Some of you might recognise him as one of the members of the most notorious rap group in the world but others like me see him as a Muslim brother. A very interesting video for the youths who idolise the hip hop culture.

Tell me Juje where in history a group have aligned themselves with the enemy in order to preserve statehood and national pride. The only condition to avert this is communicate with your brother independently so that a common consensus can be agreed upon by brothers and tells the nation that that occupies large part of our land to get out if they don’t ask for help from your brother to help you get them out. But to state that we want state hood yet we have sworn allegiance to a state which occupies large part of hour land does not make sense and it sure does not sound like national pride, unless in your vocab it means being subservient to others

Yet we have not seen this national force for over 16 years when did this phantom force come to exist. And if it is military ranks than one can argue that ICU have well trained men some who studied in the prestigious sand Hurst school. Let us go back a little while, when the courts dispelled those warmongering thugs out of the capital they immediately put their hands up and said we recognise the TFG as the government of the country. They told the TFG to bring their government to the seat that is fit for a national government. I personally though this would be the end of 16 year night Somali people had been, little helped me understand the logic of the steps that the TFG took, they not only invited the men that refused to let them in but they called the men who opened the doors terrorists and persisted on the foreign troops issue. Do not disillusion yourself old chap it is not the ICU that is being pushed back to a corner, any person with strength would resist such pressure, but that the key word “strength” something the TFG lacks. Best option for them would be to get back in the negotiation table, if not prepare to be liquefied a word out honrafrique book

Ahmed gurey let us stop the mockery mate and keep it to politics. If we agree with his politics yes but do not question any mans faith or mock a believer

I agree with sheikh Sharrif the courts should not attack the weak corrupt government yet there is no need to it is unravelling before our own eyes. Major defections both politically and militarily. The ball is in the courts field they can chose to attack when they want. But tell me something who is being attacked it is not the courts so I don’t know where the fear is, if anything it is the Tigray and those thugs that use innocent residents as human shield that are afraid. Next time let’s remember who is pinned down to a corner before we brag Salam

Saxib let us come down from cloud number nine, I do not know who you intend to fool but the facts on the ground state a completely different story. Even the prime minister of the “weak interim government” contradicts your view. Where was this sarkills when burhakabo and diinsoor a supposed TFG controlled region was being taken? If what you claim is to be true then why request foreign troops. Saxiib if it is military might that you are comparing then you fool know one the TFG is no match for the ICU other wise they would not have been surrounded from every corner in the small village that they reside in. Give us a break mate we know where hundreds of soldiers are defecting from every other day. So come up with something else

