Battles of the Past

Introduction First and foremost, I would like to inform our ardent reader that I started writing this book on the 23rd of August, 2024. The most important point to ponder about–the most significant point that forced me to write it flouted after a deeper thought on the meaning of fundamentalism, terrorism, Jihadism, Islamophobia and other mindboggling and unprincipled terminologies that have been used in modern times by people having negative agendas against others having differing views and ideologies or religious following. All the above negative connotations evolved from people who are engrossed in confounding oppositional religious foundations–people having negative views and opinions about specific religions. An oft most misinterpreted word in the Islamic faith is Jihad whose Arabic root word is “Jahda”, meaning persecution when latinized. Since every language and religion appear to have unique interpretations of specific words, to overcome linguistic misinterpretations, adulterations and misunderstandings, I required thorough observation of the real etymological meaning of what Jihad entailed, when and how it is conducted, its significance, the durations of Jihad struggles and why it is important to safeguard human life and property without any fear or favor. Poor research endeavors are the major causes of scholarly malfeasance and academic disreputations. One who strives to defend his people against any form of persecution is called Mujahid in Arabic, while mujahidin are “those engaged in jihad.” Mujahidin are those who fight on behalf of Islam and the Muslim community and those under their protection. While the book focuses on how Muslims fought in different battles during Prophet Muhammads’ time, other battles will be given a closer look for the purpose of having a comparative study to avoid misinterpretation of past events. Unlike regular human to human altercations, battles that were spearheaded by prophets or messengers appear totally different because of the unanticipated divine interventions involving the presence of angels. The battles between Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and Nimrud (Nimrod) and that of Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Pharaoh of Egypt were wars or battles that involved unseen angels who may have appeared at times in the form of human beings, but invisible to the enemies and brotherly companion fighters. Prophetic battles were aimed at defending the divine religion of Islam that began with Prophet Adam and protecting defenseless believers who were persecuted by recalcitrant disbelieving leaders some of who claimed godhood, an example being the Pharaoh of Egypt who is presumed to have been Rameses. A closer look at the demise of the imperfect Muslim leaders after the last Muslim Caliph Ali bin Abi Talib left for the afterlife brought unnecessary political handicaps that evolved from disreputations and power wranglings among the top echelons of the successions of dynasties.

Arabic Calligraphy

Arabic Calligraphy gained prominence during the Islamic Golden Age especially from the Arabic language Kufic script. The types of pens to be used for right and left-handed calligraphers vary in sizes and shapes while prices vary depending on places of transactions. Rhonde script is a form of handwriting that translates to calligraphy and it is also a form of penmanship or writing technique. Going back to calligraphic history, we found the names of the 10 best pioneers. 1. Ibn Muqla–lived in the 10th century 2. Yaqut al-Musta'simi–lived in the 13th century; Abbasid era, Thuluth and Naskh 3. Sheikh Hamdullah–15th-16th century, Ottoman Calligrapher; Naskh script 4. Mustafa Rakim–18th-19th century, Ottoman; Naskh and Thuluth 5. Mehmed Şevki Efendi–19th century, Ottoman; Naskh and Thuluth 6. Ibn al-Bawwab–11th century; Naskh from Ibn Muqla 7. Seyyid Kasim Gubari–17th century, Ottoman; Thuluth 8. Ahmed Karahisari–16th century, Ottoman; Diwani (Dewani) script 9. Hâfiz Osman–17th century, Ottoman; Diwani script 10. Hamdullah al-Amasi–15th century, Ottoman, Naskh and Thuluth In Hindi, Calligraphy is सुलेख and pronounced Sulekh, while in Arabic it is فن الخط and pronounced fanu alkhati; in Malayalam it is കാലിഗ്രാഫി and pronounced kaaligraphy; in Urdu it is خطاطی; in Bengali it is ক্যালিগ্রাফি or Kyāligrāphi. In German it is called Kalligraphie; in Czech it is kaligrafie, while in Somali, it Xardh. Despite being an ancient script, there are disputes related to its origin. Some people are of the opinion that it first rose to prominence in China with characters carved on animal bones and tortoise shells. Others opine that it has been a common decorative art in China, Korea, and Japan before spreading to other parts of the world. One book that towers above others in the art of Calligraphy is the Glorious Qur’an. “Most Islamic calligraphy is in Arabic and most Arabic calligraphy is Islamic” is a wise saying. The most influential calligraphic languages are mostly written in Arabic and with Arabic leading, the others are Urdu, Persian and Ottoman that is known to Muslims as Uthmaniya even though to the Turkish people, it is derived from Osman who was the original founder of the Ottoman Empire in the thirteenth century. It flourished in Spain, North Africa, and Iran from the seventh to the tenth century. Written in astonishingly varied and imaginative ways, the unique feature of Islamic art known as Calligraphy appears to be getting the attention it deserves among people who feel contented with its appearance and beauty. No wonder, it has become a common decorative script in poetry and prose and architectural works especially in palaces and mosques and mausoleums. If you want to write an alif or aleph, “create a vertical stroke and then gently curve it to the right.” A simple mistake could cause a change in your writing instantly. To make accurate and articulate fluid lines, move your hand and wrist gently. People who master the art of Calligraphy are known as Calligraphers while the works they do are calligraphic works. There are seven styles used for writing calligraphy. UNESCO added Arabic Calligraphy and Palestinian embroidery to its intangible heritage list. With over 100 styles, only seven are considered the best and they are Kufic, Thuluth, Nasakh, Muhaqqaq, Diwani or Dewani, and Riq'a. 1. From Al-Kufa, a southern Iraqi town, calligraphy got associated with the Kufic script. With the final work appearing square in shape, calligraphy is known for short vertical lines and long horizontal lines. 2. Distinctive and flowless is the Dewani Ottoman style that came to flourish during the rule of Suleiman the magnificent who gave the responsibility of writing to a man by the name Housam Roumi. Between 1520 to 1566 it was used for important official decrees, documents and legal correspondence. From the twentieth century it became exclusive to greeting cards and invitations. 3. The third type of Calligraphy is called Thuluth, a name derived from Arabic meaning “third.” A visible Thuluth writing is the cloth that covers the Kaaba in Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. It is of larger topography and easier to read than other styles or types. 4. “Naskh” in Arabic means “to copy” and has been in existence since the first century after the establishment of Islam. It is mainly used for writing the Glorious Qur'an. It is legible and easier to read. Derived from the Kufic script, it was popularized by minister Muqla Al-Shirazi during the Abbasid caliphate in the ninth century. 5. Rayhani Script is in reference to myrtle and basil; the script Rayhani means “sweet smell” or aromatic and no wonder it was named after the Ocimum plant. 6. Muhaqqaq which means “accomplished” or “clear”, is the best and most preferred form of calligraphy for writing the Glorious Qur’an. 7. Riqa is known for having shorter horizontal lines, is more rounded and is known to contain elements of Thuluth. Since Calligraphers used smaller pieces of parchments for writing, the term Riqa is from the Arabic noun Ruqa that translates to a piece of material or patch.

Abbasid Caliphates

It was called Abbasid Caliphate in honor of the Prophet's uncle Abbas (RA). Hulagu, a grandson of Genghis Khan, was the man who did most of the destructions wrought on the various Muslim caliphates of that era who were enemies unto each other, were obsessed with concubinage, turned towards the indoctrination or brainwashing of their people by injecting in their mental faculties of thinking newly crafted sectarian beliefs such as saintology, hagiology and hagiography and immamology that contravened Islamic philosophical thought, especially the Right Path to Paradise. It was an era of divine religious defiance, because, it notoriously flipped from the general human divinities such that it shockingly spiralled to greater heights when the number of lamebrained, demonically shallow minded, and illiterate mental pilferers increased without any opposition to their fallacious irreligious propagations. Contrary to polytheism, saintological and Imamological beliefs appear undevinely since both side with polytheism. A historical vassalistic leadership with a short survival rate, even though it cleared a calibratingly expansionary land for the Abbasid caliphate, was the Aghlabid Dynasty that kept a stranglehold on parts of Africa such as Tripolitana that is present-day western Libya, Tunisia and eastern Algeria that came to be named Ifriqiya, that extended to parts of Italy like Sicily. From Arabic, Ifriqiya pertained to parts of the African continent, especially the northern regions. Care for the poor was long forgotten and that's why Muslim leaders spent most of their times on worldly glamours such as the beautifications of structures like mosques, gardens, and other eye catching structures. Even though the economies of the various Muslim caliphates were well managed and that equilibrium towered above disequilibrium, for the leaders of that era, worldly temptations drove them into satanic melodramatic ShangriLas or inappropriate theatricalisms. The massive construction of golden mausoleums for saints and the architectural engineering of golden domed mosques of unprecedented nature are some of the past evidences of Islamic religious abandonments that brought the divine intervention that were commandeered by irreligious men from Mongolia who stuck to the practice of shamanism, a religious doctrine never before heard of in Muslim lands until the beginning of the horrendous ravages that was first started by Genghis Khan.

