Somalia’s Islamic Courts: Crusaders Without Conscience:Guest Commentary: By Abdiweli M.Ali, Ph.D. Jan 11,2007 by Columbus-GEDO-NN Once again Somalia became a political hotspot in America’s war on terrorism, however, a fatal mistake and a single political error allegedly by the CIA has irrevocably altered that country’s political trajectory, and may be for the better. A radical Islamic group with alleged ties to Al-Qaida routed quite easily the much-loathed warlords that held the Somali capital hostage for the past 16 years. As rumor has it, the warlords were paid by the CIA to capture AlQaida operatives in Mogadishu who were behind the bombing of the US embassies in Nairobi and Darasalam in 1998. Employing the rubble-rousing rhetoric of poets like Abshir Ba’adle and seductively and selectively religious trickery, the courts mobilized the masses and cleaned Mogadishu from the warlords in a span of less than 15 days. However, the success of the Islamic courts was seen as a setback to the US policy in the horn, and some political pundits suggested that the plunder of supporting the warlords was a hefty price to pay for some election-year grandstanding. With this unexpected quick victory over the warlords and with the armada captured from them, the courts started an unnecessary expansionary campaign that many think became the Achilles heel of the courts and has undone all the goodwill they received from the war-weary population of Mogadishu and its environs. They also introduced a bizarre brand of Islam that is strange and foreign to most Somalis. They banned all kinds of entertainment and flogged women for allegedly selling Qat, a stimulant herb Somalis used for centuries. Somalis practice moderate and tolerant Islam and this extremism that had once been at the fringe of the Somali society, found itself in vogue with modern day international jihadism. This strict and draconian interpretation of Islam raised the memories of Afghanistan’s Taliban. It is a brand of Islam that is blatantly imperious, completely undemocratic, and conspicuously authoritarian. To them, the Somali people became objects to be quietly and coolly manipulated for their own benefit. They also increased the specter of violence by sending their militia to stable and peaceful areas such as Puntland, Jubaland, Hiiraan, and Baidoa-the seat of the Somali transitional federal government. Furthermore, they invited all kinds of rogue elements to Somalia from all the corners of the world. All these actions were unnecessary and quite counterproductive. Nevertheless, the Islamic courts were unfazed by these criticisms and were hell-bent on bringing all Somalis under their control including ******, NFD, and may be even Djibouti. Although many commentators alluded to the fact that the ICU was not a monolithic group, all the signs indicated that they were enemies of freedom, antidemocratic, and particularly antiwomen. To them gender equality was anachronistic and anti-Islam, a sucker word in which only fools and infidels believe. They were also highly prejudiced of anything modern. They were mean-spirited and power hungry Machiavellians. Moreover, most of their upper echelons were themselves brutal former warlords, such as Indha’adde. They promised justice for all, but Indha’adde is to justice and equality what Ayaan Hersi is to faith and Islam. This cold-blooded callous warlord all of a sudden became a religious crusader. No one in Merka would have believed the empty rhetoric of the Islamic courts as long as they were under the brutal occupation of this monster. As long as Indha’adde and his cronies were at the helm of the courts union, these brutalized and abused populace refused to accept a word from their blood-soaked mouths until the roosters quit crowing and the sun stayed down. To call Indha’adde, the brutal warlord of Lower Shabelle, a “Shiekh” or a learned man borders on the absurd. In reality what they brought to Somalia was nothing more than clanism marinated with pseudo-nationalism and spiced with religious extremism. Their strident and intolerant ideology mixed with clan loyalty led them to their ultimate demise. A former president of the Somali academy of science that I recently met proffered that the union of Islamic courts were so self-righteous, so ill-informed, and so dogmatic that nothing you can say or do will change their minds. Thus, trying to convince them to negotiate was a futile and not particularly useful exercise. John Adams, the second president of the USA is quoted to have once said “extreme ideology is the science of idiocy. And very profound, abstruse, and mysterious science taught in the school of the folly.” To discredit the TFG, the legitimate and the internationally recognized government of Somalia, Ethiopia became a convenient scapegoat they love to attack. Using facts that are irrelevant or misleading, if not demonstrably wrong, they invoke the traditional enmity of Ethiopia and Ethiopia all over sudden became their raison d’etre. They miscalculated that once they instill alarm and trepidation in the hearts of the unsuspecting Somalis, then the fear of Ethiopia will drive out all reason and will lead to their ultimate victory. The courts also developed a symbiotic relationship with all the rogue elements in the parliament including the blowhard speaker of the parliament who most often exaggerates his own importance. Jini Boqor who specialized in bare-knuckle attacks on his political opponents particularly the president became their spokesman. Jini’s propensity to attack by any means fair and foul is quite astounding. Furthermore, the union of Islamic courts sullied all the rules that are not only Islamic but are also universally accepted principles of protecting innocent civilians. It was shocking to all Somalis when they brutally executed prisoners dragged from their hospital beds in Bu’ale. No wonder that they are now testing a big dose of their own bitter medicine. Abdiweli M. Ali, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Economics College of Business Administration Niagara University, NY 14109 amali@niagara.edu

