Sambusa Sunday

Why this is important

Somali communities are feeling threatened and have genuine fears of safety as the rhetoric of exclusion and threatening comments have sharply increased since last year's election and recent actions have heightened these feelings. There has been a significant increase in hate crimes against Muslims and other groups. It is important to create opportunities and spaces for people in diverse communities to come together to show support for each other and strengthen relationships long-term. People from different backgrounds and life experiences have not had opportunities to talk with and better understand each other. These Somali community gatherings offer a forum for conversations and relationship building that will lay the foundation for a stronger and more peaceful community.

The Background

Coalition of Somali American Leaders and Tayo Consulting Group under the leadership of Hamse Warfa, and Minneapolis Foundation, under the leadership of former Minneapolis Mayor and current CEO worked together to organize the first event which was a great success. It was founded to thank Minnesotans for their support in the days following the election of Donald Trump. The Somali and Muslim community wants to extend appreciation to Minnesotans who reinforce the oneness of Minnesota. Minneapolis Foundation as a funder/partner with the Somali community recognized the deep concern people in the Somali community have about the future and that they also have deep gratitude about the support Minnesotans have shown so far. The first Sambusa Sunday was successfully launched and implemented in Minneapolis, MN at Loring Park on the evening of November 13 with over two thousand people attending.

Since the first event, the organizers have been inundated with requests and enquiries to orgnanize more neighborhood events across Minnesota and beyond so the organizers have created this page to make it easy for you and your community to host your own Sambusa Sunday community gathering.