Salaamz, I think NICKNAMES are a reflection of a the person at a particular moment and some part of their persona. Like "disillusioned-N-despondent" u don't call yourself that unless u were feeling like that, when u changed your name. In real life, I have people call me different names cause cerain names represent a certain personality. Fi Amanallah

Guys madhabs are not problems, they are rahma for us, or mercy. because if we only fallowed one madhab, ppl of different nationalities would have problems... so that is why it is mercy... It is Interesting that you said this, considering your stance on shias and great admiration for ibn taymiyya and the salaf. Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, Maybe if you wording it differently like 'WHAT is your AQEEDA?' then you would get alot of more responses. A Madhab is a way of looking at things through Istinbad (pinning down judgements) that were made by a particul Alim/group of ulama(most scholars). What most people muslims get mixed up with is their 'FIQH Madhab' and that deals with the how you apply the sunnah and shariah in the muslim life. For the majority of sunni's, they are Ashari's in Aqeeda. Some famous ulama who are ashari in aqeeda area the likes of imams Imam Ghazzali and Suyuti. There is also the Kharijites, Mutazilites (school of rationalists, some modernists can be catergorized as such), Salafis (they take the line of transmission until the 3rd generation of muslims/Thabit al-tabeen etc. b/c they say that they are closest to the source i.e. the rasul (salallahu caliyhe wasilm) and that any source after that becomes unclear and unreliable cause they didn't live with the rasul (salallahu caliyhe wasilm) or the Sahaba. There is also the Akabari-Ibn Arabi school of thought as well. I don't know too much about the Ahl-al Shia, but there are the Ithanasharis and Ismaels that I am aware of. For the Fiqh Madhabs, there are 4 major ones these being Hanabli, Hanafi, Maliki and Shaafi and each one of them is STRICT in one area and loser in another area. The Ahl Al Shia also have numerous fiqh madhabs but I am not aware of them. The more you read about the deen, the more your realize how little you know and inshallah grow a sense of appreciation for the ULAMA and the 1400+ yrs of the ISLAMIC TRADITION. Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, I just wanted to say that in the past week or two, SOL has become flooded with new members (some from snet) and they were flooding SOL with negativity and giving it a bad name. Like any site, when it becomes popular the quality of content in the forums decrease. So the SOL Admin. staff did a good thing by cutting off the membership, reviewing the new members (that have registered in the last couple of weeks) and implementing a 'buddy referral' system for new applicants that want to become SOL members. People might bitttch and bicker about SOL and how we might censor things on here but the fact is, control and restrain brings about better discussions. As well, inshallah, a sense of respect for the site and its members. Jazaka Allah khayr Keep up the good work Fi Amanallah

Salaamad, I don't know if any nomads have experienced a workplace organized 'POT LUNCH'. Well, I have had that pleasssure and it ain't pretty. My co-workers organized a 'Pot Luck' at work and they were very amped about it! Well from what I experienced at my other job and with some of my old roommates, I had mixed feelings about 'participating' but b/c of 'Office Politics', I had to show up! So comes lunch time and I bring in my food and guess what I see-Some of the Strangest Foods and smells that I ever came up on. :eek: :eek: :eek: Anyways, needless to say I put my food down and try to head for the 'Desert' room cause I'm thinking that you can't go wrong on Deserts Right! WRONGGGG These people can't even bake a Plain Cake! Before the lunch, I was hearing all kinds of stories about my co-workers messing up and burning the food. They were stressed out, losing a nights sleep cause they had to actually 'COOK' something for a change. White Professionals get TAKE OUT or DINE OUT!!! After the lunch, I had people coming up to me talking about how good the food was and that my food was long finished! I was polite and just nodded! One thing I noticed though, is the Black folks don't like to participate in these Pot Lunches at work cause they know that 'WHITE PEOPLE CAN'T .......' Has this happened to anyone else! Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, So then Jamaal, if we can never be satisfied as humans and always want more, then WHY is their the need for REVELATION i.e/ The Quran and Sunnah etc... What is the Purpose of Man? What you are implying then is that we are Without Purpose in life cause nothing can satisfy Insaan/Mankind. Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, Let me rephrase what you are ASKING Baby_Gurl in a clearer way cause what you are basically ask is if its ok to do something that is HARAM??? Oh, yes I forgot, her mother said its OK, so that gives Validity to your question and your friends actions. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Salaamz, "As Jamaal already mentioned, it is about satisfaction...humans love instant gratification and satisfaction, many cannot see beyond the present..." By Idil Good point walaal, but then what reallys Satisfies Humans? Hint: It starts with DHI (and is two words or can be connected as one word) In the Western paradigm, everything is relative even the value in our lives By Baashi Value in material world is subjective By Sophist Baashi if that is the case in the Western Paradigm, then what is at the other end of the pole! Is their anything ABSOLUTE then (Permanent, Unchanging)? Are their Values that are Absolute (that don't change with time, that are not subject? Hint: Look towards the Past (for the solution) and proceed Forward with caution. For those that might be a little confused, here is an easier question that inshallah is in line with this top- How do you VALUE People/Friends??? To what PURPOSE do they serve in their relationship with you? Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, Nortel stock otherwise listed as NT is the hottest stock out there right now. In one yr. it went from almost becoming less than $1 to $10 Translation-thats a 1000% increase and inshallah it is bound to increase b/c they have the proper infrastructure already set up. So they might get bought over by a bigger giant but inshallah it won't go down. But what ever profits/money you make, you should give a portion of it fi SabilAllah cause if you don't, then that profit/money might become your Curse and turn on you (Its a suggestion and not necessary a rule of law). Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, You know its very difficult to bite the 'hand the feeds you' even though it might be feeding you 'POISON'. Ghettoisation? To perserve the deen and Islamic identity, this is the way to go about. The Masjid should be the focal point of the muslim. For what better place to make hijrah too, then the House of Allah aka the Masjid. Anyways, before I say something 'outrageous' and unpopular, I'll stop.

