To take on youth violence, Imam says Somali community needs 'real investment'
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For the last year, the local Somali community has been in the political spotlight, facing pressure from state and federal officials over fraud allegations. Earlier this year, Operation Metro Surge descended on Minnesota and many in the community were detained and even deported.
In recent weeks, families and leaders in the Somali community are worried a string of shootings involving Somali youth in Eden Prairie will add even more negative focus on their community.
When it comes to Somali youth — some community leaders believe more opportunities are necessary.
“What I want to see is investment, real investment in these communities, mental health resources, developmental programs, economic opportunity,” Imam Hassan Jama of the Al-Hikma Islamic Center told MPR News host Clay Masters. “Not more profiling. I want the justice system to do its work.”
“They are making poor choices,” he added. “They are creating destruction and we disagree with that. But also there is not that much resources [to] help our youth.”
Jama says there are challenges for community leaders as well. “The biggest challenges that we have [is] the media, some politicians, federal government, the system, everybody [is] treating us [like] we are less American,” he said. “We have to prove all the time [that] we are American and we belong here and we are okay.”
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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