In any progressive community, members of that community must acknowledge and recognize the heroes who are in the frontline to make that progress happen.  Early 1993, the Somali community started to come to Minnesota to flee the civil war in their homeland.  Minnesota now boasts the largest Somali Diaspora in the United States. Many families came from various parts of the world to have better opportunities for their children.  These opportunities include education, employment, business, and non-profit institutions. Our state is known for its progressive social justice and innovative ideas. For example, the first charter school started in St. Paul ... [Read More]

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Assalamu Alaikum (peace be with you), welcome to this gathering sponsored by the Islamic Civic Society of America and Sr. Organizations to host a distinguished speakers, Dr. Jamal Badawi, Congressman Keith Ellison, and Rabbi Amy Eilberg. The purpose of this event is to create a climate of peaceful cooperation and mutual respect among the good people of Minnesota. The Islamic Civic Society of America (ICSA) demonstrates the compatibility between Islamic and Civic principles in a democratic society. Members of ICSA are dedicated to governing for the common good while addressing the specific ... [Read More]

Human beings have the responsibility to work for the common good. Freedom, justice, and equality are inalienable rights for everyone. Islam provides every individual the rights and protection of five essentials – religion, life, property, intellect and dignity. The American constitution also provides the rights and protections of individuals, groups and people. The Bill of Rights’ First Amendment is freedom of religion and expression, which guarantees everyone in America to practice their religion freely. Unfortunately, the actions and behaviors of some people amongst us are far from the scope of this understanding.  The current issues of hearings on Muslim Radicalization, Qur’an ... [Read More]

The Summary of 3rd Round of 3rd Annual Interactive Academic Contests Semi-final summery, 6 schools competed against each other VOA-Opportunity, Roosevelt High and Ubah Medical Academy made to the final; South High, Hopkins High and Higher Academy did not make to the final. Congratulations and good job to all of you and specially those who won and proceeds to the finale on last night’s 3rd round. The Summary of Second Round of 3rd Annual interactive Academic Contests First group were Ubah Medical Academy and Roosevelt. Ubah Medical Academy got first whereas Roosevelt got second. Second group were Higher Ground Academy, Hopkins and South ... [Read More]

Fartun Ahmed- Islamic Civic Society of America Youth Council The first phase of the hearings is over, the protests are done with, and King got his way. The few minutes, hours, and even days have ended, and suddenly the intermission is over. The feelings of the Muslim community, the controlling reaction of the hearing looks almost like an enormous hourglass, absolute with towering anticipation, bottomless with discouragement. A basic notion of psychology suggests that poignant alters, mainly that which is experienced during a situation can manipulate logical competence therefore making it impractical to uphold significant progress. Of course large groups ... [Read More]

Abdisalam Adam Rep. Peter Kings (R-NY), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee held very controversial, discriminatory, and intimidating hearings, on the so called “Radicalization of American Muslims,” on Thursday, March 10, 2011. I was very confused about the purpose of the hearings and I have not seen anything of substance come out of them other than casting a cloud of suspicion over law-abiding hard-working community. I see the hearing as politically motivated. Rep. King has made clear that he would continue the witch-hunt of Muslim-Americans by holding more hearings in the course of the year. Leading Republican Presidential contenders such as ... [Read More]

Fartun Abukar Wow! What a class? What a program? In this world you have to be built in two ways: mentally and physically. In this program, we are learning a lot of things that enhance our mental and physical of how both Islamic ally and ethnically to talk, dress, walk, sit, stand, eat, respect, and many more. You might think it's very simple or natural things to do but trust me we still have to learn all these things in a proper way. As the name of this program says Lead Yourself & the World Will Follow, First you have to educate yourself ... [Read More]

Br. Abdisalam Adam, Chair of Board of Directors, Islamic Civic Society of America Introduction One summer afternoon in 2011, the inhabitants of the Republic of Qobboleyland came out of their homes in search of food.  The sun was extremely hot. They came together under the leadership of President Aar Libaax, the undisputed King of the Jungle. The President had ruled the nation for over twenty years. In his hay days, he had been known for his courage, wisdom, wit, and oratory. He had led the nation through many struggles. Under his astute leadership, they had driven out the colonial occupiers. President Libaax ... [Read More]

Fartun Ahmed Identity is a force of elaboration, an intentional accessible arrangement of the basic notion of who we are as individuals. The human being or in this case the identity is not outlined by a single construct, but by the interactions of numerous arrangements of which one is a part of. So, with that firm assertion what is identity, or in like terms what is the force, which drives the concept of identity to bare so much resemblance to our lives. The root of identity comes from the philosophical discipline, once again the conception of questioning our individualism or what ... [Read More]

Praise be to Allah, the 3rd Round of Interactive Academic Contest ended successfully. Many high school competitors and their supporters came and participated a joyful event. Inspirational speeches were given and Sh. Abdisalam Adam gave thoughtful insights of Somali stories and folktales to the students, parents, teachers and other guests who came. Congratulations and good job to all of you and specially those who won and precedes to the finale on last night's 3rd round. The three finalists (VOA-Opportunity,  Roosevelt High and ... [Read More]