Salaan... Most of you who complain about "naayaa" might not know where the word waraa originated from? Waraa is for WARYAA. But we faaraxis are ingenious since we realized some faaraxis might mind to be called "waryaa," we then astutely dropped a letter from it--and hence waraa. "Waraa kaalay inta imoow" instead of "waryaa kaalay inta imoow." See the difference! No faarax minds to be addressed waraa now. The logic behind that is you girls need to find a way to circumvent that word. Perhaps naay would do since still "naa" didn't help.

Salaan... I am a fan of papers--the newspapers. My peers couldn't--and still can't--understand why I read the papers as much as I grasp, but not enjoying the fun lifestyles associated with young men. However, personally, reading the papers to me was and is "fun" and entertaining. Anyway, if you read the papers as fervent and as avid as I am, then this topic is for both of us--you and me. And you will understand why. I will try to label major newspapers published in English-speaking countries according to their ideological editorial point of view--based on my personal understandings and analysis of how they reflect and cover Islam, Muslims, refugees and immigrant-related issues. Why would I waste time with that and care that much? Good question. Because, first, I had seen some Soomaalis buying, subscribing and reading seriously some outright right-wing papers. I didn't know whether they knew the papers' stance or its editorial viewpoints. And to top of that, I was flabbergasted when I heard some Soomaalis defending Fox News. However, this is only for print media, how scary and humourous Fox is for another story. The English-speaking countries' published major papers falls in three categories. They might seem to intertwine one another once a while, still they all fall in one way or other to one of three categories: Liberal, Moderate and Conservative. Liberal: Leftwing. Moderate: Centre-to-left-or-to-right. Conservative: Rightwing. There are two kinds of conservatism, though. Fiscal conservative and social conservative. Fiscal is for financial reasons, for example supporting tax cuts, hands-off government approaching to its citizens, et cetera. The papers I had read from time immemorial {some from online editions only} either falls or stands one of these three labels, and they are content with pleasure when they are labeled. And even though the papers seem, to us Muslims, to be not that boldly different, but they are different in some aspects, and we’ve to, if we have to read them, read the least anti-Islamic ones. Now, the papers. In Canada, they are five to seven major newspapers. I however would only label five of them. The Toronto Star: Pro-liberal. Unabashed left-leaning paper and Canada's favourite paper {and mine too} The Globe and Mail: Moderate, sometimes small-c conservative, sometimes big-L liberal. National Post: Launched in '98, Neo-conservative, brazen anti-Islam and anti-Palestinian articles, it is fortunately Canada's least profitable paper. And it is owned by a guy named "Israel" Asper. No surprises there. Toronto Sun: A big-c Conservative tabloid, read by mostly the rednecks and splashed with their favourite subject--anti-immigrant {including Muslims} news. Montreal Gazette: Recently bought by the same company that owns National Post, it is a small-c conservative paper, sometimes being in moderate. I don't know that much about this paper, so Montrealers out there, give us some more insight. American ones: The New York Times: The darlings of the left. A famous big-L liberal paper. Washington Post: Another well-known for only left and more left, and the very sole competitor of New York Times. USA Today: America’s colourful favourite. Devouted to sports, I cannot for certain label it for now. However, it seems to be a right-to-centre or moderate. Chicago Sun-Times: Owned by the same company that owns The Telegraph of London and Jerusalem Post, don’t be surprised if it turns out to be a Neo-conservative, pro-Israel, pro-Bush. New York Post: America’s version of Daily Mail. Nothing more to say about it. Folks in England would know why. It is owned by Rupert Murdoch. Lost Angeles Times: A wanna-be Washington Post, and of course a leftwing. Wall Street Journal: Right’s mouthpiece, especially being known as a more fiscal conservatism than social. Boston Globe: Owned by New York Times Company, it is no wonder a leftist-leaning paper. The Minneapolis Star Tribune: Seems like a rightwing paper. I have yet to figure it out. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Seems moderate, slightly toward to left. Washington Times: Neo-neo-neo conservative. No wonder it lost $1 billion since its inception in 1982, demonstrating the rednecks are tired of it too. The British papers: Guardian: A fine liberal paper and my favourite of all papers I’ve mentioned combined. I love this paper, at least its online version. The Independent: Robert Fisk’s paper. 'Nuff said. The Telegraph: A nonsense rightwing paper, foremost being an Islamophic. It is owned by same company that owns Jerusalem Post, a paper even the Zionists are ashamed of. The Times of London: I will give you a hint to know where it belongs: it is also owned by Rupert Murdoch. Yep, the same guy who owns Fox News. The Daily Mirror: Amazingly, it is a moderate tabloid. The Daily Mail: An ultra-conservative far rightwing, creepy paper. What it reports have even broken the slim boundaries of tabloid-based papers. The Sun: Yep, a member of Murdoch empire and... Australian newspapers: The Age: Centre-to-right and small-l liberal. Sydney Morning Herald: Moderate, sometimes small-l liberal. The Australian: Even though it is owned by that wacky Rupert Murdoch, it is sometimes moderate, especially being liberal to social issues, but small-c conservative to real politics. The Daily Telegraph: Like its counterpart, it is big, big time rightwing tabloid. The Herald Sun: Owned by Murdoch, should I say more? ______________ So if you ever decide to buy, read or just glance a paper, consider first its editorial standpoints and don't act surprised when you discover some of them daily rituals are feeding anti-Islamic sentiments to their readers.

