Somalis in Minnesota
September 24, 2013
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- Renewed focus on Somali community
Local leaders disavow any connection or sympathy for the al-Shabab siege at a Kenya mall.The Daily Circuit, September 26, 2013 - Young Somali-Americans try to repair community's image
With the intense glare of news outlets on Minnesota, where the nation's largest Somali-American population resides, many members of that community try to repair its image and raise awareness about the challenges they face.September 25, 2013 - Background: The missing Somali men
Since 2007, at least 23 young Twin Cities men have left for the Horn of Africa, allegedly to take up arms in Somalia's civil war. Authorities believe the men joined al-Shabab, a ruthless and radical Islamic militia group vying to topple Somalia's weak transitional government. Here is what we know about these men.September 25, 2013 - Minnesota's Somali-American community responds to Kenya mall attacks
MPR News' Laura Yuen is looking into the rumors that one or two of the people involved in the mall attack are from Minnesota.The Daily Circuit, September 24, 2013 - Several victims of Kenya attack have ties to Minnesota
Authorities still don't know if the militants who attacked a shopping mall in Kenya hold Minnesota ties. But there's no doubt some of their victims have family connections here.September 24, 2013 - Kenya attacks condemned by Somali-American community in Minnesota
Somali-American community leaders are responding to reports that two of the alleged attackers on a shopping center in Nairobi were from Minnesota.September 23, 2013 - Dayton shares concern over lack of MNsure outreach to African-American, Somali groups
The Minneapolis Urban League and other groups have complained that they were excluded from MNsure's first $4 million round of grants aimed at enrolling people in the new system. Gov. Dayton has said they are "rightfully indignant."September 11, 2013 - Minneapolis schools pay tribute to Hussein Samatar
Hussein Samatar became the first Somali-American elected to public office in Minnesota when he won a seat on the school board three years ago, providing a strong voice for immigrant families and children. The 45-year-old died last week of complications from leukemia.September 3, 2013 - Minn. woman pleads guilty to perjury in al-Shabab investigation
Saynab Hussein, pleaded guilty to perjury today in federal court in Minneapolis. Hussein told a grand jury in 2009 that she did not know anyone who raised money for the Minnesota men who went to fight Ethiopian troops in Somalia.August 29, 2013 - Hussein Samatar, a Somali-American political pioneer, dies
Minneapolis school board member Hussein Samatar died Sunday of complications from leukemia. The civil war refugee was the first Somali-American in Minnesota, and most likely the country, to be elected to public office. He was 45.August 25, 2013 - Humanitarian groups urge banks to ease remittances to Somalia
Humanitarian groups are urging more banks to take on accounts with money-transfer companies that send cash to Somalia.August 25, 2013 - Mosque proposal in St. Cloud tabled after hearing
The Islamic Center of St. Cloud's proposal would include a new mosque, religious school, offices, retail and restaurant space on a nine-and-a-half acre site in a residential area off Clearwater Road.August 14, 2013 - New Al-Shabab video praises 'Minnesotan martyrs'
The Islamic extremist from Minnesota smiles as he compares Somalia to Disneyland, urging other Muslims to come and "take pleasure in this fun."August 12, 2013 - Somali residents ask state for more collaborative health care
"We are being forced to use these programs. We weren't even here when these programs were designed," said Fartun Weli, who runs a health organization for women in south Minneapolis.July 26, 2013 - Photos: Somali Independence Day celebration in Twin Cities
Somalis in Minnesota commemorated Somali Independence Day this weekend as the 52nd anniversary of their country's struggle for independence.July 1, 2013 - Somali Independence Day celebration in Twin Cities
Somali Independence Day will be commemorated this weekend in the Twin Cities as Somalis in Minnesota celebrate the 52nd anniversary of their country's struggle for independence.June 28, 2013 - Abdi Warsame, contender for City Council, out to change perspectives
Abdi Warsame has never run for office before, but last month he won the DFL party endorsement over a three-term incumbent. If successful, he could be the first Somali-American elected to the Minneapolis City Council.May 22, 2013 - Mixed reaction to al-Shabab sentences
Wide-ranging sentences handed down in the yearslong federal investigation into recruiting and financing for the terrorist group al-Shabab have kindled a mix of outrage, confusion and relief among members of Minnesota's large Somali community.May 20, 2013 - Man who lied in Somali terrorism case gets 2 years
