Faith leaders from the Twin Cities' Somali-American community held a news conference Tuesday evening to urge people to help those affected by Saturday's terrorist bombing in Somalia.
Standing beside imams and community leaders at the Umatul Islam Center in Minneapolis, Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Minnesota, announced local fundraising efforts to help with humanitarian relief in Mogadishu.
"The community is still feeling the pain ... of this tragedy, but we are focused now on the next steps on how we can support those who are fighting for their lives and how can we support those who are affected," Hussein said. "And also console the family members who are here."
On Friday, local mosques will conduct a fundraising event, and a GoFundMe page will be set up for donations.
Hussein said funds will be donated to international relief organizations operating in Somalia.
"Funds will be gathered for the sole purpose to send humanitarian aid to Mogadishu," said Abdulwahid Osman, a Umatul board member. "We stand united today."
Karen Zamora • 612-673-4647
