Soccer or, as the rest of the world calls it, football, can bring us together as Americans. The World Cup has proved this. If you watched this year’s U.S. performance in Qatar you must have felt proud of your country, the flag and the national anthem. The one sport that I understand well is soccer. […]
Through My Lens
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: A happy ending to 2022 for Maine’s immigrants
A Somali proverb goes, “Be a mountain or lean on one.” This is what was ringing in my mind as text messages came in after the midterm elections. People felt inspired and both those we have elected and those of us who elected feel proud and partnered in the joys and hopes of others. No […]
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Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: More bombs in Mogadishu, more resilience
My least favorite words in the Somali language are “deg deg.” They mean “breaking news.” Anytime I see this, I worry for my family and old friends. The words made their way to me Oct. 29, another dark day for the people of Mogadishu as twin bombings killed over 100, including a friend. I called […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Connect immigrants to northern Maine and solve problems
Attracting more refugees to small towns in Maine can be the answer to addressing the labor shortage and shrinking population in the northern part of the state. It is possible. At the moment I don’t see this conversation happening on the platforms Maine immigrants use, but we need to start talking now about connecting Maine’s […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Sweet nostalgia and fundamental changes
“It is a Nikah!” I heard someone say this during my visit to the local Somali halal market in Portland. The word “Nikah” hit me hard, as if I was back 10 years. The word is Arabic and means a “marriage contract” between two people. In Somalia, the word carries a lot more meaning and […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: All in Maine, including immigrants, should take in fall splendor
In a few weeks the cooler temperatures of fall will start rolling in and I am itching for outdoor firepits and chilly nights, sipping hot chocolate and eating s’mores. Such an American thing, you say? In fact, during the rare rainy seasons in Somalia, we celebrated the start of rain by breaking out jackets and […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Horn of Africa diaspora needs to address drought
I sit in a cabin in the woods of Maine in Deer Isle as I work on this column. Looking through the window I am greeted by spruce trees, moss and granite ledge. After some rain fell in Maine over the past week it looks like the trees are as happy as they could ever […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Thankful to be eight years a Mainer
I woke up on Aug. 11 to celebrate my eighth anniversary of leaving refugee life in Kenya and moving to Maine. Sometimes I find it hard to believe this much time has gone by since I departed Kenya carrying only a refugee document and a U.S. visa printed on a piece of paper. I remember […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Young Africans need help navigating dangerous waters
The African community is mourning the death of a friend, Pedro Matala, a brilliant young man from Angola, after he fell into the Presumpscot River in Falmouth in late July. We lost another brilliant young immigrant, Isha Ali from Lewiston, last summer after he drowned in the Androscoggin River. The death of these young immigrants […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Yarmouth Clam Festival reflects the way life should be
I wished every New Mainer was with me to watch as Maine’s best were displayed in the parade during the afternoon of July 15 at the Yarmouth Clam Festival. I had my lawn chair out on West Elm Street across the now-closed Andy’s Handy Store. This is the area where I run at least a […]