Since this post things had altered hugely

Vanquish that is beautiful car! I love that.

Vicking, Somaliduna waxay kumaah maahdaa: "Waxaa tiriba lagu yidhi".

Kenya Calls On US To Show More Support For Somali Peace Talks Cathy Majtenyi Nairobi 14 May 2004, 18:20 UTC Kenya's foreign affairs minister has called on the United States to show more support for the long-running Somali peace talks being held in Kenya. He also raised the issue of the United States' yearlong travel advisory against Kenya in a meeting with the U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka said Friday Kenya is looking to the United States to show what he called a keener interest in the Somali peace talks, which have been going on in Kenya for more than a year-and-a-half. “Believe you me, we can do with some support from Washington,” he said. Mr. Musyoka said Kenya has absolutely no option but to forge ahead with the Somali peace process for the sake of regional stability, in spite of the many obstacles facing the process. The Somali peace talks have been characterized by dramatic walkouts of warlords unhappy with the process and other in-fighting. Mr. Musyoka said the latest drama revolves around the $10-million bill the talks have incurred, and the question of who is going to pay it. He said one Nairobi hotel housing some of the delegates has threatened to expel them within the next few days if its one million dollar bill is not paid. The Kenyan foreign minister spoke at a joint news conference with U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Charles Snyder, who said the United States will see what it can do to provide more support. Mr. Snyder said he hopes Kenyan diplomats can move the Somali peace process forward, as they have done for the Sudan talks, also in Kenya. “We're interested in the progress you've made in Somalia. In fact, we're hoping that you managed to get Somalia to, as we diplomats say, the point of ripeness you've gotten Sudan to so that we can get some real progress. But I think you're a little further away. But we're optimistic,” Mr. Snyder said. During talks Friday, the two officials also discussed the sensitive question of the U.S. travel advisory for Kenya. The latest U.S. advisory refers to what it calls a continuing threat posed by terrorism in East Africa, and says visitors to Kenya should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, including tourist sites. Foreign Minister Musyoka and other Kenyan officials have repeatedly called for the United States to lift its advisory, saying Kenya is safe for tourists. Mr. Snyder said the latest warning, issued in December, in his words, has more favorable language than the previous one, and he commended Kenya for cooperating fully with anti-terrorism measures. “We're looking forward to the point at which we can lift this travel advisory. But for right now, the judgment of the security professionals is that we still need to keep it in place,” Mr. Snyder said. “Don't forget, the attacks here in Kenya were aimed very specifically at tourists.” Mr. Snyder did not say when or under exactly what conditions the United States would lift its advisory, which Kenya says has cost it millions of dollars in tourist revenue. The Kenya Tourist Board says tourism is down 50 percent since the advisory was first issued a year ago. Email this article to a friend. Printer Friendly Version English - Worldwide Home| About Us| Contact VOANEWS| Disclaimer & Privacy Notice| Top of Page

Vicking welcome back-- this time for a long period or "eternal membership" I hope.

Waxay Soomaalidu kumah maahdaa "Libaaxu markuu golaha kamaqan yahay ayuu Waraabuhu Shaashle ismooda". Lest, you guys think I fled, I am here but Law exams have kept me from indulging your trivia! I shall be free in couple weeks time Insha Rahman. Waa inoo iyo markaas. Sirrus, I am glad you have joined the herd; it gives me much iucunditas to see someone of your calibre being recruited to such ill-fated bunch-perhaps this is rather habitual quicumque that you can not resist! you have known to be part of the has-beens since our old "golden" days in what had become wretched forum with the name of SneT; all in good taste my felloww.

Any body who is interested in the history of Imaamunaa Ahmed Gurey should read this book : Futouh Al-Habasha written by an Arab who was present at most of the battles waged by this sage.

