Salaan... Rawla, Ilaahey haku caafiyo, aamiin. e-Tahliil aa inta kaaga soo diraa, ee ii cab. Maya, xaaqo makugu soo darin, haka wal walin, acuudi bilaahi...

Salaan... Yes, indeed, I had witnessed ugly racism under many of its shadows; under many of its disguises. I have had been called a boon for hundreds of years by a brother who speaks my language, who doesn't allow me to marry his sister. I have had witnessed racism in its clearest term, for I have had been called adoon; a brother whose heritage and mine go to time immemorial calls me a 'slave.' I still smile, hoping one day he would realize his blunt mistake. I have had been debased in front of hundreds of thousands of people with the term midgaan by a brother who shares my faith. I still try to smile, and pray one day he would come to use his full, not impaired, judgement. I have had been belittled in front of my own children with a demeaning name jareer for decades and decades, by a brother who shares my own culture. I still try to keep smiling and hoping to look forward that one day he would realize his shameful ways. I have had been called yibir, yaxar, tumaal, gabooye, and countless other derogatory names under the guise of friendly names. I am still experiencing this from a brother who looks like me, who speaks like me, whose faith resembles mine, whose culture isn't alien to mine. And to top of that, I had finally being called an "other." If that wasn't enough, I am now a "minor." On the verge of being an alien, I am finally an "other" and "minor" whose opinion and existence is ignored completely. However, I am still smiling, forgiving and praying for my brother to come to his full senses. I am still smiling...

Salaan... On the day I needed to fly out of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, to get back home to Cape Town, my only choice was a Kenyan Fokker, normally used as a cargo plane, that was flying back to Nairobi with passengers. As we were being shown to our seats, the Kenyan captain told the passengers to hand over our passports. He said that he would hold them in the cabin until we landed in Kenya. That happened in the flight I was in too, from Xamar to Nairobi. Exactly as Nuurudiin described. My mother was irated, for a different reason though. However, I never thought the reason they collected the passports was for checking backgrounds. And even if it was intended for that, I don't think it would work. For a simple reason, most Soomaalis would use any passport they could grab on their hands as a convenient. My mother and sister, who were in the same flight, were using fake Itoobiyaan passports that were made in Suuqa Bakaaraha in about an hour on that same day. And the article's other main points, maxaa sameyn karnaa, anagaa saas iska dhignay, adduunka in aan gees ka raacno waa diidnay, in aan isa soo saarno waa waa yeeli weynay. Ha naga saarto!

Salaan... Sheekiyaasha meesha ka socoto waxee isoo xasuusisay waxaan maqli jiray bari hore, in muda ahna aan maqal. Aw Coow nin la yiraahdo ayaa hada kahor la weydiiye su'aal fudud, wuuna isku daye in uu ka jawaabo. Su'aasha waxee ahayd: "Aw Coow, halkee baad u hooyataa?" Aw Coow oo jawaabaaya wuxuu yiri: "Ninkii gam'ayaa sariir gogladee, go'eegaa dhigtaa gidaarada!" Marka jawaabtaas murtida ku jirto waa iska fahmi kartiin ee hadaan nahnay xariifiinta kor iyo HOOS ka ciroobay waxee qasab nagu tahay arinta in aa iskaga fidsano go'yaasha aan huwana meel Somaliaonline "gidaaro" u eh meeshaan yar uunba ha ahaatee, markaasna yar yaruuraca soo barbaarayo loona daayo inta kale.

Salaan... What does this picture say? Do you see anything unusual? If you are thinking like me, you might likewise get offended, just as I am. Of course, I am talking about the flags. One is placed on the ground, albeit having the sticker that holds and the other one was upheld, beautifully. If it had been reversed, I would have no problem. That Soomaali flag should have been held way UPPPPPPPPP, not positioned on the ground. What made worse is the other foreign one was held up, respectfully, while they are playing in a Soomaali soccer tournament--not a Swede one--even if they travelled from Sweden. They might have some reasons, including the flag has a holder, etc; I don't know. I only want to know why those who were sitting in front didn't bother to held it up. Ah, I wish I was one of them. That beautiful Soomaali flag would have been held high above on my head, believe me. That is how much I revere. Then again, people aren't the same. I have to at least thank them since it is not lying, but positioned. At least, they did something about it. This is how it should have been.

