STOIC You are right -------| regardless of public opinion, global pressure and many of the anti-everything camps against the rise of neo-conservatives did not advance their anti-war speech/walk orgies to effect policy, but instead they have managed to excite verbal activists. Michael Moore watching students and weed smoking hippie professors can’t affect policy. Even wealthy politically correct liberals are afraid to voice their opinions against the aggressors – its only control of economics, but control of our minds as well. We got Muslim people changing their names to non-Muslim names like John, Adam, Smith and DAVE. Soon we will be facing enlighten annihilation through policy - and we might be soon dreaming of the days when we had procedural involvement in public policies. These terrorists are not helping the Muslim people --- they’re promoting Islamphobia and that cannot be a good a thing.

We're all black ---- > I'm Black ---- Your Black ---

Somerican: I THINK your sitting on the fence.

I think these bombings are supposed to enrage western states to act inhumanely towards their muslism citizens. I mean we have got all these policies that are emerging after every attack – and the worst thing to be nowadays is to be a terrorist. When homegrown terrorists, such the Ireland bombings, the Oklahoma bombing in the states are prosecuted through pre-existing laws and when citizens of foreign origins commit crimes similar to these – they are taken aside, and prosecuted with a specialty made laws that are harsh, irrational [which are often accepted by the majority of the people due to fear] and abusive to innocent bystanders [Muslims in general]. That I don’t agree with – and nor do I agree with guerilla style tactics of political communication. STOIC Although insurgents can attack the government directly without hurting citizens as you argue, are you forgetting that the government is formed by civilians? Clearly we need to brainstorm more adequate mechanisms for political discourse apart from these barbaric means – which dehumanize our religion in the eyes of disbelievers.

I think most of the nomads in the US are a bit emotional today – there’s a mixture of anger, and guilt amongst Muslim Londoners today. There seems to be a frustration for Muslims in the west. At one hand we have to deal with immediate destructions from our own brothers – who again can’t differentiate us from the crowds – and hurt other Muslims for their political cause. The Maoist-style tactics employed by Islamist political freedom fighters are what we are worried about the most, than policy in itself – with policy at least we get to live – however, governmental policy and guerilla warfare are exclusively linked. And clearly many Muslims in the west are targets of terrorists attacks from both ends – from Islamists and from Christian Fundamentalists, so we can’t help it to be confused. Ngonge I do have a problem when lethal weapons are used in socially inept underdeveloped nations to validate hidden economic exploitation masked by the good cause intentions of humanitarian intervention – than I have a problem with that. However, I think if we have nations that are unable to develop and advance through by any means of governance than some invasions may seem logical among Muslims. Organized revolutions in places such as Lebanon, Ukraine and Ethiopia are somewhat permitted to be a non-lethal ‘invasion’ – this might be somewhat acceptable becuz no lives are lost. Nonetheless, I do pray for the nomads in the UK, I recently seen a documentary on the BBC called ‘young, proud, and Nazi’ – these neo-Nazi’s are using politics to entice and promote hate within the UK. I forget the party’s name – but people have voted for them. There was a clip where they were swearing and chanting hate slogans in front of a mosque while Muslims were praying. I can only imagine the fall out - who will be targeted, will policy be introduced.

I’m hoping that all the nomads in London are safe –Zephyrine – I’m glad you’re safe and sound.

Nowadays we’ve got enough people sporting their masters degrees – forget about BA’s cuz that’s like high school diplomas - I would agree that you need a higher degree or rather level to obtain those 9-to-5 mediocre jobs.

To all Somali students that are graduating from Elementary School, Junior High, High School, Colleges, Universities and Training Programs Congratulations to all of you. Would have given advice, but I don’t want to bore yal to death.

Its funny this has been a debate among many young Somalis who are entering the workforce. Some have argued that its permitted to mortgage homes when you live in a kufar country – other have argued that it’s a huge no no – and at one lecture it was said that taking Riba the smallest amount is equivalent to you sleeping with your mother in the Kacba. There are mixed attitudes about this issue – but I have seen many Somali families who have mortgaged homes – not to mention there are Financial institutions which offer riba free mortgages – but there’s a catch – they charge you whatever you have paid in Riba in advance – so the question is, is it ethical/acceptable?

