Update I forgot to tell you guys that incidentally the Africa Centre did say they had made an error and apologised - a fairly low key statement by all accounts - and that they would split the prize between the original winner and the one they hastily penned in on the night of the awards. Which is a bit stup*id. Just in case Ngonge was still having nightmares about crazy Muslims sending offensive e-mails, he will happy to know they "appreciated the constructive comments" and apologise to anyone who felt offended. I cannot find the full apology online, although it was e-mailed to me, but you can see the build up Here Mubarak Habib of the Africa Centre said there had been “a mix up of communication. Human beings make mistakes.” He said the award – in the Education and Youth category – could be jointly awarded to Sheikh and the other nominee. It remains unclear who made the decision to retract the award, but Habib said all the awards are decided by a judging panel, which is “independent”. Mr. Habibi is Muslim..or so I hear What madness eh, they send out the Muslim guy to apologise

Fantastic plan ya Sayid, which only has two flaws, one a small issue we can agree on, the other is too major and beyond our control. The first issue is: Faarax's against FMG (i mean all men), loudly and clearly denounce fgm and say they will not marry women who had been mutalited obviously excluding the ones who it had been done to before then. The impact of this considering that an estimated 80% of girls over the age of 15 have already been mutilated. Guys cannot take that stand, because farahs that can make such demands are not born yet. Any guy who wants to get married within the next 10years is out of option unless he marries out and in the process further punishing those who have already been abused. offer free hymen test for any parents or prospectus marriage partners to allay their fears and reduce excuses for the continuation of fgm This is also flawed, hymen easily break and if someone one is determined enough easily restored for less than £500 and in 30mins. I suggest we go back to basic i.e. trusting that you are marrying someone who fears Allah and not society and not undermining a women’s self control or her worth by subjecting her to humiliating and flawed tests which really tell you nothing about her character. The second BIG issue, is that this is all theory, Somalia even if it stabilises within the next 10years (and I have major doubts here too) I don’t think this will be a priority in the eyes of people. With problems such as poverty, health, mortality rate, not to mention institution building, displaced people etc I don’t see FGM varying very high on the list of priority. That is if Somali comes that far and stable enough. So I maintain my original opinion, FGM is here for the foreseeable future and although small campaigns may have an impact, it won’t eradicate the practise.

^^^Yes but Urban is a nice guy. I happen to like him...not like YOU "like paragon mind you" but he is young brother, don't be so mean.

^^^Be nice Bella I happen to agree with Urban, you should have said, each member can only participate only once! Others it will be four people going around in circle!

^^So what roles can a male play in preventing this practice? I’ve seen fathers who say to their wife or mothers “you are not touching my daughter, end of” But other than that, there is not much room for movement is there? It is still such a taboo, I don’t think we are going to see the “Farax’s against FGM” organisation anytime soon. Nor do I know what impact they can have in changing the society in such issues. The transition needs to ultimately from the mothers who feel that their daughter will some how be disadvantaged in the society as they will be stigmatised or will not have a good marriage prospect if they don't follow this practice. Education and awareness is always the key in bring taboos out into the open, and people who are willing to talk about their experience. Also girls who had the privilege of missing out on this practise will often feel the need to hide such fact and not openly disclose it, because they still fear being stigmatised. You will see them whispering “I’ve not had it done” like they are hiding the Aids virus of something. :rolleyes: But then again no one wants to be talking about their private parts because of shame, xishood, culture, religion etc and no girl wants to be the token card of "look, she did not have it done and she’s not wild”. There are so many reasons and barriers. It would be a long time before the practise dies out, if at all. It is a shame that educated, social aware parents from the West still take their children to third world countries, fully knowing the health risks and possibility of death. :eek:

^^^Good to see a brother so angered by such issues, which guys often say "its not my concern" But there is no comparison. I agree with everything else you said.