Classic legal hoopla boodla! The Law is *** -- RIME — Assault — Grievous bodily harm — Defendant infecting complainants with sexually transmitted disease through consensual sexual intercourse — Whether capable of amounting to offence of inflicting grievous bodily harm — Offences against the Person Act 1861, s 20 R v Dica [2004] EWCA Crim 1103 CA: Lord Woolf CJ, Judge LJ and Forbes J: 5 May 2004 A person could be convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm if he knew that he was suffering from a serious sexual disease and he recklessly transmitted that disease through consensual sexual intercourse to a person who was unaware of, and did not consent to, the risk of infection. The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division so held in allowing an appeal by Mohammed Dica against his conviction at Inner London Crown Court (Judge Philpot and a jury) on 14 October 2003 on two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm, contrary to s 20 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, for which he was sentenced to a total of eight years' imprisonment. JUDGE LJ, giving the judgment of the court, said that the prosecution alleged that when the defendant had consensual sexual intercourse with the two complainants, knowing that he himself was suffering from HIV, he was reckless whether they might become infected, which they both did. Thus, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on them both. It was not in dispute that at least on the majority of occasions sexual intercourse was unprotected. Recklessness, as such, was not in issue. Although both women were willing to have sexual intercourse with the defendant, the prosecution's case was that their agreement would never have been given if they had known of the defendant's condition. The defendant would have contended that he told both women of his condition, and that they were nonetheless willing to have sexual intercourse with him. However, at the end of the prosecution case, the judge ruled (i) that it was open to the jury to convict, notwithstanding R v Clarence (1888) 22 QBD 23; and (ii) that whether or not the complainants knew of the defendant's condition, their consent, if any, was irrelevant and provided no defence since R v Brown (Anthony) [1994] 1 AC 212 deprived the complainants of the legal capacity to consent to such serious harm. In their Lordships' judgment, in relation to s 20, the outdated restrictions against the successful prosecution of those who, knowing that they were suffering HIV or some other serious sexual disease, recklessly transmitted it through consensual sexual intercourse, and inflicted grievous bodily harm on a person from whom the risk was concealed and who was not consenting to it, should be removed. In that context, R v Clarence had no continuing relevance. Moreover, to the extent that R v Clarence suggested that consensual sexual intercourse of itself was to be regarded as consent to the risk of consequent disease, again, it was no longer authoritative. If, however, the victim consented to the risk, that continued to provide a defence under s 20. Although the two were inevitably linked, the ultimate question was not knowledge, but consent. Unless you were prepared to take whatever risk of sexually transmitted infection there might be, it was unlikely that you would consent to a risk of major consequent illness if you were ignorant of it. That said, in every case where these issues arose, the question whether the defendant was or was not reckless, and whether the victim did or did not consent to the risk of a sexually transmitted disease was one of fact, and case specific. Accordingly, the trial judge should not have withdrawn the issue of consent from the jury, the appeal would be allowed and a retrial ordered. Appearances: Jeremy Carter-Manning QC and Nicholas Mather (assigned by the Registrar of Criminal Appeals) for the defendant; Mark Gadsden and Heather Stangoe (Crown Prosecution Service, Inner London) for the Crown. -- Here is the conclusion of their lorships: "· We repeat that the Crown did not allege, and we therefore are not considering the deliberate infection, or spreading of HIV with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. In such circumstances, the application of what we may describe as the principle in Brown means that the agreement of the participants would provide no defence to a charge under s 18 of the 1861 Act. · The effect of this judgment in relation to s.20 is to remove some of the outdated restrictions against the successful prosecution of those who, knowing that they are suffering HIV or some other serious sexual disease, recklessly transmit it through consensual sexual intercourse, and inflict grievous bodily harm on a person from whom the risk is concealed and who is not consenting to it. In this context, Clarence has no continuing relevance. Moreover, to the extent that Clarence suggested that consensual sexual intercourse of itself was to be regarded as consent to the risk of consequent disease, again, it is no longer authoritative. If however, the victim consents to the risk, this continues to provide a defence under s.20. Although the two are inevitably linked, the ultimate question is not knowledge, but consent. We shall confine ourselves to reflecting that unless you are prepared to take whatever risk of sexually transmitted infection there may be, it is unlikely that you would consent to a risk of major consequent illness if you were ignorant of it. That said, in every case where these issues arise, the question whether the defendant was or was not reckless, and whether the victim did or did not consent to the risk of a sexually transmitted disease is one of fact, and case specific. · In view of our conclusion that the trial judge should not have withdrawn the issue of consent from the jury, the appeal is allowed. Notwithstanding the arguments to the contrary, we unhesitatingly order a retrial, which should take place at the earliest possible date. Subject to witness convenience and availability, appropriate arrangements are in hand for a trial in early June before a High Court Judge at Inner London Crown Court. In these circumstances we shall not address the issue of sentence.""

