Waan gartey, waxaad awood uleedahay inaad Qalbigeyga daalacato? I think the line from that famous poet should suffice here: Cad Haduu Carada kaaga Dhaco Amase Ciidoobo Caqli nimuu ku weyn yahay macuno Calafka qaarkiise Aniga gabankani waa iga ceynkaas.

Waxa wadanku uula degi la'ayahay waxa weeye qashinkaan dadka maskaxdooda ka buuxsamey. Walaalkey Alahe Ubaahane, bal ha iisheego Islaam diidnimada iyo Qabyaalada meesha ey kaga taalo maqaalkan kor ku qoran. War Rabi halaga cabsado. Fadlan walaale, point out to us and I shall repent wholly. If you don't do that you are at a risk that Hadalkaaga in aan wax danbe laga soo qaadin.

"ولا ننزل أحدا منهم جنة ولا نارا، ولا نشهد ونحب أهل العدل والأمانة، ونبغض أهل الجور والخيانة" For number of reasons, I have found difficult to write about this topic. Perhaps, it would help set the stage if I were to point historical facts within our blessed religious governments to support the premise that the faithful with contrasting understanding of the principles of Islam had many times let their blood flow in rivers. After the death of Omar, Islam was wrought with khilaafaat (divisions) mostly in Aqeedah. As you might know guys from Taarikhul Salaf, the divisions started whilst the Sahabah and Khulafaa were selecting the next Khalif. The overwhelming majority chose Osman over Ali (Radiyalaahu Canhumaa) and Ali gracefully accepted the coronation of Osman and even served in his government as a governor. However, number of people was not happy about this outcome and set to work under shadows to undermine the Khalif. This was (and still is) a capital crime within Islam. Osman’s death (May Allah be pleased with him) caused a great havoc and deep seated divisions within Islam which led to great deaths. As you know, the Fitnah was unleashed and great number of Sahaba and Tabiciyiciin perished. All this was of course caused the emergence of Kharijiya, baadiniya,Ashcariya, Mushabiah, Al Mujasimah et all (you need to read Aqeedatul Dahaawi By Imam Jacfar Dahawi to get the flavour of the numerous sects at that time! Even some believed the creation of the Quran). Bear in mind chaps that this was less than 100 years of the death of the Prophet SCW – within the time of Salaf. Now are you telling me that these young men with AK47 are more pious than the Taabiciyiin? Khashafa, “What are they gonna kill each other for; how to best make wuduu†Is this meant to be a joke? As long as there is a theological difference (I am not talking about Furuucul Islam here) the potential for a teeth bloody show down is not far away. Alah Ubaahane wrote: “What is obviously dangerous is what you believe, not our religion becoming the sole power of Somali polity.†What a deceit and distortion of words. Only intellectually challenged or malicious being would draw such a falacious conclusion from my well meaning words. Alaah waxaan ka baryayaa inuu Umada u gargaaro.

