Stoic and Ibtisam, Here is my few coins on how Muslims should perceive God/Allah in comparison to the author's view that God is not a tribal vengeful one. God and his/her (remember that pronouns can never describe God) presence is un-explainable. Allah reminds us in the qur'an (Laysa ka mithlihi shay"). This sublime verse means that there is nothing can resembles Allah. When some people think of God they might think of a white bearded man with robes (Western thought) but let them know that Allah is far from that. In According to the famous mufasir of the Quran, Ibn Kathir The Quran in it's infinite wisdom tell's us that God uses different pronouns in the Quran, sometime God uses the pronoun "We" and other times "He". The wisdom behind this is to show us that God can never resemble or be explained by our limited knowledge. His/Her/Their attributes can only be understood by his majestic names. Marka, if Some think of Allah as a tribal vengeful God then that is by that persons limited knowledge of God. Allah's mercy is ten times more then his "justice", remember that divine punishment is always connected to justice, the man who commits crimes against fellow humans must reap the consequences of his deed, in order for him reap that God must be just, hence one of his majestic name is "Al-caadil" (The just) For very Sura God begins with the beautiful verse of Bismillahi Raxmaani Raxiim "In the name of the most compassionate and mercy one. Mercy and compassion is ultimately connected justice. Punishment by God is only a reflection of Mercy and divine "justice". I am sorry for the long theological input but I felt it was needed when under attack by that article.

Stoic and Ibtisam, Here is my few coins on how Muslims should perceive God/Allah in comparison to the author's view that God is not a tribal vengeful one. God and his/her (remember that pronouns can never describe God) presence is un-explainable. Allah reminds us in the qur'an (Laysa ka mithlihi shay"). This sublime verse means that there is nothing can resembles Allah. When some people think of God they might think of a white bearded man with robes (Western thought) but let them know that Allah is far from that. In According to the famous mufasir of the Quran, Ibn Kathir The Quran in it's infinite wisdom tell's us that God uses different pronouns in the Quran, sometime God uses the pronoun "We" and other times "He". The wisdom behind this is to show us that God can never resemble or be explained by our limited knowledge. His/Her/Their attributes can only be understood by his majestic names. Marka, if Some think of Allah as a tribal vengeful God then that is by that persons limited knowledge of God. Allah's mercy is ten times more then his "justice", remember that divine punishment is always connected to justice, the man who commits crimes against fellow humans must reap the consequences of his deed, in order for him reap that God must be just, hence one of his majestic name is "Al-caadil" (The just) For very sura God begins with the beautiful verse of Bismillahi Raxmaani Raxiim "In the name of the most compassionate and mercy one. Mercy and compassion are ultimately connected justice. Punishment by God is only a reflection of Mercy and divine "justice". I am sorry for the long theological input but I felt it was needed when under attack by that article.

Classified;983397 wrote: Lol. Nowadays, for Somali women, FGM and attacking Itheir Culture has become their latest quick rich scheme. They'll get a couple of grants from public and private funds. Send back home to do a short documentary. Get a book deal. Get some air-time on National news. Come back to the Foreign nation you call home and create an "Out-reach" program for "your" community and milk the system. They deserve a Mark Twain award for their humor. lol Classified, why should we not criticize regressive cultural traits in Somalia? FGM and other " negative" cultural traits should be discussed openly. Every society evolves. 1800-th century Somalia is for example not the same as today's Somalia. I of course agree with you if you mean the "Ayan-Hirsi" types who has inferiority complex. They love to talk and criticize aspects within our faith but remain stubbornly silent in regards to the Wests imperial approach to Somalia or other poor states. That'speople with a double agenda.

Safferz;983369 wrote: You enjoy strawman arguments, don't you? Anti-intellectualism can mean a number of things, but here I mean it as the unwillingness to engage with perspectives, positions and ideas different from one's own and participate in productive exchange (whether that's a debate, or reading a text) and specifically the hostility certain SOLers towards 'thinking outside the box' as Ibti put it. Marching in here as Classified and Khayr have, hostile to even reading the works of the two scholars mentioned in this thread, is the very definition and practice of anti-intellectualism. No one said anything about agreeing with them, you read THEN you share your thoughtful disagreement. Safferz, I fully get you here, read and then comment. That sounds very logical and I have to admit I myself had that mentality until a wise person once said to me,. Our eyes and ears are the doors to the heart and soul, so take good care of them. For an example, Ayaan Hirsi published a couple of years ago a book. I saw that it was for sale in a book-shop. I wanted to buy the book and read the book but I then asked myself, Why would I want to give my hard earned money for a book written by woman that I really dislike for her opinion. I simply bought another book. PS: By the way I do not know who Khaled Abou Fadel is, My anology with Ayaan Hirsi might not be correct but I think you get the message Safferz. Regarding the article ibti, It was an interesting read. Horrible though that author did not mention the love-aspect of Islam. The knowledgeable Sayyida Rabiica Cadawiya, She was first in Islam who came up with the idea that we should worship God out of love and not fear. This was1000 years ago.

