A classic moment in Downing Street In this extract from Alastair Campbell's diaries, he talks about the Northern Ireland peace process Monday July 9, 2007 The Guardian Thursday, December 11, 1997 Gerry Adams and his team arrived 15 minutes early, and he did a little number in the street, where the media numbers were huge. This was a big moment, potentially historic in the progress it could lead to. They came inside and we kept them waiting while we went over what TB was due to say. Mo Mowlam and Paul Murphy were both there and Mo was pretty fed up, feeling she was getting shit from all sides. They were...summoned down to the Cabinet room. We had agreed TB should be positive but firm. He actually came over as friendly, welcoming them individually as they came in. I shook McGuinness by the hand, who as he sat down said, fairly loudly: "So this is the room where all the damage was done." It was a classic moment where the different histories played out. Everyone on our side thought he was referring to the mortar attack on Major, and we were shocked. Yet it became obvious from their surprise at our shock that he was referring to policymaking down the years, and Britain's involvement in Ireland. "No, no, I meant 1921," he said. I found McGuinness more impressive than Adams, who did the big statesman bit, and talked in grand historical sweeps, but McGuinness just made a point and battered it, and forced you to take it on board. Of the women, I could not work out whether they really mattered, or whether they just took them round to look a bit less hard. They were tough as boots all three of them. TB was good in the use of language and captured the sense of occasion. He said we faced a choice of history - violence and despair, or peace and progress. We were all taking risks, but they are risks worth taking. He said to Adams he wanted to be able to look him in the eye, hear him say he was committed to peaceful means, and he wanted to believe him. I was eyeing their reaction to TB the whole time, and both Adams and McG regularly let a little smile cross their lips. Mo got pissed off, volubly, when they said she wasn't doing enough. TB was maybe not as firm as we had planned, but he did ask - which I decided not to brief, and knew they wouldn't - whether they would be able to sign up to a settlement that did not explicitly commit to a united Ireland. Adams was OK, McGuinness was not. Adams said the prize of a lasting peace justifies the risks. Lloyd George, Balfour, Gladstone, Cromwell, they all thought they had answers of sorts. We want our answers to be the endgame. A cobbled-together agreement will not stand the test of time. He pushed hard on prisoners being released, and the aim of total demilitarisation, and TB just listened. TB said he would not be a persuader for a united Ireland. The principle of consent was central to the process. The Blair Years: Extracts from The Alastair Campbell Diaries. Published today by Hutchinson