Salaan... Originally posted by Tuujiye: latiliyaheega waxeey aheed Nakruumo..loool...people from falstaff in T.o would get this loooooooooooooool....checkmate ya feel me.....single mothers aa ku go go'ay xagaas sidee xaanshi dhamaad ah.... Falstaff??? Kikikikikiki Macalinka, Falstaff waa ku dabaalan jiray oo waaba daganaa. Laakiin rumourka maqli jiray ileen waxaa ka jiray on the Building 30 nooh, floorka 12 waxaa ka dhici jiray lee Ilaahaa og. Rumour lee u maleyn jiray. Lakiin midoo floorkaas daganayd aa wiishka markaa raacaba soo raaci jirtay iyadoo waji kaakineyso, aniga waaba ka shakin jiray if it was a sheer coincidence everyday nooh. Haa same floor aa daganeen kuwaas caanka eh oo wax laga sheeg sheego. Kac-kac, mise Qac Qaac waaye, waligaa horta ma cuntay kac kac? Madax xanuun maxaa ka qaaday kac kac iyo macarash cunoowgiisa. Fiiri laakiin Bashiir Lugeey wixii ka kala danbeeye kistoo waa aqanaa, qaas ahaan dhanka midigtiis. Meeshaas Masaajid maku xasuusti. Hadaa dhanka Siigaale aadid ma ogi, dhankaas dhif dhif lee tagay ma u badneen. Laakiin Masaajid weyn aa ku yaalay Bashiir Lugeey gadashiis inta la gaarina jidka kala gooyo Hawl Wadaag iyo Hodan. Masaajidka sheegooyo waxaa u dhawaa hoteel, oo waana weynaa dadka xaafadeena aa u badnaa, laakiin magaciis ma xasuusto inkastoo maalin walba ku tukan jiray.

Salaan... Safist, awguuriyo saaxiib. Arooskiina ha waaro, arooskiinana aamiin, keenana aamiin. *I will give you a call on the weekend.

Salaan... This Story made me laugh!!! it reminded of a guy who said "Sxb...Sigaarka gacanta Midig ku cab..shaydaanka/gaalada baa bidix wax ku caba" Dhiq dhiq dhiq... Waraa Gardheeriyaasha faraha ka qaad, at least waana uu bixiye. Back to the original Kenyan woman. One thing the vast majority of you overlooked is that some tribal groups in Kenya don't marry at all before they have children. It was not uncommon to see a two-year old attending his own parents' wedding reception, running there. From what I gathtered there while living, some tribes' belief was a woman must be capable of having children before she is considered to be a wife or into marriage. It is now a modern day version; no need to wait until she gives birth, ultrasound is sufficient.

Salaan... When C/laahi Xaaji was at the helm of BBC, deriding Siyaad Barre's regime, day in and out, those same people were cheering. When BBC was giving a greater voice to dissenters of the late regime, again these same folks were jubilant. I remember the day Ismaaciil Jimcaale passed away and BBC devoted the entire day's clip to him. Max'ed Siyaad Barre was so maddaned and infuriated that he even tried to ban the marxuum's body to be buried in Soomaaliya. Remember, that is the same BBC Soomaali service. I had read three or four articles disparaging the BBC Soomaali service on the net the past couple months and those articles were from different, clan-based groups. What does that tell you? It tells us that either BBC got it all wrong or is supposedly neutral and fair. In order to be impartial and objective, it cannot upset at the same time each advocacy Soomaali group as clanish as they seem. What people don't understand is that each media group has its own biased editorials or principles--be it a liberal or conservative views. Or to the extrems. So no exception the Soomaali media having its own clan-based principles, including the BBC. Every Soomaali media outlet needs to overcome the expected clanish conspiracies. No surprises there.