Countless number of Somalis in every corner of the world has welcomed the important events that had unfolded in the southern part of Somalia. The jubilant crowds are still euphoric. But few are thinking (or expressing their thoughts) as to where will it go from here; a pertinent question. The Islamic Courts Union (ICU) has responded to a need; that is the unseating of the warlords in Mogadishu and its environs and this is the uniting factor of many groups and individuals whose understanding of Islam are at odds. This is where my concern lies. Though I completely agree with the getting rid off the evil warlords; I am afraid the road ahead is not smooth. A Lesson from Afghanistan: In early Eighties, Afganistan’s coup group invited the Russian’s to come to it’s aid. The leader of the group claiming that the presence of Russian troops were not an invasion but were indeed invited by his government and claimed that they were defending his country from outside threats. Then the Jihad ensued. After nearly a decade, the Soviet withdrawal came. The Mujahideen comprised of many sub-groups with different ideological stances; as a consequence of this (and of course the power ambition) a civil war ensued. Like our brothers in Afghanistan, the boys in Mogadishu have one uniting factor—to get rid off the evil that overshadowed for the past decade an half. When you look at backgrounds of the Militia; then a troubling picture emerges. Let us take three dominant individuals within this “revolutionâ€. 1. Hassan Dahir Aweys; an intelligent, fierce; calculating person with Salafi Caqiida and Saluuk. Aweys has been a prominent figure in the Somali Islamic scene since 70’s; being member of founders of Ahli group. A group of young men whose become enlightened and woken up to Islamic Sahwa. Hassan, went through a metamorphosis of theological experiences. He later became member of the Shura of Al-Itihad Al Islami where he was known to have warring tendencies. Theologically, he is Salafi with progressive thinking leaning. He is known to be a man of great ambition and conviction. Aways has profound disdain to anything that is not puritan Islam. Hassan is knowledgable in Islam and takes pride in jump-starting Salafi movement in Somalia.In general, he is good Muslim with an ambition----- Nothing Wrong with that. But his solid credence to Puritan Islam will not allow him see the less Salafi taking the helm and there plenty of those now in the militia. He is the Hikmatiyir of Somalia; there will be other Ali Batuns in the making. Will Xassan sit back and let Quraafiyiin; Ashcariyiin and Sufis take hold of power! Nay I say. This man's conviction in Salafi Caqiida I suspect will not be marred by his political ambitions. 2. Sharif Hassan. Though I have never met him personally; sources close to him paint him as someone who has a leaning theologically towards Ikhwan Al-Islami because of Sudanese influence. Mr Sharif is an ambitious man who reckons he is something of a political animal. Having come back from Sudan in earlier this decade, he apposed Abdiqasim’s administration in favour of Ethiopian backed Mr Mohamed Dhere who was then Governer of Jawhar—even though Abdulqasim was closer to the Islamic movements in Somalia. Numerous people say that this is a clear picture that Sharif is not your classic Sheikh with sentimental Islamic feeling but a shrewd man with political ambitions. In conclusion; Sharif is not a man of Salafi Caqiida; never been part of the dominant Itihaad movement thusly making him a potential opponent to the Salafi elements in the revolution. 3. Yusuf Indha Cade. This man is a bit of an enigma. Sources close to Itihaat believe that he was Haamish (affiliate or sympathiser) of Al Itihaat Al-Islami. This is not a sure thing. But what we know about him is far from anything close to Itihaat’s ideological purity or it’s political pragmatism. Indho Cade is a kitaab gab (novice in Islamic affairs) and in the cloak of Sheikh. His actions in Marka and its environs make him more of a warlord with self-righteousness than a sheik turned a saviour. Will he side with less Islamic oriented Sharif or his clan feeling will win the day. I will bet on the later. Now, imagine the dust settles and the foreign troops that the TFG is so obsessed do not come (or have a little affect on the facts on the groud). The ICU will then call for Islamic government. The time bomb that has been ticking since the triumph of the Maxkamadaha will indeed explode. I say this because of historical facts. experience. You have thousands of people with varying degree of Islamic erudition mixed with various Caqiida (I hear that a large junk of the ICU militia are drawn from Tabliiq; a group that the Itihaaad finds at odds with Islamic Salafi teaching); what brand of Islam shall we take? Call me a cynical git with pessimism to his teeth, but my dear fellow, al though I welcome the developments in Mogadishu; I am weary of what will come of this when the euphoria vanishes. We have seen this in Afghanistan—even go back to the death of Omar (the waqtul Fitnah). Power is dangerous especially one that is mixed with religion. Unless that is you have a society that is trained in away that directs whole to one objective. You might say the objective here is to bring forth a semblance of peace! But then what; we have peace where do we go from here? I hope my concerns and fears will not materialise for we don't want a new blood letting in our lands. Aloow Noo Gargaar. PS: Excuse the errors; written in haste.

The point "^I think I get - it was totally tongue-in-cheek on Sophist's part" It seems you are the only one who got this. Stoic Walaalkiis, it is symbolism nothing more nothing less and has nothing to do with the noble and deep seated strive which you are alluding to. The picture is representation of the desprate situations that some of humanity find themselves in; the course aims to study that. Alexus thank you walaashiis.

Tahlil; I think you got the wrong end of the stick as it were. The lady is in Kenya and is holding a "development" book!.

