Hussein Samatar: In America,
Somalis find proud footing
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Somali Talk Show (Firdhis)
First Somali Talk Show in Minnesota
Saturday
March 07-09
News 
Hussein Samatar
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Minnesota March 07,
2009
Many of us from Somalia see ourselves as Americans
first and then Somalis.
I include myself, having been born and raised in
Somalia but having never worked a single day there
due the ongoing civil war. My work, and the work
of my colleagues, has been in Minnesota, where
we've been making our state better and safer
through sheer determination, hard work,
entrepreneurship and can-do American attitude.
Americans of Somali descent now live in every
corner of Minnesota, from Pelican Rapids to St.
Paul to Minneapolis.
In a very short time the community has produced an
impressive amount of new businesses throughout the
state. Even in cities like Willmar, you will find
businesses owned and operated by the members of
the Somali community.
Students have been graduating in high numbers from
high schools, colleges and universities and are
becoming professionals in many fields.
My own story is living the American dream. Having
been displaced at the tender age of 21, I've never
given up hope, and I've found hope here in
Minnesota. Trained as a banker, I left my secure
job to start the African Development Center, which
has become one of the leading community
development organizations of the state. We've
added new products to the state's lexicon.
For example, in conjunction with the city of
Minneapolis, ADC offers sharia-compliant business
loans. We've also just launched a sharia-compliant
mortgage product. Both the loans and mortgages are
set up to allow borrowers to stay faithful to
Muslim law, which prohibits charging or paying
interest. Americans of Somali descent can and
should be the ambassadors of America throughout
the Islamic world -- and they should show Muslim
countries what is inherently great about America
and American people. We have an awesome story to
tell about Minnesota and America to the rest of
the Muslim world.
I was appointed by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak to
the Minneapolis Library Board in 2005, and I
believe that I've made a significant and lasting
contribution to our beloved public library system.
I also serve on several other prominent boards,
including the Minneapolis Foundation, CommonBond
Communities, the Citizens League and Humphrey
Institute Dean's Advisory Council.
We love this country not because of its economic
opportunities and freedom for all, but because of
its values and ideals. America is the best county
in which to be a practicing Muslim. Americans of
Somali descent know this very well. In less than
15 years, this community has established more than
20 mosques throughout Minnesota. We are well aware
of the beauty of having the choice to practice
one's faith without being fearful or oppressed.
Recently, several young Somali men have gone
missing from their Minnesota homes, as have others
in cities across the country, and federal
investigators are exploring whether these young
men have been recruited by extremists. As uncle of
one of the missing boys and as a member of the
Somali community, I am affected a great deal by
this issue. We've said clearly and unequivocally
that the community must work with the authorities
to find out who has been behind this cowardly act
of sending young men to harm's way. We've also
said that the mosques and community must be open
and transparent and share with our brothers and
sisters in Minnesota the brand of Islam that we
preach and practice. Our faith must be uplifting,
unifying, inspiring and hopeful. We are also
asking the rest of the community to hold their
judgment until we know who is behind this
situation.
I believe we are all aware of the collective guilt
by association that sometimes happens when things
are rough and people are not sure what is going
on. I just want to remind everyone that each of us
is an individual and that each is responsible for
his or her choices and actions.
Having said that, Americans of Somali descent must
protect the security and safety of our beloved
homeland -- and start to have a meaningful
dialogue with their neighbors and their
communities about their faith. Now let's get back
to work and make Minnesota a safe and better place
for all of us.
Hussein Samatar is executive director of the
African Development Center.
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/40573592.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:U0ckkD:aEyKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU.
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