Salaan... Marax Qaca eh, adiga meel sheeg nooh. Dabka waa sheegoysaa. Barxadii Bashiir Lugeey wa sheegoysaa. Masaajidka Sheekh Cali Suufi waa sheegoysaa. Meel ku ekoow hee, wah. Ar barxada Bashiir Lugeey maxaa banooni ku tumi jiray. Aboow aboow, barxadaas ciyaal badan aa kusoo koray. Walaahi saa u jeclaa lee, bacaad istareex ee lahayd. Markii danbe markii la isku batay barxadaas Tarbuunka aa u wareegnay anaga asxaabteena in aa ku ciyaarno banooniga, laakiin mar mar Bashiir Lugeey waa usoo noqon jirnay. Adiga dhankee ka ahayd? Dhanka marka shaleemada loo socdaa mise waa ka danbeyseen Bashiir Lugeey? Ama dhanka Siigaale markii loo dhaa dhaco miyaa? Mise waxaaba ahayd dhanka guryaha Bangaariyada aa aadee? Hadaa ka danbeysay Bashiir Lugeey, Eey Mugdi waa kasi kartaa. Hadaa ka horeysay Laanta Hodan waa taqanaa. Hadaa tahayna dhanka markii la aado Isgoyska Kaasa Balbalaare, bankiga meesha ku yaalay waa taqanaa markaas. Caramel, aniga makuu sheeginoo, ciyaal Isgoyska Bakaaraha aa ahay. Ciyaal Bakaaro ma'ihi, laakiin isgoyska lee wada share gareynaa. Nuune, adiga bootadaa waa horaa la qabtay. Hargeyso waa tagay kulahaa. Baydhabo waa joogay kulahaa. Kismaayo waa soo jacbursaday kulahaa. Gaarisana waa dagnanaan jiray aa la dhahay. Xamarna ciyaal Huriwaa aa ahaa kulahaa. Bootadaas minishiibiyada ugu sheekeey, anaga mana mareyso.

Salaan... For instance, as a Muslim society Islam directs us and told us that we should eat with our hands. “Educated” Somalis when they see this, automatically get the impression that this person is from “baadiye”. I sometimes deliberately do that at Soomaali maqaayado. I eat with my fingers, sab-wise, especially when I am eating with another person and most do eat with fingers too. I eat with spoons and forks at home, but I intentionally do the finger-eating at public places just to irritate those "western" wanna-bes, who can't stand that. While they struggle with their knives, forks, my bariis is gone. And since I don't let my finger nails grow a semi-cm, it is all healthy then. _______________ P.S.: This reminds an event a year ago in Xamar. I was invited to Hoteel Saxaafi to have a lunch with those "professors" from Jaamacada Muqdisho and an American NGO-worker gaal from Nairobi. Alas, I came late, when most finished and they were late to go, so I hadn't had a meal, only drinks. I was deliberately going to eat with my fingers. Still I saw those two struggling with their knives and altogether left their meats untouched.

Salaan... Sugaba, Siteey Manoogto iyo Isjiid Macala Rimoorkiis hanoo danbeeye ee waxaaba arkay aw Qac oo Kaasa Balbalaare wato? Duqa Qaca ah ciyaal Kaasa maa ahayd? Garabka adigana ciyaal xaafadee? Mise adiga iyo Qac mataano amaa tihiin? Alta Vista iyo Bank St. lee kala dagan tihiin hadaa isku qof ahayn. Caramel, dhankee adigana? Shiirkolaa? Mise Boondheere? Mise Bilaajo Carab? Laba Dhagax? Siinaay? Yaaqshiid? Afar Irdood? Wadnaha? Dabka? Xamar Weyne, Yare, Jabjab, Jadiid???? Sodonkaa? Meel sheeg yaaqeey. Nuune asaga awalba shuud uu Xamar kusoo galay, habeenkuu soo galayna subaxnimadeeda xabadii ka dhacday meeshuu ka imaaday aa lagu celiye, maskiinka waa ku xumeeyeen. Aniga sidaa hada kahor sheegay ciyaal Isgoyska Bakaaraha aa ahay, Kaasa Balbalaarana Shaneemo Shuun aa ka gali jiray oo filimaantii Jackie Chan ee daari jireen, waxaa kamid ahaa filimanataas hal filin oo caan ahaa oo la dhihi jiray Seeftii Dahabiga, ma ogi meelee kasoo turjumeen laakiin filinka waxaa la dhahaa The Armour of God. The real beesaani people in Xamar Kaasa ee daganayeen, inta kale been. Soo barya.

Salaan... Macalinka weyn, waala heshay. Adiga sheekadaan ila fiiriba. _______________ Nin macalin ah ayaa maalin ugu wacdinaayay dadka is qabo isagoo leh, "Markastoo aad isu tagtaan ajirkiina wuxuu la mid tahay idinkoo dilay qof gaal ah!" Xaaskiisana goob joog ayay ahayd, waxayna u heshay fursad ay odaygeeda ku heli karto markay u baahato ciyaartaas, duqana saas ma u jecleen ciyaarta. Macalinkii markuu dhameeyay wacdigii oo guriga la tagay ayay xaaskii oo sugi weysan tiri, "Aaw Ma'alinoow, kooy gaalaa dilaanee!" Waxay sheekada marka isku badashay in uu maalintiiba shan gaalo ah ay dilaan. Hadaba sidii caadada ahayd ayaa xaaskiisii waxay tiri, "Aaw Ma'alinoow, kooy tuman gaalaa dilaanee." Markaasuu macalinkii dhahay, "Walaagii sayidanaa Cali seefshee dhamaayi waayti, shufteey muku dhamaadayaan!!!" Kii fahmaayo lee fahmi karo.