The topic name tells it all. The dacwa in Somalia in other words "the message of islam to Somalia". I thought that Somalis were already muslims so skip the code words and rename the thread as "the state of salafism" in Somalia. We live in bizarre times, when foreign trained neo-salafis have the nerves to call Somalis as "mushriks" that needs to be re-islamised as if they were non-muslims. As for the grave worshiping thing never ever have in my life seen a Somali worshiping a grave. If you believe that interssecion (tawasul, asking God through the prophet) is shirk then that is your opinion.

dhugfe;983209 wrote: I think the Islamic mortgage financing process is fixed and there is no two way about it. That process gets murky, however, when those “Islamic banks” try to alter that process to their advantage. For example, the monthly payment towards the principle (equity) should only cover the principle, remain fixed over the life of the loan and should be known in advance. Instead those banks try to make it variable to reflect the “market rate” which is nothing but interest and it increases the bank’s equity, which should never happen in this system. The only thing that is allowed to be variable, to reflect the “market rate”, is the rent portion which shouldn’t be a surprise because rent varies over the years. There is a bank called lariba here in the states, and at first glance it looks legit, but further research might be needed. There is always something in the fine prints. That's what I thought dhigfe!. Why would a bank lend you money and on top of that make no profit on it?. Let's say that they did lend you the money but you were not able to pay the loan, who is going to pay them (or insurance them) for eventual losses when the house is sold byforce?. I am not so good on economics but thats my few coins on it.

Khayr;983135 wrote: All those movies have black males as slaves, servants or pitch black pirates. Great things to aspire to and recant about over and over again right? Hollywood doesn't give a damn about black history. They retell these stories and almost always and I mean always - there is a white protagonist that some how has the power to free that black person from darkness. I just don't get the stoopidity of these negroes that want to play the slaves or thiefs or servants. Could you imagine Brad Pitt wanting to play the role of a jewwish thief? No such thing right, I mean about a jeeww being a thief - ever! khayr, I think that Hollywood has done some advances. Every now and then, new hollywood movies has prime actors in high positions. One example is seeing black-presidents or scientists. Back in the 80-ties black males were always portrayed in a comical way or they were the first actors to die i a horror movie. I think it's good for one thing that Hollywood portrays the agony and social oppression that blacks went through. Just as Safferz said they were always portrayed as "happy slaves" that were on the sidelines in movies about the south. You maybe don't like the victim role that the blacks play. You might be right on that but that is the true dark american history. I guess that it's same thing with Jews, always being portrayed as victims in films about world war II. (well I guess they were also picked upon). One thing that Hollywood needs to make is a movie that the blacks are not victims. Why not make a movie about heroic blackmen that defied racism in USA during the civil rights moments ( They have probably made one but I haven't seen it)

Haatu: So thats what your into? Watching cunug niikinaayo lol I would never thought that about our great salafi sheekh.

SomaliPhilosopher;982670 wrote: Somalida waa reer guuraah. Getting a mortgage is the least somali think you can do sxb! +!... I have to agree with you somali ph. It seems that it's "un-somali" to be stuck with a house on a certain place for a considerable time. I remember during the late 90-ties when thousands of Somalis from Scandinavia were moving to the UK. A couple of years ago I saw the same family during an event. I guess they moved back to Sweden. That's how we Somalis are, if some hears the rumors that the others side of the river has gold, soon hordes of his family will be heading to that side. Positive things with this form a "euro-nomadism" might be that we would have a lot of more experience and be adaptable to new environments but I do believe that the negative outweighs more then the positive, moving your family and kids to different locations and culture will probably make them feel not belonging somewhere. To the thread starter: Regarding buying a house, I have thought about it, if my family would have bought a house in 1991 we would not need to pay rent now but I guess my parents back then were refugees who did not think that we would be here for 20 years. But unlike my parents I I or my generation grew up here and are well into the 30-ties now. Somalia seems distant and why pay rent if I am probably going to be here in Europe for another 20 years? Paying money for rent for 20 years is a lot of money, and not being able to sell the house your renting means that the house is not yours. You are in another words simply throwing away your hard earned money. Another observation that I have made is that the greatest socio-economical difference between mainly immigrant youths & native swedes is that the native swedes have great capital by buying a house and then when they are old giving it to their off-spring. A close Swedish friend currently lives in a big villa that he inherited from his family. He does not need to pay a dime in rent. The only thing that is currently holding me back from buying a house is my faith in God. I believe that taking interest or paying interest is forbidden but do not blame others if they do it. Hey its a free world! , everyone reaps what he sows. I have heard of Islamic banks but here in Scandinavia they are not so well established and are not an option but who knows.They might be a reality soon and if so I will be the first to buy a house. Ps: I am not so educated in how Islamic banks work but could someone explain how they finance themselves if they do not take interest?

