Mr.Red Sea, You wondered if it mattered who we are and where we come from, of course it matters. We are a nation with no roots, with no history. Common history creates a bond among people. It unites people. If some of us claim to be of Arabic descend, while others say we have always been here and others are say they are the lost tribe of Israel, then there is no common bond, no common purpose. Do you think the folks that are saying they are of Arab decent don't have political motives for saying that? Their political motives are to claim superiority over fellow Somalis because they are closer to those people. I have seen and heard many many times some people from Somali clans including the one I used to belong to saying that they are whiter then the other clan and that they are lighter skinned. It’s all discrimination. They also claim that the 'southerners' have a different culture. I have heard many times them claiming that they have a different language, instead of just different dialects. All these things combined are recipe or disaster and they start at people claiming they are of different ancestors. So that they are different people, it’s the only way for them to justify their wrong doings. There is proof of some Somali clans being Oromo especially in the North, there is no proof of any clan being Arabic. So why it is so important to people to stuck to this? I know it has no religious significance. Because if you want to be closer to the prophet scw. Then being a better Muslim is the only way. General Duke, I am not denying that there has been contact between the people of Somalia and the people of arabia. But contact and long history does not make them one people. The Scandinavians and teh germans have been trading for centuries are they the same people? The same goed forthe Chinese and the Indians. DNA tests ahve proven we are not Arabs Our feautures show us we are a distinct race Our language is unique I mean what exactly do we have in common with Arabs except our Islamic faith? So its time to kill this myth that we are Arabs, it might have served us well in the past, but it will only confuse our children. We do not need a confused nation. We should wise up and accept the truth. We are alone, we are weak, everybody hates weak people, we have no friends and all we got is us. So let’s work together or die together. No one cares about us. Everybody wants to abuse us. You can brush my comments of but is there a nation weaker then ours today? Everywhere we are we are being mistreated and we deserve every bit of it, because our people choose to be like this. All our miseries are linked. And the confusion of our identity plays a role in our misery.

^^Kan masaasada aa loogu shubaa ayaan u malaynayaa.

Dude DNA is not in numbers. Try again

Originally posted by Khalaf: u are right my brother me and u are not on the same page, I know cats like you like u said: U believe in "somalinimo", I believe in Islamnimo. Somalinimo wont unite somlia...or lead Somalia. Somalia is somewhat like ancient arabiya with warrying polythesists tribes...only Islam united them....here too. Maybe Inshallah in future yrs I will be head of court in Puntland [/QB] Its never too late to switch sides brother. Somalinimo will save Somalia and nothing else.

Mr. Red Sea, atleast caamir has proof, what proof do you have? except teh old hear say of, my ancestors where arabs, PROOF IT buddy. To Mr. G.I. joe, claim whatever you like there are no afrocentrics here. Those claiming that the Somalis are not Arabs are saying that the Somalis are a race of their own. WE ARE SOMALIS. OUR TRIBE IS SOMALI, OUR NATION SOMALI, OUR RACE SOMALI. We are not Arabs and we are not Bantu. The only thing we share with (majority)Arabs is our religion. The prophet was Arab true,but that does not make me Arab, My mom was Somali, my dad was Somali. the Same goes for my Grand parents and great grand parents and everyone told me that we have always been Somalis. If someone needs a DNA test, then so be it. Nothing Non-Somali in me. So the question is are those claiming to be Arabs willing to take a DNA test and a boat ride back towherever they come from, because if they are not Somalis then I would gladly show them their way back to wherever they come from. To sum it up, we are Somalis, we are an ancient race, with a rich history, our enemies do not want us to rediscover our roots and history. We were once a great nation and we will be a great nation once again.

Originally posted by General Duke: What are the historical and political reasons behind the claim that some Somali clans are descendents from Arabs? Political reasons, Siyaab Barres regime search for friends and the real reason why he joined the Arab League. And the self hate of teh black races of this word and seeing others more lighter skinned races being seen as 'superior'.Thats he real reason why some Somalis wannabe Arabs. We are Somalis period. BE PROUD OF What YOU ARE.

To make it more complicated NOT ALL ARABS ARE ARABS!!! The majority of the so called arabs are other ethnicities that have been conquered and assimilated. This goes for the palestinians, Syrians, Irakis, All of North African Arabs. So Somalis being Arabs or some Somali clans being Arab, its all BULLSHIIIDDD!