Litvinenko Investigation Widens To Russia, U.S. Radiation experts outside Litvinenko's home in London (epa) PRAGUE, December 4, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- British investigators traveled today to Moscow to search for clues in the apparent murder of Russian ex-intelligence officer Aleksandr Litvinenko. The case has also lead a second police contingent to the United States. The police officials in Moscow plan to interview three men who may have information about Litvinenko, who died November 23 after ingesting the rare radioactive isotope polonium-210. The men -- Andrei Lugovoi, Dmitry Kovtun, and Vyacheslav Sokolenko -- met with Litvinenko in a London hotel on November 1, the day he fell ill. All three have protested their innocence, and say they are being framed. Official Cooperation British Home Secretary John Reid, speaking ahead of an EU interior ministers meeting in Brussels, says he is confident of Moscow's assistance in the case. Chechen separatist envoy Akhmed Zakayev told RFE/RL that Litvinenko asked him about the possibility of converting to Islam in the early days of his illness. MORE: Coverage in Russian from RFE/RL's Russian Service. "The British police will be going to Russia to continue their inquiries and will continue to go wherever the evidence leads," said Reid. "This investigation will proceed as normal, whatever the diplomatic or whatever the wider considerations." Newspaper reports say a separate contingent of Scotland Yard investigators was in the United States last week to question a former KGB agent with ties to both Litvinenko and Litvinenko's London ally, exiled Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky. The man, Yury Shvets, told the Associated Press he had given the British officers the name of the person he believes is behind Litvinenko's death. He declined to elaborate. Following Trails The widening investigation follows revelations last week that radioactive traces had been found on airplanes that traveled between London and Moscow, as well as to a dozen other European cities during the month of November. Mario Scaramella in 2004 (epa)A fourth man who met Litvinenko on the day of his apparent poisoning has also been found to have ingested a significant amount of polonium-210. Mario Scaramella, an Italian academic and security consultant, is currently in London's University College Hospital. He claims to have "five times" the deadly dose of the radioactive substance in his body, although doctors say he remains well. British officials have raced to counter growing public fear as traces of radioactivity have been detected in a dozen London locations and on board aircraft. Home Secretary Reid today tried to assuage EU concerns about public safety, saying, "I'm very glad to have the opportunity to be here to inform my European colleagues of developments on the case of Mr. Litvinenko and hopefully to reassure them as well so that they're aware that any health threat is absolutely minimal." No Easy Answers Investigators appear no closer to resolving the Litvinenko case. In the absence of a clear resolution, multiple theories have developed to explain what may be behind the mysterious death of the former security-service agent. Litvinenko's friends and family say his death was a vendetta carried out by the Kremlin. The 43-year-old Litvinenko had lived in England since 2000, and was a fierce critic of the Russian government. He had accused the Kremlin of involvement in a number of terrorist-style bombings, assassinations, and murder attempts. Litvinenko wrote a deathbed letter claiming his poisoning was the work of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he described as "barbaric and ruthless." Putin has reportedly criticized the British government for allowing the contents of the letter to be made public. He has denied any Kremlin involvement in Litvinenko's death, saying the plot is the work of anti-Russian forces in the West. Russian officials have also criticized British authorities for refusing to reveal the results of Litvinenko's autopsy, conducted on December 1. The findings are expected this week. Religious Conversion The date of Litvinenko's funeral has also not been disclosed. Friends say the casket will be sealed to prevent the spread of radiation. Litvinenko's father today told RFE/RL's Russian Service that his son told him shortly before his death that had converted to Islam, and wished to be buried according to Muslim tradition. Akhmed Zakayev (CTK file photo)"I said, 'Sasha, it's your decision. As long as you don't become a communist or a satanist, that's the main thing. I'm a Christian myself, but I have a granddaughter whose father is Kabardin -- my daughter's husband, he's Muslim as well," he continued. "We haven't lost God; we believe in God. But how to believe in God, how to pray -- everyone should do that in the way they consider best." Valter Litvinenko said his son had grown disenchanted with what he described as the "hierarchy" of the Russian Orthodox Church, and had sought a change. Akhmed Zakayev, the London-exiled Chechen separatist envoy, told RFE/RL that Litvinenko asked him about the possibility of converting in the early days of his illness. "I told him it was a purely personal question, that it isn't important to which god we pray as long as we aren't doing ignoble acts. And I sort of dropped it. But he over and over again returned to the subject." Zakayev added that Litvinenko went on to pronounce the shahadah, the fundamental Muslim statement of faith. "Any student of Islam will tell you that there are no particular rituals for converting to Islam. All you have to do is say one sura" -- a verse or chapter from the Koran -- "and from that moment if the person who pronounces this sura, this shahadah, has sincere intentions, from that moment he is considered a Muslim," he said. Zakayev also described the day before Litvinenko died: "On November 22, at his request, I, with his wife's approval, brought an imam to him. He read over him a sura from the Koran, the one that is read over a dying Muslim," he said. "Of course, according to Muslim rituals, they pray over the body before burial. Now, unfortunately, that part of the process which Aleksandr requested cannot be fulfilled because of the exceptional circumstances of the radiation in his body and the fact that the coffin that will contain his body cannot be opened for 6 1/2 years." (with agency reports)

Good I am glad that they are coming to their senses, I think that the destabilization of their respected countries is what they feared. I suppose this is the reason why Geedi is so frantic lately; he and Yeey know their party is coming to an end.

Somali Friend And our good friend Ethiopia is here to help solve our problem. Saxib they need to get out of our business and worry about there own problem. If we decide to stay federal it is up to Somalis if we want to go back to centralisation then it is up to us to decide. If they do not get out of hour business then we will get in their business. Last thing Ethiopia wants to see is a unified greater Somalia whether it is federal or centralised

Fragmentation of the country is already starting without any major combat. My only worry is Ethiopia’s refugee crisis after this battle ends.

