Ahmed Kheyre, London, UK

Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Vice/President of Somaliland, Mudane Axmed Yuusuf Yasiin on his recent speech to the Madaxdhaqameedyada Somaliland. Finally, a Somaliland politician who isn't worried about being seeing as anti-Islam, and willing to tell the truth.

Mudane Yasiin made the point that all Somalilanders ask each other every single day, "Where was all this so-called brotherhood when our cities were being bombed and being shelled, and our   the   fleeing women and children gunned down   under the directions of these so called Sheikhs currently ruling the roost in Mogadishu?" Bravo Mudane Yasiin, bravo indeed.

The Islamic courts and its supporters either ignore   or forget these appalling crimes against Somaliland, as for those so-called culumo going around Somaliland collecting qaadhaan for Mogadishu, I say to them "Waar iska fadhiista, oo isla yaaba".   Where is the qaadhaan for the orphans, the maimed and the murdered in Somaliland?

When will   the people realize that the Islamic courts are just a ruse   for hegemony of both Somaliland and Somalia.

Islam is about peace and justice, and if those who claim to be sincere in their beliefs   do not appreciate the injustice suffered by Somaliland and its people for over forty years, and the peace we have enjoyed for the   past 16 years,   then they are do not understand   Islam.

I must also take this opportunity to   offer some support and praise for the ministers who went to Buroa. The first task of any government is to defend the country and its constitution. Although there have been one or two unfortunate comments, on the whole the situation was handled along with the elders and all the people of Buroa in a satisfactory manner.

Somaliland and its people are Muslim. We have always been Muslim, and relate to each other in an Islamic way. Somaliland has not bombed any one, murdered anyone and thrown their bodies in a mass grave. Somaliland has not plundered or looted anyone. Somaliland has not injured or slighted anyone. Since 1991, Somaliland has endeavored to uplift its people, develop the nation and above all deal with all issues in a peaceful and just way.   In an Islamic way.

I challenge any Somali, whether abroad or   in the region to stand up and to refute   Somaliland 's attributes, and I implore every Somalilander do defend these attributes.

Sincerely

[ruraledcomm@yahoo.co.uk]