Somali American United Council Times

 

2014  

January  Issue  New  Year,  New  Beginnings  

By:  Sahro  Abdirahman  

 

About SAUC:

SAUC is a non-profit organization; Dr. Mohamed Ali Abukar established it in 2006. Before arriving to Arizona he resided in Logan, Utah where he was a professor at Utah State University. After, suffering a minor heart attack he was advised by a friend to move to a warm place near Utah and upon asking where that warm place might be, his friend suggested to him to move to Arizona. Dr. Abukar has many qualifications to serve as a community leader that is in dire need of direction and education. Dr. Abukar has a few Bachelor Degrees, a Master degree and a Ph.D. He was the former Chairman of National Production & General Manager of Agricultural extension, Research, Training & Farm Management (AFMET) in Somalia and continues to lend a hand to his Somali Community through his non-profit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. His organization has been praised by both Somali and American leaders. He also was awarded the Director’s

Community Leadership Award, which is a prestigious Award, given by the F.B.I (2012) in recognition of outstanding service to the local community and of enduring contributions to the advancement of Justice.

Purpose of Newsletter:

The January issue is the first issue SAUC has brought forth. The purpose of SAUC newsletter is to highlight the great accomplishments of SAUC, bring to light issues that concern the Somali Phoenix Community, community relations events and to extend our gratitude to those who have made it all possible.

Saturday, January 18 2014FGM Forum;

This was a day to speak about and remember the brutal procedure of female genital mutilation. Many Somali girls and women affect FGM and this barbaric act still exists in this 21st century. Interestingly enough, there are those that will blame the practice on Islam in

order to give it relevance. I only bring-up the issue of religion only because it is in most cases done in the name of religion. However, I want to make it clear to the girls and mothers that Islam is far from causing harm to innocent souls. Islam is a religion that benefits its followers not a religion that harms its followers. Yes, Islam encourages modesty and chastity, but Islam concludes that hijab preserves modesty and fasting preserves chastity. Allah says; the meaning of which is, "And whoever keeps his duty to Allah, Allah will make a way out for him and provide for him from where he knows not. And whoever depends on Allah, Allah is sufficient for him. Surely Allah will achieve His purpose. He has made a limit for all things (65:3)." The above verse points out a few things. Allah says, “And whoever keeps his duty to Allah,” WHOEVER- notice there was no sex distinction made here, which means that both male and female who obey the laws of Allah, Allah will make a

way for he/she. Therefore, mothers- if you fear your daughters will not keep their duty to Allah then Allah will find a way for you to correctly parent your child, if you fear the community will outcast you for reaching the decision for not circumcising your daughters then Allah will find a way for you and if you assume no man will ever marry your daughter then Allah will find a way for you as well. Provision is mentioned in this verse, which is a key component in what drives this vicious crime against girls. Family members in these cultures who practice this procedure believe that girls cannot financially contribute to the household and therefore marriage becomes the way out. Virginity is a big deal in most African/Asian countries, therefore to guarantee the groom a chaste woman girls a circumcised. This is a topic that does not deserve 2 lines and therefore, I will end here and resume describing the special

event where we had many key players, and United Nations representatives to the issue of female genital mutilation. the Somali Ambassador to the U.N- Dr. Elmi Ducala, Awale Ali Kullane-Minister Councilor-Permanent Mission of Somalia to the U.N,

Dr. Mohamed Ali Abukar is the president/CEO of the Somali American United Council, Dr. Comfort Mohmo is a medical practitioner at Guy’s & St. Thomas Hospital which specializes in FGM, Dr. Crista Johnson is the director of the Refugee Women’s Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona.

(on the right Awale Ali Kullane-Minister Councilor, Sahro Abdirahman-FGM forum corrdinator, Yasmin Yassein-women’s empowerment program coordinator & Dr. Elmi Ducala-Somali Ambassador to the U.N)

Dr. Elmi Ducale mentioned his deepest sorrow he has towards the brutal act of FGM. He made it clear that it has no basis in Islam and is simply a horrific traditional practice. Awale Ali Kullane, urged his Somali brethren to hold their leaders accountable to issues like FGM and if the leaders do not do as they promised to then make sure as Somalis that our frustration is heard.

(Dr. Cristi Johnson (in blue) & Georgia Michlig- Refugee Women's Health Clinic- Research Subcommittee Chair)

Dr. Crista Johnson pursued practice in female genital mutilation 17 years ago after realizing that Somali women were not getting the care they needed, in regards to the inhuman practice of FGM that was preformed upon them. She began creating clinics where those women can receive the highest quality of care they deserve. Dr. Crista later moved to Columbus, Ohio where she began working with 500 hundred women that have gone through the FGM procedure. She has learned so much from this barbaric traditional practice as it was not familiar in modern medicine. She also went on ahead to train other practitioners so that they could also benefit the refugee women population in terms of the specialized

health care options available to them. Dr. Johnson decided to move to Phoenix, AZ 5 years ago after hearing about the large refugee community. During the Saturday speech, she has mentioned how she is delighted to have joined SAUC. Besides FGM, Dr. Crista also empowers women through education of body, pregnancy, and a holistic style of healthy living. She informed the women at the Saturday speech that she and her team are here for them. She also showed her deepest gratitude of how important our community is to her.

