The Youth // Dhallinyarada

THE YOUTH

Over three years ago, photographer Mohamud Mumin embarked on a project to profile 13 young Somali men living in Minnesota. The resulting body of work titled “The Youth//Dhallinyarada” highlights the contribution these men are making to America, their adopted homeland. The subjects of these photographs share the conflict they feel in just trying to be themselves, and how, as much as they try to adapt and engage in their community, they often feel foreign at home here in Minnesota.

Muddo saddex sano ka badan laga joogo, sawirqaade Mohamud Mumin ayaa ku daqaaqay mashruuc warbaahin lagu falanqaynayo nolosha dhallinyaro Soomaaliyeed oo tiradooda gaarayaan 13 kuna nool gobolka Minnesota.

Natiijada mashruucan oo dhaliyay cinwaanka sheekada “The Youth // Dhallinyarada” waxa uu shaaca ka qaadeyaa sida ay dhallinyaradaan wax tar uga geystaan dalkooda labaad ee Maraykanka.

Mowduucyada sawirradaan ayaa ka hadlaya halganka ay kula jiraan jiritaankooda iyo dadaalkooda ku saabsan sida ay ula qabsan lahaayeen una dhex gali lahaayeen jaaliyadooda, kuwaasoo had iyo jeer dareensan in marti ay ku yihiin gobalkaan Minnesota.

DHALLINYARADA

THE YOUTH//DHALLINYARADA PORTRAITS OF YOUNG SOMALI MEN, A VISUAL NARRATIVE Over three years ago, photographer Mohamud Mumin embarked on a project to profile 13 young Somali men living in Minnesota. The resulting body of work titled “The Youth//Dhallinyarada” highlights the contribution these men are making to America, their adopted homeland. The scope of activities of Mumin’s subjects ranges from entrepreneurship to community activism. Despite their diverse backgrounds and experiences, one thing they all share is the passion and dedication to actively and positively engage in their community. Furthermore, the subjects of these photographs share the conflict they feel in just trying to be themselves, and how, as much as they try to adapt; and engage in their community, they often feel foreign at home here in Minnesota.

A multi-tiered approach is used in order to depict an in-depth portrait of these men. The first method is a gallery show that will display larger than life, black and white photographic portraits of the thirteen men. In addition, a run of 2,000 32page tabloid-sized newspapers will be printed and made available that includes photos and abbreviated testimony of the participants for widespread distribution throughout the community. On hand will be Conversations, a multimedia piece in which these young men share their journey to Minnesota, and the conflict they feel in trying to be themselves despite their attempts to belong here; as well as describe how they earnestly and indubitably engage in their community.

WEISMAN ART MUSEUM MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA JULY 13th, 2013 – FEBRUARY 9th, 2014

ABDULLAHI BASHIR One of the the most amazing things about living here is the educational opportunities that we have encountered. That’s one of the most amazing things we can do with our lives, as well as pave the way for the new generation that is coming up and the second generation Americans.

Waxyaabaha aad igu cajibiyay meeshaan inta aan ku noola waa fursadaha waxbarashada ee aan meeshaan kala kulanay.

Tani waa mid ka mid ah waxyaaba ugu yaabka badan ee aan nolosheenna ka samayn karno, iyadoo markaasi inoo furaysa waddada ay mari lahayeen jiilka soo socda iyo jiilka labaad ee Maraykanka.

26 YEARS OLD EDUCATOR

Marka koobaad waxaan isku arkaa inaan ahay qof Muslim ah. Tan labaadna waxaan ahay Soomaali, taasina ay tahay asalkayga. Waxaan isku arkaa inaan kaloo ahay shaqsi Maraykan ah; waana qayb kamid ah aqoonsigayga.

I see myself as Muslim first. Second, I'm Somali (and) that's my ancestry.

I am an American; it is definitely part of my identity.

SALEBAN ALI

To tell you the truth, when we left Somalia (at around seven years old) I remember it was a Tuesday when the civil war broke out. I was a little bit sick, but we left Xamar (Mogadishu).

We stayed in Xamar Weyne and migrated to Medina, Somalia where we took a truck to end up in Kismaayo, Somalia. From Kismaayo to Mombasa, Kenya we end up doing a boat ride.