Salaan... Look at what the old man wrote: "Against this background of a very modest and minimal British presence, the fierce and extremely costly twenty years war (1900-1920) against the Jihad proclaimed by the remarkable Somali sheikh and poet Mohammad Abdille Hassan and his Dervishes was an unexpected and terrible aberration. This left a permanent scar on the imperial perception of Somaliland . Following the jihad, no missionary activity was permitted by the British, and the colonial office insisted that no action likely to disturb the Somalis should ever again be undertaken. This was of course in many ways a negative development." The key words of admission of deeply felt discontent and regret from the old man is: "This was of course in many ways in a negative development." Negative to whom? The old man cannot even hide a bit of his unhappiness and for his desire Soomaalis being Christians today. And he terribly regrets the cancellation of missionary activity. Thank you very much, Aw Sayidoow Max'ed C/lle Xasan. Soomaali people today at large appreciate you for not only being Christianized, but also not having the obscure colonial names of James, Earl, Jack or Olivia, Emily, Margaret or Abigail {God forbid!}. Aw Sayidoow, I promise you if I ever have the means of building you another statue, I would personally erect you a one far more large, exquisite, splendid, superior than you had the last one in the centre of each Soomaali city. Extravaganza in its sheerest, yes. And may Allah have mercy on your soul and all the men and women who fought the independence of our Soomaali lands everywhere.

Salaan... Baashi, what do you think about the following abridged post I copied from baidoa.com? I obviously don't agree with some basis points, including the issue of federalism and a government based on clans, mainly the infamous 4.5 formula. However, some detailing points need to be considered, and any suggestion that can resuscitate the Soomaali nation should be listened too. ______________ As the Kenyan-hosted Somali National Peace Conference enters its final and uncertain stage many Somalis are asking themselves what settlement can provide a lasting solution to Somalia’s seemingly insoluble tragic civil war?. Although there is no magic formula for resuscitating Somali state out of its coma the following settlement proposals outlined in this editorial will compliment the provisions of the Transitional Federal Charter already endorsed by the delegates attending the Somali National Reconciliation Conference in Kenya and could pave the way toward political equality for all Somali clans and cast iron guarantees against the domination of one clan by the other. Political equality and Guarantees against domination is ensured through collective Presidential Council with rotating Presidency and Vice-Presidency. The Powers and Office of the Head of State will be vested collectively in a five-member collective Presidential Council with rotating Presidency and Vice-Presidency. The Post and Powers of premiership will be scrapped. Hence, the Collective rotating Presidential Council will exercise the supreme executive power. The Presidential Council: The Powers and Office of the Head of State shall be vested collectively in a five (5)-member rotating Presidential Council. It will exercise the supreme executive power. The President of the Council will represent the Presidential Council as Head of State. Members of the Council will be elected by Parliament for a fixed period of 5 years. Once elected members of the Council must not occupy any other public office or private position. Composition: The five-person Presidential Council will be composed so that it reflects the clan balance in Somalia. Thus, there will be an equal number of members from each of Somalia's five clans in line with the 4.5 formula. The President and the Vice President: The Offices of the President and Vice-President will rotate every 12 months amongst its members. No more than two consecutive Presidents will come from the same clan. The President and the Vice-President must not hail from the same clan. The Vice-President will assume the duties of the President in the absence or temporary incapacity of the President. The five members of the Council: Will be equal and any member will be able to place an item on the agenda of the Council. Each member of the Council will head a Department. Departments will be attributed by decision of the Council. The heads of Departments will prepare and execute decisions of the Presidential Council relating to the Department. Functions, appointments and international representation: The President of the Council will represent. the Federal Republic of Somalia as Head of State. The President of the Council will represent the Federal Republic of Somalia as Head of Government. The President of the Council will convene and chair the meetings of the Council. Heads of the relevant Departments will represent the Federal Republic of Somalia at meetings of government ministers. The Presidential Council appoints the members of the judiciary and independent officers: the Supreme Court Judges, Central Bank Governor and board, Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General. The Presidential Council will will suggest candidates or appoint members for international bodies. Any representative of the Federal Republic of Somalia at international meetings will be bound by decisions of the Presidential Council. Decision Making Procedure: The Presidential Council will try to reach decisions by consensus. Where that fails, it will take decisions by simple majority of members. Neither the President nor the Vice-President will have a casting vote.

