ICE surge disrupts Ramadan celebrations in Minneapolis
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The holy month of Ramadan begins this week. It’s the holiest month on the Islamic calendar. The holiday is a time of fasting, prayer and reflection for Muslims around the world. And even as federal immigration agents reportedly leave Minnesota, the past two months of heightened ICE activity has impacted the sense of safety for some Muslims.
Imam Hassan Jama leads Alhikma Islamic Center in south Minneapolis. He says he is expecting less traffic at the mosque and thinks some in his congregation will chose to pray at home.
Even with news of federal agents leaving Minnesota, Jama says there is a lot of uncertainty about what that means for the safety of some members of the Somali community who will be celebrating Ramadan.
“We will like to have our normal life with no fear, with no carrying our passports with no thinking if I go to the mosque, maybe I got stopped, maybe I get detained,” said Jama.
Jama says they are considering adding security around the mosque or asking volunteers to stand guard.
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