Once we got to Mombasa, we had settled down in this refugee camp called Utanga Camp in Mombasa, Kenya. The second journey I took was from Utanga to Minnesota, USA. Haddaan runta ka hadalno, markaan Soomaaliya ka soo baxay (anoo markaa toddobo jir ahaa), waxaan xasuustaa inay Talaado ahayd markuu dagaalka sookeeye uu qarxay. Xoogaa waan yara jirranaa, markaan Muqdisho ka tagaynay waxaan ka bilownay socodkeena Hamar Weyne ka dibna waxaan tagnay Medina, halkaasoo aan uga gudubnay Kismaayo oo aan doon Keenya uga qaadannay. Markaan Mombasa nimid, waxaan tagnay xerada qoxootiga ee Utaanga kuna taal Mombasa, Keenya. Safarkii labaadna waxuu ahaa midkii aan ku nimid magaalada Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

The media (and) everything that goes through people's minds, you know, misconceptions that great America has about young Muslims; young black Muslims who just migrated from Somalia, there is always that extra eye and extra attention.

Warbaahinta iyo wax kasta ay dadka ka fikrad qaataan, sida aad ogtihiin, siiba fikradda xun ee laga qabo dhallinyarada Muslimka ah; siiba dhallinyar madow ee Muslim ah oo dhawaan Soomaaliya ka soo qaxay, ayaa ah wax aan meesha laga saari karin ee isha soo jiidanaya.

28 YEARS OLD FOUNDER, SOMALI BASKETBALL LEAGUE

I think that community is really important to me because of my culture and the way I grew up. The whole neighborhood raises kids and everyone takes care of each other. I see myself as youth and family advocate. I care about youth issues. That’s what I have done for the last 10 years. I still coach soccer because I love being with kids. (In) my 9-5 job, I work with families and kids too about education and giving them resources.

Jaalliyadda waxaan u qaba inay tahay wax fiican oo muhiim ii ah sababtoo ah door wayn ayay ka qaadatay sida aan u dhaqmo iyo qofka aan ahayba iyo sida uu qofwaliba qofka kale diyaar ugu yahay inuu caawiyo. Waxaan isku arkaa qof u dooda dhallinyarada iyo qoyska. Aad baan u daneeyaa arrimaha dhallinyarada quseeya. Kuwaasina waa waxa aan ku so jiray 10 kii sano ee la soo dhaafay. Waxaan weli ahay tababare kubadda cagta sababtoo ah waxaan jeclahay inaan caruurta baro kubadda cagta. Shaqada aan maalin qabto ayaa ah inaan la shaqeeyo qoysaska iyo caruurta arrimaha waxbarashada iyo ilaha kale ee la xariira.

I have three sons who are Americans and who were born here. So, I am very fortunate. I think its tough to be young, Somali-American, Muslim-American, immigrant and black living in Minnesota; especially after 9/11. As I said, the young Somali-Americans that live here, this is their country and this is where they call home.

A lot of them don’t really know Somalia and have never been to Somalia. Their parents only tell them about Somalia, but at the same time, people label them and people stereotype them.

ABDIRAHMAN MUKHTAR 30 YEARS OLD Waxaan leeyahay saddex wiil oo ku dhashay gobolka Minnesota.

Saas awgeed, waxaan kaloo dhihi karaa waxaan ahay nin aad iyo aad u nasiib badan. Waxay ilatahay, khaasatan markaan eego nolosha qofka muslimka ee Soomaliga ah ee loo arko qaxooti madaw ah; siiba xilliga ka dambeeyay 9/11. Waxaan qabay inay dhallinyaranimada siiba midka Muslimka ama Soomaliga ay tahay mid aad iyo aad u dhib badan. Sidaan horay u iri, dhallinyarada Soomaali ee ku nool carrigaan Maraykanka waa meesha ay dhihi karaan waa gurigeenni hooyo. Badankood, dhallinyaradaan ma yaqaanaan Soomaaliya, qaarkoodna kuma aysan dhalanba. Waalidkooda ayaa had iyo jeer Soomaaliya uga sheekeeya isla markaana ay bartilmaameed u noqdeen qashqashaad asalnimadooda la xariirta.