Anthropology

Every year, birds of various species travel from one continent to another covering thousands of miles nonstop. From the study of birds that is Ornithology, we can learn a lot if we commit ourselves to this specialization that is specific to birds science. Flying over massive oceans whose study is referred to as Oceanography and towering mountains whose study is Orology, for those involved in theological sciences, it is vital to have a good grasp of the above mentioned sciences. What the birds eat after reaching their destinations, requires exclusive knowledge of botanical sciences. Keeping an eye and covering the thousands of miles of Avian journeys that are specific to birds movements really appear surprising to the observer of birds migrations worldwide. As a lover of Avian journeys and their general movements around the world, it is worth mentioning that my total rejoicing of their movementations sprouted from my previous scientological studies of Ornithology on my own without the need for classwork registration in any college or university. An Imam or priest or a rabbi preaching contents of religious scriptures to his followers or adherents, must be familiar with the sciences of birds, if not, it would be futile for the listeners to have a good grasp of what is being said. Birds Mentioned in the Holy Qur'an (BMHQ) are meant to Develop Human Thinking (DHT). Islamically, the theory of developing human thinking is preferablely for those having deeper reflection and complete understanding of why we are on this earth, and to believe in One Creator who deserves to be worshipped without associating Him with other partners. Theologically, birds are signs from Allaah Almighty that deserve further human observations and contemplations. Like other carnivorous and herbiverous animals that appear everywhere, the omnivorous humans are required to have a glimpse of the values of the different birds species and the roles they play in environmental conservation. On the other hand, birds play important roles in the environment because some are consumables like the chicken that is the number one most consumed and the wild guinea fowl while others are primarily for seeds distribution. While chickens are widely consumed, the guinea fowl remains exclusive to a few since it is a wild protected species. Winds, water, animals, and birds help plants reproduce through the dispersal of seeds. We could argue that plants are the best friends of birds. It could appear astonishing that some birds species stock seeds underground and then forget the specific storage locations. Birds get attracted to their favorite plants through color and size. At times, birds defecate and leave behind highly fertilized seeds that are high in nitrogen. With their long distance travels, the earth gets replenishment because birds defecations re-create a new environmental landscape that appear enticing to humans. Let's borrow a leaf from the Qur'an to better justificate the real meaning of birds movements. In Surah an-Nahl (chapter 16) verse 79, the Qur'an exhorts the believers to have a good look at the birds poised up in the air. أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍۢ فِى جَوِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُؤْمِنُونَ ٧٩ Do they not look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air and) the sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of) Allah. Verily in this are signs for those who believe. — A. Yusuf Ali Birds fly in flocks during migrations at various elevations that may be impossible to see with our naked eyes without specific instruments such as telescopes and satellite imaging cameras that are man-made and meant to capture physical objects that are beyond our reach. The report of a lonely vulture flying 34,000 feet above the earth and then suddenly colliding with a passenger transport plane in 1984, is an important factor worth mentioning. Likewise, a single bird that was being monitored and fitted with a microchip flew 17,000 miles nonstop. The scientific names of the three birds mentioned in Qur'an are Coturnixcotumix japonica (Salwa-quail), Corvus (Gurab-crow) and Upupaepops (Hudhud-hoopoe). The predicate logical relations for the ontological concept of birds could be defined as subclasses with instances like the hoopoe (هدهد) and the quail (سلوى) and the crow (غراب). The hoopoe or هدهد is a unique bird that brought news to Prophet Suleiman (Solomon) from as far as the people of Sabba or Sheba in Yemen. They were a disbelieving people who worshipped the sun and were ruled by the Queen of Sheba whose name was Bilqiis. As for the hoopoe bird, this is what the Qur'an states about Solomon's displeasure with it after inspecting all the birds that were under his command. It is in Surah 27 verse 20. وَتَفَقَّدَ ٱلطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِىَ لَآ أَرَى ٱلْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْغَآئِبِينَ ٢٠ ˹One day˺ he inspected the birds, and wondered, “Why is it that I cannot see the hoopoe? Or could he be absent? On the other hand, the quail (سلوى) or Salwa was a roasted bird that was delivered from the heavens by Allaah Almighty together with Manna which could have been something akin to honey even though it was whitish in color. In Surah al-Baqarah verse 57, Allaah mentions Manna and Salwa below: وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْغَمَامَ وَأَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَنَّ وَٱلسَّلْوَىٰ ۖ كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَـٰكُمْ ۖ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ And ˹remember when˺ We shaded you with clouds and sent down to you manna and quails, ˹saying˺, “Eat from the good things We have provided for you.” The evildoers ˹certainly˺ did not wrong Us, but wronged themselves. The crow (غراب) or Qurab was the bird that brought to the attention of Qaabiil or Cain how to conduct a burial after killing his younger brother Haabiil or Abel. These three birds are mentioned in the Bible and Qur'an. In the Bible the crow or raven is mentioned in Luke 12:24. In Surah al-Maidah that is the Table Spread, upon killing his younger brother Haabiil or Abel, Qaabiil or Cain cried by regretting and moaning. It was at that point that Allaah responded with the following words: فَبَـعَثَ اللّٰهُ غُرَابًا يَّبۡحَثُ فِىۡ الۡاَرۡضِ لِيُرِيَهٗ كَيۡفَ يُوَارِىۡ سَوۡءَةَ اَخِيۡهِ​ؕ قَالَ يَاوَيۡلَتٰٓى اَعَجَزۡتُ اَنۡ اَكُوۡنَ مِثۡلَ هٰذَا الۡغُرَابِ فَاُوَارِىَ سَوۡءَةَ اَخِىۡ​ۚ Then Allah sent a crow searching in the ground to show him how to hide the disgrace of his brother. He said, "O woe to me! Have I failed to be like this crow and hide the body of my brother?" And he became of the regretful. Sahih International In Islam, it is not permissible to eat a crow or raven because it is known to eat carrion like the Leptoptilos crumeniferus that is the Marabou stork. Not different from the white-backed African vulture Gyps africanus, there are various birds species that fall under the carrion eating species. Going back to the movements or migrations of birds, worldwide, even though we rarely see the different species poised up in the air traversing long distances, the reality is, we miss a lot how valuable they are to us and other creatures. In many regions of the world, reports of specific birds species going extinct, threatened or diminishing in population or migrating after experiencing threats from birds hunters, requires thorough observations by committed environmental protection agencies of the governments whose jurisdictions are most likely to have missed the decrying call for global protection of the most affected avies species. In Kenya, regions populated by the Kamba people reveal shocking revelations of the total extinctions of many birds species because of the communities scramble for survival and the search for food. Sneaking into the nests of birds in the middle of the night has rendered many aves species suffer tremendous reductions if not extinctions or profound migrations to other safer regions. In conclusion, it is everyone's responsibility to protect the diminishing global aves population, not only for the present, but for posterity.

Kenya’s Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission: A Political Gimmick or a Plausible Undertaking?

