On his first official visit outside the Washington, DC area, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the United States, Dahir Hassan, was warmly received by the Somali community in Columbus, Ohio. The visit, which took place from October 18-20, 2024, marked a significant occasion for the Ambassador, who was accompanied by a delegation from the Somali Embassy. The trip came a month after Ambassador Dahir presented his credentials to U.S. President Joe Biden on September 18, 2024.
The delegation was welcomed by Representative Ismail Mohamed, alongside the leadership of the Talowadaag Community Center led by its Executive Director, Abdishakur Mohamed, who played a central role in hosting the Ambassador’s visit.
The Ambassador’s trip was part of his participation in the 4th Annual North American Somali Elected Officials Conference. During his stay, Ambassador Dahir engaged with a wide range of Somali diaspora members, including business leaders, community representatives, and religious figures, fostering connections and discussing collaborative efforts for the future.
A key highlight of the visit was on the morning of October 19, when the Ambassador held a private meeting with 20 Somali elected officials from the United States and Canada. Ambassador Dahir provided an update on the current developments in Somalia and emphasized the important role these officials can play in strengthening ties between Somalia and the United States. He underscored how their unique positions as elected leaders of Somali heritage put them in a pivotal position to act as bridges between the two nations.
In a separate meeting, Ambassador Dahir met with Mr. Abdihakim Abdirahman Sidali, Chairperson of the Somali Bantu Community in North America. The Ambassador expressed his commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Somali Bantu community, particularly in addressing key priorities important to their members both in the diaspora and back home in Somalia.
Ambassador Dahir and his delegation also toured the Talowadaag Community Center to witness firsthand the dedication and volunteer efforts led by the Somali community in Ohio. He commended their selfless work and contributions, especially in supporting vital initiatives to assist the Somali people back home.
Ambassador Dahir’s visit to Ohio was a positive and fruitful experience. It reinforced the strong relationship between Somalia and its diaspora, particularly through the vital engagement of community leaders and elected officials.
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