A man who admitted he lied before a grand jury investigating why young Somali men were leaving Minnesota to join a terrorist group in their homeland was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison.May 16, 2013 - Minn. woman gets 20 years for aiding al-Shabab
A Minnesota woman was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for sending money to an al-Qaida-linked group in her native Somalia, despite her insistence that she was only trying to help the poor in the war-torn East African country.May 16, 2013 - 2nd Minnesota woman sentenced in Somali terror case
Two Minnesota women convicted of conspiring to send money to the terrorist group al-Shabab in Somalia have been sentenced in federal court.May 16, 2013 - Sentences continue in Minn. Somali terror case
Two men who left Minnesota to join al-Shabab in Somalia were sentenced Tuesday to three years in federal prison, while a man they characterized as a local leader in efforts to recruit them to the terrorist group was sentenced to 12 years.May 14, 2013 - Kamal Said Hassan, Mahamud Said Omar sentenced in al-Shabab terrorism trial
Two Twin Cities men convicted of terrorism-related charges were sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court. Kamal Said Hassan and Mahamud Said Omar will be spending many years in prison for their roles in the disappearance of nearly two dozen Somali men from the Twin Cities who traveled to Somalia to fight for the terrorist group al-Shabab.May 14, 2013 - Man gets 10 years in Somali terror investigation
A former foot solider for the terrorist group al-Shabab has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.May 13, 2013 - Somalis convicted of terrorism links to be sentenced
Among those facing prison time is a man who recruited young Somali men from Minnesota to travel to the Horn of Africa to fight for the terrorist group al-Shabab.May 13, 2013 - Sentencings approach in Somali terror case
Nine people convicted in a government investigation of terror recruitment and financing for an al-Qaida-linked group in Somalia are to be sentenced this week in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.May 12, 2013 - Rep. Ellison trying to restore money transfers to Somalia
DFL Rep. Keith Ellison says he once again is attempting to pass legislation that would restore the full flow of remittances to Somalia.April 28, 2013 - US Bank to help Somali wire transfer businesses with transactions
The owner of a Minneapolis company that helps Somali immigrants send money to relatives in east Africa says it will be much easier to do business now that a major bank in Minnesota has agreed to process the transactions.April 16, 2013 - Somali-American businessman hopes to preserve homeland's culture in museum
A Minneapolis restaurant owner and businessman hopes to build a museum to preserve the culture of his homeland.March 15, 2013 - After South High brawl, Somali students say they don't feel safe
Some Somali students say not enough is being done to ease racial tension at South High School in Minneapolis, which just last week was the site of a brawl involving hundreds of students.February 20, 2013 - After South High brawl, a look at Somali-African American tensions
The recent brawl at South High School in Minneapolis is said to have, at least partially, been caused by friction between Somali and African American communities. Abdimalik Mohamed of Ka Joog, a Somali youth organization that tries to bridge cultural gaps, will join The Daily Circuit to talk about the tension.The Daily Circuit, February 25, 2013 - Somali-Americans at South High need a safe environment in which to learn
School officials, police, Somali community leaders and parents all have roles to play.February 22, 2013 - The South High brawl, school spending and teacher testing: Education leads the cycle
Today on the MPR News Update: Somali students say they don't feel safe at South High School in Minneapolis, legislators are getting their first look at the governor's proposed public school funding bill, educators are asking the Legislature to reconsider last year's law on teacher testing, and more.February 20, 2013 - Rep. Keith Ellison sees optimism in Somalia visit
Minnesota U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison visited Somalia's capital city of Mogadishu on Tuesday, the first visit in years by a member of Congress to what until recently was considered one of the world's most dangerous cities.February 20, 2013 - Ellison visits Somalia at constituents' requests
The Minnesota Democrat said his visit to Mogadishu fulfills a request from his constituents with ties to Somalia. Minnesota has one of the largest populations of Somali-Americans in the U.S.February 19, 2013 - St. Paul officer apologizes over costume
The St. Paul police officer photographed last year in a culturally insensitive costume has apologized.February 5, 2013 - St. Paul PD probes hijab costume photo
The St. Paul Police Department launched an internal investigation Monday in response to an online photo purporting to show an officer from the department wearing a culturally insensitive costume.February 5, 2013 - FBI asked to investigate agents who allegedly intimidated Somali man
