Salaan... Saaxiibow haddaad iiga warroon tahay Bari weyne ma shaati gaduud baa haysta mise Sh. Aadna madoobe mise...? Labadoodaba ma xukumaan; Xaabsade aa ka xaabsaday. Laakiin runtii ma'ogi, inkastoo ee u badan tahay xulufada Shaatigaduud in ee heysato, maxaa yeelay Buur Hakaba ciidama asaga daabacsan aa joogo, marka wixii Buur Hakaba ka danbeeyo oo dhanka Daafeed la aado koleey iyaga lee sii xukumo.

Salaan... I didn't watch, but here they are: Maxamed Axmed Caalim, a flag-bearer and tababaro I really feel something.

Salaan... Dawoco, gabadhaas "nisheeyda" eh iyadoo uur leh xataa waa ku jirtay masawiradeeda, walaahi...yaab, uustoo kuusan lee arkee...laakiin anagii qaloowle iyo qulumbe camal u qalafsan aa soo taagan, ka waran aqiyaarta kale waa baashaaloyaan, it ain't no fair marka hala cayuumo nooh...

Salaan... Looooooooool@Muraad. Horta waran, widaayoow? Waa lagu waayee, "Bari Weyne" maa ka dhacday mise Dhoobleey? LoL. Laakiin Daafeed maxaa ku jeclaatay? Kiina meeshaas waa joogaa yaah. LoL. Ee kaas la'aantiis garoonka yaa xukumaayo, asaga lee in loo daayo maahinoo.

Salaan... A Soomaali brother with his Soomaali wife. They do live in Yemen. I like that tusbax, and oh, yeah, that macawiis too. And the sister's gundiino is perfect with that malqabad. Keep the dhaqan up, yaa brother and sister.

Salaan... I have had always thought about the greetings in Soomaali, with its myriad variations. Iska waran See Tahay Soo lama fiicno {ma fiicnidoo} Ii waran Maxaa heysaa Maxaa cusub Warka isii Warka cadey Maxaa isku dhacaayo Waranba Soo nabad ma'aha {nabad ma tihidoo} Xaaladda ka waran Maxaa soo siyaaday Maxaa kala wadaa And this only applies for individually, so if it is widened generally, for example "reeraha see yihiin," it would be innumerable. No wonder saying "hi" takes a couple minutes in Soomaali gatherings. The only equivalent English terms would be the limited "how are you" and "how are you doing." If we try to translate the other words to roughly what's up, it wouldn't do justice to that original translated phrase, which might be maxaa isku dhacaayo. Both might have been taken as a slang, however the latter is generally accepted in mainstream Soomaali society while the former isn't in English.

B T J X KH D R S SH DH C G F Q K L M N W H Y A E I O U AA EE II OO UU Raali ahaada aqiyaarta, sabuurada aa wax ku baranaayi ee waa iska tir tiri kartiin jeestada...

Salaan... The Somali tradition of secular education is extinct. The schooling that does exist is financed by Arabs, which means Arabic has replaced Somali in school curriculums. Nuurudiin has a point. However, he also missed a point. I don't know where he got the idea of 'secular' education from, for as long as I remember there always was a mixed of religious and secular educations in public school courses. From what I recall in the primary/middle school, especially in middle school, each period had two subjects combined, thus it went: Taariikh iyo Juquraafi, Carabi iyo Diin, Xisaab iyo Saynis, Kacaan iyo.... So, there was a Carabi iyo Diin subject taught at all middle schools. I didn't personally learn much, however I surely remember that subject existed. And why didn't he mention the "English," which permeates to have as roughly same influence as Carabi? I personally felt sad when I asked my nephews and nieces what language was primarily instructed at their respective schools, their answers weren't positive. When I asked if they teach them Soomaali history, they laughed. Or if they were taught in kindergarten the basics of BTJX of Soomaali language, they didn't even know what BTJX was. And those are only the privileged that has the means to afford to go to good schools at all. A whole generation are being "miseducated" {a lack of better phrase}. It is not only limited to schools, though. Now most of the company, restaurant, hotel names either are English or Carabi. Nation, Global, Saxaafi, HornAfrik, Ambassador, ex-Barakaat, etc, that you sometimes wonder who are they targeting for, a midtown guy from Ohio or a Yemeni from Sanca? Kudos for those companies that have distinct Soomaali names, namely Hormuud, Dahabshiil, Jubba, and Daalo; they aren't many, but still they are growing.

