lol@qowdhan

^Suffering from qaad withdrawal?

^His nick is Rampage, aren't you asking too much?

Ethiopian Police Clash With Muslim Protesters, Several Arrested ADDIS ABABA July 21, 2012 (Reuters) - Ethiopian police clashed on Saturday with scores of Muslims protesters complaining that the state is interfering in their religion, witnesses and officials said. The protesters, some wearing masks, blocked the entrance of the Anwar Mosque in the west of the capital Addis Ababa and hurled stones at riot police who had surrounded the compound after noon prayers. "Police broke inside the mosque and arrested many people, including several members of the (protest organising) committee. They also fired teargas at protesters outside," said an activist who declined to be named for fear of reprisals. Another witness said he had seen empty tear gas canisters strewn on the ground. It was not immediately possible to verify these reports. Thousands of Muslims have staged sporadic street protests in the capital since late last year, arguing that the government is promoting an alien branch of Islam, the Al Ahbash sect, which is avowedly apolitical and has numerous adherents in the United States. The government denies promoting Al Ahbash, but is determined to prevent Islamic militancy spilling over from neighbouring Sudan or lawless Somalia. Around 60 percent of Ethiopians are Christian and 30 percent Muslim, mostly of the moderate, pragmatic Sufi tradition. Diplomats and analysts say there could be potential for any militant groups to exploit sectarian divisions and trigger violence. The government accuses "extremist elements" of sparking violence at the protests. Government spokesman Shimeles Kemal said police had arrested 'several' people on Saturday but denied that police had used teargas. "These were masked assailants from extremist groups that prevented mosque attendants from leaving the compound after the completion of noon prayers," he said. "They tried to incite violence, they threw stones and damaged property." Activists have reported several deaths during previous clashes, but no casualties were reported on Saturday. Al Ahbash, also known as the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects, was founded in the early 1980s by Sheikh Abdullah al Harrari, an Ethiopian cleric who was forced to leave his country for Lebanon in 1950. The protesters say the government is promoting the ideas of the group through Ethiopia's highest Muslim body, the Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs, and preventing overdue elections that could bring alternative views onto the Council. Shimeles denied that the government was trying to influence Muslim affairs. "Our constitution bans any government interference in religion," he said. (Editing by Kevin Liffey) Source: Reuters

The-freeman;852415 wrote: I'm not familiar with other religions but it is true Muslims fear punishment of hell and seek the "reward" of heaven. . So you don't think people go the same process as you did and come to the conclusion Islam is what they want after all? Abtagiis....I was not making an argument per se, merely objecting to the timing and intent of this topic, an attempt to provoke Muslims on Ramadan and the mockery tone.

Freeman....do you believe everyone adheres to religion out of fear?

Ramadan kariim Lazy, I know what baptistism is and my use of the word was deliberate. I don't think I said anything about rationality or that it rests with particular folks.

^I am not talking about you but only those I have met but enlighten us with your journey to nirvana. Leave the comedy to the funny folks.

Wadani;852321 wrote: ^Enlighten me Well, other than the two atheists I mentioned earlier whose transformation was rooted in practical experience and yearning questions, the rest simply follow certain predictable timeline starting with studying at school where it seems their confined mind exploded and took in everything that come their way. They really can't tell you when was the critical juncture where things have become clear for them. All they do is regurgitate things they heard in class or venues they frequent once they get baptized.

^ Their story is predictable!

Click

Government Corruption in Somalia of Yesteryears By Hassan M. Abukar July 21, 2012 Peter Bridges served as the American ambassador to Somalia from 1984 to 1986. In his memoir, Safirka: An American Envoy (2000), Bridges chronicled his dealings with top Somali government officials. Ambassador Peter Bridges Bridges was considered a straight shooter. Before his appointment, his knowledge of Somalia was scant, and his experience in Africa nil. His prior postings had been Panama City, Moscow, Prague, and Rome (twice). In all, he served under seven American presidents. Bridges became the first ambassador appointed by Ronald Reagan immediately after his reelection, and he was one of 280 former American diplomats who overwhelmingly endorsed Obama in 2008. In one of his articles in The Huffington Post, Bridges concluded his ringing endorsement with a familiar phrase: that American politicians use after airing their commercials, “…and I approved this message.” Bridges wrote, “Barak Obama did not approve this message. It’s all mine.”

Blackflash..Majority of Canadians don't b!tch about Muslims and Ramadan either. Johnny's recommendation during fast http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pALMMIoxTzY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

Of all the Somali atheists I have met, only couple of them were bright, reasonable people and exhibited common sense. These kids that have been in the west for the last two decades and took few philosophy classes seems to think they have reached nirvana. They lack respect and common decency and not to mention their timing is always off. On the other hand, non-Somali atheists are actually pleasure to talk for most part. It's worth noting the two reasonable Somali atheists I met became non-believers long before they sat foot in the West. Their argument was rooted in their experience and reflection of their life and environment then. Conversations with them were edifying and nothing comparable to these pseudo atheists.One of them was actual Geeljire.

The-freeman;852160 wrote: I'm forced to pay lip service to it when around the family e.g: I tend not to eat and drink around them but nothing more than that. To those who are non-religious, what is your take on this?? A rational person will respect what's dear to millions of people in the world. Take rest and let the Muslims fast in peace. There's time and place for everything.

Sensetionalism

^Xaaji...you joined the campaign...LOL

Come on Duke, don't be predictable.

Showqi...the entities you mentioned will not just give up power or want to be entirely controllled by Mogadishu. Certain uncomfortable facts have to be accepted and addressed.

Showqi...what's your definition of governing?

Nagadaa ninyahow Zenawi Soomaalibaa uxamaasheey whether be Iley,Sland, Pland, Ahlu Sunnah J, etc. Oromos are as oppressed as anyone else.

Just hope it doesn't implode in cataclysmic way. Ethnic hatred runs deep though. Oba....Stop with your prejudice,

The situation is more serious than was thought. The fact that the TPLF is tight-lipped about this and you have diplomats talking openly doesn't bode well for Zenawi.

Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian prime minister, 'critical' in Brussels hospital. Meles Zenawi, the Ethiopian prime minister, is in a "critical" condition in hospital in Brussels and may not survive, according to diplomatic sources By Aislinn Laing, Johannesburg and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels5:33PM BST 18 Jul 2012 The 57-year-old premier has not been seen publicly for several weeks and missed a crunch African Union summit his country was hosting at the weekend at which a new chair was elected. The Ethiopian government has confirmed that he is unwell but repeated promises of updates on his condition have been delayed. On Wednesday, a Western diplomatic source in Brussels told the Telegraph that he is now "critically ill". "He is being treated as a private person and the information is confidential but it is understood that he is critically ill," the diplomat said. Mr Zenawi is thought to be receiving treatment for an unspecified condition at the Saint Luc University Hospital in Brussels. The hospital is a centre for the treatment of blood or "haematological" cancers. Other diplomats told the AFP that Mr Zenawi might not survive his illness. "He is in a critical state, his life is in danger," said one. "He is in a critical state but is alive," another added. Ethiopia's ambassador in Brussels and the hospital authorities refused to comment on the reports. In Addis Ababa, however, Bereket Simon, a government spokesman, insisted that Mr Zenawi, who has held power in the populous Horn of Africa nation for over two decades, was recovering. "He is not in a critical state. He is in good condition," he told AFP. Questions surfaced about Mr Meles's health when he missed a two-day African Union summit Sunday and Monday in Addis Ababa, apparently for the first time since 1991. He was last seen looking thin and pale at the G20 summit in Mexico in June. Whatever Mr Zenawi's condition, anger is growing among Ethiopians at the refusal of his government to provide clarity on the situation and speculation has begun to swirl about possible successors. The one-time Marxist, who toppled the brutal dictatorship of Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991, has run Ethiopia through strongly centralised control for two decades and analysts struggle to envisage how the country would be operate without him. Adjoa Anyimadu, Chatham House's Horn of Africa expert, said that Mr Zenawi's force of personality meant that few other Ethiopian politicians were well-known. "He is the face of the Ethiopian ruling class so it's difficult to see who would take over from him," she said. "Ethiopia is also very closely involved in regional issues, from its conflict with Eritrea, mediating between South and North Sudan and providing troops to Somalia. The level of uncertainty if this carries on could have repercussions for the region." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/ethiopia/9409417/Meles-Zenawi-Ethiopian-prime-minister-critical-in-Brussels-hospital.html

European Media: Ethiopian PM in Critical Condition Posted Wednesday, July 18th, 2012 at 11:15 am European media are reporting that Ethiopia's longtime Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is hospitalized in critical condition, contrary to statements by the government. News reports say the prime minister is hospitalized at Saint Luc Hospital in Brussels. The hospital on Wednesday declined to say if Mr. Meles is there. In interviews with VOA, government officials and a former ruling party leader confirmed the prime minister is sick. But they denied reports that the 57-year-old leader is gravely ill. The officials did not indicate the nature of Mr. Meles' illness. An official with the Ethiopian Embassy in Kenya said Mr. Meles is “a little bit sick” and “exhausted,” but added Prime Minister Meles will be back at work soon. Mr. Meles' friend and former ruling party leader, Sibhat Nega, told VOA the prime minister will be back in Ethiopia within a week. He has not been seen in public for at least two weeks. The government had scheduled a news conference Wednesday afternoon, but it was cancelled without explanation. Nega said the government has been functioning normally during the prime minister's absence. The parliament passed the prime minister's budget on Monday. Nega said if anything happens to the prime minister, the parliament will choose a new leader after the ruling party presents its candidate. All but one of the members of Ethiopia's Parliament are part of the ruling party TPLF. http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/07/18/european-media-ethiopian-pm-in-critical-condition/