A book i look forward to reading Iraq: the debate, the rebellion and the march to war In this extract from his diaries Alastair Campbell reveals the intense discussions taking place around the cabinet table on the eve of the invasion Monday July 9, 2007 The Guardian The day before the defining Commons vote on Iraq Robin Cook resigned, adding to a sense of crisis and a prime minister's future on the line as he sought to persuade parliament to support military action. Monday March 17 2003 TB started Cabinet, introduced Goldsmith, then Clare came in and asked Sally where Robin was. "He's gone," said Sal. "Oh my God." TB's only reference to Robin was to say that he had resigned. Peter Goldsmith went through the answer on legal authority to use force. One by one, a succession of colleagues expressed support for TB, then Clare said she owed them "a short statement", that she intended to reflect overnight. She said publication of the roadmap was significant but we shouldn't kid ourselves that it means it is going to happen. She said she admired the effort and energy that had gone into getting a second resolution but there had been errors of presentation. "I'm going to have my little agonising overnight. I owe it to you." JP, John Reid and one or two others looked physically sick. JR spoke next, said never underestimate the instincts for unity and understand that we will be judged by the Iraq that replaces Saddam's Iraq, and by the Middle East. Derry said he felt we would have got a second resolution if the French hadn't been determined to scupper it, and said we had made so much effort to get a second resolution that it had led to people thinking we actually needed one. Paul Murphy was just back from America and said what an amazing feeling there was towards us there. "It's not quite the same here," said TB. Tuesday March 18 2003 Debate day dominant. GWB's statement overnight had come out fine. They had taken in all our changes, the ultimatum was calm and strong, the tone towards Iraqi people compassionate, the commitment to the Middle East peace process was in there strong, and all the bellicose stuff either taken out or conditional. So to be fair, they had delivered big-time for us. The Robin resignation speech, and the standing ovation in parts of the House, was still getting a lot of play but I sensed that was the high point of the rebellion. TB was on the phone to Blunkett who was warning him that John Denham would resign. Also Philip Hunt [lords minister] went on the radio to resign. That seemed to be about it at the moment. TB was in a pretty calm mood. He felt we were winning some people over on the arguments, but we had a problem in that there were a lot of our MPs who had promised their local parties that they wouldn't support without a second resolution. This was the unintended effect of the point Derry made yesterday, that we fought so hard to get one that people assumed we needed one before action. Clare was making a complete fool of herself. Hague was on to it, had an absolutely brilliant line in the debate, how TB had "taken his revenge and kept her". TB's speech in the house was one of...his best. Very serious, full of real argument, confronting the points of difficulty and we felt it moving our way. He did a brilliant put-down to the Lib Dems, which helped the mood behind him. I did another secure call with Dan [bartlett]. It looked like Wednesday late, special forces. It was one of those days when people out in the country were actually following what was going on. IDS and Charles Kennedy had both been poor. There had been some excellent backbench speeches but though the interventions didn't really zing, TB had definitely come out on top. There were a lot of protesters outside, so I faced a bit of abuse going in, then up to JP's office to agree the line that we push from the moment the vote was over, that we won the vote, because we won the argument, and now the country should unite. We ended up having a very friendly chat, then going down to wait for the vote, which for the government motion was 412 for and 149 against, and for the rebel motion 396 voting against and 217 for. 139 Labour MPs rebelled. I called Dan with the result as it came through. I was in the front office of TB's Commons office, MPs coming and going, the staff all pretty relieved. TB came back and called everyone in to say thanks. He said we had pulled out the stops and we had to. His own performance today had been superb. All of us, I think, had had pretty severe moments of doubt but he hadn't really...now there was no going back at all. He had to give authority for our forces to go in...everyone was assuming the Americans would start a massive bombing whereas in fact the first action would be some of our forces acting to prevent an ecological disaster. · The Blair Years: Extracts from The Alastair Campbell Diaries. Published today by Hutchinson

