Since the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Metro Surge” began in December, the Muslim community in Minneapolis has been on high alert.
“It’s been a very difficult time,” Khalid Omar, a community organizer and a leader at Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center, told CNN. “You can only imagine the weight of the full government being utilized in the state, going against and going after the Somali and Muslim community.”
At the peak of the Department of Homeland Security’s operations, 3,000 immigration officers descended on the state. For many, the announcement of their withdrawal has come as a relief — especially as Ramadan begins.
“This is the time when we need to lean into our faith more,” said Omar. “Make dua (prayer) for the people that are suffering, the people that felt this atrocity.”
Minnesota is home to more than 100,000 Somali residents — most of whom are U.S. citizens or naturalized — and many responded to heightened ICE enforcement with peaceful protests, potlucks, and visible solidarity.
In January, Somali American lawmaker Zaynab Mohamed began mobilizing her community to make sure people were safe — and fed. As crowds gathered in peaceful protest against ICE, Mohamed and her friends handed out foil trays full of food.
A protestor in Minneapolis holds up a sign to protest the Trump administration’s executive orders limiting the travel and resettlement of people from predominantly Muslim countries. Image via Fibonacci Blue / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
“I just got some sambusas because people are out here, community is out here, passing food to each other,” Mohamed shared live from a potluck on Instagram. “It’s pretty peaceful out here.”
Since December, Mohamed and other community leaders — like the local nonprofit Somali Neighbors — have stressed that visibility, connection, and collective action are essential tools for protecting and supporting their neighbors during a time of fear and political tension.
And when the Muslim community needed their neighbors most, they showed up in droves.
“I’m a very proud Muslim … and extremely proud to be a Minnesotan,” Basim Sabri, a Palestinian American, told CNN. “We’re very fortunate to be in Minnesota, and very fortunate to be in America, and Trump is trying to make it difficult for people to even think that they are American.”
On Tuesday, February 17, Somali Neighbors marked the start of Ramadan with a community announcement.
“Ramadan Kareem,” the nonprofit posted on social media, framing the blessing with a crescent moon and a star. “For the next 30 days, our Muslim neighbors will fast from sunrise to sunset. They’ll pray more. Give more. Gather more.”
“Minnesota is stronger because of every community that calls it home,” Somali neighbors emphasized. “Standing with you this Ramadan.”
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Header image via Fibonacci Blue / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