^^^Kismayu, Mogadishu, Baidoa is in the hands of the TFG forces who will stay and build up the admin of these towns with the blessing of the locals. The Ethiopian troops are leaving and the AU force will replace them. Many here forget the serious threats and daily insults the clan courts threw at the direction of Ethiopia, even Xasan dahir prayed for them to come, so he could take their weapons. Well they have come, the brave courts fled and now we are here. On Kismayu: No clan has a right on that city, those who are scoring points be careful, Hiiraales clan is not going any where, Morgans clan is not going any where, those men will leave yes, but not the clans. The sooner you come to an equatable solution the better. The city belongs to all Somalis and will be better for it.

Wadamada Nigeria, South Africa iyo Malawi oo ka mid noqonaya Ciidamada nabad ilaalinta Soomaaliya Posted to the MOL January 11, 2007, 2:50 pm New York:- Ibrahim Gambari o ah sarkaal ka tirsan Safiiska Siyaasadda ee Qaramada Midoobey ayaa sheegey in wadamda Nigeria, South Africa iyo Malawi ay ka mid ndqon doonaan ciidamada nabad ilaalinta ee loo diri doono wadanka Soomaaliya. Dardar galinta ciidamada nabada ilaalinta ee Soomaaliya loo dirayo ayaa baryahan waxaa laga hadal hayaa meel kasta oo kulan siyaasadeed ka dhacayo dafaaha dumnida. Tan iyo intii Ciidamada Dowladda Federalka iyo kuwa Ethiopia gacanta ku dhigeen wadanka Soomaaliya ayaa waxaa dowlad walba rabtaa ineysan ka qadin dib u dhiska waddanak Soomaaliya oo la filayo iney maal galiyaan European Uniona iyo Mareykanka, Sidaas darteed waxaa dowladaha Afrika ku khasban yihiin iney ka qeyb qaataan ciidamda nabad ilaalinta ee loo dirayo wadanka Soomaaliya. Shacabka Somaalidu wuxuu si adag ugu baahan yahey in hubka laga aruuriyo gaar ahaan magalaada Muqdisho oo ay ku nool yihiin qabai’l isu ciil qaba oo diriri ku dhex martey sidii loo qeybsan lahaa hantidii laga dhaxley qaranka. Mudugonline.com

^^Wwhy are they at the border between Kenya and Somalia at this time?

^^^I thought you was smart, China, India, and the US will be the exporters and Somalia will be able to get hard cash fron LNG, Oil and other fossil fuesl, minerals including large deposits of Uranium. This will enable us to get out of the stone age in no time , through exploiting our vast resources and not drowning in the Red Sea or being servants in Dubai. The Gulf states were very poor in the mid 1960s and now are quite rich, why should this model not work for Somalia? Also we have other options for domestic energy, Solar power can be one renewabal form. We can be conduit for trade, through our ports and airports we can supply all of Ethiopiaa needs [70 million population], and the Horn. Our fishiries industry, livestock, could also play a significant role in transforming the national landscape. Trade and foreign investment is the future, but we need a government and a change of mind set. Wars and the gun is the past, business is the future. insha Allah PS: Dont compare the republic to Djibouti, which is smaller all but two or three of our eighteen regional states.