Thanks for letting us know that!!!!!

http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/programs/mpaid/

U.S. Wants Somalia's Islamists to Help Find Al-Qaeda Operatives June 15, 2006 (Bloomberg) -- Somalia's Islamist militia, now in control of the capital, Mogadishu, and the southern region, should help find al-Qaeda terrorists and other non-Somali fighters in the country, a U.S. State Department official said. Militiamen of the Union of Islamic Courts last week took control of Mogadishu from forces of the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism, which has accused the Islamists of sheltering al-Qaeda members. The movement said last week it isn't an enemy of the U.S. ``Despite their public overtures, we're still not sure what Islamic Courts really want in terms of their strategies and in terms of their relationship with al-Qaeda,'' Henry Crumpton, the State Department's coordinator for counterterrorism, said yesterday in Washington. The Islamist movement said last week it has put an end to factional fighting by warlords trying to control Mogadishu since President Siad Barre was ousted in 1991. Al-Qaeda has a ``resilient cell'' in Somalia that was responsible for a 2002 bombing in Kenya, Crumpton said in evidence yesterday to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The U.S. has an ``imperfect understanding'' of the Islamic Courts, Crumpton said, according to a transcript. ``We expect them to work with the transition government'' in Somalia, Crumpton told the committee. ``We also expect them to work with us to hand over al-Qaeda and foreign fighters that have found refuge in Mogadishu.'' Somalia must be prevented from becoming a haven for al-Qaeda terrorists, U.S. President George W. Bush said last week. People's Movement The aim of the Islamic Courts is to give power back to the people and not impose an Islamic state in Somalia based on the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, the British Broadcasting Corp. cited Sharif Shaikh Ahmed, the leader of the group, as saying last week. Somalia, an East African country slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Texas and with a population of almost 9 million, has a transitional government that is working with the United Nations and the African Union to try to establish a plan for national security. Islamic Courts militiamen yesterday captured the town of Jowhar, 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Mogadishu, the BBC reported. The transitional government is based in Baidoa about 240 kilometers to the northwest of the capital. The Somali Parliament, meeting in Baidao, yesterday appealed for an African peacekeeping force to be sent to the country, a move rejected by the Islamists, the BBC said. United Administration The U.S. is trying to help the transitional government build alliances and become a united administration, Crumpton said. The U.S. is also trying to boost relief and assistance to the country. The U.S. is today hosting the first meeting of the so-called Somalia Contact Group in New York to coordinate international efforts to build Somalia's political infrastructure. The U.S. has been criticized by Kenya and the Arab League for inviting Tanzania as the only African nation in the group, which includes the U.K., Italy and other European nations, the BBC said. The UN and African Union have been invited as observers. The U.S. is ``ready to work with all parties to seek a peaceful solution and the re-establishment of effective governance in Somalia,'' the State Department said yesterday. More than 300 people were killed in fighting in the past month in Mogadishu, which had an estimated population of 1.2 million people in 2000. Thousands of people have been displaced from their homes in the city, the UN said. An estimated 1.4 million people in Somalia are in ``urgent'' need of aid, including about 400,000 displaced people in 34 sites across the nation, the UN said June 2. The world body is seeking $326 million from international donors this year to support aid projects in the country in the Horn of Africa. Source: Bloomberg.com

Wadanku muxuu la baaba'ey ayaa la isweydinayaa! ciyaalka xaafada xitaa iney masiirka umada kataliyaan ayey doonayaa! Aduuni Khatal ayuu yiri Adan Galaydh.

".... Garad C/Qani changed his mind over the issue of Somaliland or whether he decided to quit Somaliland altogether when him and Late Mr. M. I. Egal had a fall out; particularly, as to whether, it was Sool region, who should get the Somaliland's Vice-presidency or it should be Awdal region who should get that role, in 1997 election(in which late Mr. Egal was given a second bite at the seat of the Somaliland's presidency); which essentially have made him(i.e., the late Garad C/Qani), to leave Hargeisa in angry mood, and never to return to it, whilst Mr. Egal was running the show and cooking the political chicken for all comers to his country." Fallacious comment indeed.

