A new approach is being taken to create a Somali forum for the many different Somali organisations in Sheffield. Burngreave-based resident, Ahmed Hassan, has been actively campaigning for the Somali community and described why he felt the need for this type of organisation.
“Many Somalis arrived as refugees in the early 1990s. Since then we have been trying to adapt to our new home… but it hasn’t been an easy process. Many separate community organisations have been formed to deal with particular problems. However we still don’t have an overarching body that represents Somali residents to the Council, the police or other such bodies. Last year I was involved in a community research project which has led me to believe that we really need to come together to tackle problems and make our voices heard within the city!”
Yasmin Mohamud, worker on the LACO (Link Action Community Organisation), explained: “We need to move on from the conflict in our past which has held us back from working together. We have a job to do: we have to raise our kids as British citizens as best we can and to take up our rights and responsibilities as members of this community. One of the reasons we want to create the forum is so that we can raise money to tackle some of the problems that are specific to our community. Somali parents are very concerned by the high rate of school exclusions and crime amongst young Somali boys – we never had that problem in Somalia!”
LACO are waiting to hear if the Council will fund the new organisation. In the meantime they are asking any interested Somalis to come forward. “We know that there have been other failed attempts to set up an overarching group for Somalis in Sheffield,” said Ahmed, “but we feel that this time it’s different: many people want to forget the past and realise how we are missing out on our share of resources because we don’t speak with one voice – and we really have the support of council officers.”
If you would like to get involved, contact Ahmed Hassan on 0788 697 2437 or Yasmin Mohamud at the Northern Refugee Centre on 241 2781.
by Nikky Wilson