Originally posted by NGONGE: The real and biggest troll here is that vile Val. She acts all nice and sweet, posts all those harmless messages of hers and pretends to be nice to everyone. Very disruptive and distracting that. Hahahahahahahha, I am not gonna get into this lovers quarel.

I am on to something here, go on troll.

Force is not in numbers its in discipline. 30.000 isreali soldiers have outmastered and outmanouvered 300 million arabs. 10.000 mayooles deaths today is nothing. They will die anyway, through neglect. 10.000 deaths today if it would save 10 million tomorow then so be it. We can rule entire Horn of Africa & East Africa, we can colonize these lands, if we put out minds to it. and sooner or later we will do it.

I know two major trolls here then. -NGONGE=troll -Castro=troll

Cade & Riyaale khaarajintooda is not a big deal. But their system will still be intact, evenmarka aan khaarajino, we need to destroy their system first.

Che this is politics man, we need them and when they are down, we will appear with our forces intact and with an appealing message. They are not ready yet, when they suffer they will join us. GET IT?

Whats so confusing? Management= I can organize an angry mob Marketing= I persuade them to do funny things Look at the DARKKK SIDE of the them.

We need a war in teh North, this whole wait and see thingy is not working out. Lets just finish it of, kill a few (10.000) burn villages, etc etc. about 100.000 refugees. Ethnic cleansing and we should be freinds then, what do you say? I mean this booto should finish, we can't live in peace together, lets give war a chance. I got my cheque book ready MYYYYYYYY CLANNNN WILLL NEVER BE DEFEATED!!! am I capturing the current sentiments here? If not letme know I will post another one more dramatic.

What an enterance. -explain what trolling is, its the first time I am posting on it.

People people, I am just saying this and I have no scientific proof, but all of us have 'special powers'. Everyone of us has para normal abilities, that we can not explain. I for instnace can see the future, I know how events will unfold. I trully believe this, I might be crazy, but thats life. I have met people who can look into the past. We are all gifted, its not a male female thing. Just look into yourself and ask yourself what is your 'special power'

Management Marketing

Northerner I see an opportunity there. 1. Create a bigger hoo-haa 2. Organize an angry Mob 3. Chase them away 4. We get their jobs? Is that a plan or is that a plan?

Djib- I always react without reading the full post, thats why I always post twice. I wanna thank you for the new word CLANOPHOBIA.

Djib- How about a compramise? How about a society where Genenal Dukes and your opinions & values are respected. Why can't we have both? Why don't we agree on the main points? and then discuss the rest later. It would be better for all of us if no one tries to impose their values on the others (unless its me doing it ).

The UAE is just a play ground for the Brits, they own the country, its a lucrative market for them and ooohh yea they got most of the good jobs in the country. Tax free living and cheap shopping. If the Arabs are happy that someone is visiting their desert then thats their thing. But be honest the Brits have the advantage in this deal.