The Legacy of Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jaamac By Liban Ahmad May 09, 2006 Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jaamac who died on 9 February of complications from diabetes in Djibouti was one the most well known and influential traditional leaders in Somalia. He assumed chieftaincy in 1985 following the death of his brother, Cali Garaad Jaamac, a veteran politician and co-founder of now defunct United Somali Party. Garaad Cabdiqani was born in Laas Caanood city in 1935. He was among the first batches of pupils to join Laas Caanood primary school early 1940s. Back in 1950s he came to UK for further education. As the coronation of a new Jaamac Garaad Cali in Sool draws near, it is time to assess the legacy of the late Garaad Cabdiqani Garaad Jaamac and offer some pointers to the Garaad designate. Before Garad Cabdiqani assumed the chieftaincy, he worked for the pre- and post independence administrations in different capacities- as banker (1950s), head of Somali Affairs and regional governor (1960s). Throughout his career the late Garaad was known for diligence and impartiality. His experience in civil service had become of much use to him when he was appointed a Garaad in 1985. It was a time Somalia was undergoing major changes in terms of the mounting opposition to the former military dictatorship that was ousted in January 1991. His moment of truth came in 1988 when the first civil war erupted in Somalia following the SNM’s attempts to end the reign of the military dictatorship in Burco, Hargeysa and Berbera. Garaad Cabdiqani: Peace Lord While people mulled over the position to take in the war between the former Somali Army and the SNM forces, Garaad Cabdiqani had posed questions abut the legitimacy of the government’s response to the war: it was civilians who borne the brunt of government’s brutal response to opposition forces. The regime had a history of collective punishment as strategy to counter armed opposition forces. The late Garaad Cabdiqani stance was informed by a sense of history: no regime will exist forever no matter how oppressive and powerful its forces are. It is the non-combatants who will pick up the pieces when the fate of such a regime is sealed. Garaad Cabdiqani criticised the former Somali military government for human rights violations against unarmed civilians in the north. The late Garaad made initial contact with traditional leaders of the clan from which Somali National Movement drew its moral and material support. His peace overtures laid the foundation for peace agreement that led to Burco conference in 1991 when Somaliland was declared an independent state that is no longer in union with the rest of Somalia. The Garaad attended the meeting out of which the unilateral secession emerged. He did not criticise the secession despite its reputation for lacking consensual imprimatur. He did not think of political developments in Somalia--- reconciliation conferences, setting up of new regional administrations—as flawless. Rather, he always thought about ways that Somalis could share political future despite the bottomless abyss into which institutional trust had been thrown. He was alive to the capriciousness associated with the Somali clan system. In 1993 when the late Mohamed Ibrahim Egal, was appointed second Somaliland president, the Garaad was the first to visualise strategies to widen political participation in Somaliland. Egal’s administration ignored suggestions of the Garaad who was looked upon as an ally of the late Cabdiraxmaan Axmed Cali, first president of Somaliland. It was a time Somaliland was recovering from an unnecessary civil war that pitted forces loyal to Cabdiraxmaan Axmed Cali against forces of the Somaliland authority. It was the start of a Somaliland policy that emphasises appointment of politicians from the Garaad’s constituencies without the input of local communities. It was political miscalculation that was criticised by many ardent Somalilanders. If unity based Somali political project had become a farce, a vision based on sharing political institutions could have been formulated other than redrawing the Somali map, and expecting people to honour borders that the British and Italians made. It was the Garaad’ contention that secession is fraught with contradictions similar to those that led to the collapse of state of Somalia. The only difference between secession and unity is that the first has never been tested whereas the latter was tested. He was not naïve, though: he understood that candour and honesty that characterize Somali traditional leadership have no place in the cut-throat, modern day Somali politics used for co-opting traditional leaders as purveyors of clan sentiments. He did not stoop so low as to endorse policies of any administration whenever leaders resorted to favouritism or dictatorship. He thought of the administrations as necessary stabilising entities. He had fallen out with both former Somaliland and Puntland presidents. Garaad Cabdiqani’s reading of Somali political scene was instructive: “people have the same dreams, and long for peace, justice but it is politicians who keep the people apart,†Garaad Cabdiqani said. There in lies the paradox of Somali politics: eager for peaceful coexistence but reluctant to use the right language and frame of mind. Garaad Cabdiqani was of the opinion that Somalis’ interest lies in unity if it is redefined in light of tribulations Somali have been through. Jaamac Cali Garaad, the Garaad designate, nephew of Garaad Cabdiqani, and son of the late Garaad Cali Garaad Jaamac, will face challenges that are both traditional and political. The people for whom he will be Garaad live in regions that were spared the horrors after state collapse in Somalia. That is Garaad Cabdiqani’s unforgettable peace legacy; it is also in inspiration to you and to any peace loving person. Adopting the approach Garaad Cabdiqani pioneered is a major task, so is valuing diversity of political opinions of people in Sool, Togdheer and Sanaag who pledge traditional allegiance to you and other Garaads and Sultans. That is the best and tested way to protect people against blunders of politicians. Promote social justice, respect and empowerment for minority people through strategies that will weaken and finally undermine age old segregation to which our brothers and sisters are subjected. Promote peaceful coexistence with neighbouring clans. Forty six years ago when Somalia became an independent state, hopes of nationhood outweighed impediments that some had foreseen: people shared basic narrative about colonial rule and the need for self determination. Somalia’s turbulent, post-colonial history seems to have conditioned people towards seeking solace in clan formulated policies. It is not clear that lessons have been learned following state failure and collapse in Somalia. As a Garaad you don’t have to be discouraged by the bleak political landscape in Somalia. You have a moral duty to speak up whenever injustice is meted out to people politically or socially. Unite your people under any platform they deem to be the right one! Liban Ahmad Manchester, U.K. E_Mail:libahm@googlemail.com