Salaan... Rawla, Ilaahey haku caafiyo, aamiin. e-Tahliil aa inta kaaga soo diraa, ee ii cab. Maya, xaaqo makugu soo darin, haka wal walin, acuudi bilaahi...

Salaan... Yes, indeed, I had witnessed ugly racism under many of its shadows; under many of its disguises. I have had been called a boon for hundreds of years by a brother who speaks my language, who doesn't allow me to marry his sister. I have had witnessed racism in its clearest term, for I have had been called adoon; a brother whose heritage and mine go to time immemorial calls me a 'slave.' I still smile, hoping one day he would realize his blunt mistake. I have had been debased in front of hundreds of thousands of people with the term midgaan by a brother who shares my faith. I still try to smile, and pray one day he would come to use his full, not impaired, judgement. I have had been belittled in front of my own children with a demeaning name jareer for decades and decades, by a brother who shares my own culture. I still try to keep smiling and hoping to look forward that one day he would realize his shameful ways. I have had been called yibir, yaxar, tumaal, gabooye, and countless other derogatory names under the guise of friendly names. I am still experiencing this from a brother who looks like me, who speaks like me, whose faith resembles mine, whose culture isn't alien to mine. And to top of that, I had finally being called an "other." If that wasn't enough, I am now a "minor." On the verge of being an alien, I am finally an "other" and "minor" whose opinion and existence is ignored completely. However, I am still smiling, forgiving and praying for my brother to come to his full senses. I am still smiling...

Salaan... On the day I needed to fly out of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, to get back home to Cape Town, my only choice was a Kenyan Fokker, normally used as a cargo plane, that was flying back to Nairobi with passengers. As we were being shown to our seats, the Kenyan captain told the passengers to hand over our passports. He said that he would hold them in the cabin until we landed in Kenya. That happened in the flight I was in too, from Xamar to Nairobi. Exactly as Nuurudiin described. My mother was irated, for a different reason though. However, I never thought the reason they collected the passports was for checking backgrounds. And even if it was intended for that, I don't think it would work. For a simple reason, most Soomaalis would use any passport they could grab on their hands as a convenient. My mother and sister, who were in the same flight, were using fake Itoobiyaan passports that were made in Suuqa Bakaaraha in about an hour on that same day. And the article's other main points, maxaa sameyn karnaa, anagaa saas iska dhignay, adduunka in aan gees ka raacno waa diidnay, in aan isa soo saarno waa waa yeeli weynay. Ha naga saarto!

Salaan... Sheekiyaasha meesha ka socoto waxee isoo xasuusisay waxaan maqli jiray bari hore, in muda ahna aan maqal. Aw Coow nin la yiraahdo ayaa hada kahor la weydiiye su'aal fudud, wuuna isku daye in uu ka jawaabo. Su'aasha waxee ahayd: "Aw Coow, halkee baad u hooyataa?" Aw Coow oo jawaabaaya wuxuu yiri: "Ninkii gam'ayaa sariir gogladee, go'eegaa dhigtaa gidaarada!" Marka jawaabtaas murtida ku jirto waa iska fahmi kartiin ee hadaan nahnay xariifiinta kor iyo HOOS ka ciroobay waxee qasab nagu tahay arinta in aa iskaga fidsano go'yaasha aan huwana meel Somaliaonline "gidaaro" u eh meeshaan yar uunba ha ahaatee, markaasna yar yaruuraca soo barbaarayo loona daayo inta kale.

Salaan... What does this picture say? Do you see anything unusual? If you are thinking like me, you might likewise get offended, just as I am. Of course, I am talking about the flags. One is placed on the ground, albeit having the sticker that holds and the other one was upheld, beautifully. If it had been reversed, I would have no problem. That Soomaali flag should have been held way UPPPPPPPPP, not positioned on the ground. What made worse is the other foreign one was held up, respectfully, while they are playing in a Soomaali soccer tournament--not a Swede one--even if they travelled from Sweden. They might have some reasons, including the flag has a holder, etc; I don't know. I only want to know why those who were sitting in front didn't bother to held it up. Ah, I wish I was one of them. That beautiful Soomaali flag would have been held high above on my head, believe me. That is how much I revere. Then again, people aren't the same. I have to at least thank them since it is not lying, but positioned. At least, they did something about it. This is how it should have been.