Just talk!--- Iska waran

burahadeer;982438 wrote: ^^^Biggest lie !! Free education & health care as meagre as it was existed before him(infact many schools in the north were closed during his reign...your world centred around Mogadishu) and you guys seem to emphasize only Mogadishu but scortched earth policy was going on in the north till late 70s.Again it shows how you didn't acknowledge that disaster in the north back then and still wilfully disregarding.Only when Mogadishu(south) suffers is somalinimo relevant. Burahdeers : you need re-read my post. I simply stated that his regime was brutal and is ultimately the reason that the vicious civil war erupted. The regimes massacres happened all over in Somali and not only in the north as some people want it to be. The wells of central Somalia was poisoned and massacres were committed on every group that wanted to overthrew the regime. But you need to understand that if we compare the Somalia of Siyaad Barre and now, we are comparing between heaven and hell. Somali education was one of the best in Africa. Education in Somalia or Somaliland or Puntland (what ever land or region) is today defined by the one who has capital (Doolar). Only 20 % of Somali children actually go schools, higher education is non-existent and even those who exist are all private and are not recognized in the world. Hawdian: Your quite true that politicians before the coup had dreams of written Af-Soomali , but Siyaad Barre implemented it and made an everlasting cultural contribution to the Somali society. By writing in Af-soomali what was before only orally he somewhat made his presence e permanent. Even Somalis in Jabuuti and Itoobiya today use the accepted writing of Af-soomali.

Tallaabo and Safferz: People will always be nostalgic weather for the good or bad. What ever happens, Siyaad Barre ( aun) and his brutal regime are part of the Somali history. Only by discussing its achievements and failures can we understand the present and change the future. The regime of Siyaad Barre included all Somali clans and we should blame each others then pointing the fingers on a single man. One of the greatest failures of Siyaad Barre is that he failed to seize the moment when his regime was crumbling. Rather then leave the city and immediately start negations with the rebels he took another destructive path, Axmxaarki Mengistu ayaa ka fiicnay. Siyaad Barre and his regime was a disaster for the Somali society but his greatest permanent achievement must have been the writing of the Somali alphabet. Weather we like it or not, during his rule we had free education and healthcare. Now days only 20% of Somali children go to school.

If the healthcare in Somalia is failing I wonder what will happen after the MSF pulled out.

my friends thought that Mr. Mohamud didn’t have the determination to lead the country, nor the hardiness to stand up to clan elders who have contributed so much to the two-decade-plus civil war and still dominate the country. A former prime minister, Ali Mohamed Gedi, has called him an incompetent novice. ....Ali Khalif Gallaydh, a member of Parliament and a former prime minister, has alleged (citing unnamed British and American intelligence sources) that Mr. Mohamud has contacts with Al Shabab, the Islamist affiliate of Al Qaeda in East Africa. That's the reread you requested xiin. Who are the un-named american & british intelligent sources suggesting that the president is in bed with al-shabaab. It's something for the respected author to criticize the president and the government but it is another thing to quote unnamed sources and imply a democratic elected president as an al-shabaab sympathizer . I wonder why the assassination attempt on the president by al-shabaab is unheard of in his essay.