BismaAllah Salaamz, So my question is, if there was an alternative to democratic rule---even if there is a democratic system installed, I highly doubt it will be secular---and an Islamic state was such an option, how would sectarian cleavages be addressed? "Verily this Ummah is a Single Ummah and I am your Lord, so worship and serve Me." (Sura Al-Anbiya, V. 92) Unity>>>>>Stability>>>>>The rule of the Shariah Now there are many Madahabs in Islam and the word Madhab means a way at going at a problem using Istinbad (pinning down a judgement). Now if that is the case, as humans (being less then GOD) can we know exactly what Allah and his Rasul (salallahu caliyhe wasilm)meant in the Quran and the Hadith. Can we know the EXACT MEANING/INTENT of Allah and his Rasul (salallahu caliyhe wasilm). The Ulama being Humans and not ALLAH, can't pin down the exact meaning of an ayat or hadith but they do interpret things and construct a MADHAB through the use of Quran, Sunnah, Shariah and the sayings of other Ulema. A modernist would say that since the Ulema are humans then their Intelligence is Relative and their Madhab is particular to a specific time and period in HISTORY. Hence, the need of a New Madhab that would ignore the PAST (Ulama, Islamic Tradition (1400yrs worth) and the CENTER (Quran and Sunnah) to deal with Modern day issues such as evolution, gender roles, education etc. Going back the above question that La Fidele has asked "how would sectarian cleavages be addressed" Well the Shaytan and his soldiers (post modernists) would utilize this and present this to the muslims as done in the past to the Christians that since the problem of 'Sectarianism' exists in Religion, we should not ignite those fires of SECTARIANISM but govern people upon a common bond that they can be UNITED. Well, what is the ACROSS THE BORDER commonality that people have? If you take Religion out the picture and erase GOD from Ruling our lives, what do we then deem to be important in ourlives? Well, it would be to save our our SKINS. To make our lives more SACRED then any principle or goal. That common bond is the DUNYA. People wanted and want the DUNYA and this includes Stability, economic prosperity and political prowess. If this is presented to people, surely they will accept this. To Secularize the Government and keep religion in the homes and indoors, so as to minimalize prejudices and sectarian conflicts. So this was began by the French Revolution till this day. That is why people want SECULARISM, b/c the Shaytan promises through it, Stability, economic prosperity and Military power. Well, for the MUSLIM UMMAH, what is the common bond that they have? Under what FLAG do we all have a common recognization towards???