Salaan... Please pray for our brother, captured in Ciraaq today. _________________ A Somali driver working for a Kuwaiti company has been captured in Iraq. A group calling itself the Tawhid and Jihad group said it seized Ali Ahmad Musa who worked for a Kuwaiti company which transported goods to US occupation troops in Iraq. In a video aired by Aljazeera, the group threatened to behead Musa within 48 hours unless the company withdrew from Iraq. It did not name the Kuwaiti company. Thursday's warning comes a day after another Iraqi group killed two Pakistani captives who also worked for a Kuwaiti company. Dozens of foreigners have been captured in Iraq. At least six have been executed while others have been released. Armed groups have increasingly targeted drivers and employees of foreign companies working in the country, accusing them of supporting the war. The fate of three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian captured last week is still unclear. aljazeera.net

Salaan... banaadir 1980 ayaa la dhisay. 1980 waxaa ka mid aheed islaamaha dag mooyinka. Or should I say hooyooyinka kacaanka.. Ateerahaa taacun, dhageyso; isbitaalkaas sharafta leh oo beesaani badan ku dhashay sharafta ha ugu ciyaarin. 1980 wax la furay aa iska yar, ee '77 aa ilbaabada loo balaqay, aniga uuba ahaa cunugii boqollaad ku dhashay meeshaas. Wali birth certificationka waa heystaa, ee hadaa extra proof rabtid qolkaa ku dashay dariishadiisa aa ku tusinaa: Meesha birta ka taagan tahay dhexda oo calanka la suro ma u jeedaa, daaqada ku aadan kor aa ku dhashay, waaba kasoo dhici rabi markii fud la isoo siiye, dabeel xoog leh aa dariishada kasoo gishay nooh.

Salaan... Soomaaliya will soon--perhaps within weeks if what is coming out Mbagathi is to believed at all--have a government based a 19th century mindset. A government based purely on artificial qabiil ideology; an idea well-intentioned perhaps, and which might have worked a hundred years ago. Not anymore, especially at this critical interdependent world of ours. This exact qabiil-based formula--as widely known by Soomaalis today--was first initiated in last Soomaali peace conference in Carta, Jabuuti. And it instantly became a popular solution for all, a fact that can only work for Soomaaliya’s gripped problem. Not! It first looks great and simple. Just agreeing a power-sharing, clan-based 4.5 formula. Four so-called "majors" erupted, and the rest being unarmed, peace-loving Soomaalis were crammed into a "minority" half-point status. Ironic as it may seem that by counting the "minority" clans together, their final toll number is anything but "minority," and surely more than the established so-called "majority" each clan. However, the formula has its critics. The adversaries are many and wide ranged, but within exception of few, most happen to be in four groups: Qabiilists. By their unscientific calculation, their large common clan is most populous clan in Soomaaliya or "own" the largest land share of the country, and thus there is no way they can share with other alleged "majority" clans with same seats. Sub-clan supporters. Their sub-clans had missed seats, and unless they receive some proper seats or equal seats in respect to other sub-clans they wouldn't be satisfied. Also in this group are the sub-sub-sub-clan advocates. "Minority" clans. Their grievances are attributed to, first, they object, calling them 'minority' is an insult; secondly, some discriminated clans that used to belong the "majority" clans had been put on their list; thirdly, they received .5 of the pie, a half-point that can't be fair if counted altogether in census. They would receive anything but "minority" status, they alleged. Nationalists. The silent, protesting in murmur of all groups; after the disbelief and head-shaking that a qabiil-based government would function at all, their thoughts abruptly turn to worrying about what lies ahead. The last group is what prompted me to start this thread. I belong this group myself. And the question I am asking now is: Why do we seem to be silent? Is it because government-for-government's-sake? Can we do anything in this time, before things get out of hand and worse? I know there are few nationalists remaining, but those few of us need our voices to be heard, and very, very loud. What lies ahead would nail the last hope of Soomaali unity’s coffin, a nationalist’s nightmare. The formula might work in short-term, gaining some admiration for the qabiilists, and the few absent-minded, power-hungry foxes that are "building" a government in Nairobi might or might not know that this would surely be the disintegration of the last Soomaali unity. Soomaaliyeey Ilaah aa idiin maqan.

