What happened to Blue Ocean in North London? That was my pit stop afterwork nearly everyday for a while.

Great to see!

^^They dont, they organise petitions and make a noise, albeit slightly muted. With the threat of losing them and their wealth, the athaan is then muted!

Where are the TFG fans? They seem to be rather quiet on this no?

^^Saxib, the muadin i mentioned earlier played a tape and stopped it when it finished. I am aware/heard of Abu Dhabi athaans being central but why deprive muadins of the ajar of making athaan?

Deep!

You should hear the athaan/iqama at the mosque i pray Duhur in ya akhi. Infact you would be lucky to hear it as its in a mainly non-muslim xafad. The other week i went to pray Maqrib at a mosque in Al Ain. I got there before the Athaan. The mu-adin turned on the audio system (a cassette tape thingy connected to the mics) which plays the athaan :confused:

Shiekh?

Is this an argument about funds given to SL directly?

I predict a prominant role for him in the reconciliation process. Thats just Somali bolitiks!

JB, maybe it wasnt his time? He can hold his head high!

Unholy row over residential project By Zoi Constantine and Wafa Issa, Staff Reporters Dubai: An exclusive residential development project in Dubai is selling properties on the basis that the on-site mosque's call to prayer will be restricted, according to prospective buyers. People who have expressed interest in the luxury Al Barari villas have been told that the call to prayer, or adan, which is sounded five times a day starting at dawn, will only be broadcast on Fridays. Others have been informed that noise levels emitted by the mosques will be regulated by a committee of residents once the vast development located near Nad Al Sheba is completed. However, the development company strongly denied the allegations, saying the two on-site mosques will feature the adan as normal. Also, according to the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Awqaf's Department of Islamic and Charitable Affairs, it is against the law to restrict the workings of a mosque in the UAE. Key function "All mosques fall under the authority of the awqaf and they have to raise all calls to prayer, as long as they are operating under an Islamic system, such as the one in our country," Dr Ahmad Abdul Aziz Al Haddad, Grand Mufti at the Department of Islamic and Charitable Affairs, told Gulf News. One of the key functions of the mosque is to remind people of prayer times via the adan, which cannot be confined to the inside of the structure and must be audible outside the mosque, he added. Dubai resident Salim Javed from India, who visited the development's office in Jumeirah with a friend, said they were shocked upon being told that the mosque's call to prayer would be restricted. "I asked how it was possible that the mosque will not broadcast the adan, and we both voiced our grave concerns. The salesperson simply did not have a response," Javed told Gulf News. "The reason that many people move to the UAE is actually for the very fact that it is an Islamic country and we come here to experience that. The adan is central to that." The reason for the proposed ban on adan during the week is that the properties are being targeted at a more "European and US market," another Dubai-resident was told. "There won't be any of that noise," an Al Barari sales executive said. Another prospective buyer, who also did not wish to be named, was informed that a special committee will be established to decide on how loud the adan can be. "The volume will not be very high because people do not want to be woken up at 5am," he was told by a sales executive. When contacted by Gulf News, Mohammad Za'al, the director of Al Barari denied the allegations, saying they were "categorically incorrect". "The development will actually have two mosques, but we will not be restricting the adan. You cannot have a mosque without the adan. This is the first that I have heard of it," he said. According to a statement issued by Al Barari, the development will feature "two mosques ... strategically located within its residential community ... Moreover, both mosques will perform the adan in accordance to the guidelines set forth by the awqaf." Al Barari, which means "the wilderness," is being pitched towards the "privileged elite", according to its advertising campaign. The project, which Za'al stressed is based on a "sound environmental policy," will apparently include around 300 villas, botanical gardens, restaurants, shopping areas, a hotel and extensive water features, with villas going for between Dh13 million and Dh19 million. Phase one is due to be complete in January 2008. - With additional inputs from Abbas Al Lawati, Staff Reporter link

MMA says: Dhuusamareeb, Iskushuban iyo Daacuunsoor ^^Your kidding right?

Last thing we need is a debt ridden Somalia/SL! I think grants from our wealthy brothers in the Gulf is required to rebuild. I really hope we are not taken advantage of like many a African country!

What is the 80% deal about? 80 per cent farm-in?