LANDER;981559 wrote: ^That paragraph sums up what I saw in this article. Mr.Nurudin Farah being an 'intellectual' doesn't want to be seen as another petty tribal commentator the likes of which he described earlier in the article. Yet, you have to ask yourself why include hear say and unsubstantiated accusations? shouldn't someone of his caliber know better? Being the president of Somalia in my humble opinion is the most difficult job on the face of the planet. Yet, overall the situation in Somalia has steadly improved with the occasional set back. Coming in to office did anyone really expect anymore than what President Mohamud has done thus far? if you did, than I dare say you have little appreciation for the difficulty and unpredictable nature of the job this man was given. So what is the most substantial criticism Nuradiin Farah has been able to throw at a man who constantly faces death from a extremist group and who inherited the worlds only failed state plagued by war and famine? Well, that he didn't overturn the judiciaries decision in one particular murder case of 2 NGO workers by one particular individual. No offense to the victims of that crime or their families nor do I want to diminish these crimes, but is Nurudiin Farah serious? or does he have another agenda by going to a major western publishing like the NYT? 1+. Nurudin Farah is a respected author but his criticism by hearsay was wrong. But some of his points was indeed correct. He said that the justice system in Somalia is in shatters when a convicted murderer was set free yet the whole Somali population are now facing the horrible challenges when MSF pulled out of Somalia. They could simply not accept one of their doctors getting murdered and then being set free by the president.

Wish the best for Abdi Warsame. He is a honest guy giving the somalis in Minneapolis a voice. Kudos for the guy

We seem to be the worst nation in regards to corruption and security, Even our passport is among the most visa restricted. Whats more worse is that 20 years of anarchy and chaos have totally destroyed the healthcare in our country. Somalia has today one of the worst vaccination rate in the world. We are in second in the world regards to children dying of horrible but easily treatable diseases. Compare these rated to when we had fully functioning government. We had high literacy, free education, and free healthcare. ilaahayow wadankeena u gargaar. Lowest vaccination rates Nigeria42% Somalia46% Central African Republic49% Equatorial Guinea51% Vanuatu52% Guinea58% Measles vaccination coverage (%), 2012 Less than 50% 50-79% 80-89% 90% and above No data The long view The growth of global immunisation Continue reading the main story Related Stories Anti-cancer vaccine for Laos Immunisation has been one of the great success stories of global health. It is estimated to prevent the deaths of two to three million children each year. But another 1.5 million children still die from diseases that could be prevented by routine vaccines. The eradication of smallpox in 1979 helped encourage global efforts to fight more diseases through immunisation. These maps chart the growth of global vaccine coverage from 1980 and show which countries are doing best - and worst - at protecting their population. The three vaccines illustrated combat five infections and have been chosen as they demonstrate varying levels of progress against several major diseases. Continue reading the main story INTERACTIVE MeaslesHib3DTP3Click on the map to zoom Measles Measles is a highly infectious viral disease whose symptoms include a high fever and rash. Complications of measles can include blindness, brain swelling and pneumonia. A very effective measles vaccine was introduced in the late 1960s and immunisation rates have soared since 1980. As a result, the number of deaths from the disease have plummeted from 2.6 million in 1980 to 156,000 last year. The past three decades have seen a dramatic increase in measles immunisation and a rapid decline in deaths, but there is concern that global immunisation rates have levelled off in recent years. By 2012, 84% of children globally got one dose of measles vaccine by their second birthday. Since 2009 the WHO has recommended that all children receive a second dose of the vaccine. Since measles only affects humans it should be possible to eradicate but several targets have been missed. Growth in measles vaccination coverage Measles Containing Vaccine (MCV) coverage, 1980-2012 (%) MeaslesHib3DTP3 Source: WHO and UNICEF estimates of national routine immunization coverage, 2012 data revision (July 2013). Vaccines: Who's missing out? The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1.5 million deaths children under five die each year from diseases that could have been prevented by routine immunisation. Vaccine-preventable diseases, breakdown The chart shows that pneumococcal diseases and rotavirus infection are responsible for around two thirds of these deaths. The former causes pneumonia and the latter is the most common cause of severe diarrhoea. Vaccines against the main causes of both infections have been introduced in the past decade. They are now routinely available in wealthier countries and are being gradually introduced across the developing world. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) has preliminary plans to support the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in more than 30 of the world's poorest countries by 2015. More than 25 developing countries have begun using pneumococcal vaccines and it hopes to rollout the jab in 45 countries by 2015.

Just as Saferzz said mental illness is a real problem in Somalia, come on, let us not fool ourselves. What do you expect from a nation has gone through a vicious civil war, and on top of that over 20 % of the population are internally displaced refugees. The signs of of mental illness does not always have to be "waalida dharka siibka eh' Many people probably suffer from depression and other stress traumas, that's why we often see people who self-medicate on Khat and other ddrugs. Other problems are exactly what other posters said: Mental health issues are a real stigma in Somali society. We need to change this and talk a lot more about how we can help these people. Apo: It's very strange that some one like you, who sees him cultured and well read on issues to see psychology as as pseudo-science or bullshit.. Your probably the first Marxist to make that critique. I hope that you understand that psychology has developed a lot since Freud. Behavioral psychology is today widely accepted within the scientific community.