For close to a century, Kenya’s North Eastern and Eastern Provinces hereafter referred to as NEP and EP remained volatile, underdeveloped, and deliberately isolated by successive Kenya administrations. For years, residents of these two vast, sparsely populated regions inhabited by Hamito-Cushitic nomads have been subjected to years of extrajudicial killings, summary and arbitrary executions, torture, rape and violence against women, plunder and livestock confiscations by Kenya’s dreaded security operatives with instructions from the central headquarters in Nairobi. Yet, these calculated and disturbing ethnic cleansings failed to grab the attention of the international community despite a few concerned media outlets publicizing repeatedly for years the callous practices of the Kenya government. Kenya-Somalis and their cousins of like-semblance have been living under the reign of terror since Kenya’s attainment of independence from Britain in 1963 and yet not a single universal sovereign entity dared come to their rescue or raised objections at these appalling and aggravating military adventures. Kenya’s inhuman and reprehensible acts against its innocent, peace loving citizens continued unabated even with the knowledge of the Organization of African Union, (currently the African Union) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia -Kenya’s next door neighbor. “The brutality of the implementation of emergency powers in the North Eastern Province; and the discriminatory "screening" of ethnic Somalis” has been documented by Amnesty International. (1) The crux of past massacres in the region has colonial roots. NEP and EP were formerly Somali territories as they fell under the Northern Frontier District (NFD) during British colonial rule. The region was split into two after Kenya became independent with Moyale, Marsabit, and Isiolo becoming part of Eastern Province. Despite majority of NFD residents opting for unification with Somalia in a referendum, the colonial administration ruled in favor of Kenya. British colonial government’s refusal to grant self-determination to NFD resulted from its fear of neighboring Italian Somaliland. Italy, a colonial power with irredentist tendencies was an avowed enemy of the British realm. This political miscalculation by the British crown resulted in prolonged simmering border clashes and the birth of the destructive Shifta war. The devastating Bale Revolt of 1963 in Ethiopia culminated in the signing of a Mutual Defense Treaty between Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya and Haile Selassie of Ethiopia in 1964. Regarding Somali irredentism, Lord Earl Lytton of the British monarchy of the time, had this to say about Greater Somalia: “The idea of a Greater Somalia has been put forward by four eminent people at various times. First, there was Sir Charles Elliot, one of our greatest administrators in Kenya, about 1904. Then there was Mohammed Abdilla Hassan, commonly known as "The Mad Mullah", between 1899 and 1920. He is one of the greatest of the Somali poets. Then, the idea has been put forward by the Emperor of Ethiopia on a number of occasions, always with the intention of incorporating the entire Horn of Africa within the Ethiopian Empire. Finally, there was Mr. Ernest Bevin in 1946, and what he said is on record in Hansard.” (2) Though preceded by many human rights violations spanning many decades, the worst and most brutal skirmishes perpetrated by the military and police of post-independence Kenya in the region’s history occurred during the reigns of autocrats Mzee Jomo Kenyatta (1963-1978) and Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi (1978-2002) respectively. Moi who belongs to the Kalenjin tribe and Nilotic according to categorization of African tribes by colonial Anthropologists was vice-president at the time of Kenyatta’s death. Despite opposition from influential Kikuyu leaders generally known as ‘Kiambu Mafia’ and who were of the same tribe with the deceased president, Moi ascended the presidency immediately with little internal resistance. Forty-eight years later, President Mwai Kibaki, a man who was vice-president and minister on various occasions when these atrocities occurred, endorsed the formation of a Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission to divulge into the extent of enormities of past acts of violence committed against the people of the said region. Surviving families whose loved ones perished in the calculated, remorseless security skirmishes continue to pour into avenues reserved for a commission on a fact-finding mission. At first, Kenya-Somalis became skeptical of the make-up of the commission after realizing the presence of Bethuel Kiplagat who is perceived to have blood-stained hands and implicated in the masterminding of past massacres. The commission, drawn from cadres having differing professions even includes a high profile Somali, Major General Ahmed Sheikh Farah, a retired Kenya Navy Commander. They have so far traversed the province beginning their initial assignment in Garissa, a city that has suffered the brunt of Kenya’s premeditated repression. They have been listening to and documenting testimonies from various sectors of the Somali community. NFD as a region predates Kenya’s colonial history. However, demarcation of the international boundary between colonial Kenya and Abyssinia (Ethiopia) was completed in 1903. In 1925-1926, after Jubaland was transferred to Italian Somaliland, border marking was finalized between colonial Kenya and Italy. (3) With living conditions dictated by weather patterns, pastoral nomads from NFD and elsewhere in the Horn of Africa travelled between unsecured borders in search of pasture for their livestock. Apart from the search for greener pasture, it is these unrestricted travels and peripatetic lifestyles that rejuvenated the ungovernable male Bedouins’ search for brides and bridal paraphernalia, saints and saintly practices, war implements and other valuable provisions. The region’s fight for separation from Kenya kicked-off before Kenya proclaimed independence. Freedom fighters and founders of the Northern Province People’s Progressive Party (NPPPP), the main party that represented the region’s political aspirations, hailed from a variety of tribes. Among them was Alex Kholkholle, a man who was held in high esteem by the colonial administration and the Somalis themselves. A Rendille by tribe and teacher by training, Alex, who was the Vice-President of NPPPP favored separation from Kenya and unconditional union with Somalia. The Borana (also referred to as Galla), a tribal group that populates Moyale and Marsabit towns respectively, fielded the indomitable Wako Hapi, doyen of separatism and armed struggle. While Kenya security forces restrained the Shifta uprising from spilling into its border, Ethiopia, on the other hand, had a stranglehold on natives spanning its border. To have a glimpse of Ethiopia’s past imperialist goals toward its own people, one needs to read the views of the honorable British Lord uttered in 1963 in the following lines: “Ethiopia, within to-day's political boundaries, is, in a small part, the ancient Abyssinian Kingdoms of history, and, in a much larger part, the colonies conquered by the Emperor Melinek II, who was more or less a contemporary of Gladstone. The colonies are approximately the same age as our own. They are Somali and Galla. The only difference is that whereas we label our places as "colonies", the Ethiopians have described them as one Ethiopian people, and from time to time they say they are historically part of Ethiopia. That is not true.” (4) President Mwai Kibaki selected Bethuel Kiplagat to head the commission in 2009. However, Kiplagat was forced to resign in November 2010 after Kenyan’s of all walks of life decried his past inhuman practices. In a letter to Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo, the nine commissioners of the TJ&RC, citing powers conferred on them by the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Act, asked for the removal of Kiplagat as chairman of the commission. He was subsequently replaced by Tecla Namachanja as acting chairperson. Factors that led to Kiplagat’s expulsion from the commission include illegal or irregular acquisition of land; the assassination of the Honorable Robert Ouko, and the Wagalla Massacre." (5) Because he was ruined by the same injustices he was supposed to investigate, Kiplagat issued a short statement that read in part: "In order to allow the tribunal to carry out its mandate, I am, therefore, as of today, stepping aside from my day to day responsibilities at the TJRC." (6) Kiplagat, a born-again Christian and former deputy general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya, is accused of having been party to atrocities in Isiolo, Wajir, Malka Mari, and Garissa when he was in charge of security operations. The Wagalla massacre of 1984 happened during his tenure of office. Ironically, Kiplagat was Kenya's envoy to Somalia during Somalia's turbulent years (2003-05) until he was relieved by Ambassador Mohamed Affey, a Kenyan-Somali parliamentarian. I wonder how this man's heinous crimes escaped the attention of the Somali people all those years. Those critical of Moi’s autocratic rule implicate Kiplagat in the gruesome murder of Robert Ouko, Kenya’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the foot of Got Alila Hill near his country home in Nyanza Province bordering Lake Victoria. Likewise, his critics raise questions regarding his past relations with British business magnate Tiny Rowland and his Lornho conglomerate, and also his association with Mozambican rebels, Renamo. (7) Benson Kaaria, a man with no apology for past injustices in the region he commanded was the Provincial Commissioner (PC) for North Eastern Province during the Wagalla Massacre of 1984. All those officials who had a grip on the running of the province and who have been implicated in the horrible incidents meted on the poor, unarmed civilians of North Eastern and Eastern Provinces have distanced themselves from any wrongdoing. In the past, commissions after commissions evolved with government blessings. In the end, it was the commissioners who proudly walked to the banks with bursts of laughter without any sorts of resolutions to the issues investigated. I don’t see any sense in the existence of the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission currently in full swing. Adan Makina WardheerNews, Kansas City E-Mail: Adan.makina@gmail.com References (1) Kenya: Taking Liberties, Yale University Press, 1991, p.269. (2) Northern Frontier District of Kenya, HL Deb 03 April 1963 vol. 248 cc600-36, Retrieved June 15, 2011 from http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1963/apr/03/northern-frontier-district-of-kenya. (3) Gufu Oba, Professor, Noragric, Department of International Environment and Development Studies, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences PO Box 5003, N-1432 Ås, Norway. Ethnic Conflicts on Ethiopia-Kenya Frontier: The Northern Frontier District of Kenya from 1903-1934, a draft Paper prepared for PRIO Seminar on NORKLIMA Project, Noragric. (4) Presentation of Earl Lytton before the British Parliament on 03 April 1963. Further readings available from http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1963/apr/03/northern-frontier-district-of-kenya, Retrieved June 15, 2011. (5) Kenya: Truth Team Wants Kiplagat Out, Retrieved June 15, 2011 from http://allafrica.com/stories/201004130975.html (6) Ex-diplomat, church official, resigns as head of Kenya truth body by Fred Nzwili, Retrieved June 15, 2011 from http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2010-11/ex-diplomat-church-official-resigns-head-kenya-truth-body. (7) Bethuel Kiplagat: Former Chairman of Kenya's Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, Retrieved June 15, 2011from http://www.africa-confidential.com/whos-who-profile/id/360/Bethuel-Kiplagat.

