Hello I am a returning former member of this site. I decided to start this topic about the proverbial forks which have been driving Somalis apart in the west, ideological, moral attitudes, customs ect. I am not going to praise or ridicule one group over the other, but I don't think many people understand how increasingly polarized Somalis have become without even factoring in the clan based feuds from the Horn of Africa. One Group is secular & maintains their religious & cultural customs while adopting to western society to a degree. The 2nd group also maintains their religious & customs but to the extremes & despises every thing non-Islamic & non-Somali. The 3rd group many who have been born or raised in western countries tend to be very liberal with little focus on (Somali cultural or religion) if any for that matter.
There appears to be major conflict about what is "Somali Identity" between the 3 mentioned subgroups above. The religious & culturally conservative camp seems to be making the most noise, often disparaging & further alienating anyone who doesn't fit their strict interpretation of Islamic & Somali Cultural norms. The secular group is the link that bridges the extreme conservatives with the more open minded & Socially liberal Somalis. The seculars seem to be caught in-between 2 very incompatible groups who seem to drift further apart forcing many of the seculars [ based on my personal observation] to pick sides.There have been numerous cases which high light the extreme opposing parties.For example their have been conservative cabbies & factory workers who have refused to perform their work duties citing strict Islamic Sharia interpretations, alcohol is consumed by westerners who are overwhelming Christian, the conservative Somalis ironical oppose this even though its a normal part of western life, highlighting a cultural incompatibility. Also on the polar opposite you have Somalis who are socially liberal many [NOT ALL] whom consume alcohol & other substances & lead a more relaxed life style which are deemed un-Islamic setting the stage for further issues. Many families whom were originally secular are increasingly pushing very conservative ideals & values on their children in an attempt to counter the extremely liberal somalis & the sea of liberal humanity which engulfs them in their host nations.
The younger generations have to contended with 2 opposing & conflicting messages all around them in the west. Many just adopt to the native culture of the countries they reside in & rebel against what they view as stifling & out dated culture of their parents & elders. Then there is the others who "resist" western values & culture becoming more radical in their religious & cultural interpretation. some youth from this group have engaged in terrorism aboard recently.Also just a note **some** of the liberal somalis have been known to engage in drugs, gangs, open homosexuality which many conservative & secular somalis vehemently oppose.The liberal group also opposes any interference or intrusion into "their personal life style" where as the conservative somalis tend to have a socialist out look on life. They feel that they have the authority to set the liberal Somalis "straight" which is at odds with western laws & societal norms.
In closing neither group is going convince the other in-fact I see a growing rift & alienation! The casualties will be the youth who get bombarded with conflicting messages all around them. If the situation in Somalia stays the same there will be resentment by all parties involved. Usually attacking another persons ideals, values & life style conservative or liberal tends make the other person(s) dig their heels in & resist its human nature. Putting labels & dismissing each other over difference right or wrong will have a adverse effect pushing each other over polar cliffs. If & when Somalia gets political stability I can foresee many of those disenchanted with western values attempting to create a more conservative & strict society to over-correct what they have deemed "immoral". Somalia before the collapse in the 90's was secular even border-line liberal Nation in certain places, It would be a travesty if it gets turned into "Saudi Arabia", we all saw what the radical group called Al shabab has done...Also many of the woes or issues such as alcoholism, premarital sex, clubbing ect. was part of Somali culture right or wrong, the lax western culture & laws just amplified these qualities in certain individuals who in sense were/are embolden by the protection of the western legal system.
Also everyone doesn't necessarily fit in these (GROUPS) or descriptions it was for illustration purposes. I'd like to hear your take or views on this subject in a practical & objective sense...Emotions tend to obscure & detract from such objective & practical maters.
These people are turning people in our host countries & the world at large against us they are behaving savage like 
