The FBI met with the Somali community in Minneapolis Saturday to try to build foundations and put to rest misconceptions.
The FBI is investigating the disappearance of about 20 young Somali men who left Minnesota to fight with the terrorist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia. Because of that investigation, Somali leaders said young men and women in their community have developed misconceptions about law enforcement.
“The investigation has touched broadly on the community and has affected them greatly. A lot of what we talked about here today is a direct result of that investigation,” said special agent E.K. Wilson of the FBI.
Wilson admits concerns surrounding Al-Shabaab is a reason his agency met with the Somali Community Saturday. But that wasn’t the only reason. The message he wanted to get across was that the FBI needs the Somali community as much as the community needs them.
“Support for Al-Shabaab or gang activity here in Minneapolis. Whatever it might be, we need them to help us help them and keep them secure in the community,” said Wilson.
To do that, Wilson and his team needed to end a misconception that the FBI can do whatever it deems necessary for an investigation. After a couple hours of together, both sides believed they learned a lot about each other.
“It was a great success. Views were exchanged, people came together,” said Saeed Fahia, executive director of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota.
“It was very successful. We got tremendous feedback. We got a lot out of it,” said Wilson.
Somali youth also seemed satisfied with the dialogue. Some even blamed the media for creating misunderstandings about their community.
“So when the media just puts this image of Al-Shabaab, Al-Shabaab, as if it’s something that everyone in our community discusses, that was not one of our major problems today. It was just really to create a connection with the FBI and tell them, ‘Hey, we are here to help you guys. We are not the problem, so let’s work together,’” said Salma Hussein.
FBI agents ate Somali food and a skit was put on by a group of Somali men.
The FBI and Somali leaders said the meeting is something they would like to do again in the future.
S: wcco.com