(Dr. Comfort Momoh & Dr. Mohamed Abukar)

Dr. Comfort Momoh mentioned how she does the same work as Dr. Crista Johnson and therefore wanted to inform the Somali Community that she is ready to work

with the Somali American United Council in any way necessary to stop the wide spread practice of FGM. In the midst of accomplishing that with SAUC she decides to transfer the global movement in ending this.

Thanks to Mohamed Aden’s(“Awoowe”) clever idea as he mentioned he “killed 2 birds with 1 stone” by taking the Saturday event opportunity to pass around vitamin supplements from Donna Jin, an Arizona Department of Health representative,- whom is coming up with creative ways to educate and encourage healthy living among the refugee population. Thank you, Donna Jin for all your extensive work. We appreciate it at SAUC.

(“Awoowe” passing out vitamin supplements keen to promoting healthy living among women)

~ Special thanks to all who have made this special day of history possible. Thank you!

Hamro America (“our America”:

Founder and consultant of Hamro America a cultural competency initiatives non-profit organization committed to the importance of diverse cultural awareness by offering trainings to local organizations, so that people receive culturally sensitive services through their local agencies.

Thanks to Kamana Khadka, she has promised training for our organization. We are looking forward to working with you Kamana Khadka and hope you are feeling much better than you were last time. As a Somali American I sometimes feel that my cultural upbringing is sometimes at odds with the American culture even though, I consider myself well aware of the American culture; therefore let’s appreciate the enormous role refugees play after arriving to a country where they are absolutely unfamiliar with. I believe less focus should be on the major things they have accomplished, but on the small things like learning how to use a bank card, withdrawing money from the bank, and depositing their money in an account which are usually things we tend to take for granted here in America. My salutations go out to all the refugees that have made it this far and may you always make the best of your new homes!

Federal Cooperation Initiative:

One of the important advantages we have in America, which is rare to find in many other parts of the world, is the American citizen collaboration and cooperation with law enforcement. In America, we can work side by side with law enforcement without feeling afraid, unsafe and humiliated. As Somalis we come from a country where law enforcement was a foe and arrive to a country only to find that law enforcement exists to serve and protect the public. Each human has the right to feel safe and secure, therefore know your legal rights by utilizing your community resources.

Donated Resources:

SAUC has a great working relationship and partnership with law enforcement agencies. Currently we have had 2 FBI CREST Program trainings, 1 based in Phoenix, AZ and another in Tucson, AZ. Also, there was Phoenix Police Citizen Academy training. We are

also grateful for the resources we received. SAUC has received laptops from the WGM Intelligent Business Technology President Mr. Charles Matthews, who is the Treasurer of the FBI Citizen Academy Alumni Nationwide and former President of the FBI -Phoenix Citizen Academy Alumni. We are grateful and thankful to COS Jane Bjornstad and to Mr. Charles Matthews.

SAUC’s VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Change   starts   when  leaders     have   a   clear  vision   of   how   situations  could  be.    

SAUCA’s   volunteer   Board  is   one   of   the   most  effective,   diverse   and  correctly   functioning  within   the   Non-­‐Profit  organization   laws   in  Arizona.    Since  2006,  SAUC  has   been   an   active  member  of   the  Alliance  of  Arizona   Nonprofits.    SAUCA,   who   have  

achieved   standards   of  accepted   Professionalism  and   seriously   committed  to   provide   a   system   and  make   sure   that   the  refugee   receive   access   to  appropriate   orientation,  empowerment   and  educational   program,  which   will   result   in   an  increase   to   the   positive  social   change,   emotional  support   and   successful  integration  process.    

We   believe   in  Collaboration  as  a  method  that   creates   harmony   and  the   best   ways   of   working  together   to   perform  common  goals.  SAUCA  has  always  had  a  good  working  relationship   with   the   law  enforcement  agencies  and  with   non-­‐profit  organizations   that   serve  and   work   closely   with  refugees.    

 To  extend  and  strengthen  collaboration   initiative  with  all  organizations,  who  serve   refugee  communities,  is  one  of  our  priorities.     We   are  committed  to  improve  and  strengthen   relationships  between  Law  Enforcement  Agencies   and   our  

community   by   sharing   the  insight  and  information  we  gained  through  the  Citizen  Academies,   CREST  Programs   and   proper  interaction.   Our  educational   programs  include,   giving   lecture  and  presentation   on   the  subject:”   Bringing   the  Refugee   Community   &  Law  enforcement  together  to  strengthen  Public  Safety  for  all”.      

