UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE OF SOMALIA

Description

UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE OF SOMALIA

Their History –Their Culture & Their Lives in America

When: January 24th, 8:30 am to 4:10 PM
Where: Lyon County LEC (611 West Main Street, Marshall, MN 56258)
Register: Email matthew.loeslie@mnwest.edu
Cost: SLOT Member Free/Non Member $75
POST Credits: 6

Class Description
As you know, since 1991, over 300,000 Somali persons have made the United States their home. Here in Minnesota, the Twin Cities metropolitan area is now the largest Somali population center in the world outside of East Africa. Like other immigrant communities, some Somalis have faced obstacles in the transition to American life, including economic, social and educational hurdles. Some Somali youth have formed criminal gangs and others have joined the terrorist organization known as Al Shabaab. It has become clear that the Somali community’s success is essential for the overall health of our urban communities.
The first domino in any successful outreach or enforcement program in the refugee communities is to better understand their history and their culture.
To assist in that effort, Minnesota West Community and Technical College has teamed up with the Center for Somalia History Studies to provide a training seminar “Understanding the People of Somalia”.
Persons who attend this seminar will be better equipped to relate to the Somali community through a deeper understanding of their history, their culture and their lives in America. They will also be better prepared to address the ongoing threat of Somali youth joining the terrorist organization Al Shabaab, Al Qaeda’s proxy in Somalia.
UNDERSTANDING THE PEOPLE OF SOMALIA
Their History –Their Culture & Their Lives in America
(CONTINUED)
Class Outline
• The Colonial Period • Islamic Courts Union
• Independence-1960 • Transitional Government
• 1969 Military Coupe • “Al Shabaab” - Terrorism
• Said Barre Era • Organization Youth Gangs
• Clans and Sub Clans • Khat – a Stimulant
• The Ethiopia Issue • Transition to America
• Cival War-Warlords • Somali Culture
• Black Hawk Down • 2011 Famine


Instructor Profile

Omar Jamal
Former Executive Director -
Somali Justice Advocacy Center
First Secretary, Somalia United Nations Mission
Somali Community Spokesperson / Advocate

Bob Fletcher
Ramsey County Sheriff 1995-2010
Chairperson - East Metro Community
Protection Task Force on Terrorism 2002 - 2010
34 years of Law Enforcement Experience

SPONSOR
This class is made possible by the Center for Somalia History Studies