From Somalia to Snow: How Central Minnesota Became Home to Somalis

Praise for From Somalia to Snow: How Central Minnesota Became Home to Somalis

From Somalia to Snow: How Central Minnesota Became Home to Somalis provides a great understanding of Somali culture, tradition, religion, and issues of integration and assimilation. In addition, it enhances awareness of the challenges and barriers that the Somali community faces. The book sheds light on the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the Somali people. The Somali experience is similar to the experiences of other immigrant and refugee groups. They, too, want to live the American Dream. I highly recommend this book to educational institutions, the business community, health-care departments, and anyone who works and continues to build for community.

—Dave Kleis, mayor of Saint Cloud, Minnesota

From Somalia to Snow: How Central Minnesota Became Home to Somalis is a scholarly written manuscript which is equal parts information, inspiration, and instruction. The author helps to reset a community’s immigration narrative from ignorance to understanding, deficits to assets, scarcity to abundance, and fear to acceptance. In timely and important ways, this book is the collective story of all immigrant families who, throughout our nation’s history, have shown unyielding resolve and resilience in pursuing the American Dream! A great educational tool, this book should be on the collection shelves in all school and community libraries.

—Bruce Mohs, school board member, Saint Cloud Area Schools, Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Hudda Ibrahim has long served as an economic adviser to our greater Saint Cloud community, to Somali and greater Saint Cloud–area businesses, and to our foreign-born residents. And now, this talented, passionate young woman has gifted our community with her much-needed and long-awaited publication filled with personal and professional insights on the journey and challenges faced by Somali immigrants and refugees that have joined our community. Thank you, Hudda, for pouring your heart and soul into writing this book, From Somalia to Snow: How Central Minnesota Became Home to Somalis, and for being a trailblazer, a role model, and a community leader. But most of all, thank you for being a very dear friend.

—Patti Gartland, president, Greater Saint Cloud Development Corporation

Hudda Ibrahim’s book is a must-read because it is well researched, informative, holistic, and one of the best introductions to Somali culture for people of central Minnesota and beyond. Hudda writes with clarity, honesty, and integrity. Her very timely book is a valuable resource for the local community, for it strikes a wonderful balance between personal and professional narratives that capture critical information of her native cultural heritage.

—Sangeeta Jhai, PhD, faculty and diversity coordinator, St. Cloud Technical and Community College

Hudda Ibrahim has the gift of being able to communicate across ethnic, racial, gender, economic, generational, and political barriers with a level of intimacy that requires years of cross-cultural experience. This gift illuminates the experience of the Somali community in central Minnesota and is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand Somali American challenges as well as the challenges faced by many of our most vulnerable neighbors.

—Lee Morgan, president, Morgan Family Foundation

Ibrahim’s book fills a void between the scholarly literature on immigration to the United States and the practical, everyday lives of newcomers to the area as they integrate into their new communities—and as the more long-standing community members integrate to their new neighbors. If you are seeking to learn more about Somali Americans in central Minnesota, this book is an outstanding resource for learning about the history and cultural practices of Somali people. Ibrahim provides a clear pathway between Somali and central Minnesotan cultures as a knowledgeable interpreter of both groups. Her book is an excellent example of cultural translation and will be highly useful for many readers.

—Jessica O’Reilly, assistant professor of international studies, Indiana University, Bloomington

This book fills an important need for Saint Cloud and the surrounding area. Working from numerous personal inter¬views and her own life experience, Ms. Ibrahim tells the story of one of the largest communities of Somali people in the United States. It should be required reading for anyone doing any form of community work in the area and belongs on the shelves of local school and public libraries. Its value, however, is not limited to the Saint Cloud region. Anyone interested in the Somali diaspora or in refugee and immigrant populations in general will benefit from reading this account of members of one community speaking in their own voices.

—Mark Jaede, assistant professor, St. Cloud State University

Ibrahim’s work provides a needed examination of the complexities of Somali choices and experiences in central Minnesota. Based on numerous interviews as well as personal experiences, she clearly shows how Somali immigrant experiences are parallel and distinct from prior European immigrants to central Minnesota. Given her portrayal on individuals and locations in Saint Cloud and central Minnesota, this work is accessible for a broad audience of readers interested in humanizing the experiences of Somalis in the region and thereby debunking many problematic generalizations promoted in some segments of the media.

—Professor Robert W. Galler, St. Cloud State University

This interesting and informative book explains about Somali culture, with stories of Somali resettlement and business. The writer provides a thoughtful and relevant understanding into Somali people’s contemporary challenges and opportunities in central Minnesota. This book will become the key go-to resource for everyone in Minnesota or anywhere else in the United States.

—Abdi Mahad, research analyst and community education coordinator, Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization

Hudda’s book encapsulates the cultural and religious practices of the Somali people living in central Minnesota. It also brings to the fore their unique ways of doing business as they seek to cater to the needs of their people in the growing diverse cities. It is a comprehensive, analytical, and informative book.

—Sylvester Amara Lamin, MSW, PhD, LISW, assistant professor, social work, St. Cloud State University

This important book clearly illustrates the experiences of Somalis in central Minnesota. It will be helpful and a much-needed resource for the people there. This book also offers concrete suggestions for ways by which the host community and the recently arrived Somalis can understand each other’s cultures, obstacles, and achievements; foster a healthy dialogue; and build a relationship that is based on mutual respect.

—Ahmed Sheikh, Somali community elder