YOUTH COORDINATOR & MENTOR

Ahmed Hirsi 31 Years Old I would love for America to see us as they would see others. As people that work, and contribute to the country. As peace loving people that do not love to transgress on others. So, America should see the good in us. This country is built upon folks coming together from different faiths, and different cultures; that’s why it is called United States of America.

Community Activist & Youth Basketball Coach

Waxaan jeclaan lahaa inay Maraykanka noo arkaan sidii qof walba ay u arkaan.

Sidii dad ka shaqaysta waxna ku kordhiya. Annagoo ah dad nabadoon ah caado uma lihin inaan dad kale ku xadgudubno. Sidaa awgeed, Maraykanka waa inay arkaan waxqabadkeenna wanaagsan.

Dhulkaan waxaa dhisay dad meelo kala duwan ka kala yimid, haystana dhaqamo kala duwan, aamiinsan diimo kala duwan; waa midda keentay in lagu magacaabo Midowga Dawladaha Maraykanka.

It’s not easy (being first generation immigrant). It’s hard work, because how we handle ourselves will ultimately reflect on the next generation.

Wax fudud mahaa inaad tahay farciga koobaad ee qoxootiga. Wax fudud maaha, sababtoo ah sida aan annaga hadda wax u qabsanno waxay door wayn ka qaadan doontaa nolosha ay kuwa naga dambeeya noqon doonaan.

KAAMIL DAKANE 26 YEARS OLD TALENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

See me as a person that came here to take advantage of the opportunities that America is offering. At the same time, someone who wants to make this his home country whether Somalia becomes peaceful or not. Pretty much, this is where I live today and this is my home. So, I have to be treated like a neighbor rather than a foreigner.

Iga dhig inaan ahay nin meeshan u yimid inuu ka faaidaysto fursadaha uu waddanka Maraykanka na siiyay. Isla markaasna iskadhigaya sida qof doonaya inuu ku nagaado waddankaan haddii Soomaaliya ay nabad noqoto iyo haddii kaleba. Marka noloshayda meeshaan ayay isku soo aruurtay; waxaan mudanahay sidii qof daris ah ee la iila dhaqmo, sida qof qalad aan la iila dhaqmin.

If I am nobody, there is no way I can help anybody. Right now, I am trying to make something of myself. To help my people out, especially before I think about back home, I gotta think about here, the state that I live in and help them out. So, before you go outside the box, it is better for you to think inside the box. Which is right now (and in) the state of Minnesota.

Haddii aan iska dhigo qof aan waxba ahayn, surtagal ma noqonayso inaan qof un wax ka caawiyo.

Hadda, waxaan dagaal ugu jiraa sidaan meel isaga soo saari lahaa. Inaan dadka halkaan joogo caawiiyo inta aanan caawin kuwa dhulkii hooyo waana inaan culays saaro si aan meeshan nolol uga dhisto si aan ayagana u caawiyo. Marka si aad godka uga baxdo waa inaad marka hore ogaato waxa uu godka yahay iyo sidii aad uga bixi lahayd. Waana meesha aan hadda ku jiro iyo tanoo ah gobolka Minnesota.

ABDIFATAH FARAH 24 YEARS OLD SPOKEN WORD ARTIST, YOUTH ACTIVIST, ACTOR

Giving back to the community is what everybody that works in the community right now lives for.

That is, to help everybody with resources, community building, (and) activism. Whether it is through the arts or anything like that. There (are) a lot of newcomers; you need to make them feel like this is their home as well.

In qof walba uu waliba dadkiisa caawiyo ayaa ah arrin dusha ka saaran qof walba ee meeshaan ku nool. Waana in qof walba la gaarsiiyo ilaha dhaqaale, dhisidda isku duubnaanta jaalliyadda, iyo in si firfircoon jaalliyadda lagu caawiyo. Taaso laga arki karo fanka iyo wax kasta ee la mid ah. Waxaa jira dad badan oo cusub loona baahanyahay in wax fiican la tuso si niyadda u degto una dareemaan inay gurigooda joogaan.

There is a lot of positive things being done. There is the arts that I have already talked about. Getting kids involved in spoken word through Peace Poetry Movement. Also, the SBL (Somali Basketball League) that has been tremendous. Basically, a lot of different things like uniting the youth, getting them together and doing a lot of different things and motivating each other. The Somali Student Association all over Minnesota that are really doing really positive things to work together, collaborate together, do events together, invite people and have people learn about their culture, and vice versa.