Thank You for the naseeha. 'Silence is Golden' So inshallah I'll try to invest in some of that. Once again thank you and inshallah I don't think that I'll be posting anything on SOL for the next little while ( at least) cause I'm coming off like an old man with a wooden stick. I apologize to the nomads for all that I might have shared with you. It was very uncharacteristing of me to do so b/c I often observe silence in most matters with people in my daily interactions with them and speak 'trivial' things to them. Once again I didn't mean to get this 'TRIBUTE' when the 'TRIBUTE' could have been done through a simple 'PM' but the point is made CLEAR, alhamdulillah. 'GO WITH THE FLOW and not against the CURRENT'

Salaamz, the misunderstanding of ISLAM is in many cases more dangerous than the foreign enemies. I agree with you akhi on this and its the 'APOLOGTIC' Muslim Ulama and Leaders who are to blame for this. The Rasul (salallahu caliyhe wasilm) spoke about these two groups of people as being benchmarks for the state of the Ummah. If the Ulama and Muslim Leaders remain true to the DEEN, then the Ummah will be wEll and if they don't, then the Ummah suffers. (If any of you can recall the exact hadith, please do share!) where have you heard that the Islam is "take it or leave it" What does the statement of Tawhid/Shahadah mean then if it denies EVERYTHING but ALLAH and affirms that Muhamed is his Messenger (salallahu caliyhe wasilm)? The fact that the Shahadah starts with a negative aka 'LAA ILAHAA' and affirms that only one REALITY exists and that is 'ILA ALLAH'. Yes, Noah and the other anbiya waited around patiently for the communities to accept the Divine Messages and Laws but the Anbiya didn't bargain with the people and twist GOD's words to appease their communities. They weren't APOLOGTIC for GOD's DIVINE DECREE/QADR. Also, trying to “explain” to people that something that is done in a Muslim country or by some Muslim or Muslims is “not Islamic” and sometimes those things are Islamic, but maybe that are just unusual to the kafirs and reviled by the hypocrites. By Hanif I feel that muslims are always looking for a 'STAMP OF APPROVAL' from OTHERS as to whether something is HALAL or HARAM in their own DEEN. Some examples of things that I’ve noticed Muslims like to apologize for are: *the Taliban and the things that Taliban did in Afghanistan (i.e. annihilating the Buddha statues, make woman were a burqa, force people to pray, and apply Quranic punishments) *Muslims that fight (if it’s Jehad or even if it’s not) *Quran statements and Hadith that say something bad about Jews or that call for Muslims to not make walaa with kafirs *Anything, anything, aaanyyyything!!!! related to woman and shareeca *Calling kafirs kafirs or mushriks... I noticed for some reason kafirs don’t like to be called kafirs. AGREED Sometimes I ask myself this, 'If ISLAM is for everything that Modern Civilization is for and that my DEEN is COMPATIBLE with what my neighbour does, then What the HELLLL am I following ISLAM for, why not be like the Romans when in ROME cause after all, Islam is in total harmony with Society???

After her ordeal, Ali left the flat but his friend came into the flat and raped the distraught teenager after threatening her with a knife and hitting her. and they say that The second man has never been traced. Why can't they find him? Its the 21st century and they can trace finger prints, DNA Samples, semen etc. and there saying that the 'second man has never been traced' Sounds kinda fishyyyyy :confused: In anycase, if its true, then he is a sick person and deserves punishment. You know the same parallels can be made with the Kobe Bryant case. Do you nomads have as much 'VENOM' for Kobe as you might have for 'ALI'?

So I can steal from non-muslim and i won't be punished? /QUOTE] Is this a rhetorical question? From the looks of it, it looks like you reached your own conclusion. Now, what was meant in the earlier statement is that a Muslim can't be KILLED for committing a crime against a nonmuslim. It didn't state anywhere that they can't be PUNISHED and punishment can take on various forms such as jail terms, fines etc. Now walaal, ask yourself this, Did you ask the question out of a need to know or to try to ridicule someone? Its nice to find out that we have moved from the original subject to one particular HUMAN subject. Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, Here is the Daleel 'The Believer shall not be killed because of killing a Kafir.' Sahih Bukhari & Muslim Now the rule extends to such things as a Muslim stealing from a kafir (by the way this rule applies to Ahl Al Kitabies) to raping a nonmuslim etc. I hope inshallah that this is sufficient proof. By the way, what I am saying about a particular topic, I try to take my emotions and personal preferences about it as much as possible. So I'm trying to share with you some of you nomads that the world can be viewed from many different angles, inshallah and to appreciate the DEEN, I think that this is necessary. Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, For some1 who attempts to support his views through Islamic evidence you failed me in the above quote..….when every Prophet asked the people he was sent to guide why they worship the idols and not Allah they all responded with the same answer “we found our forefathers doing it”. So correct me if I'm wrong here walaal but then if we don't follow what has come to us from the past, then how are we to determine what is right and wrong? Why is there the need for tradition and clans? Cause I never heard of anything in the DEEN making it HARAM to follow your cultural traditions. Exactly which part is HARAM about the 'XEER' law that suggests that the rapist pay money to the victim's family and get married to the victim. It might be cruel and sickening to some of us but I haven't seen a SINGLE NOMAD present a case for this to be HARAM. So in your view Somali Dhaqan is sacred like the Quran & Sunnah? I am Somali through and through, but Allah (SAW) asked me to stand 4 justice even if it’s against my own self……therefore I will not say right or wrong I’m with Somali Dhagan. -Somali Dhaqan has some of its roots in ISLAM. Why almost 100% of somalis are MUSLIM and many of them have their roots tied with Arabs. Do you think that a Somali who is not muslim can still be looked at as a 'SOMALI'? When compared to the modern day pop culture of 'the mass is right', I'd pick the Somali Dhaqan anyday. Now I never said that the Somali Dhaqan is anywhere near the Quran and Sunnah, so I don't know how you might have come to such a question, to which its answer you might already have reached at a conclusion. "I am Somali through and through, but Allah (SAW) asked me to stand 4 justice even if it’s against my own self" Mashallah, thats very admirable of you walaal. Oh one more thing, what punishment should be given to a rapist by the way? Fi Amanallah