Originally posted by Bishaaro: Its funny how Somali women respect and honour other men... Worst part is that those women can't express themselves as much as they could in their 1st language {yacni kuma jaq jaqlayn karto} Markaas bay Somali Caayaysaa :mad: Baraawo, baraawo Bishaaro {magac fiicanaa, Bishaar magacyada aa ka danbeeyo uu ku jiraa, and of course Bishaaro too}. Wax lala yaabo qaarkood xataa af Soomaali ma maqli karaan, iska dhaaf in ee ku hadlaan; dhab ahaan waxaa laga hayaa hal qof shaqsi eh ku jiro meeshaan in uu meel SOL fagaare eh ka dhahay, and I quote: "The only reason i still speak it {af Soomaali} is because it makes my mom happy." That same person is a vigorous defender of anjabi, especially African-Americans' culture including their Ebonic argot, but shuns away anything resembling, relating or likening Soomaali.

Salaan... This is by far one of the most interesting websites I'd ever came across. I am telling you, it is very, very interesting. And you too will like it. Here is the site I even fed her my name as Jinoole, and maan, she can pronounce it correctly. What a... ________________ P.S.: If a pop-up comes up and telling you to download some Chinese characters, don't download since you don't need it. And wait fully the page to download, especially when Lucy comes up. One more note: This is not about a foolish website; it is rather really interesting.

Salaan... Idinka afartiin ma iska kala hari kartiin miyaa? Sidii hir qooleey camal aa iskula biiboysiin meeshii la arko waq waq kurukukuuu aa ku heysiin. Mise Habarta Baliisha aa daba socotiin idinkoo sadex oday oo Oday Boor Danbas, Oday Uul iyo Oday Baal Gaduud aa tihiin, maskiintaas kaliya Baliisha eh aa bursaneysiin. Jiil jiilo kala maa weyseen? Qooleey yaa qabi jiray horta? Walaalkeey aa odeey baal gaduud sacfaraan wada miiran qabi jiray, ar meeqo dool uu soo wadi jiray, markaasna maxaa rifi jirnay, oo mar labaad ka gadi jirnay kuwii lahaa. And speaking of reer baadiynimo waxaa kusoo xasuustay ruwaayadii caanka ahayd Magaalo Joog Xumo. That ruwaayad was one of the best ever made. Yaa xasuusto some scenes from it. I can't remember most now, laakiin hal scene aa waligeey iloobeynin markuu Xaaji Khamsiinta raacaayo with his ul uu baadiye ka keensaday garbaha u suran yihiin. Hal saac uu la rafadanaa suu ku koro Xaaji Khamsiinta asagoo usha dusha u saaran tahay oo gacmihiis meel qabsan. Dadkii suu usha indhaha ugu gilinaayi uultimo waa koray lee. Ninkaas nin ka indho adag waligeey ma isoo marin. Scene kale aa soo xasuustee; gabar Ceelgaab iska mareyso intuu ku dhago, uu ku lee yahay, "War kaalay aan isku dhacno!" Ninkaan magaalada waa ku cusub yahay, intuu joogayna wuxuu maqlaayi lee "gabar aa lagu dhacaa cawada, gabar aa isku dhacoynaa..." Marka asagana ku dhac uu islahaa, waxee tahayba, lakiin gabadhii qeylo, "Ar dhoorahaan iga fujiya..." Asagii wali waa kusii dhagan yahay. Ninkaas gacan iyo nus lug waa u taagay, qatari saana muxuu ahaa. Magaalo Joog Xumo bilaash maloo dhihin.