Kyphosis, Lordosis, and Scoliosis

Calling others hurtful names regardless of whether they are bodily inflicted injuries during warfare or fistfights by others or naturally born with or incidentally self inflicted, deserve to be discarded, because of the demeaning psychological effects they could have on the person being slandered. While the three names mentioned above usually occur naturally at birth, there are other names that are regurgitated by people who harbor negative perceptions of the person being scandalized wantonly with the negative intention of dismantling his or her human dignity. A look at the different human features will show that not all appear the same in appearance whether in color, including even twins or those of the same parents. Superiority complex and envy, pride and prejudice, self-esteem or self elevation, pomposity and preposterously sickly impecunity, if not laughable karma and other unnecessary garrulous implications are to blame for the inferiority complexions filled in the stupendous impersonator. It would be nice to give good names to the malformed people having physical complications rather than rubberstamping them with outrageously fallacious imprecations.

Fustat: Old Cairo

Fustat or الفُسطاط in Arabic was the first Muslim city of Egypt that was built by General 'Amr bin Al-'As in what is now known as Old Cairo. From 641-750 (905-1168) it served as the major capital of new Muslim Egypt. The capture of Egypt by the new expanding Muslims forces from as far as Yemen injected Arabization into the existing Coptic Egyptians. The Coptic language, though almost extinct, remains the liturgical languages of the Coptic churches of Egypt especially the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Coptic Catholic Church. In Arabic it is قِبْط. Nicknamed "City of the Tents", Fustat became the major capital for the Rashidun Caliphate from 641 to 661, the Umayyad Caliphate from 661 to 750, Abbasid Caliphate from 750 to 969, and finally the Fatimid Caliphate from 969 to 1168. Egyptian elites moved in multitudes without compulsion to integrate into the newly emerging Muslim communities who were drawn from different regions in the Middle East. It was in الفُسطاط where Egyptian parents and their children started learning the Qur'an and the Arabic language. In 1945, King Farouk of Egypt formed the Arab League that brought together a few Arab countries. King Farouk was an Albanian with Circassian, Greek, French, and Turkish ancestry. Somalia became the first black African country in Africa to join the Arab League. In 1939, Shah Reza Pahlavi of Iran married the sister of King Farouk whose name was Fawzi, even though they ended up in divorce in 1948.

MY INTERVIEWS WITH VOA

https://www.voasomali.com/a/4840952.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/4931044.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/3413094.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/5276332.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/5203092.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/4840952.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/4931044.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/3413094.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/5276332.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/5203092.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/4840952.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/4931044.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/3413094.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/5276332.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/5203092.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/4840952.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/4931044.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/3413094.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/5276332.html https://www.voasomali.com/a/5203092.html

Wareysi VOA

 https://www.voasomali.com/a/5845516.html

Camel, Cow, and Goat Milk

The Qur'an, the book that was revealed to Prophet and Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), is a divinely revealed book that is free from doubt. The contents of milk differs depending on the animal and species. In general, cow milk contains 87.7% water, 4.9% carbohydrates (lactose), 3.4% fat,  3.3% protein, and 0.3% fat that is referred to as ash. In the United States, there are two major breeds and they are Holstein and Jersey that produce more milk than other breeds. 

As for camels, milk compositions are protein 3.1%, fat 3.5%, lactose 4.4%, ash 0.79%, and total solids from 11-16%. What differentiates cow milk from that of camels is that, camel milk water content is 17% and equals human solid content that is also 17%.

Camel milk has significant "vitamin C and protective proteins such as lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, immunoglobulins and lysozyme. Camel milk lacks β-lactoglobulin and used as an option for the individuals intolerant to lactose of cow's milk."¹

For the student who does not have a reliable desktop or laptop computer and internet connection, research can still be done on Facebook, the world's leading social media, if one has a smartphone and reliable data. This is meant to deter plagiarism.

References 

https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/jfmdp/journal-of-family-medicine-and-disease-prevention-jfmdp-5-095.php?jid=jfmdp#:~:text=Camel%20milk%20is%20rich%20in,to%20lactose%20of%20cow's%20milk.

Al-Baqarah, the second chapter of the Qur'an and the longest with 286 verses states:

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًۭى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ٢

This is the Book! There is no doubt about it—a guide for those mindful ˹of Allah˺,

Since it has no doubt, it is the only living, revealed book. It has been named after the cow and the cow is in reference to an incident that happened during the time of Prophet Musa (Moses). 

On the other hand, while both cows and camels are beneficial to human beings, the camel has resilience, adaptation to climate changes and long distance travel. That's why the camel has been referred to as "the ship of the desert" by western travelers during their search for new lands. It would have been impossible to discover far distant lands like Australia in the absence of the camel.

The inland discovery of Australia was made possible by camels that were shipped from regions that pride to have the largest concentration of camels by the British.

The Cow

While it would have been impossible to survive for the global  human population beginning from the creation of Adam and Hawa (Eve) up to now without cow milk, the value of cattle is demonstrated by the abundance of its milk worldwide. 

In terms of population, it is logical to proclaim the abundance of cattle over other milk producing domestic animals. According to studies by the United States Department of Agriculture and FAO in 2021, the world cattle population stood at 1 billion, with India leading having 305.5 million (USDA) followed by Brazil with 209 million (Agrovet), and lastly China with 100.2 million (Agrovet) respectively. 

The Domestic Goat

By far, looking at the diversity of the domestic goat population (Capra aegagrus hircus), India is reputably the leading in terms of breeding and milk production. "The Goat population in the country in 2019 is 148.89 million showing an increase of 10.1% over the previous census."¹

In the African continent,  Nigeria leads in goat population with an estimated 84 million heads, followed by Ethiopia and Chad with 53 and 41 million.²

While goat milk production is not comparable to the camel and cow milk in terms of nutrition, goat milk contents reveal it is superior to that of cows and closer to human milk. A single cup of goat milk contains the following ingredients:

140 Calories, 7g total fat, 4g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 25mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 11g total carbs, 0g dietary fiber, 11g sugars, 8g protein, 3mcg Vitamin D,  (15% DV), 300mg calcium (25% DV), and 420mg potassium (9% DV).³

References

1.https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1813802#:~:text=The%20Goat%20population%20in%20the,12.03%25%20over%20the%20previous%20Census.

2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1290087/goat-population-in-africa-by-country/#:~:text=That%20same%20year%2C%20Africa%20had,livestock%20farming%20in%20the%20continent.