Rag lagu tuhunsan yahay argagixiso oo lagu qabtey xadka Kenya Mogadishu 12, Jan.07 ( Sh.M.Network) – Rag lagu tuhunsan yahay argagixiso nimo oo wata Baasabooro Ingriis ah ayaa laga qabtey xadka Somalia ay Kenya kala wadaagto dhinaca gobolada Jubbooyinka, ka dib markii ay ka baxsadeen weerarada cirka ah ee Mareykanka uu ka wado K/Somalia. Raggaan la qabtey ayaa waxa ay ka mid yihiin ilaa 11 ruux oo booliska ka hortaga argagixisada Kenya ay xireen, iyadoo ciidamada gaarka ah ee Mareykanka ay ku soo biireen ugaarsiga lagu hayo xubnaha Alqacida ee lagu eedeynayo in ay ka dambeeyaan weeraro xiriir ah oo argagixiso oo ak dhacay bariga Africa. Boqolaal askarta Mareykanka ah oo lagu soo qaaday Maraakiibta Mareykanka ee ku sugan Xeebaha Somalia ayaa lagu daadiyay deegaano ku dhow xadka, halkaasi oo la sheegay in dagaalo ay kula galeen xubno la sheegay in ay yihiin Alqacida. Talaabadaan ayaa waxa ay timid, ka dib markii Mareykanka uu ku guul-dareystay in weeraro xagga cirka ah uu ku dilo xubnaha uu baadi goobayo ee ka tirsan argagixisada caalamiga ah. Dadka deegaanka waxa ay sheegeen in ciidamada Mareykanka ay ku lug yeesheen dagaal xoogan oo ka dhacay nawaaxiga magaalada Hooyo halkaasi oo la sheegay in ay tahay saldhigga ugu weyn ee ragga la tuhunsan yahay. Waa markii ugu horeysay ee ciidamada Lugta ee Mareykanka ay ka qeyb qaataan dagaal ka dhaca Somalia tan iyo waxii ka dambeeyay horaantii 90 meeyadii xilligaasi oo Mareykanka uu u yimid Somalia howl-gal uu ugu magacdaray rajo soo celin. Shabelle Media Network Somalia E-mail us: info@shabelle.net

He should not be sent back, let him travel to a third country. Saudi Arabia is an option he has a Saudi passport.

^^^Go wash your mouth saxib, you are a grown man.

^ If you want to name countries why stick with Iraq, but why not mention, Egypt, Saudi Arabia [main supporters of courts], Bahrain, Yemen, UAE, Qatar [base of Iraq war]. Do you know the single largest company in the Muslim world? Its called Aramco I want to get my oil, LNG out so my people can be fed, how does So-amco, sound

Mujahid SNM MMA can defend himself, our exchange is there and available for all. As for you what have you to say for yourself, I knew your stance was fake, and based on the wish to see the south in flames in order to get your clan fiefdom its coveted recognition. Howver the only recognised government is the one in Mogadishu. Led by H.E Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. Olol. My old friend you of all people should not be preaching to us about clans and such things. Your many contribution to this site speaks volume for your position on this qabil thing.

What ever one might say about Hiiraale, he has outlasted his foes and is now a major player in the game, say what you will, but the man is much respected from his region and thus his role in the TFG to date. As for the noise coming from some quarters, its understandable, since they beted on the wrong horse. Fake moral arguments aside, you beted on truck driver IndaCade, teacher Sharif and warden Xasan Dahir with their Oromo, Eritrean and foreign backers against the Colonels and their Ethiopian support. Thus no need for the cries and fake nationalisam, your side started this war, wanted this war. Some here even quoted the sage highlighting the master strategy of the clan courts.. Lets keep singing the songs of sorrow, however the game has changed for the greater good.

12-July 2006, khilaaf xoog leh ayaa soo kala dhex galay Xaaji Abuukar Cumar Cadaan iyo ganacsatada A/QASIN's...., kaasoo ka dhashay saami qeybsiga Dekedda Muqdisho, iyadoo Xaaji Abuukar dalbaday in 35% dhaqaalaha Dekedda laga helo isaga la siiyo, halka C/qaadir Eenow oo ay saami wadaag ku ahaayeen Dekedda Ceel Macaan isna laga siinayo 15% haddii kale aanu Dekedda Ceel Macaan xireynin, waxaase Xaaji Abuukar lagu qanciyay in lacagta ka soo xaroota muddo Lix bilood ah isaga la siiyo, iyadoo ugu dambeyntii ay socon weyday kadib markii laga baqay in awood ka xoog badan Maxkamadaha meesha ka bixiso, waxaana la isku raacay in saddex meelood loo qeybsado dhaqaalaha ka soo baxa Dekedda, iyadoo Xaaji Abuukar uu wakiil u ahaa wiilkiisa C/qaadir Abuukar Cumar madaxa dhaqaalaha ee Maxkamadaha, halka Ganacsatada beesha.... uu wakiil u ahaa Xuseen Goley, iyadoo Axmed-Nuur Cali Jimcaale Guddoomiyaha shirkadda Hormuud-na uu wakiil u ahaa walaalkii Cumar Cali Jimcaale, saddexdaas xubnood ayaana qeybsan jiray dhaqaalaha ka soo baxa Dekedda iyo garoonka diyaaradaha iyagoo ahaa maal geliyeyaashii dagaalkii magaalada Muqdisho looga saaray hoggaamiyeyaashii Isbaheysiga la dagaalanka argagixisada. source

^^Try again that was an old one.. Keep entertaining us old man.