Salaan... Have a look at this piece by this obvious guy's admiration, infatuation or for whatever reason with our women. Approximately two months ago, an international panel named Indian actress and Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai "the most beautiful woman in the world". The contest was conducted by beauty product makers Beautiko who asked: "Which living female in the public eye deserves the title The Most Beautiful Woman in the World." This apparently did not come as a surprise to industry insiders who pointed out that Indians have been dominating international pageants-Miss World and Miss Universe among them-for the past ten years. One Beautiko executive, a Briton, commented, "The peoples of India are simply the most beautiful in the world, and the Indian women’s success in beauty pageants on the international stage is testament to that fact." And now to my subject. I certainly do not consider myself an expert on the beauty and modeling industry, nor have I ever had the occasion, or the compulsion for that matter, to write about it. I have always, and still do, consider these contests an ugly American tradition that brings out everything superficial about our society. But what compels me now to consider the subject is that when my Indian colleague first made mention of the contest, I began contemplating that perhaps India did not deserve such a title. Let me stop here: I, as a rule of thumb, avoid political correctness, and hope that my comments throughout this piece are not proclaimed "racist," as is often the case in the US. India is currently undergoing a beauty pageant craze. Such contests as Miss India and Miss Bollywood have popped up in recent years, and throughout India you will find women being coached on how to walk, talk, and act in beauty contests. Indian officials have been aggressive in getting Indian women in international contests. It is for this reason I ask that perhaps the world’s most beautiful woman does not reside in India, or Venezuala, or the United States, but in the outer reaches of the globe, in some little corner of the world that has been overlooked by the rest of the world. Perhaps the world's most beautiful people are in an African state called Somalia. Indeed, Somalia has been overlooked by the rest of the world. Located in East Africa, the "Horn of Africa" as it is often called, Somalia has been in civil war for the past 14 years, with no apparent end in site. I had occasion to visit the country two years ago for National Geographic Magazine, to write a piece on terrorism in East Africa. We had entered through the Kenyan border, and my first impression was that this country had been gutted by fire. An arid semi-desert environment, Somalia’s land was an empty shell of its former self: many of the trees had been burned for coal, and as for wildlife, our driver pointed out that "they had all run off to Ethiopia." It is in this hostile and forgotten land that I have discovered the world’s most beautiful people. Somali women are tall, graceful creatures of breathtaking beauty. Somalis are a Cushitic people, descendants of the Kingdom of Cush, and Somali Coast was referred to as the Land of Punt by ancient Egyptian and Greek sailors. Somalis, in contrast to other Africans, have Caucasoid features and often including straight hair more rather than the kinky hair that is more typical of Africans. Following Iman’s entry into the modeling industry, she was born in Somalia, one fashion writer comments: "She should not be considered African American, nor is she a reflection of natural African beauty--she looks like a white woman dipped in chocolate." Some groups of Somali Cushites I have come upon have light colored skin and some dazzling green or blue eyes. I remember in Mogadishu, while buying bottled water from a local vendor, his daughter came out from the back of the store to give us the water we had bought. I must admit, I was frozen by her breathtaking beauty: dazzling green eyes contrasted beautifully with her dark skin. The loose garments certainly could not hide a figure reminiscent of the supermodels seen in Paris runways. Many Somali women walk several kilometers from their homes in dusty villages each day to scrounge for firewood and to fetch water. They are bonded laborers many horrifically circumcised to keep them "pure" until their wedding night. These are women whose entire lives will be dominated by hard labor and pitiful wages, if any, their contribution to society unrecognized. So it is not surprising that these women would never consider beauty contests or other matters of the type. Somalis are also a deeply religious people: many Somali refugees, or even those born abroad, would never consider such careers. Following my trip to Somalia I talked to many Somalis in Minneapolis and Columbus area concerning this subject. Many men and woman considered Americas obsession with beauty shallow, and referred to women who pursued such careers, Iman and Waris Dirie are often mentioned here, "whores without faith or religion." Although I must object to such harsh terms, I cannot help but agree to a certain degree. Perhaps this extraordinary beauty of Somalis is best left hidden--a diamond in the rough. Nevertheless, if Beautiko were to look harder in their search for beauty, they would find the most beautiful woman in the world in a country called Somalia. _______________ Afrian-American-oriented magazine Essence called Iimaan "white woman dipped in chocolate" in early '70s when she burst on the scene. They were obviously weren't satisfied why a photographer need to go to Africa and bring a beautie back to America while African-Americans live abundantly in America itself. They thought he was racist. Even Black Power movement threatened Iimaan in her early career.

Salaan... Qaac, adiga nin yahoow see camalkaa. Jidka maa naga xiree? Waagii gabdhaheena Afro ahayeen hal guntiino qabi jireen waa laga baxay. Waagii diraca qafiifka laga dhex arki jiray waa laga tagay. Waqtigii jilbaabka aa la maroyaa, si kale lagu arko maleh, yacni.... Marka in la wad wado lee maahinoo oo lasoo ogaado, oo Beerta Daraawiishta la geeyo, ee soo leersato, soo nuursato, yac... Marka leenka ha naga qarxin awalba asagaa bug ku socdee. Mise mukhalas aa noqonee, adigaa noo keeneysid jid cusub? Kaftan-shukaansi {flirting} waxaa laga kasaa qofka markee "abaayo, abaayadiis" badato. Kaftan-shukaansi or flirting af Ingiriis maku fiicno, that is my personal opinion. Hadaa flirting rabtid oo Soomaali aa tihiin, af Soomaali ku wad. Shukaansi and flirting is not the same, though. Ereyga flirting af Soomaali erey u dhigmo maba ku jiro, laakiin kaftan-shukaansi aa la dhahaa. Kaftan-shukaansigaas markaa ka baxdid aa u dhacee, oo next step oo shukaansi u gudbee.