3. //www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a32068757/goat-milk-health-benefits/

Kurdishology

Kurdishology is the study of the traditions and history of the Kurdish people who are reputedly the largest stateless community in the world. A community with a great history, they are spread over in Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq, with Turkey having the largest population. In Turkey, they have a political party and have a bigger influence in the nation's day to day affairs of running the country.

I raised Kurdishology since it plays significant roles in Islamic studies. A point to ponder is the origin of Prophet Ibrahim who is claimed by Kurdishologists to have been from the Kurdish people who are also Semitic, like Arabs and B'nai Israel. While many scholars attribute his origin to have been B'nai Israel, modern scholars are of the opinion that he was a Kurdish.

Sheikh Abdisalam, a learned Somali scholar was once asked by his friend the origin of Prophet Ibrahim and his response was Mesopotamia or Babylonia.

Sabians

 Sabaeanism

The Qur'an mentions a religion that existed in the Middle East whose followers were known as Sabi'iin. The history of these people has not been deeply elaborated. In Arabic, they are no different from the Mandaeans  known as  المندائيون while the Sabeans are referred to as الصابئة. When the two names are combined in Arabic, they are also known as Mandaean Sabians (الصابئة المندائيون al-Ṣābiʾa al-Mandāʾiyyūn).

An ethnoreligious group, they believe John the Baptist to have been the last prophet, even though, John the Baptist who was the son of Zacharia or Zakaria was sent to foretell the coming of Jesus,  while Jesus son of Mary or Maryam was sent to foretell the coming of the Messenger of Allaah, Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, who is the last prophet.

"(He was told): "Zechariah, We bring you the good news of the birth of a son whose name shall be Yahya (John), one whose namesake We never created before." (It was said unto him): O Zachariah! Lo! We bring thee tidings of a son whose name is John; we have given the same name to none before (him)."

Maryam or Mary, Zakariah or Zakaria, John the Baptist or Yahya, and Isa or Jesus all hailed from the family of Imran. With the current population of Muslims estimated at 1.9 billion, the Sabean population stands at 70,000.

They are mentioned in the Qur'an in three chapters as mentioned below.

1. "Whether they are the ones who believe (in the Arabian Prophet), or whether they are Jews, Christians or Sabians – all who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and do righteous deeds–their reward is surely secure with their Lord; they need have no fear, nor shall they grieve (Al-Baqarah, 62).

2. Know well, none has an exclusive claim to the Truth.) For all those who believe in Allah and in the Last Day and do good deeds-be they either believers, Jews, Sabaeans or Christians-neither fear shall fall upon them, nor shall they have any reason to grieve (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:67.)

3. "Indeed, the believers, Jews, Sabians, Christians, Magi, and the polytheists—Allah will judge between them ˹all˺ on Judgment Day. Surely Allah is a Witness over all things."

إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ

Indeed, God chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of Imran over the worlds. The above ayah is from Surah Al Imran verse 33.

We learn from other sources that the "Mandaeans believe that Jesus was one of John's disciples but he went off the rails and distorted John's legacy." They are reportedly among the first to start baptism. They do practice wudhu or ablution like Muslims.

They are briefly mentioned in the Qur'an even though they are neither Muslims, Christians or followers of Judaism. "The Quran briefly mentions the Sabians in three places, in Sūrat al-Baqara (2:62), in Sūrat al-Māʾida (5:69), and in Sūrat al-Ḥajj (22:17)."

Described Arabian polytheism in belief, since they are not monotheistic, they are described as: "a Syrian pagan of a Hauranitic group originally of star worshipers claiming toleration from the Muslim conquerors under the pretense of belonging to the Sabian group tolerated by the Koran and including scholars and astronomers noted under the caliphate."

Prophet Ibrahim

In some religious books, you will find the following message: "revised edition" which is a noun and whose meaning is "an edition (as of a book) incorporating major revisions by the author or an editor and often supplementary matter designed to bring it up to date, compare, reissue, or reprint." When a religious book is revised by humans, that means it is not an original revelation, because, it had undergone human alterations, adulterations, changes, and many unnecessary additions meant to suit the one or those who do the editing.

On the other hand, there is a "revelation" whose meaning is "a surprising and previously unknown fact that has been disclosed to others." The only existing book that has not undergone any form of revisions or changes, is the Arabic Qur'an.

[6/9, 9:54 PM] adan makina: وَإِذِ ٱبۡتَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِـۧمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَٰتٖ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامٗاۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِيۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهۡدِي ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

“And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He said: “I will make thee an Imam to the Nations.” He pleaded: “And also (Imams) from my offspring!” He answered: “But My Promise is not within the reach of evil-doers.”

Ibrahim was neither a follower of Judaism nor Christianity, but he was a Muslim, and, furthermore, he was the first to proclaim his dedication to Islam. In Surah Aali-Imran, verse 67, the Qur'an states:

مَا كَانَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّۭا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّۭا وَلَـٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًۭا مُّسْلِمًۭا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ ٦٧

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian; he submitted in all uprightness and was not a polytheist.

[6/9, 10:04 PM] adan makina: Ibrahim was Babylonian, Mesopotamian and hailed from the Kurdish people who are the biggest global community without a state numbering 20m and scattered between Iran, Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. Majority can be found in Turkey where they have a political party and play a significant role in the day to day running of that great country.

Furthermore, Salah-u-diin Al-Ayubi who was known to the French as Le Magnefique or the Magnificent, defeated the Crusaders and was crowned "The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques."

Military Theory

There’s military theory that defines and informs how war and warfare are conducted.[i] In modern military history, it is a requirement for military officers to have a glimpse of military science. To better understand how warfare is conducted, the theory mainly deals with normative and explanatory analyses, where normative concentrates on behavioral phenomena while explanatory deals with the casual aspects of war. Despite military theory being multi-disciplinary, it deals with three questions:

1.      What are the natural causes of war?

2.      What are the characteristics of war?

3.      How is military power or warfare applied to attain victory?[ii]

In summarizing war tactics, the major factors that make it a reality constitute the following:

1.      Effective Statesmanship: The total application of dynamic military and state leadership as it relates to war. It is of vital importance for the leader of the state to be aware of the military leader’s war applications before embarking on the defensive or invasion. On the other hand, top military leaders must discuss and listen to the officers fighting on the ground, in the air or in major and minor waters.

2.      Strategy: implies properly organizing and directing select groups to the theater of war either for the sake of defense or invasion. Having war hardened and able-bodied men and women who can strive to survive longer periods in the battlefields is a requirement. Depending on the type and kind of war being fought, the military usually applies either a platoon, company or a division. A platoon could be headed by a sergeant or senior sergeant while a company could be headed by a captain, a battalion could be headed by colonels, a brigadier is head of a brigade, while the military officer in charge of a division could be the rank of a major general who is assisted by two brigadiers. Usually, as for divisions, even though it applies to developed countries with large militaries, a division could either be airborne, armored, infantry and mountain divisions. In a nutshell, a military strategy has been conclusively divided into 5 categories: extermination, exhaustion, annihilation, intimidation, and subversion.

3.      Grand tactics: is an exclusive modern military tactic or strategy that is applied by opposing parties to emerge victorious. Some of the military tactics applied to this day are almost 17 in number, even though they could exceed according to differing military sources: 1. infiltration tactics, 2. Flanking maneuver, 3. Peaceful penetration, 4. Guerilla warfare, 5. Marching fire 6. Rapid deployment, 7. Ambush, 8. Skirmisher, 9. Frontal assault, 10. Penetration or infiltration, 11. Envelopment, 12. Basic drill, 13. Encirclement 14. Raid, 15. Hammer and Anvil, 16. Individual movement techniques, 17. Bull horn formation.