if a muslim rapes a nonmuslim, he is not to be punished. The last part of the sentence was forgetton. My apologies, it was a typo. What I meant was that a muslim is not to be punished by DEATH, if they were to commit a crime against a nonmuslim b/c the life of a believer is sacred. Inshallah, I'll try to respond to your other q's walaal soon. Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, X-q and Xarbi Please don't try to chew meat if you don't have the teeth for it. In Shariah, if a muslim rapes a muslim, - he can be Stoned to Death, an exampe of this is recorded in the Sunan Abu Dawood hadith books. But a muslim is not to be killed for a nonmuslim. So if a muslim rapes a nonmuslim, he is not to be punished. - he can be given the punishment for zina and if married, well then that punishment is stoning to death. -There is also the ijtihad of the Ulama on this and an Alim can make an ijtihad/ruling to preserve the Name/Dignity of the Muslim Community, Dignity of the Muslim Families. Case in point is if a daughter got pregnant by her boyfriend, marrying them off right away so as to preserve the honor of the families (unless the man is a nonmuslim). Some of you might look at things from a certain angle and inshallah I see were you are coming from but I also see the Hikmah in what the somali elders used to do in these situations. Yes, it does sound harsh and unfair but realistically speaking once word gets around in a community that someone's daughter has been raped, most likely no one will want to marry that daughter or even any daughter from that family. Please don't knock the Somali Dhaqan just cause you got your quurba passport. You still Somali when applying for a job or in line for a loan at the bank. X-quizt, again you need a hugggg! Nomad sistahs, when u meet x-quizt, be sure to give her a hug for me cause she is definitely suffering from love, there's too much rage and anger in her.

Salaamz, Xaarbi and Qac Qaac If you knew a girl was RAPED would you marry her. Mostly likely I wouldn't and I know such information if found out would bring some shame. So then, what is so anti-Islamic about the decree given by the families for the man to marry his the girl, whom no one else will want to marry. Allah knows best, but their TAUBA could be in their Humiliation in this world rather then the AKHIRA. Fi Amanallah

Salaamz, I suppose value is derivative from the need for satisfaction Well were does this need for satisfaction arise from? Much value can be attached to certain objects not because of their market value, but rather their effectiveness in satisfying our needs. /QUOTE] Satisfying needs Some people argue that we are 'infinitely' greedy as humans always wanting more and more. Well the question is- WHAT SATISFIES HUMANS THE MOST? WHAT CAN SATISFY US AS HUMANS? Keep in mind my orginal line of questioning What determines Values in our lives???

Salaamz, so who's got their tickets and is coming to the conference? 5,300 tickets sold and 2000 more seats have been created. So I think that u can get tickets at the door now. I'm guessing that more sistahs then brothers will be coming there from the SOL family. I'm already exxxcited about meeting my '2nd wifeyyy' aka X-quizit and might even meet 'Opinionated' and 'Samiyah'. So sistahs,work out among yourselves who will be paying for what meal of mines and remember now, I have to share my time with each of you Equally. But on a more serious note, It would be kinda nice to meet some of you and tease you nomads. So who got their tickets and who's bringing the shaax and buuscuut.