Range Resources signs deal in Somalia Tuesday January 23, 2007, 1:45 pm Oil and gas explorer Range Resources Ltd is proceeding with a $US50 million farm-in deal and plans to list in the UK after signing a production sharing agreement with the government of Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in Somalia. The production sharing agreement (ASX: PSA.ax) with the Puntland government was signed by Range Resources and Canmex Minerals Corporation, which is listed in Canada and has taken up the farm-in deal. The PSA relates to two main exploration areas, the Nogal and Dharoor Valleys, and as part of its 80 per cent farm-in Canmex will conduct an exploration work program over two three-year periods. Range Resources managing director Mike Povey said the deals are significant milestones for the company. "Since Range's first involvement, the company has been aware that in order to explore successfully for hydrocarbons in Puntland, it required a joint venture partner with a strong technical team, solid financial backing and preferably experience in the region," he said. "In Canmex and the personnel involved with the company I believe we have found an ideal partner to aggressively progress the exploration effort." Range Resources has appointed a broker to proceed with its planned listing on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market, which will see it conduct a $US20 million institutional placement. http://au.biz.yahoo.com/070123/30/12c22.html Any of our nomad economists to disect this for us?

^^It need a govnt free from corruption!

Witnesses: Ethiopia Troops Kill 3 People By MOHAMED OLAD HASSAN MOGADISHU, Ethiopia Jan 22, 2007 (AP)— Ethiopian troops supporting Somalia's fledgling government killed three civilians early Monday, while a top leader of Somalia's Islamic movement turned himself over to authorities in Kenya, a witness and official said. The troops were firing at several gunmen who were trying to hide in a house in the Hurwa district, said Mustaf Hassan Ali, who witnessed the shooting. He said the victims were not the gunmen but civilians in the home. "The Ethiopians fired at the civilians when unknown gunmen sought refuge in their house," Ali said. Ethiopian troops have come under fire frequently in recent days in the Hurwa district, which is considered a hotbed of sympathizers for Somalia's Council of Islamic Courts. The radical group was driven out of the capital and much of southern Somalia last month with the help of powerful troops from neighboring Ethiopia. In neighboring Kenya, Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed crossed the Somali border and was flown immediately to Nairobi, a Kenyan security official said on condition of anonymity because the operation was supposed to be secret. Ahmed was under U.S. protection at a top hotel, a Somali official said, also asking for anonymity for the same reason. A U.S. Embassy spokeswoman said she could not immediately comment. Ahmed was apparently afraid for his life following his decision to leave Somalia, where his Council of Islamic Courts is being hunted by Ethiopian troops and Somali government forces. U.S. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger has repeatedly said Ahmed is a moderate Islamic leader whom the U.S. thinks should be part of a national reconciliation process in Somalia. Ahmed was the chairman of the Executive Council of Islamic Courts and shared the leadership with Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, who was chairman of the court's legislative council. On Saturday, gunmen fired machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades at an Ethiopian convoy in Hurwa district, but missed. The Ethiopians responded with heavy weapons, killing four bystanders, witnesses and medical officials said. Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, when warlords overthrew a dictator and turned on each other. The government was formed two years ago with the help of the United Nations, but was weakened by internal rifts. The intervention of Ethiopia prompted a military advance that was a stunning turnaround for the administration, which is trying to assert control in this battle-scarred country. But the potential for violence remains great because of traditional clan rivalries and a threat of guerrilla war from remnants of the Islamic movement. Many Somalis also resent the Ethiopians' presence. Somalia, a Muslim country, and Ethiopia, with its large Christian population, fought a brutal war in 1977. On Sunday, Somalia's government spokesman said Kenya has handed over 34 Islamic militiamen, and that some of them may be senior leaders of the Islamic movement. Kenyan border patrols arrested the men in the past few weeks, said Abdirahman Dinari, the government spokesman. He said the government is investigating the identities of the men and will soon make the details public. The government has invited African peacekeepers to help provide security in Somalia, but they are unlikely to come if fighting continues. African Union officials approved an 8,000-peacekeeper mission on Friday. Associated Press writer Chris Tomlinson in Nairobi contributed to this report. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

^^lol Qaxootigu had a hard time finding his way around the airports, a crocodile dundee moment lol

Khalafow, i dont belive you for one minute! You couldnt find a decent restaurant in Dubai? Didnt you spot a Labanese? Iranian? Yemeni? Duke, there were more Northerners present but like most of the people in there i think they got suited and booted just to check out the ladies (and vise versa). I think i was the only guy not wearing a suit. My khamis had a subliminal message for the TFG fans

Hmmm, let me have a coffeee first

Hmmm, let me have a coffeee first

^^You think i'm joking about the section to my right dont you? The Boqor made a speach about why Somalis should support the TFG (just like everyone else). The food was good. Steak, barado, rice followed by a selection of desserts. Buffet style!

Originally posted by General Duke: quote: Hogaamiye Dhaqameedyo uu ka mid yahay Boqor Cisman Maxamud "Buur Madoow" oo halkaas ka sheegey tageerada uu u hayo DFKMG ah. Northerner is the Burco chief or a name sake? He was there and gave a good speach i might add. Khalaf, the census was easy to carry-out. Whenever Yeey was mentioned the section to my right would clap while no one else did

I cant sing the national anthem! But the food was nice :cool: