The nightmare continues for the most vulnerable amongst us. For some nations, seeing their fellow countrymen/women suffer at the hands of foreign states was once enough to put aside their differences. They could not bare to watch their fellow citizens undergo hardship of any kind - especially when such hardship arises as a result of one seeking asylum abroad. It was enough to resolve long-running internal conflicts at once. I guess nations have different thresholds of care for their fellow countrymen. I sometimes wonder what our threshold is and what on earth it will take to translate it into action. “Welcome to Kenya”: Police Abuse of Somali Refugees Kenyan police wearing green uniforms in three cars stopped us a few kilometers before Liboi. The driver talked to them in a language I did not understand, but some of the other passengers understood and said they were the police. At one point they said to the driver, “All men here will be weighed and according to their weight they will give us money – and if they can’t pay, then give us the passengers.” Then they took the men,including my husband, away in a car, leaving the rest of us, seven women with several children. The police told us to get out of the bus. They put me and two women with children to one side. I was pregnant. Then four of them took the other women into the bush. They held us in the bush for three days. On the third day, two of the policemen brought the women back. We knew something bad had happened because they were walking slowly and limping. They had scratches, their clothes were torn, some were barefoot, and one woman had blood on the bottom half of her dress. One was crying. They all looked like they were in shock. They said the police had beaten them. The driver said he thought they had been raped because otherwise they would have also taken all the women and because they could have just beaten us all where we were, next to the bus. Later that day, the police brought back the men and allowed us to leave. The men said the police had beaten them and stolen their money. Human Rights Watch interview (1), Ifo camp, March 9, 2010 . The police said, “You are all in trouble - everyone will be weighed.” The driver’s assistant said the police wanted us to pay them money so we could pass. Then some of the police took us eight men to Liboi police station. Others stayed behind with the women. The police held us for three days and two nights in a cell about 3m x 4m. They gave us no food or water. We had to use the cell floor as a toilet. On the second day six policemen tied our hands behind our backs and made us lie down on the floor. They searched our pockets. Some of us struggled and they kicked and punched us. They turned me around. Three of them beat my chest with their rifle butts and two stamped on my chest. Another put his boot on the side of my face. I still have problems breathing. On the third day we heard the police on the phone, discussing with the driver we had left in the bush. That evening they drove us back to the same spot where we had left the bus. The women, children, the driver, and his assistant were all there. We heard one of the officers tell the driver to give him money. Then they let us go. — Human Rights Watch interview (2), Ifo camp, March 9, 2010. Wife (interview 1) and husband (interview 2) were interviewed by two different researchers in different locations at the same time. Full report: Human Rights Watch

Originally posted by Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar: NNC, fiirso this and see how uu ugu qosolsiinaayo madaxweynaha Jabuuti. That was a decade ago in 2000, at shirkii Jabuuti. Maki Xaaji Banaadir is a legend. This poem is one of his finest. His words are profound. Unfortunately, he was wrong about comparing Kigali and Muqdisho. Wuxuu yiri 'Muqdishaa rajo fiican'. The presence of these words alone separates this poem from its predecessors. This poem will continue to ring true till the day Muqdisho manages to liberate itself from its oppressors and rises from the ashes. Today, Muqdisho still lays in ruins while Kigali is independent, peaceful and thriving. Who would have thought?

A final word, some of the stances Al-Shabab adopts have nothing to do with Islam. Some of their stances are contrary to centuries of Islamic teachings. Those who try to defend AS on such issues will only achieve one goal - i.e. misrepresent our deen and give it a bad name among common folk.

Originally posted by Maaddeey: Dawlad & rebel group miyaad isku mid ka dhigaysaa?, every rebel group in the world have child soldiers, plus Shabab & their donors don't think 15 yrs old as children, sharciyo ay ku protectgareeyaan ama uga soo horjeedaan Ilmo Askar laga dhigona ma sameysan , Dawlad isku sheegga maxaa ku qasbaya iney ciyaal Askar ka dhigtaan?. Tani adiga soo maadan qorin? Here you seem to be suggesting that Al-Shabab don't have set guidelines by which to abide by on this issue. My argument is that Islam has principles on the use of child-soldiers which Al-Shabab should abide by. I apologise if i've misread your statement. ps- I don't condone TFG's practices. The difference is that they admit they're wrong while Al-Shabab makes no excuses and won't even admit the practice.

Saaxib, this isn't about personalities. Waxa laga hadlaayo waa diinta. Aqri waxaan kor ku qoray. Diinta Islaam ma ogashahay in ciyaal aan qaan gaarin ladagaal galiyo?

^ Cajiib soo ma aha? I don't know how anyone who understands Islam's stance on this issue can defend the use of child-soldiers - regardless of circumstances.

The use of child-soldiers is un-Islamic. Anything between 70-75% of Al-Shabab fighters are said to be children, with a large proportion of them below 15 years old. This is yet another example of Al-Shabab ignoring clear Islamic injunctions when it suits them to do so. Al-Shabab increasingly acts in ways contrary to an Islamic movement which draws its principles from Islam. Other Islamic movements, such as Hamas in Palestine, have realized Islam's prohibition on this issue and have adopted measures to ensure that children are not recruited into their military units.

I don't know much about the guy but if the following Inner City Press report is anything to go by; we have been assigned yet another self-promoting, uncle-Sam appeasing, unimaginative career diplomat. He'll be taking his cue from all the wrong corners just like the one before him. May Allah help us! At UN, Somalia Post Handed from Ould Abdallah to Mahiga, of Yemen's G-77 Deal By Matthew Russell Lee UNITED NATIONS, June 9 -- The UN's envoy on Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, who called for a moratorium on press reporting of civilian deaths in Mogadishu and cut a stealth deal about Somali off shore rights with Kenya and Norway, has been relieved of his functions. Sources last week told Inner City Press that he was being replaced by Tanzania's current Permanent Representative to the UN, Augustine Mahiga. The affable Ambassador Mahiga has been seeking a UN job for some time. He put himself up for the number two post in the UN Development Program, running against his own foreign minister. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UNDP's Helen Clark bypassed the African Group and gave to post to Rebecca Grynspan of Costa Rica. On June 4, rather than simply write the story without receiving confirmation, Inner City Press asked UN Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe: Inner City Press: Ould-Abdallah.. is leaving in July and seeks to remain as an adviser to the Secretary-General. I just want you to confirm that he is leaving, and to confirm or deny that Augustine Mahiga, the Tanzanian ambassador, is going to be named the SRSG [secretary-General’s Special Representative]. Deputy Spokesperson: I have nothing on any appointments. Inner City Press: But Ould-Abdallah has said publicly that he is leaving in July. Is that the case? Deputy Spokesperson: I have nothing on that. Inner City Press: He said it. Deputy Spokesperson: I have nothing on appointments for Somalia today. Even thought Inner City Press knew it to be true, confirmation was sought from Mahiga himself. The Tanzanian Mission said he was in Europe thought June 18, but they would ask him (the staffer said, "that is good news"). But Mahiga, who previously asked Inner City Press to email him articles, did not respond. Now, five days after Inner City Press publicly asked about Mahiga and Somalia, Ban Ki-moon has formally named Mahiga to the Somalia post, which is actually based in Nairobi, Kenya. Mahiga, stars and bars behind him, TFG not shown On June 9, before the confirmation, Inner City Press asked Ban's Associate Spokesperson Farhan Haq if the UN had consulted with the Transitional Federal Government about Mahiga. Haq said yes -- but we'll have more on this. Several sources say that Mahiga is "so pro American, he'll make it all about counter - terrorism." Then again, that has already been the UN's approach . These sources note that the UN way for a diplomat to seek a Secretariat job is for he or she -- almost always he -- to beginning selling out his Group and even his country, in exchange for the coming favor. The Secretariat uses the needs and wants of Permanent Representatives to obtain certain actions or forbearance in the budget committee -- which has continued meeting this week, despite the announced conclusion in May -- the General Assembly and in this case the peacebuilding commission. "Consider Yemen," one well placed source told Inner City Press. "With all of the conflicts and problems, you might expect the UN to name an envoy or otherwise get involved. But since Yemen managed to head the Group of 77 this year, they use that leverage to tell the UN to do nothing. In exchange for which, the Group of 77 does not move to hold Ban accountable." Watch this site. Source

It is true that Turkey has taken on a more prominent diplomatic role, especially in its region. It is also clear that the AKP party is more ambitious and fearless than its predecessors. Some of its critics in Europe and elsewhere have even accused it of neo-Ottomanism. For now though, Turkey is in no position to respond adequately. Erdogan has to sound tough simply because so many Turkish nationals lost their lives in this raid. Personally, I see Turkey as a breath of fresh air. It is a relief from the ever subservient leaders of the Arab world. Finally, a majority-Muslim nation with the courage to speak out for what is right - even if they don't yet have the strength to translate their words into real action.

Video of a captured Cuban POW near Harar during the Somalia-Ethiopia War of 1977. Short but historic.

These brave and dignified Somalis have done us all proud. It is reassuring to know that heroic, truly patriotic Somalis are still out there. Meydkooda ilaahay jano ha siiyo, inta dhaawacdayna caafimaad ayaan u rejeeynayaa.

MMA, I'm not in his position. If I was, I'd like to think that I would do what other (very few) dignified politicans elsewhere have done over the ages - try my best to make a difference but work away if change isn't forthcoming. Let someone else try. Omar may have done the former but he sure hasn't done the latter.

MMA, thanks for jolting our memories. Hypocrisy exposed!