Salaan... Please pray for our brother, captured in Ciraaq today. _________________ A Somali driver working for a Kuwaiti company has been captured in Iraq. A group calling itself the Tawhid and Jihad group said it seized Ali Ahmad Musa who worked for a Kuwaiti company which transported goods to US occupation troops in Iraq. In a video aired by Aljazeera, the group threatened to behead Musa within 48 hours unless the company withdrew from Iraq. It did not name the Kuwaiti company. Thursday's warning comes a day after another Iraqi group killed two Pakistani captives who also worked for a Kuwaiti company. Dozens of foreigners have been captured in Iraq. At least six have been executed while others have been released. Armed groups have increasingly targeted drivers and employees of foreign companies working in the country, accusing them of supporting the war. The fate of three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian captured last week is still unclear. aljazeera.net

Salaan... banaadir 1980 ayaa la dhisay. 1980 waxaa ka mid aheed islaamaha dag mooyinka. Or should I say hooyooyinka kacaanka.. Ateerahaa taacun, dhageyso; isbitaalkaas sharafta leh oo beesaani badan ku dhashay sharafta ha ugu ciyaarin. 1980 wax la furay aa iska yar, ee '77 aa ilbaabada loo balaqay, aniga uuba ahaa cunugii boqollaad ku dhashay meeshaas. Wali birth certificationka waa heystaa, ee hadaa extra proof rabtid qolkaa ku dashay dariishadiisa aa ku tusinaa: Meesha birta ka taagan tahay dhexda oo calanka la suro ma u jeedaa, daaqada ku aadan kor aa ku dhashay, waaba kasoo dhici rabi markii fud la isoo siiye, dabeel xoog leh aa dariishada kasoo gishay nooh.

Salaan... Soomaaliya will soon--perhaps within weeks if what is coming out Mbagathi is to believed at all--have a government based a 19th century mindset. A government based purely on artificial qabiil ideology; an idea well-intentioned perhaps, and which might have worked a hundred years ago. Not anymore, especially at this critical interdependent world of ours. This exact qabiil-based formula--as widely known by Soomaalis today--was first initiated in last Soomaali peace conference in Carta, Jabuuti. And it instantly became a popular solution for all, a fact that can only work for Soomaaliya’s gripped problem. Not! It first looks great and simple. Just agreeing a power-sharing, clan-based 4.5 formula. Four so-called "majors" erupted, and the rest being unarmed, peace-loving Soomaalis were crammed into a "minority" half-point status. Ironic as it may seem that by counting the "minority" clans together, their final toll number is anything but "minority," and surely more than the established so-called "majority" each clan. However, the formula has its critics. The adversaries are many and wide ranged, but within exception of few, most happen to be in four groups: Qabiilists. By their unscientific calculation, their large common clan is most populous clan in Soomaaliya or "own" the largest land share of the country, and thus there is no way they can share with other alleged "majority" clans with same seats. Sub-clan supporters. Their sub-clans had missed seats, and unless they receive some proper seats or equal seats in respect to other sub-clans they wouldn't be satisfied. Also in this group are the sub-sub-sub-clan advocates. "Minority" clans. Their grievances are attributed to, first, they object, calling them 'minority' is an insult; secondly, some discriminated clans that used to belong the "majority" clans had been put on their list; thirdly, they received .5 of the pie, a half-point that can't be fair if counted altogether in census. They would receive anything but "minority" status, they alleged. Nationalists. The silent, protesting in murmur of all groups; after the disbelief and head-shaking that a qabiil-based government would function at all, their thoughts abruptly turn to worrying about what lies ahead. The last group is what prompted me to start this thread. I belong this group myself. And the question I am asking now is: Why do we seem to be silent? Is it because government-for-government's-sake? Can we do anything in this time, before things get out of hand and worse? I know there are few nationalists remaining, but those few of us need our voices to be heard, and very, very loud. What lies ahead would nail the last hope of Soomaali unity’s coffin, a nationalist’s nightmare. The formula might work in short-term, gaining some admiration for the qabiilists, and the few absent-minded, power-hungry foxes that are "building" a government in Nairobi might or might not know that this would surely be the disintegration of the last Soomaali unity. Soomaaliyeey Ilaah aa idiin maqan.

