Articles by SA STAFF

Front, Main

VIOLENCE AND DRUG ABUSE AMONG SOMALI YOUTH SHOCKS THE COMMUNITY

2019 has been a deadly year for Somali American youth in the twin cities. There has been over 25 murders and countless overdose deaths involving Somali adolescents just this year. The Somali community is in shock and very helpless to say the least. Many are asking themselves, “where did we go wrong?”, said Ali Bokhor who has a nephew who recently succumbed to an opioid overdose. Gang wars have erupted among rival groups and it seems like there is gun violence on a daily basis nowadays. Between the violence and the Opiod abuse, the Somali community continues to mourn. Almost every Somali person we spoke to knows a young person who either got killed by a gun or prescription drugs. Mohamed Ali, a local businessman and a longtime resident of Minneapolis said, “This is the direct results of absent fathers, identity crisis, and a careless community who value the wrong things in life”. Ali seemed optimistic that the community is finally discussing the crisis among the youth openly and that itself is a positive step forward. Religious leaders are talking about the problem at mosques, treatment centers are opening for East African clients and the urgency to do something has…

Community, Front

New heights for Somalis in Minnesota

By the start of the new year, 2019, there were a number of new governors taking the reins of power across the United States. Governor of Minnesota, Tim Waltz, was one of those governors who took the oath of office on January 7th 2019. Traditionally, most governors-elect have about 8 to 10 weeks between Election Day and Inauguration Day to get a lot of preparatory work done. Governor Tim Waltz ran on inclusiveness and promised to have a cabinet that reflects the diversity and demographics of Minnesota. The first step to achieving that was the selection of his transitional advisory board of 30 individuals, who were compromised of CEOs, business owners, religious leaders and community members of many different ethnic backgrounds. Two of his transitional advisory board members were Somali Americans, Abdirahman Kahin, and Jaylani Hussein. Abdirahman Kahin is restaurateur and owner of Afro Deli. He is also an activist and philanthropist who is well known among the Somali community of Minnesota. Jaylani Hussein is the Director of Minnesota Chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN). Jaylani Hussein worked as the Community Liaison Officer at Metro State University and as a Planner for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture prior to…

Front, Health

Miyaad u safraysaa waddan kale? Ha ilaawin tallaalada!

Jadeecada, waa cudur si dhakhso ah u faafa, wuxuu dilaa boqolaal carruur ah oo adduunka ku nool maalin kasta. Cudurku wuxuu ku dhacaa dadka ku nool Yurub, Aasiya iyo Afrika. Waxaa jira wax aad sameyn kartid si aad adiga iyo qoyskaaga u ilaalisaan – is tallaala. Haddii aad u safreyso waddan kale, hubi in adiga iyo caruurtaadu aad tallaalada ugu dambeeyay ee jadeecada, qaamo-qashiirka iyo jadeeco jarmal (oo loo yaqaan MMR) qaadateen. Carruurta da’doodu ka yar tahay 6 bilood jir waa inay qaataan tallaalka jadeecada, qaamo-qashiirka iyo jadeeco jarmal (MMR). Waxay noqon kartaa mid sahlan in lagu fikiro in jadeecadu aysan saameyn ku yeelan doonin adiga iyo qoyskaaga, laakiin hal hooyo oo deggan Minnesota ayaa ogaatay khatarta ay leedahay markaad safreyso. Kahor inta aysan safrin, dhakhtarku wuxuu ku taliyay in wiilkeedu qaato tallaalka jadeecada, qaamo-qashiirka iyo jadeeco jarmal (MMR) ka hor sidii caadada ahayd sababtoo ah waxay u safrayeen Kenya si ay u soo booqdaan qoysaskooda. Waxay rabtay in wiilkeeda la siiyo tallaalka, laakiin ugu dambeyntii wuu seexday. Waxay go’aansatay inay sugto ilaa ay soo noqdaan. Waxay u socdeen kaliya inay booqdaan qoys taasoo aan u muuqan inay halis weyn tahay. Maalintii ay ku soo laabteen guriga, wiilkeedu wuxuu bilaabay…

Front, Health

Heart Disease

What is heart disease? Heart Disease includes a number of conditions which affect blood flow to and from the heart. One of the common heart conditions is myocardial infarction which is known as a heart attack. What Is a Heart Attack? A heart attack happens when the flow of oxygen-rich blood in one or more of the coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle, suddenly becomes blocked, and a section of heart muscle can’t get enough oxygen. When the heart muscle tissue is deprived of oxygen, that section of heart muscle begins to die. Heart attacks are a leading killer of both men and women. Each year, more than 1 million people in the United States have a heart attack, and about half of them die. Half of those who die do so within 1 hour of the start of symptoms and before reaching the hospital. A heart attack is an emergency. Learn the warning signs of a heart attack. What are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack? Someone having a heart attack may experience only one, or several of these warning signs: Crushing chest pain or chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the…

Front, Main

Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Announce Hiring of Chris Taylor as Chief Inclusion Officer

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the hiring of Chris Taylor as the Chief Inclusion Officer. Taylor is currently the Chief Inclusion Officer with the Minnesota Historical Society. “I am excited to hire Chris Taylor as the Chief Inclusion Officer for the State of Minnesota,” Governor Walz said. “Chris demonstrates a deep commitment to supporting diversity and equity in everything he does. The Lieutenant Governor and I could not ask for a better partner to lead the One Minnesota Council on Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, and make sure our institutions across the state look like and support the people we are working for.” “We are better as an office, a community, and a state when the perspectives of all Minnesotans are at the table and empowered to use their voices,” Lieutenant Governor Flanagan said.“Chris approaches his work through the lens of equity, and has deep relationships with important stakeholders, including our communities of color, Native communities, school districts, and higher education institutions. I look forward to collaborating on an issue close to my heart.” “We are fortunate to live in a state that affords us the opportunity to learn from so many cultures. As the Chief…