Saxiib they can the support of Venus mars and Iceland for all you like. If they do not have the support of the majority of Somalis then that does not count for anything. The simple demand of the Islamic courts was get rid of the Ethiopians and come to the negotiation table free from all external influence and lets discuss this brother to brother. They refused they wanted Ethiopia to hold its hands and this what has led to the status quo so do not give me any of that nonsense mate. Eritrea and much of the ICU support is one of reaction so do not even compare the two cases mate, maybe you are willing to occupied by Ethiopia or anybody by that means but gladly the common Somali is sees the picture in clear colours and says no Ps Bring your proof that ICU was behind the assassination attempt

Asalamu Alaikum People this character GDuke is insignificant who he supports and who he doesn’t is none of the ICU worry. So do not be troubled by his propaganda. Let us concentrate on the practical help that we can give to our people back home who face these aggressor. I hear hornafrike and Universal TV is organising a fund raising event. My sympathy is with those who believe that Ethiopia and foreign troops will defeat the ICU for them and hand Somalia on the plate, they are in a disillusion. And will loose whatever the outcome of this battle is. If the ICU wins (most likely the case as even the US got defeated by a sub clan let alone a united Somalia against fatigue Ethiopia) there dream will perish as sole soveireignty and power is to the ICU If ICU losses Ethiopia will most likely replace of the old man and his stooges. (This is the worst case for Tigray as they will face severe insurgency) Inshallah make dua for your brothers and sisters back home may Allah SWT make them victorious Salam

Sophist I think this guy is certainly a big fish in the world of African banking. Family Name: Mohamed Given Name: Adan Gender: Male Country: Kenya Positions Positions listed are those which are held currently or have been held in the past. Dates are given wherever possible. Where there are no dates, positions are ordered alphabetically. Managing Director - Barclays Bank Kenya (2002 - ?) Chairman - University Council - Jomo Kenyatta University Achievements Where there are no dates, achievements are ordered alphabetically East African Business Leader of the Future - The Guardian (2002) http://www.barclays.com/africa/pdfs/annual_report_kenya_2003.pdf

Asalamu Alaikum The masses have made their choice and it’s a clear cut favourite. If how ever those things that you state are true then know that it is only an ant in comparison to the mischief taking place in Baidoa. Any individual with an independent free thinking mind can clearly see who he would prefer to Govern Somalia. And it is not A yusuf. It is very sad to see some someone so desperate, every day I see your dreams of a corrupt regime fade away, just reflect on your posts from last year. What your next title “Clan courts have WMDs and they threaten to blow up Africa” There is no substance in your statements, be grace full mate and except defeat. Let me clearly define to you Somalia current state: 1. The so called government is based in a small city 2. Many MP’s of the parliament have left because of its corrupt leadership 3. They have lost every proxy battle so far 4. It’s only hope lies in bringing a occupying force to protect from whom?, its own people On the other side 1. There is peace and stability in the capital that has not been experienced for over 16 year 2. The ICU peacefully take city after city 3. There are popular revolts in Somali and Puntland 4. The courts are at the doorstep of Baidoa 5. Business is booming in Somalia, Many foreign corporations are lining to invest in Mogadishu 6. AU have know power and means to send troops to Somalia I could go on all day saxiib If an individual weighs up the pros and cons of both groups then there is only one winner and it isn’t the TFG Asalamu Alaikum

Saxiib again you bring nothing new your argument is baseless, the Islamic courts has nothing to do with USC its ideology is totally different it consists of people from all spheres of Somalia. On top of that when the war mongering warlords where kicked out of Mogadishu the ICU clearly stated they wanted the TFG to come to Mogadishu so that they can run the country. Now the rest is very peculiar not only does Cabdullahi Yusuf request foreign troop’s deployment to be speeded up but he invites the same warlords who have kept him out of the capital to his base. Now these factors are what have the masses behind ICU. Any Somali whether he is or not from shk Xasan dahir aweys clan can clearly see that if a choice is to be made then anything but those that ruined us

Correct me if I am wrong but wasn’t Cabdi Qaybdeed whom the Islamic courts are fighting a part of USC. Aren’t a number of the ICU leaders from many different tribes of Somalia? Your argument is baseless mate. The fact is that you two have recently been crying wolf a lot yet you have not alternative to the popular movement. The TFG is dead mate every day we hear of supporters of it abandoning its support many MP’s have left their posts. Every battle that has occurred so far has been in favour of the ICU. Geedi the corrupt professor is pleading for negotiations to go on, now that does not sound like a man who is winning. To sum it all up Somalia is heading towards an Islamic state and it is ICU that have started it, now you can cry why why why all you want or you can take it up the chin accept your old views where wrong and follow the masses. It would be a sad situation for you if you become like Iranians in exile waiting for the day the Shah returns

I suppose the same thing will happen the next time Barre's troops go on the offensive.