4.      Logistics: it is the art of moving modern military and their heavy machineries that could be a composition of transport planes and faster than sound jet fighters, Aircraft Carriers (A/C) and other warships such as auxiliaries, battleships, destroyers, and frigates for long distance travels. Other heavy carriers such as heavy trucks deliver soldiers to specific locations before getting instructions from their commanding officer. The heavy trucks could be loaded with armaments such as machine guns, modern automatic rifles, and shoulder- held grenades

5.      Engineering: that is the attacking of defensive fortifications. This fighting criteria requires sophisticated application of the necessary war implements that could be used to cause total devastation since a fortification is like a military barrack or garrison that is heavily guarded. Scorched earth bombing is a modern warfare that is also known as saturation bombing or carpet bombing. Destroying forts or all types of military structures such as bridges, roads, farms, reconnaissance and satellite radars, lighthouses used by ships, ports or harbors plus the jetties and their anchored ships, mooring buoys, and oil refineries together with every type of communication installations that sustains the enemy, is part of the scorched earth bombings. Ancient Romans also used the scorched earth tactic against their enemies to cut- off water supplies and farming produces.

6.      Minor tactics: it is the art of fighting individuals or small units and was coined in 1780 by a French military author whose name was Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte de Guibert.

 

 

 

---

[i] Angstrom, Jan and, Widen, J.J. (2015). Contemporary Military Theory: The Dynamics of War. New York: Routledge. pp. 4–9. ISBN 9780203080726.

[ii] Lider, Julian (1980). "Introduction to Military Theory". Cooperation and Conflict. XV: 151–168 – via JSTOR.

Islamic Religious Reversion and Christian Conversion

 In Islam, when someone from another faith takes the Shahada, it is best to say he or she reverted to Islam because every child is born a Muslim and that it is the parents that make him a believer or disbeliever. However, in Christianity, someone who proclaims Christianity is perceived as a convert. “Revert” emphasizes returning to your original state of submission to Allah, while “convert” centers around embracing Islam from a different belief or background." Allah is Imperceivable: No eye in the whole universe, not even the combined eyesights of everyone, can encompass His Being. Believing some angels may have seen or may be seeing Allaah, including those holding His Throne that is the Arsh, is unacceptable, because, impercibility here applies to all of Allaah’s creation. Even imagining how He looks like is a major sin.

In Islam, every human being is born a Muslim and that it is the parents who change the newly born’s religion. “Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:The mother of every person gives him birth according to his true nature. It is subsequently his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Magian. Had his parents been Muslim he would have also remained a Muslim. Every person to whom his mother gives birth (has two aspects of his life) ; when his mother gives birth Satan strikes him but it was not the case with Mary and her son (Jesus Christ).”[i]

At first Allaah created all souls at the same time, meaning all souls including that of Adam and Eve or Hawwa were created at the same time. Please note that the soul and the body are two different things. Later, Allaah created Adam who is the father of humankind. Even the souls of those who will continue to be born before the Last Day when the trumpet will be blown were created one time. The Last Day pertains to the day when every type or kind of creation will come to an end after the trumpet is blown. All creation will perish, including the heavens and the earth, the stars and the moon and everything else including the angels. When Allaah wants to create, He simply says  كُن فَيَكُونُ which means “be and it will be” when translated into Arabic. Below, we’ll display a few verses where Allaah used for certain explanations.

بَدِيعُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًۭا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ ١١٧

“He is the One Who has originated the heavens and the earth, and when He wills to (originate) a thing, He only says to it: 'Be', and it becomes (Chapter 2, verse 117).”

قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى وَلَدٌۭ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌۭ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًۭا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ ٤٧

“Mary submitted: 'O my Lord, how shall I have a son when no man has ever touched me?' He said: 'Just as Allah creates what He pleases.' When He decides (to do) some work, He just gives it the command 'Be', and it becomes (Chapter 3, verse 47).”

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٍۢ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ ٥٩

“Surely, the example of ‘Isa (Jesus) in the sight of Allah is the same as that of Adam whom He formed from clay, then said (to him): 'Be'. And he became (Chapter 3, verse 59).”

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ ۖ وَيَوْمَ يَقُولُ كُن فَيَكُونُ ۚ قَوْلُهُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۚ وَلَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ ۚ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ ٧٣

“And He is the One (Allah) Who has created the heavens and the earth (in accordance with His decreed celestial order based) on truth. And the Day when He will say: 'Be', then that (Day of Judgment) will come into being. His Word is the truth. And His will be the sovereignty on the Day when the Trumpet will be blown. He (is the One Who) has the knowledge of the unseen and the seen, and He is All-Wise, All-Aware (6: 73).”

إِنَّمَا قَوْلُنَا لِشَىْءٍ إِذَآ أَرَدْنَـٰهُ أَن نَّقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ ٤٠

“Our command for a thing is but only this much that when We intend (to bring) it (into existence), We say to it: 'Be', and it becomes (Chapter 16, verse 40).”

مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٍۢ ۖ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥٓ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًۭا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ ٣٥

“It is not Allah's Glory that He should take (to Himself anyone as) a son. Holy and Glorified is He (above this)! When He decrees any matter, He only says to it: 'Be', and it becomes (19:35).” Prophet Musa or Moses requested Allaah to allow him to see Him in person or reveal Himself to him, but it did not materialize because of Allaah’s impercebtibility. Seeing Allah, may He be exalted, in this world is not possible for anyone, whether he is a believer or a disbeliever.

However, in Christianity, there are 50 facts that Jesus is god. Far from the truth, because, in Islam, Jesus was a prophet who was conceived by his mother Mary. John 10:30---I and the Father are one. 

Muslim (169) narrated in his Sahih that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said on the day when he warned the people about the Dajjal: “… You should know that no one among you will ever see his Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, until he dies.”

وَلَمَّا جَآءَ مُوسَىٰ لِمِيقَـٰتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِىٓ أَنظُرْ إِلَيْكَ ۚ قَالَ لَن تَرَىٰنِى وَلَـٰكِنِ ٱنظُرْ إِلَى ٱلْجَبَلِ فَإِنِ ٱسْتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُۥ فَسَوْفَ تَرَىٰنِى ۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلَّىٰ رَبُّهُۥ لِلْجَبَلِ جَعَلَهُۥ دَكًّۭا وَخَرَّ مُوسَىٰ صَعِقًۭا ۚ فَلَمَّآ أَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ١٤٣

“When Moses came at the appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he asked, “My Lord! Reveal Yourself to me so I may see You.” Allah answered, “You cannot see Me! But look at the mountain. If it remains firm in its place, only then will you see Me.” When his Lord appeared to the mountain, He levelled it to dust and Moses collapsed unconscious. When he recovered, he cried, “Glory be to You! I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers (Al-A’raf, 17:143).”

 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“It is proven by the text of the Quran that it was said to Musa: {You will not see Me}, and that seeing Allah is greater than the sending down of a Book from heaven, as Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): {The People of the Scripture ask you to bring down to them a book from the heaven. But they had asked of Moses [even] greater than that and said, “Show us Allah outright.”} [an-Nisa 4:153] So the one who says that any of the people saw Him is claiming that that person is greater than Musa ibn ‘Imran, and his claim is more serious than the claim of one who claims that Allah sent down to him a book from heaven.” (Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, 2/336)

---

[i] Sahih Muslim 2659a, Book 46, Hadith 40. Retrieved from https://sunnah.com/muslim:2659a.

My Contribution to Chapter Book in French Edition

 LES AUTEURS

Assamala AMOI - Odome ANGONE - Aïssata BA - Kadiatou BALDÉ - Bénédicte BIDJECK SONG - Koumanthio Zeinab DIALLO - Ann EL SAFI - Mariéme FAYE - Monique ILBOUDO - Fatoumata KANE KI-ZERBO - Oumou KANE - Fatoumata KEïTA- Germaine ANATÉ KOUMAÉLO - Adan MAKINA - Ndeye Dieynaba NDIAYE - Berth NTANGA - Yvonne OUATTARA - Nathasha PEMBA - Cécile SOW - Fatou Warkha SAMBE - Aîcha YATABARI - Mamadou CAMARA - Pape Bakary CISSOKO - Pape Ladjiké DIOUF - Ndongo MBAYE - Club des jeunes filles leaders de GUINÉE.

