^^^ As with every country in the world, they do stereotype but the myth about the English is nonsense. He that is nasty to the English is nasty to everyone and he that is nice to them is almost always nice to everyone. At least this is my personal experience of it. Hang on, I once read an article by an English man about working conditions in that part of the world. Let me fish it out for you.

^^^ You want him to go live in a country and not learn the language? How absurd! That would really be a waste. Bloom, it's as important as living in London and learning to speak English. Do not listen to the one above and turn into a typical Somali old lady in London, saaxib.

North, The culture of division only exists with those that don't want to mix. In my time there I mixed with almost all nationalities. I used to play cricket with the Indians (and visited Sharjah cricket ground countless times). An English lady that used to live by the beach, attempted to teach me horse riding and English (but failed miserably on both counts). I fell in and out of love with one of the local Sri Lankan maid and the Filipino checkout girl. Played football with Arabs of all nationalities. I even helped an Australian merchant seaman buy roses for the nurses in hospital after he accidentally got shot by Iranian coastguards (he regularly used to visit and come to check us out when in town). There are countless others that I can’t recall now. But, I suppose it’s easier to mingle when you’re young and carefree. Incidentally, it were only Somalis that I didn’t mix much with in those days. Almost all of them lived in far off Abu Dhabi back then.

Yeah. That's the one. I'll pass on the passing part (but could always do you a copy if you like).

Aaah! The days before Val turned into a witch.

Hmmm! I'm sure I posted something here a few minutes ago!

^^^ I’m particularly sick and tired of the song that goes along the lines of: Bela edab bad tahay, dhoqon kula mid aan ahay Naf kaa walan ban ahay, lalalalaa la la Ps My collection of Qraami tunes (of which I hardly understand a word) is hitting seventy songs.

ibti, Are you saying Val is old? She's only 21.

^^ I'm nine years older than you, Miss 27

I was born on the same day as Adolf Hitler

Way to go, girl (as Americans would say). Of course, between now and June, you’ll be driving yourself crazy with stress and running around like a headless chicken for a while, but what's the point of being young and physically fit if you don't put it all to the test. Best of luck with your project and if you need any help don’t at all feel shy at asking Val, Sheh and Serenity for help.

They seem to have disappeared from the face of the net! But I found their address and phone numbers (if they still work that is). Give it a try and see. Shebasat Manor Park, London E12 5JR Tel.: 0044-208 5533 520 0044-208 9119 220 ps Admin, I’m not trying to advertise the channel (I actually find it boring to be honest). Just trying to help our fellow Nomad here.

It's in East London (Romford Road). I'm sure you can use all your charm and persuasion skills to convince them to dispense with the advertising fee. It’s for Somalia after all! If that fails you can always try to plead for their contact list (they’re likely to have the details of a few organisations).

^^^ Why not contact Universal TV and see if they can help you out?

Originally posted by Khayr: Salamun caliykum, I don't see a problem with the brother's post. Somalis in the west of late, only one particular form of islam and that is salafism aka wahabbism. There many other schools of thought in the the deen and truthfully speaking, Salafism is a new phenomena. However, that does not mean that there is no baraka in it. There are limitations in that school of thought just like there are limitations in the Ashari Madhaeb or Jafari etc. Important thing is not to make a particular Madhab or Aqeedah into the Allah i.e. Not to be so fixated on it that you end up just thinking about it all day and night and forget to Remember Allah. Salafism is not new at all, saaxib. It’s just happens to be in vogue. Much of the anecdotal evidence I’ve come across says that fifty years ago most of the people of Yemen and Somalia used to look upon Salafis as an abomination and cult that twisted the faith, etc. It seems that nowadays with all the information available people know better and prefer them to all the other sects and persuasions. Ps There is everything wrong with the original post. The author does not come across as someone who understands his own subject. A little like Taliban and his fixation with secularism. Like a kid fascinated with ketchup, he applies it to everything.

Originally posted by sheherazade: A, naag-raadista miyaanaad ka daalin? If any woman can fix our resident charlatan, I'm more than certain that you are the one, inadeer. Go on, sort him out and, to stay with the islamic theme, consider it a sadaqa jariyah.

^^ Of course not. Doubt if any scholar would. Some might be easy-going and try to encourage one to practise by not shaking their fists at them and promising them damnation and hell fire. Others might be stricter. But none would be as indulgent as to say: you don't have to practise, son. Go and be happy, In nomeni patri et fili spiritu de punto

Why didn’t you go for a comparison with the Tamil Tigers, Kashmir and even the Yemeni low-level-low-grade ‘insurgency’, Duke? It would still be a pointless argument but you would, at least, be on a more solid ground and might manage to hold your own for a little bit longer. As things stand, CG is tying his noose around your neck like a skilful Brazilian mugger abusing a little old lady.

^^^ Sounds like you're as confused as the rest of us. As for the practising parts, I think (and I’m guessing here) it might have something to do with the differences between those scholars that regard someone that does not practise as an apostate and those scholars that regard them as, simply, lapsed Muslims (the Queen is probably stretching that last point to suit her own ends).

Like many others she’s mixing being an Asian with being a Muslim. By the way, didn’t those raids in Birmingham turn out to be nothing but a storm in a teacup? I thought the police let two guys go without charge and still didn’t charge any of the others (did anything change in the weekend?).

