^^ It's filmmaking, had to drop punk evolution (it was being taught by The Man ) But I've been learning about the folklore and mythologies of different cultures for as long as I can remember, and I was happy to find that one of my uncles is involved in a project to preserve a few of these Somali tales and I know there are a few similar projects going on in the UK and US. For myself, I'm going to Kenya and hopefully Somalia (insha-Allah) for the first time this summer and I'm hoping to film my grandmother and a few other people and have them tell me all the stories they remember, whether it's fairy tales, legends, ancient superstitions or traditional customs......and see what I can learn from them.

Also in a phone relationship there won't be any chance of undue physical contact....

Does this 'professional' story-teller tradition exist in Somalia? I know there are some efforts to record some of the Somali fairy tales for posterity, but it would be sad that one day the phrase sheeko sheeko would be followed by some Disney fairy tale, because we can't remember our own stories. I passionately believe in the importance of stories, apart from the Holy Quran, they taught me a lot about humans, life and the world. You can tell a lot about a people by the stories they tell and how they tell them. There is something unifying about the idea too. To think there are ancient Chinese, Indian, West-African etc., versions of the Cinderella story or Beauty and the Beast.... that these versions came to exist independently from each other. It makes you realise that at the heart of these stories, are the same issues that awaken the imagination of people everywhere, regardless of race, geography, status or creed. Interesting article Xiin

Originally posted by ibtisam: WHy would anyone care, She felt like shaving her head and making simple people like you waste time debating about her sorry *** :rolleyes: ^^^ that says it all... I've been thinking of shaving off my hair... in a I-wish-I-had-the-balls-to-do-it kinda way

In the 'olden' days people used to have penpals, now it's phone/e-mail pals, one day it'll be virtual-reality pals (actually this is sort of happening already, World of Warcraft anyone?) Some people have always chosen this distant route to get to know someone, it has its benefits and advantages like any other method to know someone. Who is to say someone you see once or twice in real life is more trustworthy than someone who has spilled out their feelings in a phonecall --- both are likely to lie to you, and both probably have.... That's why you should hire a private detective, his intel will always be juicier than anything you'll find out for yourself.... Or alternatively, get married without knowing who the other person is....it doesn't matter anyway...they'll probably suck no matter what... Or stay celibate, go meditate in a cave somewhere...well away from phones and e-mails.... Because as Dr. House says, EVERYBODY lies!

d/p

I don't think this issue is necessarily about sex. I have seen a couple of documentaries, including one where the guy was married but still kept his dolls around because they were his family. The impression I always got was that these people have lot invested emotionally in these dolls. They care for them like they would care for someone they love. So the issue is not necessarily sexual deviation, but what these men gain emotionally from a doll that only ever is what he wants her to be. Her "personality" is always what he wants it to be. It's the ultimate form of subservience, the 'Weird Science' mentality, the geek creating his perfect woman..... and this is an issue that makes for a much more interesting discussion than your every day run-of-the-mill fetish issue. For instance, this article talks about how Japan's birth growth is failing, and as a result elderly people who normally cherish their grand children, now buy dolls to substitute them. The talking robotic doll tells its owner how much it loves her and welcomes her home when she walks back into the house. The majority of buyers are retired women who live alone. Woman with toy These toys are a big hit with the elderly "Many elderly people buy these dolls, they think the dolls are actual grandsons and granddaughters," says Yuko Hirakawa from Tomy. "You can speak to the doll and she will tell you she loves you so much. If you hold the doll, the weight is the same weight as a small infant." Apparently, it provides comfort for lonely women who hold it in their arms. Source I personally find it profoundly sad example of how loneliness drives people to seek a human connection anywhere, even in lifeless things.

Oh, anybody ever been to Sneek? That's my hometown. Man do I miss that place, anyone ever been to Sneekweek? I love Dutch people in general. Vergeleken met Londoners, Nederlandse mensen waren altijd zo vriendelijk, zo zorgzaam, complete onbekenden die te hulp schieten als je ergens gestrand bent met een platte band. Iedereen zegt 'hallo' op straat en vreemden beginnen met je te kletsen terwijl je op de bus wacht. Try finding that in London. nafta, I recently went back to Amsterdam (as well as a few other cities) and in all that time I didn't see a single Somali person......so I have to conclude that apart from the few who missed the last ferry to England, there are no Somalis left

^^ too much?

I'm such a fan of Rudy, I've always liked him, but this quote turned me from a harmless admirer to the self-proclaimed creator of the Rudy Cult u telling me that u got married to have kids!! wow..i guess u turn the lites off 2 Red-sea and yell the train is coming...and she shouts the lite is green...! ^ | | | | This warrants the creation of a tribute shrine, here's the one in my house: Oh yeah, so I nominate Rudy for the Funniest Poster Award!

^^^ your grammar is awful Can we still refer to kaaskoppen now that every last Dutch nomad has fled to the UK during what has to be the biggest mass migration since the war?

^^ do you know if there will be more screenings in London?

I know they tend to be really respectful to women in Dubai. Every time there was a queue in a bank or office, somebody would pick me out of the queue and let me go first, with none of the other men objecting! :eek: Even when crossing the road at undesignated places, some stranger would run into the street like a maniac and stop the traffic so I could cross the road.

Honestly, I thought having *** with other men made you gay. :eek: Sure that was slightly disturbing to watch (and I have to say I am a little envious too), but just 'cause a man got rhythm don't make him gay. Ease off the knee-jerk labeling.