ISBN : 978-2-36296-011-6

French edition Chapter Book Jusqu'à ce que mort s'ensuive !: Livre collectif sur les violences basées sur le genre en Afrique (French Edition) meaning “Until Death Ensues!: Collective book on gender-based violence in Africa (French Edition).”

Somalia's Beauty of the Past

 Somalia is a Horn of Africa nation bordering Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean and endowed with assortments of natural resources yet its people are starving; in fact, it is fed by the international community. Majority of Somalis are followers of Islam; predominantly Somali is their language; and they share identical physical features. Somalis are categorized as Cushito-Hamitic and they have historically traded with Egyptians, Phoenicians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, Abyssinians, Arabs, and Persians. In historical antiquity and as depicted in hieroglyphic writings retrieved from Egyptian tombs, Somalia has been referred to as the “Land of Punt” or the “Land of Gods”.

The "Hamitic Theory", conceived by colonial European explorers, missionaries, and discoverers is placed somewhere in the Horn of Africa. Perhaps, archeological excavations would reveal much about the past history of the Somali people. Besides the tall stature and aquiline features that make them distinct from some tribal groupings of Africa, the preservation of relics and artifacts such as the "Sibraar" or headband worn by adolescent Somali girls that resemble those worn by female pharaohs of Egypt, the cluster of cave paintings notable in the northeast of Somalia, Somali style of tribal hierarchy and administration, the discovery of Somali vernacular wordings identical to Egyptian hieroglyphics, Somali nomadic women mode of dress, and the vast archeological mounds resembling Egyptian pyramids could hold significant historical treasures if only there was stability and assured peace.

Geographically, Somalia’s physical features range from arid to semi-arid, tropical coasts, mountain terrains and ranges to the northeast as the great Rift Valley that runs from Jordan to Mozambique dissects a portion of the country, depleted tropical forests in the south, and a patch of burned land known as Guban. It has two perennial rivers–the Shebelle and Juba Rivers respectively. It has dry river beds and ravines, creeks, and anthill mounds. The growth of acacia tree species sustains various types of wildlife and livestock as it is indigenous to the arid and semi-arid ecosystem. Perhaps, trees that grow in the Somali wilderness are the Acacia albida, Acacia senegal, and Acacia seyal. These acacia species may also be found in the Sahel or much of sub-Saharan Africa. Species like Casuarina equisetifolia, Casia siamea, and the neem tree that capture the landscapes of many towns and cities have been introduced recently before the outbreak of civil disobedience.

The beautiful gazelle-like Litocranius walleri or Gerenuk has its name derived from the Somali word Gerinuug which translates to “Giraffe-necked”. Once home to the big-five game-Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Lion, and Rhino–the horrors of poaching and the crackle of gunfire has driven many animal species toward extinction. Also, environmental degradation and human encroachment have driven many animals across Somalia borders into neighboring countries. What was once a land teeming with leopards, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, elephants, and giraffes has been rendered useless and empty as animal breeding grounds and the soil that could sustain vegetation has been denuded of vital nutrients. A few miles outside of the town of Garissa in Kenya, herds of migrating giraffes have now found safe haven in a sanctuary managed by the public with help from Kenya's wildlife department.

Even Somalia's bird and insect species have not been immune from the general calamity either. With the collapse of the central government, so disappeared the science of insectology and ornithology. A great many nesting fields and breeding grounds have instantly disappeared. The tampering of the ecosystem accelerated the demise of many bird and insect species only to be replaced by swarms of locusts and dangerous weeds, creeping deserts and intermittent droughts.

The southern part of the country has the potential to support agriculture. Before the collapse of the central government, Somalia was the second leading producer of bananas in Africa. Somalia's banana industry was funded and overseen by Somalita–a joint Somali-Italy consortium–consequently making Somalia a haven for bananas. Prior to the outbreak of the civil war, citrus and mango farming sustained a sizable population of the Juba and Shebelle regions. What is left today is not worth mentioning. Heartless warlords drove out farming communities into destitution either as refugees or internally displaced persons surviving on humanitarian handouts. Shockingly, the once arable lands that served as Somalia's breadbasket have been replaced with massive marijuana plantations. It is the introduction of the very mind-altering or psychotic drug that has affected many of the youth serving narcissistic warlords.

The absence of drug control procedures and pharmaceutical companies has inundated Somalia with multitudes of controlled substances having debilitating effects. Coupled with insecurity and destitution and the collapse of the education sector, the rate of decimation on fauna and flora remains disproportionally beyond comprehension. The central and southern regions once contained large swathes of forests that have been indiscriminately deforested by previous warlords who burned vital tropical trees for charcoal processing. This coldhearted decimation of forests has been harmful to the sustainability of nitrogen-fixing tree species. Charcoal is in great demand in the Middle East where it is used for fireplaces and for barbeque. Climatologically, various regions of Somalia can effectively maintain arboriculture (the study and care of woody plants; example trees), agrisilviculture (trees + crops), agrisilvipasture (trees + crops + pasture/animals), hortipasture (fruit trees + pasture/animals) and horticulture (care for garden).

Unlike some densely populated parts of Africa where land is scarce due to population explosion, Somalia’s sparsely populated and empty lands could be transformed into ranches so as to entice livestock owners abandon their nomadic lifestyles. Despite suffering educational retardation, a good number of educated Somalis in the Diaspora will unleash expertise and monetary value once stability is found. Regardless of the two decades of war and the destruction it wrought on the country, still many educational institutions training the future creams of the nation operate inside Somalia. Universities and colleges can be found in almost every region of the country today. In the past before the current turmoil, Somalia had a ministry that was solely responsible for overseeing forests and rangelands. An institute outside of Mogadishu in the town of Afgoi produced the bulk of foresters. Foreign governments and international organizations provided the funds and expertise for various projects related to forestry, agro-forestry, and silvipasture.

The most famous project spearheaded by the fallen military government was the Shalambood Sand Dune Stabilization Project that ended in success. A massive airlift for people affected by the prolonged 1974 drought in the towns of Obbia (Hobyo) and Aynaba (Caynabo) led to the creation of three settlements in Jujuma, Sablaale, and Kurtunwaareey in a program that came to be known as “Danwadaagaha” meaning “collective duty”. In the early 80s, the United States Agency for International Development or USAID provided $800,000 to the Somali government to fight deforestation. Thus, was born the Jalalaqsi Reforestation Project.

Working in concert with Africare Inc., an African-American humanitarian organization and the Somali Ministry of Forestry and rangelands, hundreds of thousands of trees and cactus were planted inside the town of Jalalaqsi, within several refugee camps, and alongside sand dunes. It is here I worked as a Social Science Field Assistant working directly with a PhD candidate in Sociology. This inspiring project brought together foresters, nursery managers, field assistants, and an array of faces drawn from the U.S. and the Somali government respectively. I am not sure if this project reached its final phase or if it was abandoned midway as I left after the expiry of my contract in 1984.

In the Sanaag region, the towering Caal Madow mountain range is suspected to contain unexploited petroleum and other natural reserves. To this day, there are signs left by the oil explorers that have the inscriptions 701 which would have been OIL when read from other side. In the 70s and 80s, several Western-owned oil consortiums carried out explorations in several parts of the country though the end results of their activities remain elusive. Of the two hydro-electric projects conceived in Somalia–Faanoole and Baardheere–not much power has been generated. From what I know, the southern town of Gelib (Jilib) had enough supply of electricity while Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia, experienced continuous blackouts at all times. There was the foreign constructed Goulen-Gelib Road that ended successfully.

From the time a hijacked German airliner landed in Mogadishu in the 70s, the relationship between Somalia and East and West Germany have been good. Consequently, the West Germans brought several projects to Somalia including the water and sewage projects implemented by Saarberg Interplan that was headquartered in Saarbrucken, may be credited for the installation of water systems in Mogadishu, Jowhar, Afgoi, and Shalambood. Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) or the German Technical Cooperation when anglicized, played a great role in the provision of technical expertise by training Somali technicians. On the other hand, the West Germans were responsible for the maintenance of the fleet of motorcycles and police vehicles operated by the Somali police force. Lib-Soma–a contract agreement between Libya and Somalia and Rom-Soma for Romania and Somalia, were two other bilateral projects visible in the country perhaps.

