Abukar Arman, a Somali political analyst and former Somali Special Envoy to the United States, recounts in this article how the aftermath of 9/11 was used to target and marginalize Muslims inside America. Arman recounts how that climate eventually reached him personally. After a campaign portrayed him as a terrorist sympathizer, he came under scrutiny while serving on Franklin County’s Criminal Justice Planning Board. At the same time, he and a colleague from CAIR were providing training to graduating Columbus Police Academy cadets on how to engage with Muslims respectfully and protect their constitutional rights. A background investigation followed, but county officials said they found no criminal or terrorist connections and that Arman was not a person of interest. Yet, according to Arman, the damage had already been done: he resigned from the board, and the Columbus Police Academy discontinued the training program he and his colleague had been providing.

حفظ الله أرض الحرمين وأهلها من كل مكروه.

Congratulations to Eritrea. A nation that stood its ground when challenged by major powers, defended its sovereignty, and refused to bow to neo-colonialism and imperialism. Even Hillary Clinton once described Eritrea as a “bad example of good governance in Africa” in other words, the kind of example that could become a problem for major powers if other African nations followed suit. Now, years later, those same major powers are reconsidering their approach. As Africans, we should be proud of Eritrea for being an example of a nation that stood firm, defended its sovereignty, and refused to let outside powers dictate its path.

Five Somalis secured seats in the Swedish Parliament after a fiercely competitive election, in a country where anti-immigration sentiment remains strong. Somalis stand out among their fellow immigrant communities. They don’t settle for watching from the sidelines, they aim high, earn their place at the table, and take part in shaping the decisions that matter. Congratulations 🩸💙