Alle-ubaahne;980909 wrote: AUN dhamaantood. I am sure most of them were young people at their prime times, running away the desperations of Somalia and the hopelessness for a better life in Europe. I have a cousin that is missing in Libya, whose boat failed twice and got arrested in Libya. He is one of the only two sons of my Eedo. Our people have harrowing stories to tell about these trying times of the past two decades! Ilaahow noo naxariiso, dalkeenana ka qabo kuwa ku ciyaaraya oo arxan-laaweyaasha ah, aamiin. Good to see your still on board on the forum Lampeda is a shame Ilaahay ha u naxariisto dhalanyardeena waxaan rabbi ka baryaa in u wadankooda noqdo kii luu tarhiibilahaay. Kolley si sahal hadaan arrinka ugu dhiga, dadkaani madow 100 ayaa colonialism luu heeystay. Khayrraadkoodan ayaa laga xaday. So they are in a sense people reclaim what was theirs from the beginning.

Gheelle.T;981029 wrote: Niman ooynaaya AS iska dhicin maayaan ee Masaajidka ciyaarta ka daaya! Gheele warkiisa amaa wax ka jiraa, NIMAN OYNAAYO ma taaban karaan bahalada AS Anyways, good soldiers, hope they understand the responsibility rested upon them.

Safferz, This year went extremely fast ( hopefully these three months) will save us all. Of all these things on my list it's only number 1 I think I still have some tme to do a turn over . By the way Yaanan liga nixin becouse of the many failure. Caajisnimada wallaahi waa shay qatar But who knows, Ilaahay haduu na gaarsiiyo 2014 will be year of the CHANGE. 1:Lose some weight (Failed miserably) 2: Return to the books and begin research on pharmacokinetics, (Failed, after 4 ,5 years studies in pharmacology I simply did not have the interest 3: Make a trip to Somalia and see whats happening their: Failed, I dont want to get shot or die, been yaanan lisku sheegin, nafta waan jeclahay 4: Quit smoking: Succsess/Failure, well I stopped smoking but ended up with using swedish tubaako, same shit 5: Start walking at least 1 km twice a week: Failed, Waaba sii caajisay, I dont even want to walk to the bus station

Tallaabo;980516 wrote: This is so sad may Allah forgive their sins and bless their souls. This has become a recurring tragedy afflicting our people. The Islamic scholars should speak up against this dangerous and unacceptable gamble with life our youth are taking for promise of a better future. Talaabo, I share your worries, We truly need some change but I dont know what islamic scholars could do? Who can stop a person seeking a better life? A life free from vicious wars and poverty. These poor youth had for a very good reason, a feeling that they could not fulfill their aspirations of life in Somalia. We need a change to that. Ma Sahlano xalka laakin ilaahay ayaa joogo. God's peace be upon those who died, samir iyo imaan ilaahay ha siiyo eheledooda.

Inna lillahi waa ilayhi rajacun, Ilaahay ha u naxariisto.