Salaan... I have to admit, now that I know there was two tournaments that existed that same weekend, and the entire tournaments, from first to last, I wouldn't have attended it if I had known... That is what a lot of people did, including me and some friends; it was a silent protest to let them know exactly how sordid it was. Beside the splitting, one tournament should have been free or at least some discounts, as the city provided some great funds this year. Also the reason behind parallel tournaments was mostly related about qabiil, but also roughly another dispute arose relating about sharing the funds they received equally by hosting one tournament; in other words about money. Well, they had realized their mistakes now, and are already talking about uniting in the future.

Sinnaantaan la magac ahay San-ku-neefle ma oggoli Inuu iga sarreyn karo Anna garasho sogordahan Sooryo ruux ugama dhigo Soomaali baan ahay! Inkastoon sabool ahay Haddana waan sarriigtaa Sacabbada ma hoorsado Saaxiib nimaan nahay Cadowgayga lama simo Soomaali baan ahay! Nabaddaan u sahanshaa Colaaddaan ka salalaa Sooma jeesto goobaha Ninka nabarka soo sida Gacantiisa kama sugo Soomaai baan ahay! Nin I sigay ma nabad galo Nin isugeyna maba jiro Libta weli ma sii deyn Gardarrada ma saacido Nin xaq lehna cid lama simo Soomaali baan ahay! Ninkaan taydu soli karin Uma yeelo suu rabo Sida dunida qaarkeed Sandulleynta ma oggoli Ninna kabaha uma sido Soomaali baan ahay! Ninka Iga sed roonow Siintaada magaca leh Ogow kaama sugayee Hana oran sasabo badaw Dareen seexda ma lihiyoo Soomaali baan ahay! Ninna madax salaaxiyo Kama yeelo seetada Sasabo ma qaayibo Sirta waxaan iraahdaa Saab aan biyaha celin Soomaali baan ahay! Dabayshaan la socod ahay Salfudeydna uma kaco Waabay sunaan tahay Marna samawadaan ahay Samir baan hagoogtaa Soomaali baan ahay! Saan la kala jaraan ahay Summadi ay ku wada taal, Rag baa beri I saanyaday Anoo xoolo soofsada, Xil midnimo anaa sida Soomaali baan ahay! _________________ W/Q C/qaadir Xirsi Yamyam

Salaan... Actually, the Soomaali Week is two weeks. The past week and this upcoming week. The main event, of course, is the soccer tournament, even though it broke to two competing tournaments this year. Why? Blame the usual culprit--qabiil. Now we do have 32 teams playing two respective different tournaments, one official, the other an annoyer. This year could have been the best because the tournament received a great fund from the City of Toronto--rumoured to be $70,000. There is also the basketball games. The organizers of soccer games and basketball games were in their throats the last time I knew. I was a fan and I would have loved to go there, supporting some teams, but alas since qabiil got involved waa ka gacmo dhaqday. Meel Ilaahey na keeno qabiil ee keeneen, even xataa banooni xun. Anyway this week the king of Xamari singers is in town the first time ever, and tonight is the biggest. The King--Aweys Khamiis Mabuuse--is singing at a ruwaayad tonight, actually it is now on and some of my friends are there.

Salaan... Yes, it does happen. I never went to a club once, but from what I gather hearing our sisters go to clubs in the first place just to avoid Soomaali men. And even if they do see one there, they will ignore him, and if a brave one tries to approach, they would walk out of him there, frozen. That is what I heard. Gabdhaheena qaarkood Soomaalinimo waa lagu karay, qaarkood maba maqli karaan. Xataa ma'aha faaraxyaasha kaliya, wax walba Soomaali lagu associate gareeyo. They just want to completely disregard Soomaali wixii ahaa. It started not speaking af Soomaali at home, disobeying their parents, being so-called second-hand models, wearing the fake bling-blings seen on BET...ee marka waala arki doonaa meel laga dhaco; gabdhaha kaliyana ma'aha wiilasha waa kula jiraan.

Salaan... Speaking of shiir Keenyaati, I was reminded about my ayeeyo. I was in Kenya last year, and the family had a girl who used to work as a booyaaso at home. She had a shiir that knocks out your breath instantly. I am not lying. So every time she enters to my ayeeyo's room, my ayeeyo would go like, "Balaayadaan baanu nacnay. Naa dee saan isku dhaan, Rabigaaga soo maadan garan ee bal uun qabeyso, uunsina waan kugu dari; naa hadaadan qabeys rabin qolkeyga bal uun ha u soo dhawaan." The girl would usually gave this confused face. Expecting the old lady is asking her for something. Markaa dhahdid ayeeyo maxaa ka rabtaa, she would reply, "Dee hawadii beenu nagu qiribtay..." Rawla, so I know what you are talking about. Waala wada shiiraa, but waala kala daran yahay; qaarkood kiimiko waaye.