Salaamz, Question to the Advocates of 'AIDS Education ala Condoms' Since drug usage is a prevalent thing in society, do u think that IF Somalis in Somaliland or Somalia were using drugs and needles were on the streets and people getting high, that a good idea for them would be to educate them by setting up clinics were they good get 'clean needles' and use drugs in a 'safe environment'. This is what is being proposed in North America and not too long ago in the 80's, they changed the 'Abstinance Song' to 'well if u gonna go out tonight son/daughter, make sure u carry a CONDOM with you and practice SAFE SEX. Best EDUCATION is called SOCIETY, thats were we do most of our learning through our ENVIRONMENT. So if u create an environment of 'AIDS is out there so here's a free condom for your protection', you gonna get people 'grinding' a whole lot more and ******* children popping up everywhere. Sometimes, I am shocked to find myself hearing and seeing somethings that come out of muslims mindssss!

Salaamz, Just wanted to ask a question to the nomads here. What determines the value of something i.e What determines the value of an IDEA, OBJECT,a PERSON ETC.??? For example, if u have $100 and u are in the middle of the desert and have a hat with u, and u go to a village to ask for some water. Now, the sun is blazing in that village and the people hardly having any clothing and little water but they are willing to give u some water. So u tell them that u have $100 and they opt for the HAT. Well whats more valuable-$100 or the HAT? Why did the villagers take the HAT instead of the $100? I think that its b/c the HAT was more VALUED to them b/c of what could do or SHOULD DO. Which is protect a head from the blistering sunlight. Hence, the PURPOSE of the Hat. So coming back to my questions earlier, What determines Values in our lives??? Fi Amanallah