Four-eyed chicks are nothing but trouble !! They’re trouble indeed – because they’re smart, we already have a difficulty understanding the average woman, imagine the smart one. They also have this allure – they seem adventurous [they might creep at night], they’re mysterious. But sometimes, they understand you better – or are they manipulating us? :confused:

I’m sure that there are many Somalis who have achieved academic and financial success in the Diaspora. We often discuss these issues, is there is a Somali there? Is there a Somali who does this? Why Somalis have or are? The bottom line is this, Somalis are humans, were part of the human race, we are no different, as other cultures have their own successes and imperfections so do we. Yes I have seen well off Somali people – lawyers from Oxford, Doctors from Harvard – not to mention some are women too and they don’t think they’re different – they count themselves among the human race. So don’t think because you got your PhD from some fancy school you’ll supersede the Somali race – remember Somalis are not a special breed, were humans too. Besides – these over idolized geeks leave the damn community when they make it, as some of you might be doing that in the future. My point = I couldn’t’ care less for these people – to some of us it’s not motivational, nor do they boost our collective egos.

PICS FROM THE FIRST IRAQI WAR

The Language Between the Liars, & the Believers The last two terms are disappearing because they are occasionally used against the Bush administrations, terms such as Christian fundamentalism’ and ‘radical conservatism’ are somewhat redundant in liberal media critique against George Bush Jr. It’s even interesting when we evaluate the usage of language in the media – for example, we the see the dehumanization of suicide bombers by calling them ‘homicide bombers’ – it sidetracks their political cause and ultimately categorizing them into a criminal/and animalistic group. In addition to that, when Palestinians homes are destroyed, and demolished – the media often uses words such as ‘raze’ -the word sounds like ‘raise’ and people might think that it implies a non-destructive event, when in fact, raze means to destroy, flatten and etc. Even in the US political discourse – we clearly see the shift in language usage – for example compassionate conservative is one concept that has been used a lot lately. Even this interview – we don’t get to empathize with Marwan – we see him as a person with conflicting beliefs. The writer examines him as a person, who is infatuated with the idea or theory of insurgency – he paints him as someone who is mesmerized by the pop-idolization of suicide bombing – the writer even emphasizes Marwans political ideas of global dominance post-liberation Iraq (don’t forget Marwan wants Americans out of Iraq first), showcasing that Marwan is too emotional, irrational, and his political beliefs to be entirely utopian. Western media has portrayed suicide bombers as irrelevant actors in Middle Eastern politics. Rather they have discredited them as political worriers and painted them as terrorists. They have often showed us that suicide bombing is a culture of worship –I remember on a report on TV showing posters of suicide bombers and the kind of respect, and celebrity status they get. By showing us this clip, or even the analytical overview or even presenting the concept into public discourse – it diminishes political apathy and discredits the overall cause. In fact when we see posters of bombers in local shops – there’s an element of desire – ultimately it’s not in the path to liberation, but the path to post-mortality superstardom. To live in misery is hell in it self – but to complete a horrible existence with a horrendous event – and after all be loved when your gone – who can resist that. In the lonely crowds of the willing as Beanie Sigel once suggested in a song ‘everybody wants to be a star.’ Muslim Westerners might think this, but than again, Sigel also suggests in another track that we often talk liberal, think Muslim and act like a Kufar. The US plans to occupy Iraq for the next decade, and please believe that Iraqi-Insurgent Idol will have truckloads of contestants. Perhaps they are true believers of the cause and the media should not display them in such manner, they should make serious of their paths – and showcase why they’re doing what they’re doing – and most of all they should not make them out to be human missiles that are ideologically handicapped. Instead they should emphasize their struggles, and at best acknowledge their tactics to be meaningful, effective, and politically feasible in the long run.

V I D E O [30 Hornets Take on 30,000 Bees]

For one, let’s hope that they don’t kill again – we do have murders among us, but we’d like to believe that they are enlightened and that they have asked for forgiveness [from Allah]. I don’t think it’s fair to hold something that happened a long time ago against them. If the deeds were carried out under duress or coercion, than we can say that it’s purely situational and not intentional. We should advocate a strong case against those that are still killing or have the mental capacity to commit murder intentionally or are directing others to commit tribal genocide. And if that’s the case, we shouldn’t accuse circumstantial murders of the civil war in this forum. We should accuse the warlords – and most of them have affiliations and ties to the Diaspora. If were serious about getting murders’ pay for their actions, leave the small fishes alone – lets get the big ones – like our parliamentarians. You can’t advocate human agency by victimizing people that have already been psychologically traumatized [if they were forced, or coerced that is], while you blindly follow a superlative murderer. Making unfounded accusations is one thing, but building a concrete case against human rights violators – and charging the warlords of Somalia for crimes against humanity is another. Match your idioms with action – subliminally naming and shaming individuals is a weak attempt.

This article was an amazing read, given the cultural context of feminist discourse within Islam, I imagine this topic is a greatly debated one - the article gives strong points in supporting hijab fashion in western societies. If also has contributed to my overall understanding of the hijab culture and I’m aware now of the different theoretical claims and interoperations that are out there at the moment when it comes to the hijab. Even more interesting – face coverage is not obligatory is that it? Or is it entirely optional or not?