An advocacy group for Muslims in Minnesota has asked the FBI to investigate claims that some of its agents repeatedly tried to intimidate a Somali man.January 30, 2013 - 'Somalis in Minnesota' a story of war, violence and refuge
A new book called "Somalis in Minnesota" takes a look at how some of our newest neighbors are settling, and the ways they're contributing to their new home.January 24, 2013 - Somalia president speaks to thousands in Minnesota
A day after the U.S. officially recognized Somalia's government for the first time in two decades, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on Somalis living in Minnesota to help rebuild their war-torn homeland.January 19, 2013 - Minn. Somalis lack culturally competent reproductive health care, report says
A new report on Somali women in Minnesota sheds light on the resistance of Somali women to cesarean sections, prenatal care and family planning.January 16, 2013 - Mahamud Said Omar guilty in first trial of sweeping federal investigation
Defense attorneys described Mahamud Said Omar as "a frightened little man" who was "not capable of running anything." But a federal jury in Minneapolis didn't buy it. Omar was guilty on five counts of aiding the extremist group al-Shabab with logistical and financial assistance.October 18, 2012 - In Minn., new tactics to help immigrant students
To boost English learners' performance, some Minnesota schools are trying new approaches designed to help them more quickly grasp the language. Among them is Kennedy Elementary in Willmar, Minn., which has a growing number of students from Somalia.December 17, 2012 
Macalester professor back from sabbatical after failed bid for Somalia presidency
He took the summer off from his job as a professor at Macalester College in St. Paul to run for president of his home country. Ahmed Samatar is back from Somalia and thinking about the country's future.The Daily Circuit, December 6, 2012- Minn. Somali youth group Ka Joog builds bridges
Ka Joog uses the arts, mentorship and discussions to build bridges and bridge gaps to help dispel negative images of the Somali community. The goals are lofty but Ka Joog is determined to make a difference.November 2, 2012 - Terrorist pipeline continues to flow from Minn. to Somalia
Four years after federal authorities in the Twin Cities began investigating homegrown recruitment for the terrorist group al-Shabab, at least two additional men slipped away to Somalia as recently as July.October 26, 2012 - Court testimony shows evidence of Somali travelers
Testimony in a federal court hearing has confirmed at least two more men traveled from Minnesota to East Africa this summer.October 24, 2012 - Somali-American group wins FBI award
The Ka Joog nonprofit run by young Somali-Americans from the Twin Cities will receive a community leadership award today from the Minneapolis office of the FBI.October 24, 2012 - Defendant in Minn. terror case in custody
A Minnesota man who pleaded guilty last year to helping young Somali men leave Minnesota and return to their homeland to fight with the terror group al-Shabab was in custody Monday following an arrest for allegedly violating terms of his release.October 23, 2012 - Minnesota case re-opens wounds among Somalis
For nearly three weeks, the benches at the back of a federal courtroom in Minneapolis were filled with local Somalis. The man on trial, Mahamud Said Omar, was accused of conspiring to help a terrorist group recruit some two dozen young Minnesota men to fight a holy war in Somalia.October 20, 2012 - Jury finds Minn. man guilty in al-Shabab trial
A Minneapolis jury has found a Minnesota man guilty of helping the extremist group al-Shabab in Somalia with logistical and financial assistance.October 18, 2012 - Al-Shabab recruit: Joining was his 'biggest mistake'
A Minnesota man who traveled to Somalia to fight Ethiopian troops told a federal jury Thursday it was the biggest mistake of his life.October 11, 2012 - Al-Shabab recruit wanted to be 'good Muslim'
A third Twin Cities man recruited to fight for the terrorist group al-Shabab in Somalia told a federal jury on Wednesday he was convinced he would be a "good Muslim" by joining the war in his homeland.October 10, 2012 - Witness at al-Shabab trial describes escape from Somalia
If it weren't for a skin rash, two Twin Cities men who traveled to Somalia to join radical insurgents might still be there today. Instead, the young men are cooperating witnesses for the federal government in the trial of a 46-year-old former janitor from Minneapolis.October 5, 2012 - FBI won't confirm report of Minn. man joining al-Shabab
The Minneapolis FBI office won't confirm an Associated Press report that a man from Minnesota has joined the terrorist group al-Shabab.September 21, 2012 - Professor leaves ivory tower to run for president of Somalia
After much time thinking, university professor Ahmed Samatar has decided to act, leaving his ivory tower for an unusual assignment: He's running for president of Somalia.August 29, 2012
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