Meeshaan waxaa ka jira waxyaalo badan oo fiican. Waxaa jira fan iyo farshaxan u baahan in la tixgaliyo. Caruurtana waa in lagu guubabiyo nuxurka erayada dhaqdhaqaaqa gabayada nabadda ku jira. Waxaa kaloo door wayn ka qaatay Naadiga Kubadda Kolayga Soomaalida (SBL).

Waxay sidaasoo kale sameeya waxyaabo tira badan oo dhallinyarada isku soo jiidaya oo xiiso iyo dhiirrigalin u leh. Ururka Ardada Soomaalida ee Minnesota waxay iyana qayb muuqata ka qaataan xiriirka iyo iskaashiga iyo bandhig faneed dhaqama kala duwan leh.

Marka koobaad, waa inaad ahaato qof jaalliyadda ka tirsan. Ta labaad, ha lagu maqlo, dhallinyarada u sheeg dhaqankooda iyo halka ay ka soo jeedaan. Noloshaada dhiso, mustaqbal dhiso, dadkaagana caawi.

Number one, be part of the community. Number two, get your word out, tell the world who you are. I mean, why not. Be positive. You know, tell the youth about their heritage (and) where they came from. Go after your life.

Go after a goal. Help your people.

ABDIRIZAQ AHMED 23 YEARS OLD ATHLETE & MENTOR I feel like I’m at home when I’m in Minnesota. I’m a soccer player or otherwise football player. In North America, I see myself as one of the best Somali footballers.

Minnesota waxay ila tahay sida gurigii hooyo oo kale. Waxaan cayaaraa kubba cagta oo magac kale looga yaqaanno Maraykanka.

Waxaana isku qabaa inaan ahay cayaartoyda kuwooda ugu firfircoon ee kunool Waqooyi Maraykan.

Mohamed Jama

17 Years Old Community Coordinator

Waxaan u baahannahay hoggamiyeyaal ee raacato uma baahnin.

Ka bilow in la helo hal hogaamiye, ku xijii boqol hogaamiyaal kuwaasoo malyan noqon doona mar dambe. Waa inaad marka hore naftaada ka billowdaa, cidina ma baddali kartid adoon taada wax ka baddalin. Kuwaasna waa astaamaha lagu yaqaanno hoggaamiye kaaso habayntiisa iskukeenaya iskuxirnaanshaha iyo iskaashiga. Ayadoo ay jirto in fikirka lagu kala duwanyahay, haddana waxa meesha yaalla waa wadashaqayn mowqif leh iyo ulajeeddo.

We need leaders, we don’t need followers. Start with 1 and soon 100 or 1000 or million. So, it’s all about starting with yourself.

You cannot change people unless you change yourself. So, it’s very important that to our leaders, to the youth leaders to stay connected, and network. Even though you guys have your own differences, what matters at the end of the day is working together for a purpose and for a goal.

I see myself as Mohamed. I see myself as Somali. I see myself as American. I see myself as youth. I see myself as a brother. I see myself as a family man. I see myself as a community member. So, I see myself in a lot of ways.

Waxaan isku aqaannaa in Maxamed la iyiraahdo. Waxaan isku arkaa nin Soomaali ah inaan ahay. Waxaan ahay qof Maraykan ah. Waxaan ahay qof dhallinyara ah. Waxaan isku arkaa inaan ahay gacal xilkasna ah. Waxaan isku arkaa xubin jaalliyadda ka tirsan inaan ahay. Marka, waxaan leeyahay dabeecado badan.

SAADAQ ABDULKADIR HAAJI DAHIR 21 YEARS OLD BASKETBALL TRAINER & MENTOR

I see myself as a hard working guy who is here to get educated and get a degree. Who is out there working for his family.

Waxaan isku arkaa inaan ahay nin waddankaan u yimid waxbarasho kana hanto shahaado. Waxaan kaloo ahay nin u shaqeeya qoyskiisa.

Waxaa la ii sheegay marka aan saddex bilood jiray in waalidkayga, walaashay iga wayn iyo aniguba aan Nairobi, Keenya ka dhacnay. Marka uu dagaalka sokeeye bilowday, Nairobi, Keenya ayaan u qaxnay. Waxaan ahayn labadayda waalid, walaashay iga wayn aniga. Dhamaan ehelkayga kale waxaan uga soo tagnay Soomaaliya.