Voices: Head scarf ban Alma Levy, 16, left, points to her 18-year old sister Lila's headscarf, as they give a news conference at the headquarters of the Movement Against Racism and for Friendship Between People, or MRAP, Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, in Paris. France is grappling with a possbile ban on all visible religious symbols in schools, including veils such as these. THE STAR.COM STAFF French President Jacques Chirac is shoring up France's secular traditions by calling for a ban on conspicuous religious symbols in public schools. This includes Islamic head scarves, Jewish skull caps and conspicuous, large Christian crosses. This is the opposite of the Canadian and British model of multiculturalism. What's your view? The ban on head scarves in public schools will only drive young women out of mainstream society in France. Some will be forced and others will choose to attend Islamic schools for this reason. Chris Dobson, Toronto, Dec. 19 If the boys were asked to wear head scarves to school as well as the girls, then the custom wouldn’t last a day. The point is the delineation of the genders in extreme ways has no place in modern French secular schools. Anne Mandlsohn, Toronto, Dec. 19 People should wear what they wish. Bill Desmond, Kincardine, Dec. 19 Right on, France. These people are supposed to be blending into society, not standing out against it. Kenneth Oldfield, Belgium, Dec. 19 Living in a secular society does not mean eliminating religious symbolism from clear sight. Will Nham, Toronto, Dec. 19 Religion should have nothing to do with politics or school, and by removing an obvious symbol of religion, many problems will subside. Justin Gallego, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China, Dec. 19 This proposed ban is a disgusting example of the religious persecution and xenophobia that is all too common and accepted in Europe. Terry Bigioni, Chicago, Dec. 19 I do believe that the French government is acting out of fear. The Muslim population in France grows daily, and the French’s veil of secularism is sewn of Christian fibre. Robin Macklin, Charlottesville, Dec. 19 It’s not what the people are wearing but how they act towards one another that determine the barriers often faced. Irma Francis, Brampton, Dec. 19 Because this law regards all religious wear equally, I fully support it. Limiting people’s ability to identify and judge others based on their religion can have a positive side. As a secular state, France has the right to do so and perhaps other nations should follow suit. If this is directed against all religions, then nobody should take it personally. Adam Uppal, St. Catharines, Dec. 19 It’s a head scarf, people! The women who wear them aren’t shoving their religion down anyone’s throat. Carrie Coady, Calgary, Dec. 19 All this foolishness will create a bunker mentality in religious minorities that feel that they can’t get a fair shake. Kenneth Chisholm, London, Ont., Dec. 19 I salute Chirac in his attempt to homogenize French society and instil a sense of "Frenchness" in all the citizens of France regardless of race, creed or religion. Gareth Ridout, Boca Raton, Dec. 19 A woman wearing a scarf has to do with her private life and has nothing to do with politics or public life. Therefore imposing such law in the guise of the defence of secularism is nothing more than a way to attack Islam even in the public sphere. Kashif Hassan, Brampton, Dec. 19 In order to promote tolerance of religious differences, we need to celebrate diversity, not hide it. Setu Finne, ontario, Dec. 19 In Canada (Quebec) we have a "language police" and "cultural police" that work to support French Canadian culture by ensuring that all signs are in French and that all the margarine is the correct colour. Like Quebec, France is just running scared. Don Wray, Mississauga, Dec. 18 Canada should adopt the same attitude. The Christian community has been required to forego the Lord's Prayer and any mention of traditional Christmas/Easter celebrations [because they] have been deemed politically incorrect. Religious symbolism for other groups should be disallowed as well. Freda Stewart, Calgary, Dec. 18 What next? We should be accomodating our differences as well as our similiarities. Marie Reynolds, Toronto, Dec. 18 This move is necessary to protect women's rights [in France.] Under the cloak of religous freedom, Muslim extremists in France have intimidated women into wearing the Hijab, and prevented them from participating in the same opportunities that men have. David Markun, San Francisco, Dec. 18 What is so threating about wearing a Hijab and identifying yourself as a Muslim? A person should have a basic right to practice their religion which includes the Islamic dress code. Arica Mukri, Toronto, Dec. 18 I grew up in a mainly Muslim society. I find scarves are a manifestation of male dominance over females. I don't believe for a moment it is a religious requirement. It is very much a cultural marker. Not all muslim women wear the headscarves. Does this mean that their belief in God is more or less than those that wear them? I doubt that. In a secular society where there is a clear separation between Church and State, religious manifestations of any kind should be confined to places of worship and one's own private quarters. Christopher Assad, Ottawa, Dec. 18 This is outrageous. And contradictory. How do you advocate freedom for women to choose whether they want to wear the hijab and then ban the wearing of it. Mubin Shaikh, Toronto, Dec. 18 I fully agree. Religious diiferences are causing too many problems around the world. Less conspicious symbols will engender more unity among peoples. It is up to host countries to set standards that encourage assimilation. Willard Malcolm, Toronto, Dec. 18 A soverign country saying : "Those who come to this Country must adapt to its Culture". What a refreshing idea. Gerry Bourgeois, Toronto, Dec. 18 It's about time! Let us get religion out of our social lives. It has already done enough harm dividing people. School is not the right place to show our separateness. I applaud their decision. Ruhi Tuzlak, Toronto , Dec. 18 I think it is rather sad that the President of France supports such a measure. The so called "secular" clothing is very "Christian" way of dressing. The "secular" clothing of France has got its roots from the culture of France over the centuries that is fundamentally a Christian culture. Manu Dev, Ottawa, Dec. 18 I don't see how separation of church and state is served by the separation of people from their cultural symbols. France's reinforced secularism comes at the expense of two other pillars of personal feedom, namely freedom of expression and freedom of association. Robert Turnbull, Chicago, Dec. 18 I have always agreed with the U.S. melting pot. Multicultural differences divide us too much. People who come to Canada from foreign lands have concentrated on maintaining their norms and customs without trying to assimilate into this country's culture. There is the old saying, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do." Otherwise why bother to leave your birth country in the first place? Pat Daly, Toronto, Dec. 18 I can understand the reason behind the ban on wearing religious apparel or symbols in school. By no means do I agree with it. If a person's religion requires the wearing of certain garments or other accessories, then that person must be allowed to wear it, so long as the safety of others is not at issue. Toby Cox, Toronto, Dec. 18 It's about time a leader had the courage of his convictions. Like sex, one's [religious] choice should be behind closed doors. If you leave your place of birth, you adopt the laws and ways of your new home. Wayne Colegate, Toronto, Dec. 18 Religion should be kept in the home. President Chirac's ban should be hailed rather than condemned. If it is forbidden by a religous law to not wear a head scarf or skull cap, then perhaps people should re-evaluate the country they chose to emmigrate to and consider returning to their homeland. Kamla Persaud, Toronto, Dec. 18 If we can not tolarate multiculturalism, can we claim to be democrate in principle? What a shame in this 'cultured' socity! Masud Ali, Toronto, Dec. 18 ANYONE SUPRISED BY THE REACTIONS/COMMENTS??? [ May 28, 2010, 06:05 PM: Message edited by: Libaax-Sankataabte ]