Salaan... I have to admit, now that I know there was two tournaments that existed that same weekend, and the entire tournaments, from first to last, I wouldn't have attended it if I had known... That is what a lot of people did, including me and some friends; it was a silent protest to let them know exactly how sordid it was. Beside the splitting, one tournament should have been free or at least some discounts, as the city provided some great funds this year. Also the reason behind parallel tournaments was mostly related about qabiil, but also roughly another dispute arose relating about sharing the funds they received equally by hosting one tournament; in other words about money. Well, they had realized their mistakes now, and are already talking about uniting in the future.

Sinnaantaan la magac ahay San-ku-neefle ma oggoli Inuu iga sarreyn karo Anna garasho sogordahan Sooryo ruux ugama dhigo Soomaali baan ahay! Inkastoon sabool ahay Haddana waan sarriigtaa Sacabbada ma hoorsado Saaxiib nimaan nahay Cadowgayga lama simo Soomaali baan ahay! Nabaddaan u sahanshaa Colaaddaan ka salalaa Sooma jeesto goobaha Ninka nabarka soo sida Gacantiisa kama sugo Soomaai baan ahay! Nin I sigay ma nabad galo Nin isugeyna maba jiro Libta weli ma sii deyn Gardarrada ma saacido Nin xaq lehna cid lama simo Soomaali baan ahay! Ninkaan taydu soli karin Uma yeelo suu rabo Sida dunida qaarkeed Sandulleynta ma oggoli Ninna kabaha uma sido Soomaali baan ahay! Ninka Iga sed roonow Siintaada magaca leh Ogow kaama sugayee Hana oran sasabo badaw Dareen seexda ma lihiyoo Soomaali baan ahay! Ninna madax salaaxiyo Kama yeelo seetada Sasabo ma qaayibo Sirta waxaan iraahdaa Saab aan biyaha celin Soomaali baan ahay! Dabayshaan la socod ahay Salfudeydna uma kaco Waabay sunaan tahay Marna samawadaan ahay Samir baan hagoogtaa Soomaali baan ahay! Saan la kala jaraan ahay Summadi ay ku wada taal, Rag baa beri I saanyaday Anoo xoolo soofsada, Xil midnimo anaa sida Soomaali baan ahay! _________________ W/Q C/qaadir Xirsi Yamyam

Salaan... Actually, the Soomaali Week is two weeks. The past week and this upcoming week. The main event, of course, is the soccer tournament, even though it broke to two competing tournaments this year. Why? Blame the usual culprit--qabiil. Now we do have 32 teams playing two respective different tournaments, one official, the other an annoyer. This year could have been the best because the tournament received a great fund from the City of Toronto--rumoured to be $70,000. There is also the basketball games. The organizers of soccer games and basketball games were in their throats the last time I knew. I was a fan and I would have loved to go there, supporting some teams, but alas since qabiil got involved waa ka gacmo dhaqday. Meel Ilaahey na keeno qabiil ee keeneen, even xataa banooni xun. Anyway this week the king of Xamari singers is in town the first time ever, and tonight is the biggest. The King--Aweys Khamiis Mabuuse--is singing at a ruwaayad tonight, actually it is now on and some of my friends are there.

Salaan... Yes, it does happen. I never went to a club once, but from what I gather hearing our sisters go to clubs in the first place just to avoid Soomaali men. And even if they do see one there, they will ignore him, and if a brave one tries to approach, they would walk out of him there, frozen. That is what I heard. Gabdhaheena qaarkood Soomaalinimo waa lagu karay, qaarkood maba maqli karaan. Xataa ma'aha faaraxyaasha kaliya, wax walba Soomaali lagu associate gareeyo. They just want to completely disregard Soomaali wixii ahaa. It started not speaking af Soomaali at home, disobeying their parents, being so-called second-hand models, wearing the fake bling-blings seen on BET...ee marka waala arki doonaa meel laga dhaco; gabdhaha kaliyana ma'aha wiilasha waa kula jiraan.