I’ve been told around when I was three months old that my parents, my older sister and I went to Nairobi, Kenya. After the war started, we immigrated over there to Nairobi, Kenya. It was just my two parents and my older sister at the time.

Grandparents, uncles and aunts were left back (in Somalia).

MOHAMOUD TREEK 24 YEARS OLD MEDIA ACTIVIST Every year we do Somali Youth Summits. So, there are a lot of young Somali men who are doing good things right now, but the problem they have is there is no exposure. People, they think that as a Somali young man, the one who is destroying his country, (is) the one who is going to destroy their country.

There are a lot of good and bad people. What I want from the public and the Americans is not to get educated from the media, but to get educated from young Somali men who are doing good things and who are trying to build a bridge between the Somali community and the American community.

Sannad waliba waxaan ka qayb galaa Kulamada Dhallinyarada Soomalida.

Waxaa jira dhallinyaro Soomaali oo u soo jeestay inay waddada wanaagsan maraan, balse wanaaggooda ummadda inteeda badan aysan u jeedin.

Fikradda ay dadka kale naga qabaan ayaa ah in qofka Soomaliga uu yahay mid waddankiisa soo burburiyay lagana baqayo inuu waddankaan burbur u soo jiido. Waxaa naga buuxa dad badan oo fiican iyo kuwo xunba. Waxaan Maraykanka ka doonayaa inaysan fikrad xun ka qaadan waxa ay warbaahinta ku arkeen, balse ay arkaan waddada ay qaadayaan dhallinyarada u soo jeestay inay iskuxiraan labada dhaqan ee Maraykanka iyo Soomaaliga.

Wow! The picture I had of America when I was in Somalia came from Hollywood. And that’s the thing I had in my head, that’s what America is going to be. I always think... my relative who came to visit were having big houses, having big cars. The life I picture was the one I saw on TV back in Somalia before I came here.

Cajiib! Fikradda aan Maraykan ka haystay marka aan Soomaaliya ku noolaa waxaan ka daawan jiray filimada Hollywood. Taasi ayaa ahayd fikrad madaxayga ku raagtay. Maraykanka waxaan u haystay inay sidaasoo kale noqon doonto. Waxaan weligay u haystay in qaraabadayda nasoo booqon jirtay inay ku noolaayeen guryo waaweyn iyo inay baabuur waawayn lahaayeen. Nolosha ii muuqatay waa midda aan ku arkay Teelefishinka marka aan Soomaaliya joogay kahor inta aanan meeshaan imaan.

AHMED ALI 32 YEARS OLD TEACHER & MENTOR I don’t see myself only as a Somali. I feel like I’m a citizen of the world and I go by what I feel like is right, and what I feel is wrong. I would love to go back and help out (in) any way, shape or form (that) I can, but I don’t see that being any time soon. As long as there is chaos and disorder (in Somalia) and the way the government is shaped right now, I don’t see myself going. If it calms down, I would love to go back. I’d love to teach. I’d love to work with the youth in anyway I can.

Iskuma arko inaan ahay Soomaali kaliya. Waxaan darensanahay inaan ahay qof dunidoo dhan u dhashay, iyo waxaan ahay qof sax iyo qalad kala yaqaanna. Waxaan jeclahay inaan waddankii u noqdo dadkana caawiyo (intii) karaankayga balse waxakani ay yihiin wax aan mustaqbalka aan samayn doono. Inta ay (Soomaaliya) dhibaatadeeda iyo qaxarkeeda sii jirto iyo dawlad xumada ilama ahan inaan aadayo. Haddii waddanki xasilo, waxaan jeclahay inaan dib ugu laabto dadkana wax baro. Waxaan ka sii jeclahay inaan dhallinyarada la shaqeeyo si kastoo aan ugu awoodo.