Salaan... I see, few of you really answered the question at hand. Let me join the few, to show how I was once "rejected," whatever it means. It was in 94, back in Nairobi. There was this Soomaali girl in our neighbourhood of Southland, Langatta {I know, I am giving more information than needed, but heey...} We used to go to this private school in the same xaafad. Anyway, after a couple weeks of not trying, not being a brave teen enough and regretting each night, I finally made a personal compromise for my dignity and for my infatuation. I decided to write a note, instead of in-your-face style of telling her. So I wrote a note with all the usual flattering remarks and praises, including, "Gabar waligaa sidaadoo kale ii cajibisay wali ma arkin...{I admit, the note was more about complimenting her beauty than her personality} I handed the note the next day after we finished class and hurried fast to reach home. I passionately waited until the next day. She kindly wrote back and after class session, handed me a hidden note. I quickly read it, and as expected it was kind enough with a few sympathetic and caring words, such as: "Aboowe waa aqriye waraaqdaa, waana ku mahadsantahay, laakiin waa iga yar tahay..." yada, yada, yada. Who needs in ee ii sharaxdo, yes or no would have been suffice. I know it was only a pure teenage infatuation I used to crave in those days. That same girl now lives in America and I had seen a video and picture of her, I swear I don't know if she is even that same person. Once again, what do they keep saying? Beauty fades quickly? Or your style changes? She surely changed or it might be my taste changing. ________________ A note to those who have never tried: un-rejected man never knows how cold or hot the water is, since he never even attempted to put a finger. So teens and soon-to-be teens, explore the world. Try the water. Put a toe or your whole feet, no problem. Don't resist. Don't be disappointed with rejection. Don't even give a second thought to that word. Life goes on. And you will surely gain sufficient experience when you finally past your teeny years. And would never regret, believe me. It is just like a hunting job, more rejection, the more it fills your experience on resumé. And one further point: The more a Soomaali girl SANKA KUU TAAGTO, the more she interests you, honestly believe me. See a Soomaali girl at a street, upon seeing you and realizing you are a faarax, her shy face suddenly goes to like a French waiter, looking at heaven. It is only a sign, their hint of expressing: tsk, tsk check on me...

Salaan... Caramel, hadal macaleesh aa wadaa, anigana qaaraan aa u imaaday. Ma is af fahmoynaa hada? Mise kista la aruurinaayo aa diidee, saas maa baqeyl u tahay? Yaahuu... Ninkaas waxaa meesha usoo giliye Xamar aa kusoo xasuustay in ee dadkii saas dhibaato u haayaan anagana meeshaan aa dal dalan iskaga heynaa {laakiin masawirka hadaa diiday waa lagaa bixinaa....saas ma rabinoo, cajiib gabdho aa noo talinaayo, siiba kuwa...never mind } Teeda kalena hadaa dhibsatay ereyga bajaq ka raali noqo, koleey waa ogaa intaanan qorinba ereygaas in ee gabdho badan ka xanaaqaan, waligeeyna wajigood maku hor dhihin, geesinimadaas ma qabi oo loo maqaarsiibaayo. Laakiin from now on kaasmaayo mise cismaanta aa la idinku wici doonaa.

Salaan... Read it and tell us what do you think I stumbled that page accidentally, so folks try to see what I had read. I think I should start building a huge compound for our sisters' protection from... God, gabdhaheena labada meelba waa laga soo wiideynoyaa. Shuut. Leave the sisters to us skinny faaraxis. Say it aloud, "NO AJNABI NOO!"

Salaan... Why is this topic on bajaq's section? Hmm... Idinka ma maqasheen: Wardhiigleey Wasaarad Waaye, inta kalena Wakaalad waaye, Washingtona waab waaye... Ciyaal Warta aa ku shirbi jiray waxaas. Marka na dhaafa, hadaan nahay Ciyaal Wardhi...yac, Ciyaal Hodan dheh, Wardhiigleey kulahaa. Wardhiigleey Xamar waxee ka ahayd Jane & Finch ee Toronto. Mise Harlemkii New York. Ciyaal siyo dhan aa ka buuxay, xaasidnimo iyo qaacinimo. Saaxiibiyaaloow, Xamar aa isoo xasuusiseen ee ninkaan jidka Tarabuunka ee Xamar aan kusoo arkay fiiriya, oo daraad markaan website kale ka aqriye aan soo xasuustay maskiinka. Walaahi markaa Xamar ku arkaayi ooliyadda ma marsaneen laakiin ciidda waa cunaayi, saa'idna waa ugu naxay oo xataa dhagihiisa, afkiisa dhan caro maanyo iyo ciid aa ka buuxday. Waa wareysan lahaa, nasiib xumo baabuur aa saarnaa, mana istaagi karin. Sheekadaan ila aqriya *Picture is removed, considering Caramel's fierce, demanding san ka hadal political correctness* {see, I am nin la iska baacsanaayo, torobo maskiin... } Ilaahoow ummadeena dhibaatadaan na hab qabsaday ka bixi, aamiin, aamiin.