This   includes   also   legal  education   program   to  ensure  good  relations  with  the   Law   Enforcement  Agencies   and   a   safety  group   to   prevent   criminal  activity,   make   our  community   safer   and  promote   peace   and  respect.  We   certainly   fully  and   actively   support   the  Community   Outreach  efforts   of   the   Law  enforcement   community’s  relation  activities.      

We  thank  everyone  for  the  support,   for   sharing   our  collective   objective;   and  making   SAUCA   a   success  as  a  whole.    We  also  thank  everyone  who   helped   and  guided  us  through  the  way  and   giving   us   the  

opportunity   to   work   and  collaborate  together.    

We   all   share   value,  understand   each   other  and  able  to  develop  a  solid  collaborative  initiative  that  will   certainly   result   to   a  great   success   for  all  of  us,  and   great   benefit   for   the  Refugee   Community   in  Arizona.  By:  Dr.  Mohamed  Abukar    

Refugee Café:

Somali American United Council hosted culture night at the Refugee Café in Phoenix. Mrs. Yasmin prepared all the food for that night. The dishes served that night were sambuses, japati, humus, sambuses (you can never go wrong with this dish, great for any occasion), Somali tea and a Somalian vege dish. The turn- out was great and the night ended beautifully with everyone entertained and tastily satisfied. After, finding out that such a café existed I was actually baffled, because who would have ever thought. Refugees are specifically welcomed, as the name suggests, at an all American coffee shop.

This café is a plus to the refugee community, because it can bridge the gap between the American customs and the refugee struggles. For there to be coffee and a place to chat about recent events and issues, but at the same time where the all American and all foreigner meet is priceless. I believe this café could be the start of an amazing project where refugees could come together and talk over coffee about the current struggles, opportunities available to refugees, job openings, networking, or simply learning English from those who are fluent in the language.

(To the left is Mr. Maxwell-the manager at the Catholic Charities Community Services and in-charge of the Refugee Café, in the middle is Mrs. Yasmin.)

TB Outreach Program:

As we all know Tuberculosis (TB) claims thousands of lives each year. TB is an infectious disease which attacks the lungs. SAUC is committed to outreach programs which educate refugees of this serious fatal disease and receive testing for TB. Refugees are from nomadic and semi-nomadic regions; therefore alternative medicine is non-existent or highly expensive. SAUC introduces what alternative medicine is and the importance of it in a culturally sensitive environment.

Women’s Empowerment Program:

“I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it” (Mayo Angelou)

It was the women who suffered the most in the Somali Civil War and thus

why 70% of refugees are women, the majority whom are single mothers. They usually suffer from post traumatic disorder due to the horrific acts of violence they have witnessed in a war torn country. However as Mayo Angelou says “I refuse to be reduced by it” refugee women seem to have lost all hope in success, prosperity, and happiness. We are trying to not have women reduced by their past negative experiences, but have their past positively shape their future. Therefore, in the women’s empowerment program we are providing services that include sewing courses, mental health, and ESL courses. The sewing course

is an entrepreneurship program within its self, because women can then be inspired to start a business of their own. Since, refugee women came from an illiterate society back home practical skills is the key to

success for many of these women. As a former refugee I remember the days when my mother sewed clothes and prepared food from scratch only because my mother could not have afforded buying food or clothes for the whole family. She made the bread from scratch, the burger meat from scratch, the japati(flat bread) from scratch and even the spaghetti from scratch. The future is bright as long as women “refuse to be reduced by it.” I in vision a future for the Somali refugee women whereby they receive the tools and training to open their own fashion lines, cafes, salons, and any other business that can be established through gaining practical skills. Also, recently SAUC hosted the mothers club in compliance with the First Thing First initiative whereby mothers whom resided in the U.S for less than 3 years would come with their children whom are less than the age of 5. The program was designed to educate mothers in family well-being, guidance/discipline, early

learning/school readiness etc. The program pertained to mothers who had children under the age of 5 receive the necessary education, and family support to be able to arrive to school ready to learn effectively; without lacking behind. The program is similar to a prevention strategy by preventing educational disadvantages early in their lives before beginning school. Special thanks Diane Mobley and her team for making the mothers club possible.

New Councilwoman:

SAUC would like to pass their deepest admiration to the new councilwoman of our District (8), Kate Gallego. Congratulations, and may 2014 be a year where progress and hard work is at the top of your priorities. We were at your inauguration and know that you have a team of Dreamers that will support you all the way through, so keep strong.