Salaan... Speaking of shiir Keenyaati, I was reminded about my ayeeyo. I was in Kenya last year, and the family had a girl who used to work as a booyaaso at home. She had a shiir that knocks out your breath instantly. I am not lying. So every time she enters to my ayeeyo's room, my ayeeyo would go like, "Balaayadaan baanu nacnay. Naa dee saan isku dhaan, Rabigaaga soo maadan garan ee bal uun qabeyso, uunsina waan kugu dari; naa hadaadan qabeys rabin qolkeyga bal uun ha u soo dhawaan." The girl would usually gave this confused face. Expecting the old lady is asking her for something. Markaa dhahdid ayeeyo maxaa ka rabtaa, she would reply, "Dee hawadii beenu nagu qiribtay..." Rawla, so I know what you are talking about. Waala wada shiiraa, but waala kala daran yahay; qaarkood kiimiko waaye.

Salaan... Unbelievable as it may seem, we do have "freedom" for exactly 44 years today and yet, we are worse off than we were when the colonialists came offshore--qabyaalad speaking, that is. Only the wonderful Aamiin Caamir can express how I feel at the moment: This depressed, lonely Maandeeq needs a nation. Can we once again feel the dignity to have a respected nation as C/rashiid felt in this picture in Washington in 1962? Are we ever going to be welcomed around the world as a respected citizen of a country--not as a lowly refugee--as a honoured leader, as Cigaal felt in this picture taken 1968 in Washington with a former American president? Will we ever again see the true brotherhood these two leaders, C/llaahi Ciise on left and Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal at right meeting the first time as official leaders from the both sides? Are we ever going to have another SYL men as some of them are in this picture, plus the men like General Daa'uud? See how respected Aadan Cadde, third from left, was being among the founders of Non-Aligned Movement in Yugoslavia at 1961. We will overcome, insha allaah.

Salaan... What is up with madoow and timo? Wherever they are--be in Africa or Caribbeans--they are beyond obsession of hating the way their natural hair looks. I believe 20 percent of their income is wasted spendings on hair accessories--from braiding with fake hairs to weaves to burning with softeners {relaxers} to ultimately with a fake extension. {Just take a look at Serena Williams and her sister.} Anybody who watched Malcolm X's autobiography movie would recall at the beginning of the movie when the character Spike Lee plays, and Denzel Washington's Malcolm X burn their hair with a hurtful chemical liquid. Spike Lee chose those particular scenes in that film to emphasize and stress how far his community's obsession with hair--from relaxing to burning--went. Their preoccupation of "softening" their hair is embarrassing. Longing desperately to have what other races have, it is shamefully sad. Be happy with what you have!

Salaan... To those who are bashing that Carab newspaper, your shots are aiming a wrong target. Have you read the byline after the title? Somali Indicted in Ohio Mall Bombing Plot Associated Press The report is by AP, a news agency owned by American newspapers. The Arab News simply copied it, even though it can edit whatever it deems unnecessary. For the brother, Ilaahey ha u fududeeyo, awalba gaal dalkiis iyo dhulkiis anagaa soo raadsanay.

Salaan... Originally posted by Truth Seeker: The People that are saying that the jilbaab is not an obligation are failing to bring evidence for their view, i can understand this because none exists. I am not comfortable debating about Islaamic issues because I am not in a suitable position to do so. However, allow me to let you taste your own medicine--an aayad from one of your articles on above, which clarifies your quote above: "Let them draw their head-coverings (khumur) over their necks and chest" [TMQ An-Nur: 31]. Now, is there any contradiction between that aayad and how these sisters dress? What most seef-labood wadaado don't understand is that they are quick to jump to the interpretations and disregard the facts. Now back to your quote again, the point is not whether you wear jilbaab or garbasaar, the point is as long as what you wear is intended its primary purpose. Nothing else. Thus jilbaab does not have an exclusiveness to that regard. It just becomes same as garbasaar or another maro. So some of those ladies who wear jilbaab almost all the time have this attitude of holier-than-thou to other sisters who don't. There is hardly an evidence that supports their "superior dressing" save from their own personal interpretation. {P.S.: Why is jilbaab coloured? According to most interpretations, only the colour black--Sacuudiya iyo Iiraan comes to mind quickly--is allowed, but I don't know jilbaab-wearing sisters know this.} I note again. One further thing is that we Soomaalis are in a habit to be ashamed anything remotely considred Soomaali. This has to change. I personally don't care whether the hoos-gundi {macawiis} I wear is also wore by men from Bangladesh, or Malaysian men. I don't care, I do wear it too. Koofi Barawaani too. I don't care if another version of it is wore by Sinjibaari {Zansibari} men. I don't care. If my sisters use cilaan, I don't care if Hindis and Pakistanis or Carab ladies use it likewise. I don't give a... Most things are borrowed from one another and becomes universal domain, so whether or not they borrowed from us or vice versa, one thing is clear: All of those stuff is now part of Soomaali culture, period, just as it has had been in last centuries.