To the north east of the country straddle the famous Golis Mountains teeming with exotic wildlife. This is the perfect place for wildlife conservation, national parks, and tourist attractions. Hard currency extracted from tourism could stir the economy and also create jobs for thousands in a land where unemployment rate is a staggering 80%. Somalia’s pristine beaches that had been neglected by previous governments could be a hotbed for luxury hotels. However, in order to achieve success for the hotel industry, effective running should be the prerogative of foreign companies that possess tested knowledge and experience.

Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa measuring approximately 3,325 km. To the north is the Red Sea and to the south is the massive Indian Ocean. With abundance of fish and other types of marine life, these two bodies of water can sustain the entire Somali nation of ten million. Unfortunately, since 1990, illegal fishing of Somali waters by foreign fishing trawlers has drastically reduced Somali fish stock. The proliferation of piracy and the contamination of Somalia’s pristine and tropical coastline with industrial wastes remain obstacles to maritime management and exploration. The coastline of Somalia contains a wealth of fishes and marine life ranging from tuna, crabs, mackerel, sardines, lobster, shrimps, turtles, sharks, exotic porpoises, and dugong. During the rule of the military government, Somalia leased trawlers from foreign governments exclusively for the exploitation of maritime waters. The most visible was the fishing trawler Antoniato madre of Italy. Located in the Sanaag region inhabited by the Warsangali sub-clan of the Darod, the famous Las Qoray Fishing Cannery was reputedly the biggest in Africa producing processed canned fish that was exported to European destinations and a sizable product consumed locally. The factory was funded and run by the Russians before their departure from Somalia in the late 70s. Surprisingly, the cannery is now in operation thanks to the efforts of Warsangali entrepreneurs.

On the other hand, Somalia is endowed with livestock. It is estimated that the number of camels in the country outnumber human population. Besides, there is a wealth of cattle, goats, and sheep that, if effectively managed, could be used to rejuvenate the economy. If the Somali-inhabited Garissa District in Kenya has the highest concentration of Livestock in East and Central Africa, likewise, Somalia’s livestock population must be vast and boundless. Previously, the ports of Berbera, Bossasso, Mogadishu, and Kismayu served as major transit points for Somali livestock destined for Arabia. Originally built by the Russians, the port and airport of Berbera was rehabilitated by MWK Int’l Ltd. Inc., based in Seattle, WA. I worked in the accounting department of this massive project which in fact was made possible by a contract agreement between the United States Department of Navy and the Somali Ministry of Defense.

On the other hand and upon completion of the Port of Berbera, the Somali government this time embarked on the rehabilitation of the Port of Kismayu located in the south of the country. An overseas-based company by the name George Fuller Company became the final benefactor for the bid. Unfortunately, the fragmentation of the nation into fiefdoms controlled by warlords, religious factions, autonomous governments, and tribal secessionists handicapped the operation of the livestock industry. Most of the nation’s infrastructure was either sold as scrap metal in the Middle East, became dilapidated for lack of maintenance, or became target for artillery fire. It beats logic that Somali livestock are being sold at throwaway prices in North Africa and the Middle East. A goat or sheep bought in Somalia by Arab merchants fetches the same price as a plate of rice sold in Arabian restaurants. Surprisingly, whether in Cairo or Jeddah, Arabs, are fond of consuming meat originating in Somalia because of its freshness, delicacy, and taste. As history tells us, the nation of India prides to have the best quality goats that were taken rom Somalia approximately a thousand years ago.

Saladin al-Ayubi and the Battle of Ayn Jalut Map

 

Saladin: le Magnifique and the Defeat of the Crusaders and the Tatars

 Going by the adage “that has a beginning has an end”, the mighty Mongol Empire was finally defeated by a confederation of slaves who were historically known as the Mamluks–from Arabic meaning “property.” The Mamluks rose to prominence in Egypt and Syria in 1250.[i] Recruited at young age, Mamluk soldiers who were Muslims and followers of the Sunni sect, tremendously altered the power of the Mongols and even that of the Abbasid Caliphate rule. By then, there was another vengeful force in the Levant–a force that was entirely Christendom in concept and carried the banner historically known as the Crusades. For the sake of differentiation, Christianity is a religion while Christendom implies a Christian empire. At the Battle of Ain Jalut, under the command of the much-celebrated Kurdish Governor of Egypt who was known as Saladin, the Crusaders felt the most difficult times in their battle endeavors. With the collective security of Muslim lands at risk, Saladin had no other option but to take his sword and hit his targets where it hurt most.

 Known to Muslims as Salahuddin, he was the first to establish the Ayyubid Dynasty and the first Muslim to hold the Title of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques–implying the mosques in Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia. To this day, perhaps a copious mentality borrowed from Saladin, whoever becomes the King of Saudi Arabia is given the same designation and that is The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Known to the French as Saladin le Magnifique, meaning the Magnificent, he mobilized a strong and large invasion force against the Crusaders. In total there were almost seven crusader invasions in the Middle East whose main intentions were to take over the Levant especially the Mosque at Jerusalem that is regarded a religiously important site to Muslims, Jews and Christians. To the Jews, the Muslim Mosque Bait al-Quds sits on the Temple of David whose sacred book the Psalms that is known to Muslims as Zaboor was revealed to David who is the most revered and likewise, they were after the Holy Land while the Crusaders who were mainly Frankish, felt it was their divine duty to free the land of Jesus Christ from the hands of Muslims.

The seventh Crusade was led by France’s King Louis XI even though his invasion of Egypt in 1259-60 ended in total failure.[ii] Despite retiring to Palestine and then retaliating second time, his attempts ended in fiasco for it never materialized due to Muslim forces ferocity in warfare. After nine decades of occupation by the Franks, it was on October 2, 1187 when Saladin finally defeated the invading forces of Christendom. Saladin is remembered by historians for his historical achievements while he was a ruler over Syria, Egypt, Palestine, and Yemen. Known as Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn Yusuf ibn Ayyub to Muslims and the bearer of “Righteousness of the Faith”, Joseph was the son of Job to the invaders and their followers, Saladin grew up in Baalbek and Aleppo.

Between 1100 to 1150, the Middle East was besieged by two formidable non-Muslim forces and they were the Mongols from northeastern Asia and the Frankish Crusaders from Europe. The man who died penniless for distributing his wealth to the poor in the regions he traversed during his leadership, Salahuddin was born to Kurdish parents. In modern times, the Kurdish people are considered the largest community without a nation of their own. Roughly with a population of twenty million, they live in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey even though many have migrated to the West and other countries globally.

The Mamluks did not disappear in 1517 as many historians speculate. To put it right, it was Muhammad Ali of Egypt who repulsed them and finally defeated them, even though, struggles against these forces were aggressively handled by the French earlier. In a nutshell, the Mamluks remained to exist until the 19^th century. From the Arabic word ‘Abd’, the Mamluks were experts in filigreed decorations since they mastered the art of Qur’anic calligraphy and dazzling illuminations of other tools that were given away as charitable donations to their leaders, nobles, and the needy. They mastered the arts of textiles and rugs that were in great demand in the Western countries. Likewise, geometrically and meticulously wool-designed carpets, goblets, bottles, and bowls plus remarkable mosque lamps, rejuvenated their dedication to artistry.[iii]

There were two strategies Muslim scholars use as references to the defeat of the Tatars. One is through Da’wah which is Islamic propagation of the Tatars or Mongols while the second tactic was the application of Jihad that implied the use of warfare to bring their savagery to a complete end. Muslim leaders of the last vestiges of the wars against the Tatars suffered from lack of unity. The main battlefront at that time was Egypt.

---

[i] Hawting, G. (2004). Muslims, Mongols and Crusaders. Routledge.

[ii] Jackson, P. (2020). The Seventh Crusade, 1244–1254: Sources and Documents. Routledge.

[iii] Ziemech, S. (2003). The Mamluks in history. FSTC (Foundation for Science.