Tusaale, marka aan ka qalinjabiyay dugsiga sare 1999kii tiradeenna oo gaaraysay kow iyo toben ayaan ku aadnay Jaamacadda Minnesota. Kow iyo tobenkeenaas oo idil waxannu ahayn dadka ugu horreeya ee jaamacadaas galay sannadkaas, lakiin hadda haddii hadda la eego waxay noqonayaan tiro aad u badan; waxaan ka wadaa boqollaalo arday ee Soomaali ah oo Jaamacadda Minnesota kaliya hadda dhigata. Haddii aad kulliyad kasta iyo jaamacad walba eegto waxaad ku arkaysaa dhallinyaro yaryar iyo dad waawaynba oo jaamacadda dib ugu laabtay aadna ugu dadaalaya inay mustaqbalkooda wadankan Maraykanka ka gaaran meel fiican.

For example, (when) I graduated from high school in 1999, there were eleven of us who went to the University of Minnesota when we got there. All eleven of us were the first people that were there in 1999, but if you look at it right now, it’s a huge number; I mean, hundreds and hundreds of Somalis that are there only at the University of Minnesota. If you look at every college and every university, you will find Somali young men and adults who are trying to go back trying to learn and trying hard to realize their dream in the United States.

KAAMIL HAIDER 28 YEARS OLD Earliest memories I had about America was through cowboy movies. Basically, John Wayne, or Chuck Norris, Rambo, (and) action figures.

It was the land of, I thought, everything was possible. Maybe not in a broader sense, but I thought it was something great.

Fikradda aan ka qabay Maraykanka waxaan ka arki jiray aflaanta kaaboyga. Siiba John Wayne ama Chuck Norris iyo Rambo iyo dagaallada badan. Waxaan u haystay waddan wax kastana ay suurtogal ka tahay.

In kastoo aysan sidaas ahayn marka meel fog laga eego waase wax weyn.

Waqtiga xaadirka ah waxaan ahay arday u si taama u dhigta jaamacadda iyo shaqeysto.

Isla markaana ah qof sameeya farta farshaxanka, si aan xirfadda farshaxanka dib ugu celiyo Soomaaliya. Ma doonayo oo keliya inaan dib u soo celiiyo farshaxankii qadiimka ahaa, balse waxaan doonayaa inaan wax cusub ku kordhiyo jaalliyadda Soomaalida ama bulshada Soomaalida.

STUDENT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Right now I’m a full time student and I work full time as well. I have a freelance job as a graphic designer. I want to focus on that side of the brain (that focuses on the Arts), by bringing the Arts back (to) Somalia. Also, bring not the old ones, but also bring something new to the Somali community or Somali society.

HASHIM YONIS 23 YEARS OLD US YOUTH AMBASSADOR TO THE WHITE HOUSE

I strongly believe in the value of education, because education is powerful. It offers you more opportunities to become successful in the future. When you learn, you grow, and then you expand your horizon and then you share and distribute knowledge to those who are in need. And the students I work with are new to the country, who are like me struggling in English once upon a time when I arrived here in America. I see community as education, where one person is educating the other person and one person taking care of the other who is in need.

Waxaan ahay nin aad u aaminsan awoodda waxbarashada ay leedahay. Waxayna ku siinaysaa fursado dheeraad oo uu qofku meel sare kaga gaaro mustaqbalka. Markaad waxbarato maskaxda ayaa koraysa, kaddibna fikirkaaga ayaa fidaya, haddana waxaa aqoonta la wadaagaysa una gudbinaysaa dadka u baahan. Ardayda aan la shaqeeyo waa kuwa waddanka Maraykanka ku cusub sidaasaan aniga ahaan jiray markaan waddanka ku cusbaa. Waxaan jaalliyednimada u arkaa meel aqoonta dhallinyarada lagu dhiso, taasoo uu qofku waxbarayo marna daryeelayo kuwa kale.

I am the newly elected US Youth Ambassador to the White House and I closely work with youth, both in education and in recreation. It is very important that we invest in our youth, in all youth so that they can be in a better place. And one of my favorite presidents of all time is John F. Kennedy; he said that people do not have equal talents, but all individuals should be given an opportunity to develop their talents. So, I think the society, being the community here in America needs to provide resources and give chance to those who are in need. By doing that, this country can be a great place.

Wax aan ahay Safiirka Dhallinyarada Maraykanka ee dhowaan la doortay ee Aqalka Cad (White House Maraykanka); waxaan si hoose ula shaqeeyaa dhallinyaradeenna, iyo kuwa kaleba, xagga waxbarasharada iyo nolosha caadiga labadaba.