^^^ Well in most cases, it is the only thing available to audiences because most Somali filmmakers have little or no budget to work with, so naturally the standards are lower. Not that you have to put up with it though. Personally, I'd rather cut the cast in half and instead spend the money on better equipment, these days it's not that hard to make a reasonable broadcast-quality indie film with very little money. The problem is that they are trying to make a profit from Somali audiences, who will be copying the film from habaryaar Casho soon enough - when they could get better investment if they were aiming at the 'world cinema' audience and indie festivals. They need to think bigger like our African counterparts. Still interested in seeing it though.

My friend said to me a while ago, "I'm gonna be successful [in his chosen career]" "Say Insha-Allah dude, what's wrong with you?" I replied, slighty panicky. I forgot he had never heard the praise before, and I had to explain why I was so jumpy about it. Even when I'm in class and I'm listening to a speech, I mutter 'Insha-Allah' under my breath every time they make some kind of promise or commitment or talk about the future. My friends now know it, some of them say "God willing" in English now.

I have a whole tub of this when I'm stressed: Sins don't come sweeter than this

^^.....or look bored and miserable in restaurants everywhere

No pictures, no dates, no real names, almost no one ever mentions their marital status, hair colour or the shape of their nose. You will grudgingly admit your country of residence without being too specific about the city. Everybody is too careful to mention where they shop, where their fav takeaway is or where they get their hair done. You will describe in detail your favourite Mocha Latte, but you never reveal where you actually go to get your fix.... Man, Somali people are so paranoid :rolleyes: Oh, me = 23

I think it's usually girls (AND boys I might add) whose parents find it easier to ban everything than to have a serious discussion about what is acceptable, who find it hard to explain what they are up to. Well usually don't Somali parents just look the other way, and pretend that when you introduce a potential husband, that you only met yesterday?

Originally posted by NGONGE: There are strict rules to adhere to and then there are compromises. The niqaab, by the agreement of most scholars, is not a strict necessity. Yet, everyday you get some Muslim women causing a furore over their insistence to wear the niqaab and their freedom of expression! One, surely, cannot have two masters. Are you fighting for Islamic rights or for Western style freedoms? God knows that even when we agree on the basics of Islam, there are great variations on what we define as Islamic. There are many scholars who believe that the niqab is compulsory (mind you, I personally don't agree). It is impossible to have a single body of muslims who speak for every other muslim out there, to help us define what exactly constitutes as Islamic. If this girl and her family strongly feel that they are violating an Islamic directive by not wearing the niqab, no one can claim that they are merely following a culture. Wearing the niqab becomes a religious expression. I personally have doubts about this family's intentions, and I feel this case is unnecessary, dubious and probably doing more harm than good for the Muslim community. But whether you call it 'western style' freedom or not, the point is, since we cannot agree on what these 'clear' rules are, we should always stand behind the most inclusive interpretation of freedom of religious expression. EDIT: I still think some scholars should advise this girl's family and present them with proofs based on revelation, and get them to change their minds through education. If they still insist, then let them take whatever action they feel is necessary to uphold their beliefs.

I personally don't see the point of niqabs, but I have to agree with Kimiya that muslims endorsing bans on them only serves to confuse the non-muslim majority. The point is not whether Islam strictly requires niqabs, the point is that a woman should have the freedom to wear whatever she wants. These girls and their families believe that it is a strict requirement, therefore any ban would strongly conflict with their beliefs. We can't allow the government to dictate which forms of religious expression are acceptable and which laws of the Shariah we should follow. Only muslims should consult amongst each other how to apply the laws of Islam. However, I'd hesitate to have girls wear the niqab at such a young age and I do understand how this is a problem at school. But Meco could have handled this better by instead of choosing sides, they consulted with the girl's family, advising them on pushing for things that are not essential when there so many other things to fight for, etc. But I would never agree with a ban on the niqab, however young they are, because any division between Muslims on the issue of freedom of expression will cause the government to pursue even more Islamic customs.

I've always thought that Critical Thinking and Logic classes should be compulsory in schools from an early age, especially in Britain, what with all their tabloids and the constant bandwagon race they have. I know they teach it in sixth form as an optional course or something, and it is usually derided in the press as another 'liberal' attempt to make school easier. When I was at school (Netherlands), the main thing they taught us in History was to consider the source, their intentions, motivations and judge for ourselves if what we read is worth believing. I think this should be applied more intensively across all subjects. Interesting read though, thanks.

Originally posted by MKA Yoonis: No, I don't disagree with you at all! What we need is a limit on items, that can be included in this thread! XulaXu otherwise the whole thing will just turn into a shamble. What we need is rules and regulations and a limitation of items, already unappriorprite items were posted, so if you don't wish this whole thing turning into a 'disaster' and a mess, I urge to come up with a limitiation of items that can be posted and that they have to be something one cannot do everyday, something really great! I say list the most three items you cannot live without on a daily basis! There should be a meaningful lesson in such things but not the trivial 'crazyness' shown here, already some posted their silly items, sister there should be some rules! So make them up for us, otherwise the whole thing will be just ridicules and everyone posting what he feels like to post giving no real meaning to what they have posted but nevertheless it's a good idea but the whole thing is just amusing! Do people have some kind of priority mix up or do they like to post their irrelavant 'luxury' items! Xula if that is a case of show casting your symbol status then you should have clarified it much earlier because then at least I'd know what to post but the whole thing is just to general and you can see that from the replies, random items with no real meaning to them! I got much respect and this is a sincere message from my deep heart. My dear, there are no limits to gratitude, no qualifying the things people are truly happy to have. Even material things can be a blessing But you are right, this isn't a thread for things you want to have, this is an appreciation thread for the things that already enrich your life in some way or other.