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In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful

 

Council of Imams of Somali Mosques & Abubakar Islamic Center

 

Statement issued to the 4th annual convention of the Council of Imams and Abubakar Assidik Islamic Center. Minneapolis, MN. Sept. 4-6, 2004

 

Dear brothers and sisters assalamu alaikum;

 

Our respected and distinguished guests: the Attorney general of the state of Minnesota Mr. Thomas Hilfinger, The mayor of the city of Minneapolis Mr. R. T. Rayback.

 

On behalf of the Council of Imams of Somali Mosques and Abubakar Assidique Mosque, I am very honored and pleased to welcome you to our 4th annual convention here in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

My name is Sheikh Abdirahman Omar the Imam of Abubakar Mosque and a member of the Council.

 

 Our main objectives in these conventions are as follows:

 

·        To bring together the Somali-American community in Minnesota and throughout the US to get to know each other, and to discuss and share their concerns.

·        Promote friendly and healthy relationship between the Muslims and non-Muslims in our community

·        To educate our community about Islam.

·        To educate our community about their rights, responsibilities and privileges in their new home of United States of America.

·        To educate the community especially the youth about the danger of drugs, gang, and other public health and safety issues and to assist them continue their education.

·        To have a balanced social life of maintaining our culture and religion and integrating and adapting to our new society and to became productive members of America society.

 

Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Mayor and other respected official:

 

After the terrorist attack in September 11 2001, many Muslim Americans, including Somalis have been arrested, harassed and interviewed by the law enforcement agents. Recently, Somalis in the twin cities have been experiencing unprecedented interviews from some law enforcement agents such as the FBI, these contacts can sometimes be intimidating and may undermine individual’s civil rights. Somalis like many other ethnic community, came from a culture where the law enforcement agents is seen as fear factor, because of their historic abuse and misuse of power. The Somali American community feel they may have became an easy target because of their distinct characteristics i.e. blacks, Muslims, new immigrants and their lack English proficiency.

 

The Somali American community, like other Americans is decent law abiding citizens, taxpayers, and proud hard working people. Somalis are peace-loving people and are here to seek peace, liberty, justice and opportunity as well as to contribute to the society. Mr. Attorney General, the Somali American community is very concerned with that.

 

In addition to that, the Somali people have been suffering a bloody civil war, which caused unnecessary death and destruction; many of the people who are sitting here with us today have lost some of their loved ones in the civil war. Somali Americans will not allow such tragedy to happen here; we very much care about safety and security of our home.

 

 

The Somali-American community is one the fastest growing communities in America, it is estimated that there are approx. quarter a million Somalis in the US, about half of that live in the state of Minnesota, most of them call the twin cities HOME. Many more Somalis are expected to come. Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Mayor, you know more than anyone else our votes count, and we will vote for those who support our cause.

 

Mr. Mayor, we would like to see more representation from our community in the metro agencies, especially commissions and boards that directly affect our lives such board of education, human rights, human relations, human resources and other important positions.

 

Again, my dear brothers and sisters and our honorable guests thank you for coming and listening.