructor Valenteenah - long-nosed. Looks like the super model Iman Aaliyah - Tall, young and ambitious. Zack - short man with the afflatus of youth. More to come lol....

Already posted. Have your say on this?

Wale waa yaab.

Terrible News... Somali women selling stolen food aid hide their faces "MOGADISHU: Thousands of sacks of food aid meant for Somalia’s famine victims have been stolen and are being sold at markets, depriving the Somalis who have flooded into the country’s capital of urgently needed sustenance, an Associated Press investigation has found." "Stolen food aid is not new in Somalia — it’s the main reason the US military become involved in Somalia during the country’s 1992 famine, an intervention that ended shortly after the military battle known as Black Hawk Down. There are no indications the military plans to get involved in this year’s famine relief efforts." ArabNews

Thanks for the info saxib. I feel nostalgia sometimes.

August 14, 2011 A MAN accused of robbing a Malaysian student in a raid which was caught on camera during last week's riots has appeared in court. Reece Donovan, 20, is accused of robbing Ashraf Rossli in Barking on Monday August 8. The defendant, of Milton Court, Cross Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, Essex, is accused of stealing a portable Sony PlayStation and Nokia mobile phone from the student, who had been in Britain for less than a month. Today, Donovan appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. Injured ... Ashraf Rossli in hospital Donovan, dressed in a grey T-shirt and blue tracksuit top, will next appear at Wood Green Crown Court on August 19 for a plea and case management hearing. Catherine Wear, prosecuting, said Mr Rossli was cycling down Queen's Road in Barking at 7.30pm when a crowd of up to 100 youths were travelling in the same direction. Source: The Sun

A THIRD person was tonight charged with the murders of three men who were struck by a car during last week's riots. A 26-year-old man and a teenager were remanded in custody today after appearing in court also charged with the murders. Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, suffered fatal injuries after a hit-and-run in Winson Green while guarding shops from looters on Wednesday. Tariq Jahan, father of Haroon, took to the stage and addressed the crowd at a peace rally at Summerfield Park this afternoon. His son, with Shazad and Musavir, was killed in the early hours of Wednesday when he was hit by a car as he was trying to protect shops from looters in the local community in Winson Green. Emotional ... Tariq Jahan speaks at peace rally today Mr Jahan told the crowd today that seeing so many different members of the community together gave him "strength in my heart". Mr Jahan, 46, wearing a t-shirt with the names of Haroon, Shazad and Abdul on it, asked the crowd to remember them. He said: "To me it's the month of Ramadan, as a Muslim I believe that this is a very special month. Video: Two charged with riot murders 26-year-old man and teen remanded in custody after appearing in court News "For us Muslims we believe the gates of heaven are open and the gates of hell are shut this month, so that gives me the strength to believe that the three boys did not die in vain, they died for this community and I hope that this community will remember them." Joshua Donald, 26, from Ladywood, and a 17-year-old boy, from Winson Green, have each been charged with three counts of murder. In the hearing today, which lasted less than five minutes, District Judge Michael Wheeler said to him: "It is said that on August 10 you murdered Shazad Ali, it is also said you murdered Haroon Jahan and you also murdered Abdul Musavir." http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3751101/Three-charged-with-triple-riot-murders.html]Source...[/url] [url=

Security for oil & gas export, the Nile water, suppression of the internal dissent and insurrection , etc..

LINK

Lol@ "nahilistic, violent, destructive black culture " It's funny but sad video. I think the root cause of the recent London riots has to do with rising youth unemployment, relative deprivation (the culture of judging people based on the materials they have), racial discrimination, the austerity measures of the Tory Government, etc. But such despicable destruction on private businesses and public property will leave behind a bad legacy and tarnished image on beautiful London