^ I'm not comparing his father's era to today. That would be unfair. I'm simply highlighting the difference in capability between him and his father. I have nothing against Omar. I just think that he isn't a capable politician. We already have enough of them. Somalia can ill-afford another one in such a critical post at such a critical time.

^ Thank you for the link.

I'm not a fan of Sh. Sharif but this dimwit has failed miserably. He is a complete disgrace to his father's legacy.

Guilty or not, no country (apart from his own) has jurisdiction over this case. Even in their current dismal state of affairs, Somali officials can still insist on his extradition. Sadly for Abdiwali, he'll have to suffer in prison until his country gets its act together.

Enjoy it while it lasts. Somaliweyn will return stronger and reclaim all its little lost children, once again IA. No disrespect to my Somali brothers up in the north.

They were definitely murdered. Somali blood has become so cheap. Regardless of the circumstances, ten of our fellow countrymen have been murdered in cold blood. The TFG authorized these illegal naval missions in our seas, why haven't they responded to these murders by the Russian navy? Pirates or not, these are Somali nationals! Our brothers. Voitentko is right. These naval missions have turned into killing Safaris with no accountability. How painful!

A man of great integrity. May Allah grant him Jannah.

Qatar is also starting to flex its muscles. If it doesn't backtrack, it is set to cancel its current policy of issuing visas upon arrival for citizens of so-called 'affluent' countries - including France, the UK and US. This change is set to be in force by 1 May. Apparently, this change will only apply to countries who currently do not offer visas to Qatari nationals upon arrival. In other words, the Qataris are saying we shall treat you as you treat us. It is only fair.

Great cause. I can't think of a better campaign to support. I hope it turns out to be a success. Bright young Somalis are holed up in these camps. So much young talent going to waste! The story of a young brother who now studies at Princeton university comes to mind. Check out this youtube video for his story. Let us not also forget the horrors faced by equally bright young Somali sisters in camps such as Ifo. Like having to sleep in toilets simply to avoid being attacked in their sleep and raped. The security situation in the camps has improved in recent times but many of the dangers are still present. Read Abshiro's testimony.

Find a fatwa concerning this issue here. There are other links on the same page for those wanting to delve a little deeper.

Living in Mogadishu April 22, 2010 8:38 AM After nearly 20 years without a functioning government, residents of Mogadishu, the devastated capital of Somalia, report widespread deprivation in a highly unusual poll there. The survey, advanced exclusively to ABC News, finds that nearly two-thirds of respondents say they’re unable to meet basic needs without charity, half lack food and clean drinking water on at least a weekly basis, half are displaced from their homes and as many say they regularly witness killings or injuries because of fighting between armed forces. Just yesterday The Associated Press reported the discovery of five headless bodies in Mogadishu, with the killings attributed by some residents to the al Qaeda-linked rebel group al Shabab. The survey was conducted by the British research firm Opinion Research Business, its third opinion poll in Mogadishu (the first were for private clients). ORB said field work was conducted by an unidentified independent social welfare agency whose staff it trained. In-person interviews were conducted only in Mogadishu and in a section of a nearby area, the Afgoye corridor, where some displaced city dwellers have resettled. ORB described its results as representative of residents of the city, with random-sampling techniques employed, but also noted that the challenges of surveying in Somalia put serious constraints on that claim. In addition to an absence of reliable population data for sampling purposes, ORB reported that interviewers were unable to enter one district of Mogadishu controlled by al Shabab, and had limited access to Afgoye. Even as a rough gauge, the results mark the city’s difficulties. Just 13 percent of men said they hold formal full-time employment, while 55 percent are unemployed – and two-thirds of them have been jobless for at least two years. Sixty-four percent of respondents said they can’t meet their household’s basic needs without charitable assistance. Beyond the lack of food and clean water and prevalence of violence, a third said they lack adequate shelter. Asked their greatest need, 44 percent cited jobs, 35 percent security, both far outstripping other mentions. Sixty-two percent said things in their country are going in the wrong direction; just 32 percent said things have improved in their lives in the past year, and 53 percent said their security, in particular, has worsened. Done in February among nearly 1,000 respondents, the survey found broadly positive ratings of the efforts of the United Nations and (somewhat less so) the African Union in Somalia, likewise for the nominally ruling political group, the Transitional Federal Government; and much lower ratings – 16 percent positive – for “the opposition.” Respondents by 7-1 said they expected the TFG to prevail. And even in Mogadishu, hope apparently springs eternal: Two-thirds said they think their situation will improve in the year ahead. Source

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. The collection covers three continents with a time-line of over a millenium. The collection includes some of the earliest pages of the Qur'an to survive and other magnificently illustrated manuscripts. The Museum sits in a beautifully designed building along the Doha coast. If you happen to visit Doha, be sure to check it out. MIA