Somali Community Engagement and School Closing

On June 14,2015, the Sunday school of Quincy, MA held the school’s closing ceremony at the Islamic center for New England (ICNE). A number of Somali community leaders, religious leaders, State Law Enforcement leaders, friends, and family participated at the ceremony. The State Law Enforcement leaders were US Attorney, Carmen Ortiz, and Special Agent in charge of Boston, Vincent B. Lisi.

The Somali community leaders who participated were Maryan Gas, Abdullahi Gurhan, Hussein Dayib and Abdi Ibrahim (locally elected). The main focus of the meeting beside the school’s closing was to promote a dialogue between the youth and law enforcement departments through a Community Engagement program. Both State officials talked in length about the good relationship between the law enforcement and all the communities, particularly the Somali community in Boston. The two leaders explained to the community and youth the main task of their respective department in terms of public safety. In conclusion, the law enforcement officials and the community leaders acknowledged the need to work together to foster and improve the good working relationship between them, especially to develop a united front against religion extremism and terrorist.