At the UN, Somalia's Gedi Asks for $32 Million, Denies Restricting Opponents' Travel Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at the UN UNITED NATIONS, June 28 - Somali citizens, even members of the parliament, "cannot just overnight go to the airport" and leave the country, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi said Thursday at the UN. Inner City Press twice asked Gedi about some of those blocked from traveling. The first time, Gedi said "your question is truthless." The second time, confronted with the names of Osman Ali Hassan Atto and Abdirashid Mohamed Hidig , Gedi said, "They didn't have permission from parliament." Asked if they would now be given permission, Gedi said "that is between the MPs and the Speaker." Former defense minister Col. Barre "Hirale" Adan Shire, who was targeted with a car bomb earlier this week, has accused Gedi and President Yusuf of being behind it . Inner City Press asked Gedi about the charge. "Normal banditry," he said in response. Currently in Somalia there are 1500 Ugandan troops, Gedi said. There have been pledges of troops for an African Union force, from Burundi, Ghana, Malawi, Benin and Nigeria. One correspondent asked if during Gedi's talks with the UN Security Council, any other country had expressed a willingness to contribute troops to a UN force. Gedi answered that the time to contribute would be if and when the Security Council passes a resolution authorizing a UN force for Somalia. Given the UN's experience in Somalia in the early 1990s, and the continued violence there, such a move by the Security Council appears unlikely. Speaking to reporters Thursday morning, the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN Emyr Jones Parry said, "we will support" a UN peacekeeping force for Somalia if Gedi "goes out and promotes national reconciliation." Gedi later confirmed that the budget for the twice-postponed National Reconciliation Congress is $32 million, of which $8 million has now been pledged by the European Commission and the United States. (The question of who has been paying the TFG's police was not able to be asked, but the question is pending.) Gedi said that the meeting will begin on July 15 in Mogadishu. We'll see. For now, the proposed budget of the National Reconciliation Congress, as provided to Inner City Press by Mogadishu sources, who say that the numbers are inflated -- NATIONAL RECONCILIATION CONGRESS BUDGET In US dollars USS I. PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES: 250.000.00 1. Preparation, publication and Distribution of NRC documents 2. Appointment of Key Sub-committees 3. Recruitment of Key Personnel 4. Identification of NRC sites in Mogadishu 5. Establishment of contacts with external consultants, Advisory Board, Resources Persons and international organizations II. OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF NRC ACTIVITIES 4,000.000.00 1. Development of Peace, Reconciliation and Communication Package 2,000,000.00 a) Mobilization of national media b) Organization of workshops, seminars, public Debates .etc c) Organization of poetry and drama scripts and Organization of theatre d) Promotion of Qur'an reading, poetry recitation, Sports and inter-regional folklore contests. e) Awareness campaign materials: T-shirts, bill-board, postcards, and calendars .etc 2. ACTIVITIES OF JUMP-STARTING THE NRC AT REGIONAL LEVEL: 2.000.000.00 a) Visits and tours of Federal MPs and National Commissions to their constituencies. 800,000.00 b) Provision of support funds to regional and district administrations for the selection process. 1,200,000.00 III. ESTABLISHMENT OF NRC FACILITIES 6,000.000.00 1. Rehabilitation and remodeling of NRC Conference Halls. 2,300,000.00 2. Plenary, Committees and Secretariat seating and working facilities 700,000.00 3. Rooms, chairs, tables, etc a) Ventilation system ( Air-conditioners, fans, etc) b) Public address systems c) Electric generators d) Technical equipments) Computers with heavy duty printers and photocopy machines, fax machines, internet access and accessories). e) Water and sanitation at NRC sites. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF SECURITY SYSTEM 500,000.00 a) Gate-scans b) Handheld detectors c) Walky-talkies d) Vehicles with mounted Radio. 5. TRANSPORT 2,500,000.00 Purchase of: a) Large buses b) 4-wheel drive picks for security support c) Ambulances d) Motto-cycles for traffic and security use IV. NRC GENERAL MEETING 8,400.000.00 1. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT 500,000.00 a) National Governance and Reconciliation Committee b) TFIs Support Organs (Ministerial Committee, Parliamentary Committee and National Reconciliation Commission). c) Secretariat d) Operational Sub-committees e) Support personnel 2. NRC TECHNICAL SUPPORT 1,000,000.00 a) Local Advisory Board b) Post-conflict societies's Reconciliation Experts ( Rwanda, South-Africa, etc). c) International Consultants on reconciliation strategy d) International Technical assistance e) Security Support 3. PARTICIANTS 6.000.000.00 a) Transport 1,500,000.00 i) Participants ii) Diaspora iii) Post-conflict resource persons b) Accommodation and catering: 4,500,000.00 i) Participants ii) Observers 4. PROCUREMENT AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES 900.000.00 a) Opening and Closing Ceremonies 100,000.00 b) Office rent and facilities for the Preparatory Committee 20,000.00 c) Vehicle rentals ( buses, lorries And cars 100,000.00 d) Fuel and lubricants 150,000.00 e) Stationery and supplies 50,000.00 f) Medicare 150,000.00 g) Communication charges 50,000.00 h) Public relations and entertainment 200,000.00 i) Consumables 30,000.00 j) Miscellaneous 50,000.00 V. PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION 50,000.00 OF NRC RESOLUTIONS VI.PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES FOR THE REGIONAL/DISTRICT GOVERNANCE AND RECONCILIATION COUNCILS 100,000.00 SUB-TOTAL 18,800,000.00 VII. UNFORSEEN EXPENSES (about 10%) 1,880,000.00 TOTAL 20,680.000.00 Estimated Budget for the Regional/District Governance and Reconciliation Councils as follow-up of the NRC at National Level (58% of twenty million six hundred eighty) 12,000,000 GRAND TOTAL 32,680,000 Source: Inner City Press