You should see the amount of insults and 'waano' none FGM families get. I did see it, I was shocked that people in this age and time could be so narrow minded. I still don't get the nijaas socota concept. I failed to understand the comparison between a "black dog" and none FGM individual. I'm still puzzled. :confused: I know back home it is not even an option or concern that a girl should not have this done, it is out rage if anyone objects. Even if someone was to resist, the immense pressure of 20 aunties and the whole Xaafad Islamamo. By the end of the week, everyone in the village will be talking about that girl and offering her waano.

^^^Is that comparable ya sayid in your opinion??Rape & FGM that is?? Don’t answer so fast, consider the intentions behind both and the psychological impact of both and then feel free to answer.

^^^They are kids and where are they suppose to go?? You are such an Arab. It is a society problem, back home there is no where to run to, everyone thinks it is a great idea.

@ Afro Girl: Are you kidding? Have you looked back in history of how and why this practise came about. Yes I know it is the mothers who sustain the practice, but nevertheless, they played and still do play a major role in the continuation. Every father has a responsibility, just as great as the mother to look after the wellbeing of his daughters- clearly he is failing in his duty of care.

^^^^Looool Are you kidding?? I know a guy called Digis (pan) I always feel embarrassed to call him that, but everyone shouts it out like it is caadi. I don't even know his real name, so I just wait till I catch his eye if I need to speak/ask him anything. A&T I like this thread.

Loool @ Poolwizard. People from Somaliland are just loud. It is not that SOL is over run with them or anything, it is just that they are loud, noticeable, very vocal and will rub SL in your face till you start talking about the damn place in your sleep. No matter how much you try to avoid it, SL fans will get. I tell you they are working on converting DUke Iis jiir baan kuu idii! I woke up even more depressed than when I went to sleep. I could not sleep, I did not know I could draw pictures, but for three hrs last nigh/ early morning I sketched a beautiful picture. It is amazingly detailed. Maybe I should switch to Art & design. … I need to stop thinking. How does one “switch off”? Is it too early for me to have mid-life crisis? Now I’m sitting at uni eating Kimis and staring at my screen. Other than that Alhumdulilah, how is everyone else?

^^^?

^^^If he is not willing to learn an extra skill, yes. It means he is not open minded enough and is not willing to change with the times and circumstances. Adaptability is a vital skill. There should not even be a discussion about cooking food.

^^^You are a stalker adgiu! I've noticed how you pop up at all the right moments! lool Haha Bella I'm on your side No sly comments.

^^^I don't think you want him to go there my dear AAliyah. Sheeko aan loo jeediin buu waada! Take my word for it, you don't want him to go there :rolleyes:

^^^HAHAHAH LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL I like Bella, if nothing else, she has forced Paragon into hiding! lol hahaha. Gangestiistrade!

^^^Get well soon. Flu in the summer, I'm so confused, and it is a deadly one too. Maybe you should try your dads remedies, otherwise it will bash you like it did to me. Lily you and your issues with wedding crashers! HAHA lol I think it is just sad and out of order, but I would not turn them away at the door.

^^^^Your Somali cracks me up! loool Bad aanad ka dabaalan kareen ku dhicin! lol You say things I aint heard for a while. Bless you.

^^^Lool *Blessed, ninka iska diicey, maasajiid buu kuu moodey. Regular 5times a day. Mashallah

^^^Loool Faheema that boy looks depressed where did you dig it up from lol poor stoic! Lily *waves. CL and Lily don't waste time trying to understand somali weddings! lol Just go with the flow. We really don't know why or whta they are thinking!

RedSea waaxab maa daafan! Go on brother! lol Blessed and Faheema daaf wiilka! He is surveying!

Stoic is chatting up CL. Faheema should we sing them a song?? Lool indeed somali's will never do simple! Tower all the way hehe

^^^I thought you would be happy. Sounds like you was looking forward to being terrorised

^^There would be no one there, just the groom and his buddy and maybe few Iislaamos... I cannot see a somali bride making it to a day time wedding I mean she needs 5hrs for heena and 3hrs for hair, and she needs her beauty sleep...day over already.