20 Somali army vehicles seized 17/10/2006 22:01 - (SA) Kismayu - Troops loyal to powerful Somali Islamists have seized trucks mounted with machine guns and anti-aircraft rockets from rival militia they fought at the weekend, said an Islamist official on Tuesday. Sunday night's clashes in Jibil, a farming town about 110km north of Kismayu port, killed four and stoked fears of mounting violence in the Horn of Africa nation. "We have taken over 20 vehicles, including three big trucks mounted with anti-aircraft missiles," said Dahir Ahmed, a local Islamist official. "This was necessary in order to improve security." There was no immediate independent confirmation about the seizure. World's most heavily armed populations Dahir also said 68 gunmen formerly allied to Barre Hiraale, the defence minister in Somalia's embattled interim government, had joined the Islamist ranks in the south. But Dahir said he had information other pro-government fighters were advancing on Islamist positions around Jilib. "Fighting can start anytime," he said. "We want to hit them so hard that they will never recover." Many Somalis fear that clashes between Islamists and other forces could escalate to a full blown conflict, which may suck in other regional powers and destabilise the Horn. The claimed seizure in Jibil came two days after Abdullahi Maalim Ali, the Islamists' head of internal security, said the movement planned to take guns away from one of the world's most heavily armed populations. The rise of the Islamists If the ambitious plan is implemented in the country - which became synonymous with anarchy after the 1991 ouster of a dictator - it would leave the Islamists Somalia's sole possessors and regulators of weapons in areas they control. The rise of the Islamists, who control the capital Mogadishu and a large swathe of southern Somalia, has posed a direct challenge to the interim government's attempt to enforce central rule on the nation of 10 million people. Although some Somalis complain of the severity of Islamist rule which adheres to strict sharia law, others credit the group with bringing a degree of law and order to a country starved of normalcy for 15 years.

By Guled Mohamed MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somalia's parliamentary speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan has given up his role as the government's chief negotiator at talks with rival Islamists, a Somali legislator said on Sunday. The speaker, who could not be reached for comment, left after a split with Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi who strongly opposed the power-sharing talks. "I can confirm the speaker of parliament has resigned in his capacity as the chairman of the government committee that is negotiating with the Islamic courts," legislator Mustaf Duhulow told Reuters by phone from Nairobi. The Arab League is mediating talks in the Sudanese capital Khartoum between the Mogadishu-based Islamists and the internationally recognised but virtually powerless interim government. The rise of the Islamists, who have laid down strict sharia law as they have seized most of southern Somalia since taking Mogadishu in June, has eclipsed the fractious government and its plans to impose central rule on a land in anarchy since 1991. The legislator said Gedi, forced to publicly support the talks in a political deal cut after he narrowly survived a no-confidence vote, was working against the speaker. "Ali Mohamed Gedi wrote letters to the international community telling them the speaker does not represent the government," Duhulow said. Gedi could not be reached for comment.

Asalamu Alaikum soler's The blessed month is near and I wish all the nomads Ramadan kareem and may we Inshallah utilize this month to the best of our ability and Allah increase our Taqwa Ramadan Kareem Folks

Asalamu Alaikum soler's The blessed month is near and I wish all the nomads Ramadan kareem and may we Inshallah utilize this month to the best of our ability and Allah increase our Taqwa Ramadan Kareem Folks

Asalamu Alaikum Wallahi that was a very refreshing article. We have a new day approaching Somalia, Inshallah all the rivarly between folks will be eradicated and we shall Inshallah be the first real Islamic state. It is very nice to see people realising the truth and understand the real problem in Somalia (few vicious men who have been intoxicated with power and want to be at this state of high by any means possible even if it means inviting the the devil himself) Inshallah after hardship comes ease and we need more people of the authors calibre from all parts of Somalia