Salaan... this story is fictitious, no hospital in mogadishu has ever been shut becouse of a few gunmen's threats (siyaad bare would never allow such thing Saaxiib, where were you in the past month? This explosive story was covered by most Soomaali websites out there, plus international media, including Reuters, BBC, AP, and IRIN. Yes, it DID really happen. {And I thought Siyaad Barre left Muqdisho 14 years ago, no?}. Wax waxaas ka xun aa Soomaaliya maanta ka dhaco ee hala yaabin. And it wasn't the dhakhtarka who is seeking "wealth" or publicity, but the woman's family for some compensation. Even Aamiin Caamir was inspired by that story to illustrate in his latest editorial cartoon. Anyway, one of the Islaamic courts in Xamar settled the case, rewarding the family $2,000, and the doctor agreed to pay. He already performed a surgery the other day.

Salaan... Originally posted by Seven of Nine: Hijaab is the normal covering of female 'cawra'. Jalbaab is a specific type of hijaab...thats a little on the extreme end. Sax! Spot on, sister. Since most of our old sisters {and brothers too} do not read much, they automatically believe whatever uttered from the pulpit, including the jilbaab issue. Perhaps we've discovered the true meanings of our religion in the '80s since before that none of our sisters wore this imported version of garment. It all started in 1988, when few started wearing, possibly those who bought without questioning the Sacuudi version of Islam and nothing else. Now, all of sudden, it exploded, and some even going as far as considering those who opt not to wear jilbaab as not "proper" Muslims. To me, personally, jilbaab and garbasaar--or any other garment, or maro--is the same--they are covering the cawra parts of the body. That is what it is supposed to do. You sometimes are bewildered when you see our grandparents oo jilbaabo wato. Ma oga xataa dadka waayeelka ah oo da'da gaaray in diinta naxariista suuban ee Ilaahey subxaana watacaala ku dhibin dadka waayeelka eh iyo caruuta, oo naxariistii Ilaahey ugu fududeeye. Masaakiinta ayeeyaashiin waxaa laga dhaadhacsiiye jilbaab bas in uu yahay "proper" attire. Waa sharaf xumo dhaqankeena dhan completely disregard lagu sameeyo. As I said before, I truly feel those sisters who wear Soomaali-style garbasaaro than those jilbaab-wearing ones. Keep the dhaqan up. Men are not exempt too. They are those ultra, anti-everything that is Soomaali; those who are suspicious anything that is considered Soomaali culture, even going to the extent of wishing if the Soomaali language itself was Carabi. That is true, they are a lot of them out there who lament we are not completely Carabinized yet. Have you ever seen those Soomaali guys who wear Pakistani-style khamiis, thinking what they are wearing is Islamically correct? Alas, Ilaahey hanoo gargaaro.

Salaan... Shan iyo tobankii Meey saan maa u danbeysay? One reason the founders of SYL had the ultimate honour they receive from Soomaalis everywhere is the fact that very few people know their qabiil identity personally. They never mentioned their qabiil. I am proud of that simple fact. Laakiin waxaa sharafxumo badan the schools they were named after had been changed to suit and favour some obscure foreign NGOs who support the schools currently. Now Sakhaawadiin is called Saacid, shuut. Cismaan Geedi Raage is a garaash. Darn. Other schools too, like Sheekh Madar and Kowda Maajo had been changed to Al Shaafici-1 and 2. It is sad to witness this.