^^^As you know old man, their stay is limited and they are not as significant a force as many here would like us to belive, its the Americans behind this new drive to support the TFG. The devil is in the detail, its the gun that has focused the minds of the foes of the TFG. The TFG has already 1/4 of their national troop estimate. The AU countries are on their way. Its long and difficult and not easy, but we are moving in the right direction.

^^^Saxib I trully feel sorry for you, but keep up the act, it really makes me laugh. PS: How is Maulana IndaCade doing?

Maamulka gobolka banaadir oo soo qabqabtay burcad hubeysan. Gudoomiye ku xigeenka dhanka amniga ee gobolka banaadir maxamed cismaan dhagaxtuur oo maanta saxaafadda la hadlay ayaa sheegay in howlgal ay ciidamada boolisku sameeyeen ay ku soo qabteen ilaa 7 burcad ah oo watay hal gaari oo cabdi bile ah. Dhagaxtuur waxa uu sheegay in raga la soo qabtay ay howlo handadaad iyo burcadnimo ahba ka wadeen degmada dharkenleey ee magaalada muqdsishu. Waxa uu sheegay in lagu soo xiray ragaasi saldhig bari degmada cabdicasiis ee magaalada muqdishu islamarkaana la gayn doono sharciga si looga abaalmariyo danbiyadii ay galeen sida uu yiri. Si kastaba ciidamada Dowladda ayaa howlo burcad sifayn ah maalintii shalay ka bilaabay magaalada muqdsihu iyadoo ay qaadeen dhamaan isbaarooyinkii yiilay muqdsihu ilaa deegaanka warshiiq ee gobolka shabeelaha dhexe. Maxamed bashiir shiiq carmooyin Mogadishu. Mbashir7@yahoo.com

"I commend President Yusuf and Prime Minister (Ali Mohamed) Gedi for this initiative, which is in line with the appeal made to the TFG (Transitional Federal Government) by the international community to commence an inclusive dialogue with key stakeholders in Somalia," the UN envoy said.

UN lauds new initiative by Somali president to reach out to foes Posted to the MOL January 11, 2007, 3:11 pm NAIROBI, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- United Nations top envoy for Somalia on Thursday welcomed the new initiative by Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed to reach out to former foes, describing it as a positive move to bring reconciliation to the war-torn nation. In a statement issued in Nairobi, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, welcomed the positive outcome of talks this week between Yusuf and former Somali presidents Abdikassim Salad Hassan and Ali Mahdi Muhammad. "This is a hopeful sign and an important step towards reconciliation in Somalia," Fall said. "I commend President Yusuf and Prime Minister (Ali Mohamed) Gedi for this initiative, which is in line with the appeal made to the TFG (Transitional Federal Government) by the international community to commence an inclusive dialogue with key stakeholders in Somalia," the UN envoy said. President Yusuf held closed-door meetings with the former Somali presidents at Villa Somalia, the presidential palace in Mogadishu, on Wednesday. After their meeting, President Yusuf told reporters that he and former president Abdikassim had discussed elements of the current situation in Somalia and agreed on them. Abdikassim said they were both in agreement that international and African peacekeepers should come to Somalia immediately to replace the Ethiopian forces now supporting the Transitional Federal Government. "I would strongly encourage them to move forward and to continue to reach out to all those in Somalia who have a stake in the country's peace and stability," said Fall. "The continuation of such meetings with key political actors would send a strong message to the Somali people that reconciliation is indeed possible in Somalia and that differences that have festered through some 16 years of conflict can be resolved," he added. Fall added that the United Nations and international community were committed to supporting the Transitional Federal Government and the opportunity it now had to bring about an all- inclusive process aimed at peace and reconciliation in Somalia. "Somalia desperately needs reconciliation and a political settlement that is based on the Transitional Federal Charter and includes religious leaders, clan elders, women, youth, the business community and other members of civil society," he said. "When leaders agree, as we have seen this week, it is much easier for others to follow."