Originally posted by Northerner: Another case of i'm educated (not in Islam) so i can disagree with the scholars. Its everywhere. The problem is with the scholars though, not Rania and her ilk. Besides, you’ll probably find that there are some scholars that agree with the Queen here. Incidentally, North saaxib, what scholars do you usually agree with? The Saudi (general Gulf) scholars or the Azhar scholars of Egypt? ps I don't think she's best suited to speak to the world about Islam, however, I think her position invariably forces her to deal with all sorts of questions from the press. This is assuming that she did not eagerly volunteer these answers.

You were saying something about a red herring... Well, the Lords decision is (unsurprisingly)disapointing. This does not only highlight the level of ignorance surrounding the islamic dress code but also a very shallow understanding of diversity of Islamic hijaab. In any case, one positive result of this case is that it has started a public debate on the hijab and in Shabinas case an LEA review of its uniform policy. Not so counterproductive, eh? The red herring you hint at was given to them by other girls in that school. So, no, it’s not a red herring at all (on their part). They made their judgment according to the evidence and grievances they received. Regardless, your whole argument was depending on the validity of the niqaab in a democratic society (something that I don’t wish to dispute or even argue. I agree). You spoke about it being productive and starting a debate on the issue! However, has that debate been beneficial so far? I refer you to Ms Begum’s case and its result. The LEA review is hardly going to go against the Law Lord’s judgment. This case was lost there and is not going to present us with anything new or useful. The most that will come from it is that girls will be allowed to wear their hijab(and shalwar khamees) in that school and other schools. Something that was there already and that the law supports. On another point, you say: “This does not only highlight the level of ignorance surrounding the Islamic dress code but also a very shallow understanding of diversity of Islamic hijaab”. Isn’t that a Muslim problem rather than something to do with the Law Lords? Keep your eye on the ball, ayaayo. The case of Ms Begum would not have gone that far if the Muslims in the local community did not agree with the school and many ‘respected’ scholars did not go against her in the first place (some later changed their minds, as the Law Lords report shows). I’ve already said, when you live in a so called democracy where there are protocols put in place for seeking redress one has every right to do so. I’ve already suggested that a different approach would be wiser but unlike you NG, I respect that others would take a different approach. I did not question one’s right to seek redress. It’s a democracy and since the rules of the game allow one to test the waters and try to push the boundaries I see no problem with trying. However, when one loses (as has been the case with all the ones that tried so far) it does not become only their loss. Do you follow? As for respecting their approach, I simply can not respect folly. They have a right to do what they like when they like and I, personally, can not stop them. However, I can tut and shake my head at their foolish actions. Here, I regard this whole furore as being extremely foolish and harmful to the Muslim community. And my stance is simple. My faith is not up for compromise and seems like I’m in good company. These are very powerful words to a very petty argument! Neither your faith nor that of all the girls in these various cases was up for compromise, ayaayo. Only if their backs were against the wall and they were forced to change their ways/beliefs would we have had to go into this idea of ‘compromising faith’ that you seem to have. In these cases, all had/have alternatives (and were presented with them), that they chose to make a stand has nothing to do with standing for their faiths and not compromising them. Though I’m sure they mistakenly believed that to be the case. The final link you put in (Islamic Awakening) is quite good and I appreciate the good intentions of its signatories. However, it’s too little too late. They want a united Muslim front on this issue yet they seem unawares that in the case of Ms Begum, the headmistress WAS Muslim. The recent case of the Saudi School is of a former Muslim employee suing a Muslim school, etc. Things have really gone beyond the three old men under a tree trying to find a happy solution and everyone being right. The statements made in that site, though ideal, are merely artificial and far from reality. Muslims will remain to be divided on such issues and will have squabbles in public. Some Muslims will fight absurd fights in the courts of law and drag us all down with them. Many of us will not agree with them and will feel obliged to air our views (mostly amongst ourselves rather than in articles in the press). Funnily enough, the signatories still had the sense to add point number nine in their statement (it was almost like a limp after thought). It’s not all about being so moderate as to give the impression of being without any principles and not about being so defensive as to give the impression of being beyond extreme. There is such a thing called common sense and I fear that in all those cases it really was not utilised. Ps I enjoyed reading the Boris Johnson piece. He’s a bumbling old bigot but, oh, he writes so well. On a side note, don’t let the xenophobia and anti-Muslim views of the British media cloud your judgments on Muslim issues. It’s not an Us and Them here (on this forum), it’s an Us and Us, ayaayo.

Arrest for a peaceful protest? Better still, the TFG should hang them in public to teach a lesson to all the troublemakers that have destroyed Somalia in the past 16 years. Don't your comment have all the 'ear marks' (sic) of someone in support of dictatorships? Ps You don’t have to reply. It was a throwaway comment. Just toying with you.

I do love the titles this young lady chooses for her topics. Very provocative and sensationalist! Anyway, live on your own girl. Ignore the world and all it thinks about you. But, pssst, tell me; late at night when you switch off the light just before you fall asleep, don’t you worry about the XuuX under the bed? (Oooh, I do like me some trashy topics).

Set up an animal sanctuary and look after all the stray dogs and cats. I’m pretty sure someone can finance you. I mean, be honest now, who is looking about the poor cats and dogs of Hargeisa?