Community Building is the Future of Somali youth.
Mahdi Haile
March 02, 2009
With the economic crises and jobless rate twice the country's norm, they need more than community outreach.
The news that a Somali American youth recruited for terrorism and one of them blew himself up in Somalia has become a nightmare for the Somali community in Minneapolis. They're putting Somali community under examination as never before, as Somalis and others try to figure out how anyone could commit such acts.
It is true that many of Somalis live in a world of relative economic deprivation, isolated from the rest of American society. Such conditions more often lead to a life of petty crime than radicalism, say Somali teacher. But with Somalis or Muslims underrepresented in politics and with few role models in Somalis society to follow, some young Somalis are doubtless alienated. At a time when overall US unemployment has been the lowest in decades at about 7%, joblessness among Somalis still approaches 20%, according to the Center For Somali Solutions a non-profit that i work with. The rate among Somali youths is 22%. the Somali youth rank at the bottom of the tables in school degrees, than the Somali girls.
But the statistics don't capture the other end of the Somali experience in the increasing success many have had in business, which establishes them in the mainstream of Minneapolis economic and social life.
Some Somalis hold top financial jobs in the City of Minneapolis, while others cater to local needs in gritty neighborhoods. Ahmed Hussein owns a food services company with 7 employees in Minneapolis, the Cedar riverside neighborhood, apparent neighborhood of the Abubakr Alsadiq. Ahmed, who emigrated from Somalia in 1996, supplies fish And Milk around the Minneapolis food stores. today, he worries about his vans being torched and his employees being beaten up by xenophobes bent on the news about Abubakr Al Sadiq Mosque.
Yet such concerns aren't even on the radar screen for Zainab Mohamed, Global Marketer, a $1.3 Million wholesaler, which supplies corner stores with everything from chocolate bars to toilet paper. "We don't think we have been helped or hurt by being Somali or Muslim," says Zainab. "I don't recall anyone asking me about religion. That is how insignificant it is."
Indeed, many Somalis, and Muslims are moving up the economic ladder. Abdulqadir Farah, 46, a partner in Hawala money transfer firm, says being a Somali and Muslim has never been an obstacle for him professionally and is fading as a factor for others. a years ago, the Somali community "was kind of restricting themselves to corner Shopping malls and so forth," he says. "Now you see a lot of Somali business opening up every corner and Somali boys and girls becoming professionals."
Like others in their community, Somalis community leaders recoil at the thought of Somali committing the murders. I am appalled that someone could do something like this to themselves and innocent people. May be as I said before mindtwisters are at the Internet, some lurk on the fringes of Friday prayers at some mosques, ready to recruit. Even Somalis who make it to university aren't always safe from such enticements. They are alienated; they don't know how to socialize.
Can community outreach alone help solve the problem? In Minneapolis which was rocked by this new of missing Somali youth, a group, many Somali organizations, including the center For Somali Solutions based in Minneapolis is trying to organize mentoring programs and internships for Somali youths. Where they can get to meet people who are successful and [we hope they'll] aspire to be like them.
The Somali elders Council of Minnesota founded by the Saint Paul Police and The Mayor of Saint Paul and outreach organization, has been meeting with government officials and Foundations to find solutions to the youth problems. It is trying to do a lot, says council member Wardhere, an active member. But there are no resources to help the Somali youth and foundations and the government could do with more resources. Resources are badly needed for a fight to stop extremism and build the Future of Somali youth. the fight that we must be won.
The news that a Somali American youth recruited for terrorism and one of them blew himself up in Somalia has become a nightmare for the Somali community in Minneapolis. They're putting Somali community under examination as never before, as Somalis and others try to figure out how anyone could commit such acts.
It is true that many of Somalis live in a world of relative economic deprivation, isolated from the rest of American society. Such conditions more often lead to a life of petty crime than radicalism, say Somali teacher. But with Somalis or Muslims underrepresented in politics and with few role models in Somalis society to follow, some young Somalis are doubtless alienated. At a time when overall US unemployment has been the lowest in decades at about 7%, joblessness among Somalis still approaches 20%, according to the Center For Somali Solutions a non-profit that i work with. The rate among Somali youths is 22%. the Somali youth rank at the bottom of the tables in school degrees, than the Somali girls.
But the statistics don't capture the other end of the Somali experience in the increasing success many have had in business, which establishes them in the mainstream of Minneapolis economic and social life.
Some Somalis hold top financial jobs in the City of Minneapolis, while others cater to local needs in gritty neighborhoods. Ahmed Hussein owns a food services company with 7 employees in Minneapolis, the Cedar riverside neighborhood, apparent neighborhood of the Abubakr Alsadiq. Ahmed, who emigrated from Somalia in 1996, supplies fish And Milk around the Minneapolis food stores. today, he worries about his vans being torched and his employees being beaten up by xenophobes bent on the news about Abubakr Al Sadiq Mosque.
Yet such concerns aren't even on the radar screen for Zainab Mohamed, Global Marketer, a $1.3 Million wholesaler, which supplies corner stores with everything from chocolate bars to toilet paper. "We don't think we have been helped or hurt by being Somali or Muslim," says Zainab. "I don't recall anyone asking me about religion. That is how insignificant it is."
Indeed, many Somalis, and Muslims are moving up the economic ladder. Abdulqadir Farah, 46, a partner in Hawala money transfer firm, says being a Somali and Muslim has never been an obstacle for him professionally and is fading as a factor for others. a years ago, the Somali community "was kind of restricting themselves to corner Shopping malls and so forth," he says. "Now you see a lot of Somali business opening up every corner and Somali boys and girls becoming professionals."
Like others in their community, Somalis community leaders recoil at the thought of Somali committing the murders. I am appalled that someone could do something like this to themselves and innocent people. May be as I said before mindtwisters are at the Internet, some lurk on the fringes of Friday prayers at some mosques, ready to recruit. Even Somalis who make it to university aren't always safe from such enticements. They are alienated; they don't know how to socialize.
Can community outreach alone help solve the problem? In Minneapolis which was rocked by this new of missing Somali youth, a group, many Somali organizations, including the center For Somali Solutions based in Minneapolis is trying to organize mentoring programs and internships for Somali youths. Where they can get to meet people who are successful and [we hope they'll] aspire to be like them.
The Somali elders Council of Minnesota founded by the Saint Paul Police and The Mayor of Saint Paul and outreach organization, has been meeting with government officials and Foundations to find solutions to the youth problems. It is trying to do a lot, says council member Wardhere, an active member. But there are no resources to help the Somali youth and foundations and the government could do with more resources. Resources are badly needed for a fight to stop extremism and build the Future of Somali youth. the fight that we must be won.
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