Is this a genuine interview?

Congrats to Jaamac ( an old footy team mate of mine). The new Garaad will hopefully inject some blue blood to the Puntland's development.

Well argued article that deserves to be read with an open mind.

You should read and respond to the following: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4763520.stm It's an open letter to all the world by a cohort of anti-muslim, ah-hem 'intellectuals' calling for a new ideological cold war to be fought against Islam which they hold to be on par with fascism and stalinism. It's mostly, if not entirely bullshit with the usual vacous and hyped-up platitudes of liberalism penned up against their distorted and monilithic depiction of Islam. However, what is worrying is that to many it may come across as a serious polemic by a thoughtful group of liberal writers - this is not true. The fact is that the signatories to this letter are rabid anti-muslim idealogues with a long track record of vile lies, abuse and misrepresentation of Islam with a view to doing great damage to Muslims and Islam in the west. Among the usual suspects, the tawdry bunch of coconuts to sign this letter are: Ayaan Hirsi Ali - A trashy woman who looks like a mildly rehabilitated crack-whore, she spent much of the 1990's shacked up with the euro-trash film-maker Theo Van Gough who made porno flicks depicting naked women with Quranic verses tattooed on their bodies. Ms Ali and Mr Van Gough insisted on merely making reasoned criticism of Islam despite denoting all Muslims as 'goat******s'. Irshad Manji - A Sophomoric yank who is always evidently far out of her depths in dealing with the weighty issues of the Muslim world. Harmless, but Best ignored. Ibn Warraq - The author of 'Why I'm Not a Muslim' and arguably the most nuttiest and hysterical anti-muslim author of all time. He was a student of the prolific orientalist W.M Watt - this guy knows his stuff and has the balls and wit to say things that stump a lot of lay-muslims. Much of his polemics have been refuted by our best scholars, click on this link if you have the patience to read some: http://www.city-net.com/~alimhaq/text/warraq.htm Salman Rushdie - Dickhead. Anyway, you get the gist of what I'm trying to say - the enemies of Islam are poised, ready and well funded and will stop at nothing to ridicule, distort and bad-mouth our faith and convince our youngsters of being ashamed of their Muslim heritage. It's time the motives of these people were exposed, obviously we do it with civility and dignity. I'm not advocating any lynchings or burnings of KFC's - but it's time we wised up.

Having met with our el-presidente; I was not shocked to hear such remarks but I was indeed dismayed that he will share his melovelent private thoughts with the puplic. Hadii reer Puntland eyna iska qabanin dib usocodka qaar ka mid ah hogaanka dalka; walee meel dheer ayaa laga dooni dooni doonaa nidaankan aynu sameyney.

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Left my lips dry indeed. It actually invoked memories walahi; sheikh Caalim cadi xaayow use to read Maqaamaatul Xariiri every thursday night money moons ago. Thanks for sharing.

Well received indeed.

MMA: Well put.

Interesting read indeed.

CSU president Mohamed Shuriye knows how quickly a year can pass. Now entering his third year at the Liberal Arts College, the 21-year-old says that to make positive change in such a short time, student involvement is crucial. To be able to leave some sort of legacy, you have to inspire people to carry on the work after you’re gone,†he said. “The more people I can get involved now, http://ctr.concordia.ca/2005-06/sept_15/16/

Double copy; my error.

Whenever I read something like this jocular; I laugh myself to the floor-- much needed humour.