U.N. Backs Deployment of Troops to Somalia By EDITH M. LEDERER UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. Security Council said it backs the speedy deployment of African troops to Somalia and strongly urges a dialogue among all political players, in addition to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the country. Russia's U.N. Ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, the current council president, told reporters after a closed-door meeting Wednesday that members regard Somalia as "a high priority matter" and are concerned about instability, security, and the humanitarian situation. "They expressed their support for the plan to send a humanitarian assessment mission to the border between Somalia and Kenya and spoke of the importance of adequate humanitarian support for Somalia," he said. "They strongly supported inclusive political dialogue among various political forces in Somalia. They favor speedy deployment of IGASOM," a new force to be set up by the African Union and a seven-nation regional group. Ibrahim Gambari , the undersecretary-general for political affairs, told reporters after briefing the council that Nigeria, South Africa and Malawi "are said to be considering sending troops" to Somalia. "We hope that these countries will actually go ahead and commit." Somalia has not had a functioning government since clan-based warlords toppled dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991 and then turned on each other, sinking the Horn of Africa nation of 7 million people into chaos. The rout of the Islamic movement that controlled most of Somalia for the past six months by Somali government troops and Ethiopian soldiers has allowed the country's weak U.N.-backed transitional government to enter the capital, Mogadishu, for the first time since it was established in 2004. But U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern that U.S. airstrikes in southern Somalia _ which Washington said was aimed at fleeing al-Qaida terrorists _ could escalate hostilities and harm civilians. Some civilian casualties have been reported. U.S. deputy ambassador Jackie Sanders confirmed to the council that the United States had conducted an air strike against "a high-level" al-Qaida leader, noting that al-Qaida bombed the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. "We have a long memory when it comes to terrorists killing innocent Americans, and in this case Africans, and in this case we're going after those folks who were involved," she said. Abdirizak Hassan, the Somali president's chief of staff, said Wednesday that Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, who allegedly planned the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, was killed during a raid on Monday. He cited a U.S. intelligence report that was given to Somali authorities. U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said Wednesday that despite the Somali government's support for Ethiopian troops and U.S. operations, the secretary-general "still believes that it is in the best interests of all to avoid escalation and go back to a politically negotiated process." "He reiterates his appeal for all international actors to help Somalia reach stability and peace," she said. "And he is concerned, still, with civilian casualties resulting from recent developments. He believes that all foreign troops should withdraw and peace negotiations resume quickly." Churkin said the U.S. airstrikes were not raised by any other council members except Sanders. Gambari said he emphasized the need to speedily organize and deploy a stabilization force and to encourage leaders of Somalia's transitional government to engage with clan elders, members of civil society, especially women's groups, and "positive members" of the routed Union of Islamic Courts. "Everybody acknowledged that this has provided a historic opportunity for the Somalis to achieve national reconciliation," said China's deputy U.N. ambassador Liu Zhenmin. On Dec. 6, the Security Council authorized an African force to protect the transitional government against the Islamic Courts. The council also authorized the force to train Somali government troops, and lifted a U.N. arms embargo for the African troops. Britain's U.N. Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry said the priorities must be to deploy the African force, implement the resolution, provide humanitarian assistance and financial support for the government and encourage the widest possible political dialogue. "The U.N. should facilitate that. Who leads on it? I don't care, but the important thing is we should ascertain who's doing it and get on with it," he said.

^^^What war, the one in your head, that you so barvely participated in? Dont make me laugh.. As for the religious claim, did you attend the same Madrassa as Maulana Yusuf IndaCade Go act big in front of a mirror mate..

^^^Indeed the dude is as confused as hell.

bidix Imaam Maxamuud, Ugaas Cabdulaahi, Prof. Gedi midig Dhalxa IMAAM MAXAMUUD IMAAM CUMAR: "Waxaan u soo joogay dalkaan Maxamed Siyaad kaddib saddex dowladood oo dhalatay, dowladdii ku guulaysatay inay Madaxtooyada dagtana waxay noqotay dowladdaan uu madaxweynaha ka yahay C/llaahi Yuusuf Axmed" To the "expets" in SOL listen to the royalty of southern Somalia..

^^^Oh my, the comedian, are you still going to the front? Are you still pretending to be a religious warrior, while blaspheming as usual or have you decided to be a clan warrior now ready to blow himself up? Ubahane you are easily the funniest character in SOL, long may you continue to entertain us.

Taako, dont take these dudes seriously man, most of their prediction have come to naught. Thus the all the hot air, we are on the right path to peace and security and thats something to be glad about. From Puntland, to the cetral egions, to Bay and Bakool, Gedo, Juba's, Kismayu and who can forget Mogadishu there is order. And one single power. The regional war, blood baths and prediction of an Iraq style insurgency has come to naught so far. But they know that already.

^^Bambo, I agree with you that no single clan no matter how lare can put its will over the others. This would have worked in Iraq. All the major clans specialy the southern one has to be brought in, the government is not just Geedi's or Yusuf's but belongs to the public. Bambo, I think that most clans do support the government, hence even the Imam fo the confederacy has come out in support and he has some weight. The old millitary, civil servants, diplomats, elders and religious leaders and groups such as Al-Islax are being consulted. There will be zerotolerance with regards to the security situation soon.