The appeal of British brands By Shikha Mishra, Staff Writer Products from the United Kindom continue to score high marks in the UAE. With a value of $3.5 trillion (Dh23.47 trillion), Britain is among the world's top nation brands, according to the latest Anholt Nation Brands Index (NBI) created by nation branding experts Simon Anholt and powered by GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.), a global market intelligence solutions provider. And when the nation is so highly valued, it comes as no surprise that brands from the UK also top popularity charts throughout the Gulf. British fashion and food are top sellers in the region, with a loyal following that comprises not only British expatriates, but also other expatriates and the local community. With fashion heavyweights such as Debenhams, Next, Marks and Spencer, Bhs, Monsoon and Harvey Nichols represented in ample measure, British fashion takes centre stage in the UAE shopping experience. According to figures released by the UK's Customs and Excise, Tariff and Statistical Office, UK exports to the UAE increased 29 per cent to over £2 billion (Dh13.41 billion) over the last three years. Exports to Dubai alone were over £1.4 billion (Dh9.39 billion), and over 85 per cent of UK-UAE trade is conducted through Dubai and the Northern Emirates. In 2005, the UK exported £46.1 million (Dh309.17 million) worth of British apparel to the UAE, which ranks tenth amongst the UK's top export markets for apparel. Food and drink exports from just January to June 2005 totalled more than £50 million (Dh335.33 million). Food companies "British food companies have a major opportunity to reach new markets within the Middle East in 2006 and we're seeing an increasing number of speciality companies looking to partner distributors with local experience to tap this significant group of potential customers," says Emma Walters, International Marketing Executive, Food from Britain, a strategic export consultancy which provides advice to UK companies on selling their products overseas. With large numbers of British expats across the Gulf region - an estimated 100,000 to 125,000 in Dubai alone, out of a population of around one million - the Gulf markets certainly have potential. Export figures are looking healthy - Dubai represents the fastest growing per-capita export market for UK food and drink. Positive exports The evidence for these positive export figures can be found on supermarket shelves. Most are targeting expatriates in Dubai and stock a huge number of imported lines. While on a visit recently to Dubai to attend Gulfood 2006, Walters says: "We were pleasantly surprised by the number of British products we saw in the stores, across a number of categories, including frozen and chilled. Brands such as Weetabix, McVitie's, PG, Tate & Lyle, Pilgrims Choice cheeses, Waitrose, Walkers (crisps and shortbread) were present in each of the stores we visited, as well as many others." The store visits were also interesting for other reasons. The Middle East used to be viewed as a dumping ground for products not selling well in their domestic markets. Now, companies have wised up to the fact that consumers in the UAE and other Gulf states are actually receptive to quality products, hence the volume of imported products on the shelf. FFB expects interest in the Gulf states region from UK producers to increase over the coming year, particularly if the visitor levels to the British pavilion at this year's Gulfood are anything to go by. The Kuwait-based Alshaya group has dozens of UK brands under its umbrella, including River Island, NEXT, Body Shop, Bhs, Debenhams, TopShop, Oasis, Evans, Peacocks and Faith. Alshaya has recently added Boots - a well-regarded name in the British healthcare and beauty industries to its portfolio. Boots will soon be opening its first few stores in Kuwait and Dubai. The Alshaya Group also recently invested in a 70,000 square metre central distribution centre in the Dubai Free Zone, to fulfill its growth throughout the region. "Brit-mania is an international phenomenon at the moment. The British designers are heading most of the leading fashion houses since they push the boundaries," says Andreas Lim of Sophia Swire London, a fashion design house that participated in the British Fashion in the Gulf show held recently in Dubai. Loyal following Pia Hall, Director of London-based Pia Hall Designs, also participated in the show and chose to come to Dubai because "we knew our product was perfect for the Dubai market. Our shop in South Kensington has a very loyal following of clients from the Middle East. There is definitely a demand in the UAE for UK designs." Like Sophia Swire, Pia Hall's target market in the UAE is the Arab community, who enjoy wearing well-tailored clothes. "Our clothes always have a luxurious element that appeals to the Arab market," says Lims. Another participant in the show, accessory designer Zufi Alexander feels that it's the right time for British designers to expand their repertoire in the Middle East. "British fashion is popular in the UAE since it is synonymous with high fashion and impeccable quality. Designers and labels like Burberry and Alexander McQueen are already doing well in the Middle East, which is good news for us," says Alexander. PR executive Maysoon Baraky is a self-confessed shopaholic and after having lived in London briefly, feels at home with the variety of UK brands available in Dubai. "I love Debenhams, everything they stock is simple, elegant and special at the same time, apart from being easy to care for. TopShop has the most unique accessories," says Baraky. It goes without saying that British expatriates are loyal customers, but who are the other faithful followers of UK brands? "UAE nationals, GCC expatriates along with Asians contribute to the majority of UK brand buyers," says Pramod Menon, Senior Manager, Rivoli Group, which distributes British brands such as Dunhill and the luxury cell-phone brand Vertu. High profile And speaking of things quintessentially British, who can forget James Bond and his sleek Aston Martin? After a slow start, the market for Aston Martin in the UAE has picked up considerably. "The sales of Aston Martin cars have gone up and keep on improving. We're getting a strong foothold in the luxury sports car market. Customers buy the car because of its exclusivity and elegant appeal. Its design and looks are totally different from any of its competitors," says Roger Ghosn, Marketing Manager, Al Habtoor Motors. From food to clothing, cars to cell-phones, British brands score high marks in the Gulf thanks to their high quality combined with affordable pricing.

^^^outspend me, I dont even shop, my mom does teh shopping for me. Its great that the Brits are spending money in UAE, but they own the place.How many BRitish expatriates are in UAE? So how much money are they exactly taking out of teh economy and how much are they spending?

^^I am glad I could be of service. Anyhow got a job for me? Freshly graduated and in need of a hook up. SOL'er give me advice or places to look if you can. If your firm got an opening pass the link (I am sooooo trying toplay it cool, but I NEED A JOB)