How children of the world united at a Soviet school By Oxana Vozhdaeva BBC World Service In 1939, a nine-year-old Palestinian girl found herself alone, sobbing her heart out in a Russian children's home. "I remember how much I cried. It hurt," Daulia Saadi explains, more than 70 years later. Saadi's mother was returning to Lebanon, to rejoin the communist struggle she had left a few years earlier - and to rejoin Saadi's father, who was secretary of the banned Communist Party of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. Daulia Saadi, 2013 After leaving the Interdom, Daulia Saadi remained in Russia "I asked my mother many years later: how could you do it?" "She said, 'Daulia, what could I do?' Continue reading the main story Find out more Oxana Vozhdaeva's report was featured on Weekend on the BBC World Service. More from Weekend More from the BBC World Service "Our parents were so passionate about the revolutionary struggle that they left their children in another country. "Their whole lives were abnormal." So Saadi's childhood was spent at the Interdom, short for International House, in Ivanovo, 250 km (155 miles) north-east of Moscow. Decades later, she has fond memories, like many other former students, of singing revolutionary songs, and rejoicing in the belief that their parents were making the world a better place. The old Interdom building The school made sure children were taught their own language, history and culture, and took pains to find teachers even of rare languages. Unlike other Soviet children, the students received information from overseas and were allowed to travel to visit their parents. Daulia Saadi remembers Mao's eldest son, Mao Anying, who was known in the home as Sergei Yun Fu. A group of children, including Mao Anying, at Interdom Mao Anying is second from the left in the back row His story ended tragically. On returning to China, according to some former Interdom pupils, Mao Anying clashed with his father, accusing him of creating a cult of personality. Partly for this reason, he volunteered to fight in Korea, and died there. Continue reading the main story Mao Anying Mao Anying when he was at Interdom 1922 born in Hunan province 1930 mother Yang Kaihui executed by the nationalist Kuomintang 1930 smuggled to Shanghai where he spent some time living on the street 1936 sent to Paris then on to Russia 1947 returned to China 1950 killed by a bomb in the Korean War The idea for a boarding school for revolutionaries' children came from a Swiss activist, Mentona Moser, whose family founded the Moser watchmaking company. When she travelled to Russia in 1926, Moser was so inspired by the communist state that she decided to donate part of her inheritance to the creation of the school. She was helped by a fellow countryman, Fritz Platten, who was best known for assisting Russian emigres, including Lenin, to return from Switzerland to Russia in 1917. Platten is said to have organised the sealed train that took Lenin through German-occupied Europe to St Petersburg. At first a children's home was set up near Podolsk, to the south of Moscow, but by 1933 a new building had been built in Ivanovo, funded by the city's textile workers. The first people to be brought here were the children of anti-fascists in Bulgaria and Germany, but in time political activists from all over the world sent their children to Ivanovo. Youngsters came from Greece, Austria, Italy, Spain, Chile, Iran, Angola, Ethiopia and Somalia. Amaya Ruiz Ibarruri Amaya Ruiz Ibarruri, the daughter of Spanish communist La Pasionaria, studied at Interdom From the list of countries, you could construct a map of the 20th Century's conflicts and political faultlines. Children were also taken to Ivanovo during the blockade of Leningrad in World War II and after the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986. In all, 5,000 children from 85 countries passed through the Interdom's doors. What many former pupils value most is the international spirit that stemmed from this. "The Interdom gave me a cosmopolitan outlook," says Beatrice Otigo-Potapova, whose father was a prominent Kenyan politician, and a personal friend of longstanding Soviet politburo member Anastas Mikoyan. "I categorically refuse to accept any form of nationalism, be it black or white, it makes no difference to me. Plus honesty - you have to say things how they are, and to love people for how they are." Two other friends, Tavanei Ayalny from Ethiopia and Varsami Aidi from Somalia, echo that view. "We are both Africans, but there was war between our countries. However, it made no difference to us. We're brothers. That's the main thing the Interdom taught us." Ayalny and Aidi with their arms around each other Tavanei Ayalny and Varsami Aidi in 2013 The last 10 years, leading up to its 80th birthday this year, have been difficult ones for the Interdom. Plans to turn it into a military academy were only averted after the students wrote to President Vladimir Putin and staged a hunger strike. The school survived but lost its "international" status. Continue reading the main story More from the Magazine The book that shook the USSR The Cold War rival to Eurovision The Greta Garbo of space How the Beatles rocked the Eastern Bloc Now the children are mostly from Russia and former Soviet republics, often from hotspots of inter-ethnic conflict. But an association of graduates has recently appealed to the Russian authorities to make it "international" once more. Here, they say, one could provide a home to children from conflict zones, such as Libya or Syria, or from areas struck by earthquakes, tsunamis or other natural disasters. Although the age of communist revolutions is long gone, another generation of children, they argue, might grow up to serve as "ambassadors of Russian culture" overseas. Oxana Vozhdaeva's report was featured on Weekend on the BBC World Service.

Hobbesian_Brute;980447 wrote: Ahmed gurey got his *** whopped by the Abyssinian christian king later after being surprised initially, so stop gloating for this one hit wonder. It is correct that he was killed but we can not deny that he captured the highlands of Gondar and Tigray and wa the first muslim to do so,most historical accounts say so. It was during his time that indigenous muslim jeberta of Wollo and Tigray got established. Eventually the tide turned when the brother of the famous Portuguese sailor Vasco Da-Gama came to the rescue with well equipped catholic Jesuit soldiers. Ironically history repeats itself. When Somali soldiers, 500 years later captured the pre Dire-Dawa pass and were aproximtly 40 km from Addis guess who came to the rescue? Russians and Cubans! Though religion might have not played a role, we can not deny that Identity is always affiliated with it.