Years had now elapsed since I have joined this magnificent place which teems with bravura of people. It had become daily ritual to visit and post replies and seldom (lately) post articles. As much as I am going to miss this place, I am taking a deserved one month break from here because of EXAMS. See you guys in the Summer I shall come back with vigour insha Allah.

To the sister who posted this: NO WAY YOU CAN APPROACH HIM; THIS IS NOT ON; DO YOU HEAR ME? Men like to do the chase, and rightly so, any self respecting traditional sister would find this agreable conduct! it is rather unbecoming for a lady to go after a guy she likes--- as much as this might be ROMANTIC TO SOME (you never know what people find Romantic these days inherently men are naturalisticly predators (hate this word); so don't do anything that will have a detriment upon you dear. Be on your GUARD. Waa ladoogiye, yaan la dacaroon.

Ngone, welcome to the Married Club (may our number increase in tenfold). Kyda sister; what trouble are you speaking off! ilucidate further please.

Boredom is the creation of our psyche! hey dear pre-occupy your mind you shall find solace from therein.

I know two couples who met on the net and now happily married (one couple from SOL Yipp'e LST must be happy! ajar maxaa laguu qorooyaa duqa and those of us who knew about it but kept underwraps). Nothing is wrong with meeting people on SOL marrying them. There are couple of girls on SOL who would make hell of a wives Oh well, I m off the list. Then again SOL is quite a diff place to your usual net place--family freindly place as some had dupped it.

Mutakalim, I asked the question because mostly the Mutakalim in the Islamic History had been either Ash'aria or Mu'tazila! And about Being and Nothingness, I shall welcome your crirical response (I suspect I will only be able to respond to it fully from afternoon of the 1st of June insha Allah). Cheerio.

Intiution! I don't think Kheyr is not feeling that excited to Wine anyone (unless he himself is intoxicated) Barwaaqo! aryaa xaa tiri! xaasha!

Caramel; that was warm. Thanks.

Ayaannick, Hear Hear.

Muslim students call for sharia-friendly loans Polly Curtis Monday April 26, 2004 Pressure is mounting on the Department of Education and Skills to provide a Muslim-friendly student loan. Representatives of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies met with the education secretary, Charles Clarke, last week to discuss the problem, which affects students and their families who believe that taking out a student loan contravenes Islamic sharia law. The law dictates that Muslims should not pay or receive interest on loans. However, the Muslim community is split over whether student loans, which incur inflation-only levels of interest, are against sharia law. Student activists say that some Muslims are being asked to break their faith or forgo the opportunity for financial assistance during their studies. The meeting follows new moves towards providing alternatives to suit Muslim families in the commercial sector. The HSBC bank has set up a Muslim-friendly mortgage and pension scheme which satisfies the demands of sharia law. Hasan Salim Patel, of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies, said representatives were given a clear message from the education secretary that the DFES would consider any alternatives to the traditional student loan which were put before it. "We've been asked to research the options, which we will do," he said. Possibilities the federation is considering include an endowment or tax which would oblige Muslims to repay fees, but with no interest attached. A spokesperson for the Department for Education and Skills said: "We appreciate the Muslim position on borrowing. But, it is important to remember that student loans do not incur a real rate of interest and the government does not make any profit out of these loans. The uptake of student loans amongst Muslim students compares favourably with other groups. "We have no plans to introduce different loans for different groups but we are working closely with the Federation of Student Islamic Societies on other ways forward on this."