Salaan... Originally posted by PUNTMAN: My nick was Cabdulqaadir Quruxley Abaayo, iga raali noqo; wiil aa ku mooday jiray in aa tahay. Maanta wixii ka danbeeyo "quruxleey" aa kuugu wacaa. Nin xaniinyo leh oo "quruxleey" la dhahaayo, Soomaali maxee ku maah maahday horta? Cimrigaaga raagay, geel dhalaayo aas ku tusaa.

Salaan... No person is going to be congratulated. Ah, I'm sorry. However, Somaliaonline, its staff members and active participators are the ones who have done the job well. What am I talking about? The past year or so, every time I read a Soomaali news from bbc.co.uk site, its related Soomaali Internet links is always Somaliaonline.com It doesn't even link its own Soomaali-related site. And it rarely links the ubiquitous other Soomaali sites out there. This is what I am talking about Or this Further Look at the right side of your screen and under related Internet links. If the news is about Soomaaliya or Soomaali-related, bbc.co.uk links this indispensable site. So the question is, did the Somaliaonline.com induce BBC or it is solely as a result of...? Anyway, baraawo. It feels good to be recognized and chosen by, at least, a little but otherwise prestigious institution like BBC.co.uk

Salaan... Libaax, brother, I am not fond of Qaraami, however let me clear for myself: what is qaraami? People say it is usually involves with guiter, well Axmed Naaji usually uses guiters too and his songs aren't considered to be Qaraami. Qaraami is usually associated with Cumar Dhuule, Ilaahey ha u naxariistee iyo C/llaahi Qarshe, Ilaahey u danbi dhaafee. I like some of Magool's, Ilaah ha u raxmadee, songs, including anoo idileey aroos kuula gala...asluub badanoow udgoon badanoow...sidii ubaxii u udgoon badanoow... Also Onkod by Cabdi Tahliil Warsame. This song rules. Baxsanaa baxsanaa, Alla wiilka baxsanaa originally sung by Maryan Mursal. That song was so appealing that I used to think I was that "baxsan wiil." However and afterall, my taste is Sulfa. Sulfa. SULFAAAAAAA.

Salaan... Originally posted by sadeboi: the real thing is ahmed gurey was a somali and not only that he was SADE who grew up in west somalia! I suppose "sade" to denote a clan name. If so, I would rather without reservation accept an Axmed Gurey who is Oromo or Cafar than a clanized Soomaali one. Some people are even disputing whether he was Soomaali at all, and here we have a guy who dares to clanize him.

Salaan... 1) Name one festival celebrated in that country (not Islamic festival, a cultural festival) Istunka*. 2) When is it? Each year in July. 3) Describe what it is and what people do Two bands or groups of men--from one side against the other--beat the hell out of one another with soft twigs or sticks in several minutes or hours in one day. It is for the upcoming Soomaali new year. It is believed if they don't do that at the end of the year, then in the upcoming new year the farms couldn't be harvest successfully, or the farms wouldn't be cultivated well at all. Also as the result of not doing it, the rivers would dry up. 4) Describe any special foods or clothes For clothes, the participators usually wear white garments. Don't worry, they are not beating one another. Demonstrating only for symbolic reasons. 5)Name one major tourist attration in Somalia (had problems with this one) Tell your sister to tell her teacher if tourists can visit Soomaaliya, let alone any tourist attractions, she {your sister} would have witnessed the istunka safely in her own home back Soomaaliya. 1) Names of different denominations and their values Since there is not such a recognized central government, there aren't many denominations now. However, we used to have the following denominations. 1) Specail holiday foods (not rice, pasta, digir...please) Well, obviously xalwo, buskud and doolsho {the Soomaali-style delicious cake} are well-known, however they are other lesser knowns. Sisin, shushumoow, ninac loos, qumbe, bajiye and caano baraawe are such. ________________ * Note: Istunka is not celebrated universally in Soomaaliya. Each region have had its own caadooyin, but istunka and few others, including dabshidka, are the remaining ones still practiced. Istunka is only practiced by reer Afgooye and those who happen to be its vicinity.