Good work by the Berbera Port Officials to expose such blatant corruption! Berbera Immigration Officials Block ‘Illegal’ Deportation Of Somaliland Citizen To Yemen Berbera, Somaliland, July 7, 2007 (SL Times) – An illegal attempt to deport a local man of Somaliland origin by boat to Yemen was blocked last week (27/06/07) when port immigration officials in Berbera refused the local branch of the Criminal Investigation Department to deport Mr. Yasin M Ali, a Somaliland national to Yemen. Mr. Ali, wanted in connection with a business dispute in Yemen was arrested last month in Hargeysa by the local police after the Attorney General’s office in Hargeysa issued a warrant for his arrest. And soon after the arrest, a court judge in Hargeysa summoned an injunction order for Mr. Ali’s deportation to Yemen and was ferried a day or two later to Berbera’s C.I.D branch office for deportation. This bizarre incident took place when the assistant head of Berbera C.I.D escorted Mr. Ali to the city port in order to be deported to Yemen. The port immigration officials at Berbera refused to approve the deportation and argued that Mr. Ali is not liable for deportation to Yemen, or for that matter to any foreign country, because Mr. Ali is a national of this country and not a Yemeni citizen. According to Haatuf’s correspondent in Berbera, Ahmed Adan, ‘the port immigration officials were astonished to discover that they were not notified by their immigration head department office in Hargeysa and the fact that Mr. Ali was not a Yemeni national but a citizen of Somaliland origin.‘ The assistant head of Berbera C.I.D (name withheld), nonetheless, argued with the immigration port officials that the order for Mr. Ali’s deportation came from the Attorney General’s office and a court judge in Hargeysa and that he was instructed by his superiors in Hargeysa to supervise the deportation court order of Mr. Ali. However, the port immigration officials insisted that ‘although Mr. Ali’s deportation order was issued from a court judge in Hargeysa, the fact that he is a citizen of this country means he cannot be deported to a foreign country, unless an extradition order for his arrest and deportation is issued from the high court, with supporting documentation from the relevant government ministries, specifically, the ministries of justice, interior and foreign affairs.’ The regional Sahil division police chief, Mr. Muhammad Duale, arrived later at the port and diffused the situation by ordering the Berbera C.I.D officials to vacate the port and report to his office in the morning. He also instructed the immigration officials to take Mr. Ali into their custody and transfer him in the morning to the (Berbera) central police station with a written account of what took place that night. Mr. Muhammad Duale was asked the following day by Haatuf reporter, Ahmed Adan, to comment on the circumstances leading to ‘last night’s illegal and bizarre attempt by the C.I.D to deport Mr. Ali, a citizen of this country, to a foreign country?’ The chief explained that “a warrant of arrest and a deportation court order were brought from Hargeysa on Tuesday (26/06/07), which instructed the Berbera C.I.D office to take Mr. Ali to the port and deport him to Yemen as from immediate effect.” The police chief added, “Mr. Ali’s deportation should not have been attempted. It was a gross violation of the law and how on earth this ever came about, I don’t know!”. The police chief was asked, “which court in Hargeysa issued the deportation order for Mr. Ali?”. He replied, “an investigation has just been commissioned by my office, therefore, I cannot comment on this question”. On the whereabouts of Mr. Ali, the regional police chief, Mr. Duale said, ‘Mr. Ali is currently being held at Berbera central police station’. Haatuf’s Berbera correspondent, Ahmed Adan, asked the regional chief, “what will you do with Mr. Mr. Ali now that he is in your hands and his deportation to a foreign country is seen by you as illegal?” “We will send him back to Hargeysa,” remarked the police chief. The assistant-head of Berbera C.I.D, declined to be interviewed about the circumstances behind the attempt to deport Mr. Ali. Mr. Omar A Bidar, the head of Berbera port office of the immigration dept speaking to Haatuf’s Ahmed Adan, said, after the incident, that, “the assistant-head of Berbera C.I.D came to our office with the intention of putting Mr. Ali on a ship which was being loaded with livestock destined for Yemen, and said that he had received orders from Hargeysa to deport Mr. Ali who was served with a court deportation order to Yemen, and that he needed our assistance in getting the captain of the ship to agree to hold Mr. Ali locked in one of the ship cabins, and upon reaching Yemen, to hand him over to the Yemeni authorities”. “We thought this guy was crazy, and couldn’t believe it when we realized that he was serious and intent on carrying out the so-called deportation order,” said the head of Berbera port immigration dept, Mr. Omar A Bidar. The motive behind this bizarre conspiracy, to illegally deport Mr. Ali to Yemen, is said to have involved the cooperation of the highest judicial and police authorities in Somaliland. A source in the ministry of justice who wanted to be anonymous told SL Times, “What we have here is that a Yemeni businessman had agents in Hargeysa who worked in coordination with corrupt officials in the Attorney General’s office, the courts and the police department. This cabal was able to issue official papers for the arrest of Mr. Ali and his deportation to Yemen, and it is beyond doubt that the Berbera C.I.D branch assistant-head was a key link in the failed conspiracy. The scheme was paid for by a Yemeni businessman”. A few days after the incident, a senior Berbera police officer who declined to be named told Haatuf, “It’s possible that the police and judicial authorities in Hargeysa were tricked and unknowingly issued the deportation order for Mr. Ali, but it is obvious that this whole affair could not have happened without the knowledge of someone in the judicial and police departments.” Mr Ali is still being held in custody at Berbera central police station, and is held for a crime, which is alleged to have taken place in a foreign country. "The unfortunate thing, in this whole saga is that no foreign country has asked or forwarded formal requests to the Somaliland authorities for the arrest and deportation of Mr Ali", said one Berbera police official who asked not to be named. Berbera residents were angered and dismayed that corruption has reached a level whereby government officials who are supposed to protect citizens are now conspiring to deliver citizens to foreign individuals, for a fee. Source: Somaliland Times

