A week of violence disappoints Somali leaders in Grand Island, where the immigrant community has seen a murder and assaults in the midst of the Muslim observance of Ramadan.

Yasin Ali said he’s disappointed by the violence, as he works with police on behalf of the newly formed Somali Community Association.

“They don’t trust police, don’t trust cops and stuff,” he said of Somalis.

Immigrants often face challenges, something Anita Pinon knows from her family’s roots in central Nebraska.

“My mom’s family was one of the first Latino families in Grand Island,” she explained.

Now as head of the Multicultural Coalition, she hopes to foster understanding of the Somali community, with a workshop planned during Ramadan.

Pinon said, “I know a lot of people in the community have questions as I have a lot of questions about Ramadan and the Muslim religion.”

While Muslim meat packing employees work out accommodations to pray, in some ways, Pinon thinks recent immigrants may have an easier path thanks to Latinos.

“I believe that some of the issues newcomers are having, the Latino community has gone through and worked through. We have built foundations and made it easier for newcomers to
assimilate here in Grand Island,” she said.

Pinon thinks that also extends to Sudanese refugees, most of whom in Grand Island are Christians, all part of an increasingly diverse community.

“We can build a brighter and better Grand Island,” she said.

The Multicultural Coalition is planning a lunch workshop in a few weeks to learn about the Somali community.

Reporter’s Notes by Steve White:
Yasin Ali said he’s very disappointed with what happened. He said he has met with the police chief, whom he called a “good guy.”

The Multicultural Coalition is hosting a one day conference on October 20. Visit their website for more information.

Source: Nebraska.tv

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