Front, Religion

Ask a Muslim Scholar June 2019

Q: Assalamualaikum sheik I have a question… My father has some amount of money deposited in an Islamic bank and they provide some amount of money which the bank people call it as profit …every month some amount of money is provided by the bank on my fathers fixed deposit sometimes more and sometimes less but no fixed profit … the amount varies every month … it’s an Islamic bank … is it halal to take the profit that is given by the Islamic bank … please, can you advise me on this. A: The dividends your father received from the Islamic bank is the profit accrued on the amount he has deposited. Islamic banks make money by investing the amount in ethical shares or companies. They are giving you from the profit they make on such investments. So, it is a lawful income; your father can use it as he wishes. The bank is not giving it as gratis or a charity. They divide the profit according to the terms of the contract with the depositors – your father included. Therefore, your father should have no qualms or inhibitions about using the halal profit accruing on the amount he…

Front, Health

Adults With Long-Term Health Conditions Need Vaccines to Stay Healthy

Each year, thousands of adults in the United States suffer from serious illnesses that could have been prevented by vaccines. These diseases can be serious and require you to go to the hospital or be out of work for a long time. Many adults simply do not know they are at high risk for diseases like influenza (flu) and pneumococcal, which vaccines can prevent. Many long-term health conditions like diabetes or asthma place adults at higher risk for problems if they get sick. Some diseases are more common or more dangerous as adults get older, like shingles. Some adults may not have gotten certain vaccines because they were not available when they were children putting them at risk for the disease. It is important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about vaccines you need to stay healthy. Ask about these vaccines at your next visit: Flu: Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated every year. It is especially important for young children, pregnant women, older people and those with long-term health conditions. Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Td or Tdap): All adults need a Tdap vaccine one time, and then a Td vaccine every 10 years. Pregnant women…

Community, Front

Attend the Pizza With Police Event on May 15

The second-annual “Pizza With Police” event will be held 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 at Rosland Park, 4300 W. 66th St., Edina. This event is held in partnership with the Bloomington Police Department and is sponsored by Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza, Jerry’s Foods and Cub Foods. Pizza With Police gives community members an opportunity to meet members of local law enforcement. Attendees can purchase a slice of pizza and a beverage for $5. Law enforcement and their families will receive a complimentary slice of pizza and beverage. Balloon artists, face painters, and yard games will also be available. Attendees will also be able to meet the Edina SWAT Team, Motorcycle Unit, Bloomington Bomb Squad, and a K-9 officer. “It’s an honor to be able to work with Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza on this Pizza with Police event. We’re excited to be able to interact with area residents over a slice of pizza. We want to make this a great community event,” said Edina Lt. Dan Conboy. “All the proceeds from this event benefit Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (MN LEMA), which helps families of those who have fallen in the line of duty. That makes this a very…

Community, Main

Top 10 List of Immigration Considerations for 2019

1. Become a U.S. citizen If you have had your green card for at least 5 years (3 if you are married to a U.S. citizen), you should seriously consider becoming a U.S. citizen. Only citizens can vote for President, and citizens can almost never be deported. And in some situations, we can help you become a citizen without taking the citizenship test! 2. Apply for a Green Card If you are married to a U.S. citizen, or you were previously married to an abusive citizen-spouse, you may be eligible to receive permanent residence – green card. Or if you have held asylum or refugee status for at least one year, you may be able to get a green card. 3. Renew your Green Card Don’t wait until you need to travel outside of the United States, or renew your driver’s license, and learn that your green card is expired! Green Card renewals can take a year or more, so, do it now. 4. U-Visa In some circumstances, regardless of your immigration status, if you were a victim of a certain crime, we can file for your U visa and eventual permanent residence. If this applies to you, call our…

Community, Health

Adult Vaccination

Dadka waaweyn oo leh xaaladaha caafimaadka ee muddada dheer waxay u baahanyihiin tallaalo si ay u sugaan caafimaadkooda Sannad kasta,kumanaan qof oo qaangaar ah oo ku nool maraykanka ayaa la kulma cuduro halis ah oo lagaga hortagi karo tallaal. Cuduradani waxay noqon karaan kuwo halis ah oo waxay noqonaysaa intaad tagto cusbilaal ama aad ka maqnaato shaqada waqti dheer. Dad badan oo qaan gaar ah ayaan ogeyn inay si sahlan khatar ugugu jiraan cudurada sida hargabkaka(flu) iyo oofta (pneumococcal), kuwaas oo tallaal lagaga hortagi karo . Xaalado caafimaad ee muddo dheer socota sida sonkorowga ama asmada dadka waaweyn ayaa halis weyn ugu jira dhibaatooyinka haddii ay xanuunsadaan. Cudurada qaarkood waa kuwo aad u badan ama ka khatar badan marka dadka qaangaarka ah ay sii weynaadaan, sida shingles. Dadka waaweyn qaarkood ma heli karaan tallaalo gaar ah sababtoo ah ma aysan heli karin markii ay carruur ahaayeen iyaga oo halis ugu jira cudurka. Waa muhiim inaad kala hadasho dhakhtarkaaga ama farmashiistaha wax ku saabsan tallaalada aad u baahan tahay si aad u caafimaad qabto. Waydii tallaaladan booqashada soo socota: Hargabka: Qof kasta oo da’diisu tahay 6 bilood iyo ka weyn waa in la tallaalaa sannad kasta. Waxaa si gaar ah muhiim…