The Verdict Is In: The Ethiopian Intervention In Somalia Is A Failure EDITORIAL Whatever one might have thought initially about the Ethiopian military intervention in Somalia, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that, as it stands now, it is a failure. Yes, the Ethiopian intervention did remove the immediate threat that the Islamic Courts posed to Ethiopia and the so-called Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG), but it failed in bringing peace to Somalia. As a matter of fact the Ethiopian intervention has highlighted the vast contrast in law and order between Southern Somalia under Ethiopian occupation compared to when it was under the control of the Islamic Courts. We say this not in an attempt to rehabilitate the Islamic Courts or to paper over their terrorist activities, but for the sake of accuracy. The truth is Ethiopia is in a mess in Somalia, and the situation is not getting better with every passing day but worse. As if covering such a vast theater of operations from Baidoa to Mogadishu and all the way to Kismayo was not risky enough, the Ethiopian government also took upon itself the additional responsibility of establishing the TFG in Mogadishu, which can only be described as a fool’s errand. The deteriorating situation in Somalia is becoming so plain for everyone to see that the Ethiopian prime minister finally admitted that his government had made mistakes in Somalia. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Ms Jendayi Fraser has also conceded that the Ethiopian intervention in Somalia has only made a bad situation worse. As the Ethiopian and the US governments try to find ways out of the mess in Somalia, the first thing they should do is acknowledge the reality that there is no government in Somalia, and accept that, for a variety of reasons, trying to impose the TFG on Somalis is a losing proposition. Once they have thrown the TFG monkey off their backs, then they have a better chance of making a realistic assessment of the situation then act accordingly. Source: Somaliland Times

^^Omanis are khalijis ninyow,,,,,Arabs are trying hard to maintain their culture.

Originally posted by -Serenity-: Hey North , are you goin to Burco for holiday? if so, how long? Hallo Sen, rather i'll be going to SL. Burco will be my 'hub' but Insha Allah will travel to many places and hope to see Awdal for the first time. You want to send some recorded cassettes miya?