Salaan... Unbelievable as it may seem, we do have "freedom" for exactly 44 years today and yet, we are worse off than we were when the colonialists came offshore--qabyaalad speaking, that is. Only the wonderful Aamiin Caamir can express how I feel at the moment: This depressed, lonely Maandeeq needs a nation. Can we once again feel the dignity to have a respected nation as C/rashiid felt in this picture in Washington in 1962? Are we ever going to be welcomed around the world as a respected citizen of a country--not as a lowly refugee--as a honoured leader, as Cigaal felt in this picture taken 1968 in Washington with a former American president? Will we ever again see the true brotherhood these two leaders, C/llaahi Ciise on left and Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal at right meeting the first time as official leaders from the both sides? Are we ever going to have another SYL men as some of them are in this picture, plus the men like General Daa'uud? See how respected Aadan Cadde, third from left, was being among the founders of Non-Aligned Movement in Yugoslavia at 1961. We will overcome, insha allaah.

Salaan... What is up with madoow and timo? Wherever they are--be in Africa or Caribbeans--they are beyond obsession of hating the way their natural hair looks. I believe 20 percent of their income is wasted spendings on hair accessories--from braiding with fake hairs to weaves to burning with softeners {relaxers} to ultimately with a fake extension. {Just take a look at Serena Williams and her sister.} Anybody who watched Malcolm X's autobiography movie would recall at the beginning of the movie when the character Spike Lee plays, and Denzel Washington's Malcolm X burn their hair with a hurtful chemical liquid. Spike Lee chose those particular scenes in that film to emphasize and stress how far his community's obsession with hair--from relaxing to burning--went. Their preoccupation of "softening" their hair is embarrassing. Longing desperately to have what other races have, it is shamefully sad. Be happy with what you have!

Salaan... To those who are bashing that Carab newspaper, your shots are aiming a wrong target. Have you read the byline after the title? Somali Indicted in Ohio Mall Bombing Plot Associated Press The report is by AP, a news agency owned by American newspapers. The Arab News simply copied it, even though it can edit whatever it deems unnecessary. For the brother, Ilaahey ha u fududeeyo, awalba gaal dalkiis iyo dhulkiis anagaa soo raadsanay.

Salaan... Originally posted by Truth Seeker: The People that are saying that the jilbaab is not an obligation are failing to bring evidence for their view, i can understand this because none exists. I am not comfortable debating about Islaamic issues because I am not in a suitable position to do so. However, allow me to let you taste your own medicine--an aayad from one of your articles on above, which clarifies your quote above: "Let them draw their head-coverings (khumur) over their necks and chest" [TMQ An-Nur: 31]. Now, is there any contradiction between that aayad and how these sisters dress? What most seef-labood wadaado don't understand is that they are quick to jump to the interpretations and disregard the facts. Now back to your quote again, the point is not whether you wear jilbaab or garbasaar, the point is as long as what you wear is intended its primary purpose. Nothing else. Thus jilbaab does not have an exclusiveness to that regard. It just becomes same as garbasaar or another maro. So some of those ladies who wear jilbaab almost all the time have this attitude of holier-than-thou to other sisters who don't. There is hardly an evidence that supports their "superior dressing" save from their own personal interpretation. {P.S.: Why is jilbaab coloured? According to most interpretations, only the colour black--Sacuudiya iyo Iiraan comes to mind quickly--is allowed, but I don't know jilbaab-wearing sisters know this.} I note again. One further thing is that we Soomaalis are in a habit to be ashamed anything remotely considred Soomaali. This has to change. I personally don't care whether the hoos-gundi {macawiis} I wear is also wore by men from Bangladesh, or Malaysian men. I don't care, I do wear it too. Koofi Barawaani too. I don't care if another version of it is wore by Sinjibaari {Zansibari} men. I don't care. If my sisters use cilaan, I don't care if Hindis and Pakistanis or Carab ladies use it likewise. I don't give a... Most things are borrowed from one another and becomes universal domain, so whether or not they borrowed from us or vice versa, one thing is clear: All of those stuff is now part of Soomaali culture, period, just as it has had been in last centuries.