Minneapolis (AP) — A well-known advocate for Somalis in Minnesota has taken a new job with the Permanent Mission of the Somali Republic to the United Nations.

Omar Jamal, 36, is in New York City this week, getting credentials and getting to work.

Somalia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Elmi Ahmed Duale, says Jamal was appointed about a week ago to the position of first secretary. Duale says Jamal will represent Somali interests on various U.N. committees.

Jamal says Somalia is under siege by al-Shabab and he’ll make an “urgent appeal to save the country from al-Qaida.”

As many as 20 young men have left the Minneapolis area to possibly fight with the terror group in Somalia.

Jamal, who has led the Somali Justice Advocacy Center since 2001, says he’ll ask board members to appoint a new executive director.

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MPR

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