1 Part of the Great Wall of China in Jinhangling, China. The Great Wall is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in China, built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire during the rule of successive dynasties. 2 The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in approximately 1648. 3 Machu Picchu (also called the "Lost City") is a pre-Columbian city created by the Inca Empire. It is located at 2,430m on a mountain ridge. Machu Picchu is located above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, about 70 km northwest of Cusco. 4 Petra in Jordan lies in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah, the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. The monument is carved out of solid rock from the side of a mountain. It was famously described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a prize-winning sonnet by John William Burgon. 5 The Colosseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre, is a giant amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Originally capable of seating around 50,000 spectators, it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. It was built between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian. The amphitheatre, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire, was completed in 80 AD under Titus. 6 Pic Christ the Redeemer is a large Art Deco-style statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue stands 32 m tall, weighs 1000 tons and is located at the peak of the 710m Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, overlooking the city. 7 Chichen Itza (from Yucatec Maya chich'en itza', "At the mouth of the well of the Itza") is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization located in the northern center of the Yucatán Peninsula, present-day Mexico.

Look forward to the pics. Friend of mine is also there from E London. Arrived some time last week hoping to stay there. Tells me there is too many Somalis

Does the Qur’an Teach Violence? I hope you scholars will help me get rid of these confusions I have been having since the Sept 11 incident, especially as regards some Qur’anic verses. These verses totally contradict what Muslims say that their religion calls for peace and denounces violence. Mind you, though not a Muslim, but I don’t hate Muslims. I just need shedding light on some issues. How would you interpret a verse like this (And slay them wherever ye catch them…)? (Al-Baqarah 2: 191) and (…But if they turn away, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks) (An-Nisaa' 4: 89) I will really appreciate your quick reply. Shedding more light on this issue, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, President of the Fiqh Council ofNorth America, states the following: Thank you very much for your kind words that you do not hate Muslims. Hate is not good for any person. I want to assure you that we Muslims also do not hate non-Muslims, be they Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhist or followers of any religion or no religion. Our religion does not allow killing any innocent person regardless of his or her religion. The life of all human beings is sacrosanct according to the teachings of the Qur’an and the guidance of our blessed Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and upon all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah). The Qur’an says about the prohibition of murder, (…Take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus does He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.) (Al-An`am 6: 151) and Allah says in the Qur’an, (Nor take life, which Allah has made sacred, except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the law)) (Al-Israa’ 17: 33). According to the Qur’an, killing any person without a just cause is as big a sin as killing the whole humanity and saving the life of one person is as good deed as saving the whole humanity. (See Al-Ma’idah 5: 32) However, your question is valid, then how come the Qur’an says, (kill them wherever you find them…) as it is mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 191 and Surah An-Nisaa’ 4: 89. The answer is simple and that is, you should read these verses in their textual and historical context. You should read the whole verse and it is better that you read few verses before and few after. Read the full text and see what is said: (Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. And kill them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, kill them. Such is the reward of those who reject faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 190-194) For your second quotation also read the full text: (They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): so take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (from what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks. Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (Of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (guarantees of) peace, then Allah hath opened no way for you (to war against them). Others you will find that wish to gain your confidence as well as that of their people: every time they are sent back to temptation, they succumb thereto; if they withdraw not from you nor give you (guarantees) of peace besides restraining their hands, seize them and slay them wherever ye get them; in their case We have provided you with a clear argument against them.?w (An-Nisaa’ 4: 89-91) Now tell me honestly, do these verses give a free permission to kill any one anywhere? These verses were revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), at the time when Muslims were attacked by the non-Muslims of Makkah on a regular basis. They were frightening the Muslim community of Madinah. One may say using the contemporary jargon that there were constant terrorist attacks on Madinah and in this situation Muslims were given permission to fight back the “terrorist”. These verses are not a permission for “terrorism” but they are a warning against the “terrorists.” But even in these warnings you can see how much restraint and care is emphasized. It is important that we study the religious texts in their proper context. When these texts are not read in their proper textual and historical contexts they are manipulated and distorted. It is true that some Muslims manipulate these verses for their own goals. But this is not only with Islamic texts, it is also true with the texts of other religions. I can quote dozens of verses from the Bible which seem very violent, if taken out from their historical context. These Biblical texts have been used by many violent Jewish and Christian groups. Crusaders used them against Muslims and Jews. Nazis used them against Jews. Recently Serbian Christians used them against Bosnian Muslims. Zionists are using them regularly against Palestinians. Let me mention just a few verses from the Old Testament and New Testament and tell me what do you say about them: “When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you. And when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. (Deutronomy 7:1-2) “When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace. If it agrees to make peace with you and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall become your forced labor and shall serve you. However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword. Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself; and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the LORD your God has given you… Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes (Deutronomy 20:10-17) Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known man intimately, sparefor yourselves. (Numbers 31:17-18) Even in the New Testament we read the following statement attributed to Jesus saying to his disciples: “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence." (Luke 19:26-27) link