Salaan... Where do we indeed go from this point to thaaaat point? Indeed, an humble question, Baashi. First off, the majority of Soomaalis are witty, clever, intelligent and most are amazingly skeptical about politicians, that cannot easily be misled by anybody, because since most of themselves are wanna-be politician advisers, if not politicians. Even those whose support and nepotism to their warlords know that they are wrong, but only support because of some murky, centuries-old clan allegiance system. Those some positive signs are the ones we should commend of. However, there are others that we took granted for. We need to evaluate ourselves, we the public masses. Let's look closely what Soomaalis are. Let's take a glance what we take for granted. Soomaaliya, in all over the world, is blessed something unique {and this is no exaggeration} in a league few other nations in this planet are members of: Af Soomaali being one. Diin: Islam, Sunni, 100 per cent. Culture, tradition, heritage, we all share it. History, at least the narrated versions we've heard have something consistent. When we realize that NACIIMOOYIN Allah noogu bishareeye, we can then take a step forward. Some values when you take granted for centuries, you may not realize to appreciate, and Soomaalis are no different. Step by step, we need to re-focus these points in these predicament times. Every Soomaali have to realize this. It is about time the little details, clan rivalry, over-doubting each person's intention stopped. We have to bury all of these negative thoughts, cleanse it from hearts. Just an example of this cynicism intention just happened recently. C/risaaq Xaaji Xuseen wrote an opinion piece, advising two mistrusted large clans should not vie for power for the next five years if a government comes out of Nairobi. One clan was his. The other being Aadan Cadde's clan. He advised these two large clans should step aside from power positions for some years, as they are the fiercing opponents and most distrusted about some misgivings. And guess what happened? He was severely criticized, denounced, slammed from all sides. With their dubious guesswork and thoughts, they focused unfounded, baseless, speculative ill-intentions of his heart. Some even revilled him personally by going far being the orchestrator the assassination of C/rashiid Cali Sharmaarke. God forbid. How can you deal someone that have conjecture thoughts like that? And why all those negative thoughts? What would've happened if he said those things about other clans? Oh, I don't want to hear. To some, it is not easy while they have some grudges to settle from what happened God-knows-when. As long as some bad apples in Soomaalis exist, they will always try to mess up the majority, seasoned, peace-loving citizens. We will not despair, and insha allaah maalintee ahaato waa ka bixi doonaa masiibadaan. And if the honourable men of SYL did overcome something greater than this, we can surely then.

Salaan... This whole affair of taking someone out is way overhyped. I remember how the old "boys" used to do the shukaansi at back home. Simple. Easy. Inexpensive. The shukaansi was used to be done and dealt at the luuqooyinka in xaafada and at tarjiinooyinka isgoysada, not taking the person to some fancy restaurant {heey, no body used to afford Curuba, and don't even think about dining in an existing maqaayado named Baar Jilbo Jabso or Baar Feer Feer}. You don't know how many times--while playing kadhimeey kadhim--I stumbled laba isku heyso oo bariga dhexe sheekada u mareyso at Isgoyska Bakaaraha tarjiinooyinka ubaxa iyo fiyooriyaasha dhexdooda. So mugdi, that I only used to hear, not seeing their faces, "Waryaa shaqo yeelo wasqaanyahoow...!" See, that was how our brothers mastered the art. But I see now living in the West, it is inevitable. I know, I sometimes do {even against personal beliefs}. Now, even some of us here take them to parks and Lake Shore {a Toronto lake}. Sitting there in the comfort of their cars, viewing the city, with no one seeing...Aha! I see we've taken a page from the isgoyska shukaansiga iyo jiirooyinka guidelines. Funniest episode was seeing this dude taking her to airport fence, watching over the landing and departing planes. Now, that is romantic! Ilaahoo na cafi, doolarkeenana noo safe gareey: aamiin.

Maskiinka iga koreeyo: You were charged {thank God, you were spared from the usual invective insults from the usual suspects mob} by failing to apply unwritten rules of collective mentality thinking {read: you-must-always-support-your-qabiil-regardless-of-right-or-wrong-and-you-must-always-say-negative-things-about-other-Soomaalis-if-you-must-speak-about-them}. That is one huge major step for you. Baraawo, sinyore. :cool: And as for the topic, this editorial cartoon sums it up: There goes another magnum opus by Aamiin Caamir again. _______________ Macsalaama.

Salaan... Nuune, widaayoow midaa iloowday: Sadexna waa in ee ugu macaanataa: Sariirta Cuntadda Hadalka See waaye, list-kaas dhanaa iloowday. Hadii list-kaas kasoo baxdo, inta kale negotiation aa lagu sameyn karaa. Cadaanimo tii rabto boorbaro iyo huruud aa loogu luujiteenaa. Gabadhii dheerarnimo rabto, kabaha dhaadheer bilaash miyaa. Tii dhuubis laga waayana, diet aa la gilinaa looguna bixinaa. Madoownimana indhaha iyo suniyaha indha kuul aa u yaalo, bishimahana waaba og tahay... This reminds me, by the way, a certain friend of mine's dooq. He likes to look at Jameekaan girls on certain places on the lower body. Markaa dhahdid wajigaas see ku fiirinee hee, he would say, "Nah, don't worry; you can put barkin on the face anytime. That takes care of it." That cracks me up everytime. Wa salaam.