Jibril Hirsi will address the forum on a number of issues that pertain to improving national security and international relations: the challenges faced by Muslim entrepreneurs such as money service business owners; the role of Diaspora communities in shaping American foreign policy; and the need for hiring of more qualified American Muslims to serve at the U.S. Department of State.

Washington (Sunatimes) SomaliCAN executive director Jibril Hirsi has been invited to attend a dinner at the US Department of State with State Secretary Hillary Clinton on September 7, 2010. The purpose of the Iftar dinner is to honor a group of visionary young American-Muslim leaders from around the country and to recognize their contributions to American society. Jibril represents the American Muslim community in the State of Ohio.

The state dinner will be preceded by a forum to be attended by the same leaders hailed as “generation change” which will be facilitated by Farah Pandith, Secretary Clinton’s Special Representative for Muslim Communities. The forum will identify issues of concern to American Muslims and devise ways to deal with them. Topics of discussion will include homeland security and the role of Muslim leaders in keeping communities safe, preventing radicalization of American Muslim youth, and creating an environment that enables every American Muslim to thrive.

Jibril Hirsi will address the forum on a number of issues that pertain to improving national security and international relations: the challenges faced by Muslim entrepreneurs such as money service business owners; the role of Diaspora communities in shaping American foreign policy; and the need for hiring of more qualified American Muslims to serve at the U.S. Department of State.

SomaliCAN is a community based organization that works to improve the health, safety, and productivity of new Americans through education, outreach, and advocacy. The organization provides a continuum of services to reduce crime and fear of crime in Ohio and throughout the United States and works as a think tank to contribute its expertise to resolving the prolonged Somali conflict. In April, SomaliCAN, in partnership with Crime Stoppers, launched an online crime reporting system for Somali speakers to report crimes nationwide.

In a letter to the U.S. Department of State, Jibril Hirsi wrote:  “I see the new Muslim Engagement initiative as a platform for young Muslim leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities that affect their communities and to share their perspectives with policy makers. I am grateful for the U.S. Department of State for reaching out to Muslim leaders around the country. I applaud Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for sharing the dedication to excellence with Muslim Americans in this holy month of Ramadan by recognizing the contributions of young Muslim leaders to the wellbeing of all Americans.”

The event will be attended by representatives from the Obama administration, Congressional delegates, members of the diplomatic community, and more than 50 Muslim leaders from around the country. Upon his return to Columbus, the executive director will provide an update to community members about his trip to the State Department.

By Abdi Salan Abdulle

[email protected]

Mogadishu-Somalia