Safe trip Insha Allah. You have deprived us of some pics lately. Hows brother QL doing? I think he was on his way to Uganda.

A "Typical" American Discovers Islam Through the Example of a Friend By William My name is William, and I live in a large Midwestern city in the United States. I am a typical American in many ways that are reflected in both my professional and personal lives. Professionally, I am a supervisor with a major police department, and I have been in the military, both active duty and in the reserves for the majority of my adult life. Personally, I live in the suburbs with my wife and child, drive a pickup truck and occasionally wear cowboy boots. I pay my bills, treat my neighbors well, and prior to my reversion/conversion to Islam, I followed my religion in the manner in which I had been instructed. As I said, my life was that of a typical American, with my main concerns being the little details of everyday life that everyone worries about. Little did I know that my religious beliefs would take me out of the “typical” life that I lead, and that they would instead become a major factor in my life, providing me with a sense of peace and completion that only a short time before I would not have thought possible. My journey to Islam began with my association, and later friendship, with a man named Nasir. I met Nasir through work in the late 1980’s, and was impressed with his manners and the way that he treated me. I had met very few Muslims, and I was always a little uneasy around them as I was not sure how they would accept me. Besides having the appearance of a pickup-driving-shotgun-toting-redneck, I was also a Jew, and the combination often seemed to unsettle people. Nasir, however, took everything in stride, and as a result a friendship slowly bloomed. Through Nasir, I really formed my first impressions of Islam and its adherents. Over the years I watched how Nasir dealt with different situations, and was constantly impressed with the wisdom and patience that he displayed when he was dealing with difficult people or situations. He always took the high road, even at times when I, if I had been in the same situation, would have been tempted to treat the persons differently. If I asked him why he did certain things, he would tell me a bit of wisdom which guided his actions. Most of these, (I realized later), were direct or indirect quotes from the Qur’an, which he told me not in a proselytizing way, but in a gentle manner as if he were teaching a child the proper way to conduct itself in the world. In fact, prior to reading the Qur’an, I often marveled at how one person could be so wise and knowledgeable! Little did I know that those guiding principles were written down where I or anyone else could read them. I realize now how blessed I am that I was exposed to Islam and Muslims in such a positive way. Around the winter of 2000, I began to have a serious interest in Islam. I read the Qur’an, but could not seem to fully understand it. Despite this difficulty, I continued to have a nagging feeling that I should continue, and so I studied other books about Islam. I learned a great deal, but in an academic and not in a spiritual way. Again I attempted to read and understand the Qur’an, and again I had difficulties. I finally resolved to ask Nasir for help, and then the 9-11 incident happened. Suddenly I had a host of new worries, and I put my questions on hold. During this time period, I had a great deal of exposure to Islam, however very little of it was put to me in a positive manner. As a police supervisor, I was constantly receiving warnings about perceived Islamic threats, and as an officer in the reserves I was around people who perceived Islam as a direct threat and Muslims as possible enemies. So, to my shame, I continued to wait and kept my studies on the Islamic world to those areas that directly influenced my professional life. Then, in the late summer of 2004, that nagging feeling that had persisted suddenly intensified, and I finally asked Nasir for guidance. He told me about the tenets of his faith, and about the nature of the Qur’an. More importantly, he told me how crucial Islam was to his life, and how strongly he believed in it, not only as the word of God, but as the way in which man was meant to live. He and his brother Riyadh then provided me with booklets about Islam that had answers to many of the questions that I had. With this knowledge in hand, I again approached the Qur’an, and suddenly found that it was not only readable, but that it made sense! I can only think that either I was not mentally ‘ready’ before, or that I simply needed the extra input in order to properly understand and process the information. Either way, I read and re-read everything that I had been provided, and then double checked the facts that had been presented to me. The more I read, the more amazed I was. I found that the information that was in the Qur’an would have been impossible for Mohammed (PBUH) to have known had he not been a prophet. Not only would it have been impossible for a man of his background and geographic location to have known many of these things, it would have been impossible for anyone of his time-period to have known them. I double checked the dates of many of the modern “discoveries” that had been addressed in the Qur’an, and was astounded at what I found. Not only did the Qur’an contain information that was centuries ahead of its time, but it did so with details, many of which could not have been known until this century. I became convinced that Mohammed (PBUH) was indeed a prophet that had been inspired by Allah through his angel. Despite this, I still faced a dilemma. Although I now believed that Mohammed (PBUH) was a prophet, I still was confused about what to do. Everything that I had ever believed was suddenly turned upside down, and I was at a loss for an explanation. That night I prayed for guidance and understanding. I only believed in one god, but I wanted to know the manner in which I should hold that belief. The prayer was simple, but heartfelt, and I went to sleep full of hope that I would receive an understanding of the situation. When I awoke, I did so with the feeling that I had experienced an epiphany. Everything was suddenly clear, and I understood how all the things that I had practiced before were simply observances that had been contrived by man in an attempt to follow religious principles that had changed over the millennia. I did not receive any new information or beliefs, but was instead capable of understanding that which I had already learned. I felt exhilarated, happy and at peace, and that morning I said the shahada. I told Nasir, and he took me to a nearby mosque for the Friday prayers. At the mosque I was lead to the front by Nasir, and I told the assembled congregation about why I had come there. Then Nasir and the Iman helped me repeat the profession of faith in Arabic. Although I was a little nervous, the joy I felt upon doing this far outweighed any other feelings that I had. Afterwards, I was welcomed by the majority of the members in a manner that was so welcoming that I can hardly describe it. Most of the congregation shook my hand and welcomed me to Islam, and many of them offered to help me or to answer any questions that I might have. It was a wonderful experience which I will never forget. In closing, let me say that the feeling of peace that came over me is still with me, and although I am still very early in the learning stages, I am happy and confident that I made the right decision. I am still a redneck-looking, pickup truck-driving, typical American. Only now I am a Muslim American, and with the continued guidance and assistance of people like Nasir and Riyadh, I hope to one day set as good an example for others and they have been for me.