Kenya: AU is Courting Chaos in Somalia The East African Standard (Nairobi) OPINION September 2, 2006 Posted to the web September 2, 2006 Bernard Wamalwa Nairobi When the Ethiopian premier Mr Meles Zenawi arrived here on Wednesday for discussions with President Kibaki, it was not lost on observers that part of his agenda was to push for the deployment of a peace keeping force in Somalia. This, despite the fact that Ethiopia has deployed a significant number of soldiers in Somalia to "protect" the new government. When Abdiqasim Salad Hassan took over in Mogadishu as Somalia's new president in 2000, he had carried with him hope that the country's fractious past would be over. Zenawi was among African leaders who attended the inauguration that ushered him and the Transitional National Government (TNG) of which he was the boss, into leadership. It later turned out that the Ethiopian Government had never accepted the legitimacy of that government and even accused it of being led by Muslim extremists. That is how Ethiopia took over as the main destabilising force for that administration until its collapse. Interestingly the Government, which Ethiopia now claims to be protecting had always existed besides a horde of hostile militias until three months ago when a shock defeat of Mogadishu warlords by Islamists ushered in a new era. The strength of the Islamists and subsequent installation of the Union of Islamic Courts as the Supreme Court must have alarmed Ethiopia, which propagandists say has long wanted smooth access to the Indian Ocean through Somalia. One theory has it that Ethiopia's erstwhile enemies, Eritrea, are backing the Islamists. By seeking the removal of the Islamists administration and rooting for an AU-led peacekeeping force to back President Abdillahi Yusuf's Transitional Federal Government (TFG), Ethiopia is not only protecting its interests, but also enlisting the services of both the AU and Igad to help it win its war with Eritrea over Somalia. There are various other compelling reasons why Ethiopia's involvement in Somalia should be suspect. With the backing of Ethiopia in 2002, the current president of the TFG, Mr Yusuf, who was then a warlord regained control of the breakaway Somali-region of Puntland by overthrowing Jama Ali Jama. As this was happening, street battles broke out in Mogadishu as government forces clashed with collective militias, which were enjoying Ethiopia's support. It is instructive to note that a week before the fighting broke out, some former Somali military officials had announced at a press conference in Mogadishu that they were being trained and armed by Ethiopia in its attempt to destabilise the TNG. Despite the compelling history, Ethiopia has consistently denied involvement in Somalia's internal politics. Any hope that President Yusuf's government could, on its own, bring peace to the country has evaporated. Today, many countries have tried to intervene in Somalia without any success. Eritrea is currently supporting the Islamists and the United States government was reported to be funding the Mogadishu warlords, before Islamists crushed them. To a casual observer, Ethiopia's involvement (for selfish aggrandisement) also seems to make a lot of sense. However, it has made the struggle for control of Somalia look like a ping-pong game. The TNG says it's in charge. The new Islamists rulers are also claiming a stake. But as the verbal salvos continue, the question is: Who is to be believed: The Islamists, or the TNG that does not sound united and certainly looking like they are losing grip? Zenawi was in Nairobi probably to push for the quick deployment of an AU troop in Somalia. He'll probably hit the road to various other AU countries to lobby support for what has become his pet topic. But before the AU and any country pushing to deploy its forces to the peacekeeping mission does so, it would be better to remind them to think again before taking on a mission that the world's superpower, the US, could not sustain. The US went to Somalia with sophisticated weaponry, including the then famous Black Hawks, but could not match the resilience and determination of the AK-47 wielding Somalis, forcing them to withdraw their troops from there in the early 1990s. Relevant Links East Africa Kenya Somalia The question is whether the AU, which is still struggling with its peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan because of lack of funds and logistical support can make it in Somalia, is still a question that people have to grapple with. As the ping pong gets fiercer, one probably gets the feeling that there will soon be a bloodbath in Somalia should the AU continue and fall for Ethiopia's tricks. It's not a question of the AU turning a blind eye to Somalia's dilemma, but a matter of nobody wanting to lead Somalis anywhere but to darkness and death.

I am against all oppression my friend whether thats in Shabbelle or an other parts of the world. If you would wisen up and understand that attacking and disarming Indho Cadde is not tactically sound especially since we have Ethiopians in our borders. And before you go on and brush me for supporting the courts blindly mate you are wrong. For me it is results that gets my supports. I was optimistic when the TFG was formed believeing that we have turned a chapter in hour history. I was even more optimistic when the courts kicked out the warlords and invited the TFG to Mogadisho, but what saddened me and turned me against the TFG was the day when they hosted the very men that kept outside the capital, the day when they called those who paved the way for them terrorists. my friend u should stop slandering if you believe that the courts have done something wrong I am sure if you contact them and put your case to them they could give you a better answere than any SOL member. Just a couple weeks ago you said that the TFG was incompetent are you back to your oldself because ICU starts from one clan, all things must start somewhere. The Islamic Scholars and elders of Puntland will host the ICU with open arms and inshallah they will advice and merge with them along with other regions in Somalia. Pres Yusuf is closer to me by relation than any member of the ICU yet I reject him and Geedi's self interest. I for one hope to see the day the old man retires. If you are not happy about something contact the courts they have clearly said they want advise and communications with all Somalis.

The people of Hobyo asked for the courts help. there are bigger threats than lower Shabelle at the moment, once they have dispersed lower shabelle as I have said will be dealt with