Woow, talking about building the Las Vegas of the North – now all this miniature suburbia needs is small parks, swimming pools, and vacation houses. As someone mentioned, I doubt I would pay 140 for a crib there, I’d rather buy here – cuz who knows what could happen. Nonetheless, big ups for the entrepreneurs that are pushing this project, it gives all of us hope of establishing stable lives there.

There will be some change in the future, at least for those in the west. It seems Somali women are attaining higher education with higher paying jobs than Somali men. Even if we look at post-secondary enrollment rates, we can clearly see the gap. I think the Somali housewife syndromes are disappearing. More Somali women are now educated and well informed about their rights – we’ like to call these women feminists. What is a housewife anyway in the twentieth century? We have got smart machines that vacuum, clean dishes, and even cook meals for us – without demanding much attention. You might say what about the children? Well technology takes care of that as well - TV and PC have raised me well if I may add. Let’s not forget daycares too – I’m not taking credit away from mom dukes, but I’m saying the new generation of Somalis will have different family dynamics than the old. I mean we might be discussing the concept of ‘house-husband’ very soon.

rokko A friend of mine gave me the link, he owns a website and some people were debating whether it was true or not - I'm glad the lectures stopped at my house, my mom dropped the story. If they had used the PIG image, the story might have been more believable, I mean it looks more human, than that thing – wouldn’t you agree. Since we hate PIGS in general, the story might have been more convincing.

I remember logging on to msn, and getting the same damn link – everyone typing see the girl transformed into a weird creature when she dropped and spat on the Koran. So I clicked, my mother ran over to the computer, before she could finish screaming, the phone started ringing – all of her friends were calling - my mom did believe,or atleast i thought she did. My mom and her friends agreed to call their Koran teacher and ask him, I wonder what he said. My mom was proven wrong this morning, after some research, it turns out that the story was fabricated, and I can’t believe dayniile.com publicized the hoax in the Somali community. They didn't create the story, they just translated, apparently it originated from an Arab news site. Nonetheless, Dayniile has pulled of the biggest ad campaign in the history of Somali news sites. I have to give it up to them, becuz enuff people started to link back to them – when I tried to convince people that it was fake telling them that it wasn’t real becuz it would be in the mainstream news, and they would argue back that these kufars don’t want to publicize this, becuz it would give Islam credibility among the non-believers. Well here are the pics, take it or leave it. You decide. PS if you believe that was/or is human, than that's me laying on the floor feeding my children

The internet could be addictive, especially if you’re an expert of the net. There are so many things to do and download – I know people who download everything from text books to tv shows. In a way the internet could help people achieve/and gain things for free – well except your internet connection. I’m not always on the internet, but my pc is always on downloading something and I do use my computer to watch tv shows and movies. What was the longest time you spent online?

I have never prayed for good grades, just figured it was one of those material things like asking for a car or some’m. It seems like it’s cool to pray for good grades among other things. So good luck with your exams,

Globalization has its positive effects of course - we are able to connect with our counterparts in other parts of the world in an instant second. Technology has extended our abilities to reach out to people. We are able to outsource our labour needs, and get anything we wish for in the world, given that you have the money required. In a way globalization has its positive impact on people in the west who buy cheap raw materials and get even cheaper labour to manufacture goods. However, there are many negative effects of globalization, and Somalia has not been greatly impacted yet, because there isn’t a government there yet to mitigate the exploitation of the weak and willing. In the future, globalization will greatly affect Somalia - there’s is no doubt about it. However, we haven’t seen the kind of traits that we have seen in Asia – Africa’s globalization consists of exporting natural resources and funding organized revolutions and civil wars to distract the public from what’s truly happening – Prof, could you state the positive aspects of globalization, and if those positives impact the poor.

I think racially based jokes can be funny at times, but at certain moments they can also be offensive and they can be decoded differently. This could lead to confrontations, misconceptions, and being labeled as being a racist person. I think, in today’s politically correct environment, racial jokes are dying are disappearing. Unless you’re an over the line anti-social conservatives with an underdeveloped sense of humour, which by the way most people who make dim-witted racial jokes are, than they could be offensive. There’s always intent, whether it be good or bad or whether it is masked through humour, racism is everywhere. Especially in the post-civil rights era, we are witnessing more and more cases of enlightened racism. How can we fight this, because even tv shows, especially minority shows display these stereotypes and implied messages. I think racially motivated jokes are rude, improper and I will admit I have made some of them at times. I guess were all a little biased, but let’s try to change that at some point.

Many of us have credit cards and mortgages - I even seen Muslim financial firms that offer riba free financing for purchasing homes. So the question is, are these frims legit in providing these services, becuz they charge you extra, whatever the banks would have charged you.