uruddin Farah, the only world renowned Somali, who writes in English, and a serious candidate for the Noble Prize in literature, has delivered yet another riveting novel, “Links.” The book is set in Mogadishu, where Jeebleh, a professor in New York, is back in his motherland to find his mother’s grave, settle residue of grievances from the seeds of the civil war with his childhood friend Bile (after twenty some years) and find Bile’s niece who has been kidnapped. Jeebleh is literally taken aback by the ruins that have become his beloved childhood city, which was/is the capital city of a nation melted into blood muddied gullies. “He needed a quite moment, to contemplate all this madness,” laments the narrator. The callousness of the warlords in competition, the wanton waves of violence ‘they’ waged befuddled him and the word “sense,” along with “conscience” that had been lost long before the civil war only becomes apparent after, he realizes. “I don’t want any more deaths, not on my account,” Jeebleh said. “I forbid you to let your mad dogs loose on the family of the dead boy. There have been enough mindless killings already. I forbid you to kill on my account, my conscience won’t allow it,” he droned on. Jeebleh, straddling between his Somali culture and newly adopted American culture, is increasingly irrigating enemy soil for himself as he tries to walk on a shadowed moral line; Shadowed by the tar of tribalism that coughs crimes of rape, theft, robbery, murder and lays minefields before anyone thinking to take a tentative courage step of sanity. The raging fire of anger between Jeebleh and his half-brother Caloosha--who has not a shred of scruples in his bones—-is fueled by the nets of Caloosha’s immorality weaved web. As his name alludes to it, Caloosha lets anything go down his gullet, bulging his stomach with vile and venom. Caloosha whose loot includes his way too young for a “wife,” wife, of whom he had procured her by killing her entire family, are all obtained revoltingly. This character’s brutal personality rejects all rationale known to mankind and dwarfs great proportion of historically recorded, pestilent past. It’s very temping to tear him off the page, to beat some sense into him! By creating such a repulsive character, Nuruddin is telling Somalis to examine themselves. Anyone affiliated with a Caloosha type, cousin, son-in-law, brother-in-law, brother and uncle is him/herself fueling the flames of collective, Somali moral failure. Nuruddin, the only Somali who survived three assassination attempts, yet loves his motherland and people just the same, Nururddin, the man that refuses indefatigably to let go of his Soomaalinimo, who pleads for the blue flag, is also the only Somali that the rest of the world would love to have as a naturalized citizen. Yet he has been humiliated for simply being Somali, by many countries which have invited him to collect their most prestigious literary awards, apparently after he had won them. Nevertheless, Nuruddin who could have sloughed off his nettlesome Somali skin, refuses to let go of his Soomaalinimo. The question is, Why has Nuruddin been sacrificing himself for Soomaalinimo when everyone else has been running away from it by taking up other nationalities, including myself? Because Nuruddin is most confident in his Somali skin, persona and is most comfortable with his identity which he proudly wears in his heart and mind. Thus he loathes destruction of his motherland, he abhors the horror the warlord causes and exposes the wanton waves of immorality. In the seventies, Nuruddin was exiled from his motherland at the age of twenty-something by a brute political regime because of his pertinently politicized writing style. Thirty some years later Nuruddin, now self-exiled, has not yet let up. That is why the theme of all his novels is an indictment of soft, advocacy of sort. And this one “Links” is as well an audacious incrimination of warlords’ politics and the collective failure of the will of Somali people. We have heard the term “Daljiraha Dahsoon (Unknown Soldier)” endearingly used around the world, including Somalis! Today we have to learn yet another endearment, though new but most appropriate for Nuruddin: Daljiraha Maqan (The Exiled Sentinel Soldier). The Book, “Links” is a poetic, artfully descriptive and purposely provocative piece of first class writing. Ahmed Ismail Yusuf yusuf006@umn.edu

The Hip Hop group with the name of Black eyed peas had become the last of the long list of those who appropriated the Somali treasure. The last booty being OUR much revered FLAG: Check this out. OUr Flag being stolen What do you guys think? Don't tell me one of them is Somali--especially the guy with the goatie!

This topic just freaked me out? am I being Somali or this is something near to blasphemy?

Kheyr, She must be something. Man you coming on SOL and asking hints as to what our "laddies" like as a GIFT; never thought she would get you that hard. Kheyr, how is the Wadaadnimo going? or has it been gone for that deserved vacation? Barqaaqo Wrote " Wot? I'm not interested in your sexual shenanigans dear boy. I said I wanted a HOLIDAY, in a beautifully scenic and sunny region of the world. And not some viagra-assisted 2-minute fumble in some alleyway." I nearly fell off my antideluvian chair walahi! how horrid, shokincgly whimsical comment loaded with Somali girl's perception of our prowess!!! I never thought I would read this Walahi!!!! but hey it is a Spring

Perhaps! and indeed May Allah have mercy on us all.

Raganimo iga dheh

Soyaal, I think I would make very good head of State in an ideal state of Somalia; but I don't think my head is set on this vacant post.