Waa muhiim inaan maalgalinno dhallinyaradeenna iyo dhallinyarada kale oo idil si ay markaasi meel fiican u gaaraan. Madaxwaynayaasha aan taariikhda oo idil ugu jeclahay waa John F. Kennedy; kaaso yiri, dadka isku karti ma wada laha, laakiin waxaa quman in qofwaliba la siiyo fursad uu kartidiisa ku muujiyo. Marka bulshada waxaan u arkaa, in jaalliyadda xagaan ee Maraykanka ka mid tahay inay u baahantahay in la siiyo ilaha dhaqaale iyo fursadaha ay u baahanyihiin. Haddii sidaa lagu dhaqaaqo, waddankaan waxuu noqon karaa waddan aad u fiican.

I see community as education, where one person is educating the other person and one person taking care of the other who is in need.

About the Photographer Mohamud Mumin holds a Bsc. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota. A self-taught Photographer, Mumin seeks to harness Photography’s immense capacity to facilitate dialogue across barriers and cultures. Thus, he has set out to examine through the camera the Somali community in a new land as it negotiates and redefines the essence and boundaries of its identity.

Mumin is the recipient of the 2013 Mnartists.org/Mcknight Artist fellowship for Photography. His photographs have been featured online as well as in print. Also, his work has been profiled on TPT (Twin Cities Public Television) Minnesota Original, Minnesota Public Radio, KFAI Radio, Mogadishu Times as well as on AM950 Radio (Reflection of New Minnesotans).

Contributing Artist: Brian Wiley is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Brian’s work examines how design can play a role in community engagement and cultural acceptance through entrepreneurial innovation. Brian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Multimedia Design from the University of Oregon, and a Masters of Fine Arts in Visual Studies from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Recently, Brian has been working on a joint project with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Broken Hill, Australia which is investigating ways art and design can stabilize, support, and accelerate a rural, post-industrial economy.

Previously, he has been awarded a Design Ignites Change Idea Award, and his work has been featured in GOOD Magazine. He has presented his work at the Icograda International Design Research Lab in Melbourne, Australia; the STIR Conference in Columbus, Ohio; and the iCERi Conference in Madrid, Spain.

Thank You Farhiya Abdulkarim who has helped transcribe the interviews as well as with various administrative needs of the project. Hamdi Ahmed who has helped with transcribing the interviews. Ifrah Farah for all the help with the translations. Zuhur Ahmed, host of Somali Community Link at KFAI, who has helped facilitate and recommend subjects for the project. Mike Krause, film editor, for editing the video, and to Marshall Bolin for scoring the video. Rik Sferra for all the practical advice and technical know-how.

Jenna Myrland and the rest of the team at ARC for the amazing support. Thanks to Ka Joog for their support. Thanks to all the subjects for taking the time and energy to participate in the project. And finally, a special thanks to Abdi Roble and Tariq Tarey for the considerable help and wisdom, and for paving the way with their inspiring Somali Documentary Project.

DHALLINYARADA

Muddo saddex sano ka badan laga joogo, sawirqaade Mohamud Mumin ayaa ku daqaaqay mashruuc warbaahin lagu falanqaynayo nolosha dhallinyaro Soomaaliyeed oo tiradooda gaarayaan 13 kuna nool gobolka Minnesota.

Natiijada mashruucan oo dhaliyay cinwaanka sheekada “The Youth // Dhallinyarada” waxa uu shaaca ka qaadeyaa sida ay dhallinyaradaan wax tar uga geystaan dalkooda labaad ee Maraykanka.

Mowduucyada sawirradaan ayaa ka hadlaya halganka ay kula jiraan jiritaankooda iyo dadaalkooda ku saabsan sida ay ula qabsan lahaayeen una dhex gali lahaayeen jaaliyadooda, kuwaasoo had iyo jeer dareensan in marti ay ku yihiin gobalkaan Minnesota

THE YOUTH

Over three years ago, photographer Mohamud Mumin embarked on a project to profile 13 young Somali men living in Minnesota. The resulting body of work titled “The Youth//Dhallinyarada” highlights the contribution these men are making to America, their adopted homeland. The subjects of these photographs share the conflict they feel in just trying to be themselves, and how, as much as they try to adapt and engage in their community, they often feel foreign at home here in Minnesota.hh