^^waran saxib. Back from your trip?

Needless to say that time is of the essence for the TFG right now.

macciato What is that then? Meesha ma waxad moodey Milan? I dont blame the guy,,,,

Agree with all except for no 7. Yeey to be tried at The Hague would be better.

IA will do saxib. I dont do qayilaad ninyow. But i'm going to take my Nascafe Cap Colombie for when reer Burco give me madax xanuun!

Waar ha inoo saadin things will be settled amicably IA

^^no one wants war ninyow

Edit, Emp, no GG on the topic of SL's independency, is this a line that you would drop, if say the southern and other parts of Somalia become peaceful and the TFGs is replaced by an improved and stabile government administration? Bring peace, a non warlord/corrupt govnt, no Ethios in Somalia and we may have something to talk about. Something i've been saying for years. One should concentrate on this rather than the tired SL rhetoric whenever one is challenged on the current situation. What you think?

Beer iyo loxoox for breakfast at 7am, afternoon sleep, evening caween, Ahhh thats the life dhe!

SL is an illusion! It resembles peace between all tribes and people are actually Somali! An illusion! Emp, want to learn how its done? We can meet and discuss. Just leave the borrowed gun at home,,,,,

no man. still have alot to do. but when i land in Burco i will be excited!

^^waar at least ICU brought some peace. ICU may not have been perfect laakin they had support in SL based on deenahaan. Kuwan kale woxoodu waa qub iyo qac iyo laluush!

JB, they dont wish to talk about the issues i mentioned earlier. They sweep it under the carpet. They dont have the stomach for it.