Minneapolis, Minnesota – The Somali community around the world is in mourning following a devastating incident that took the lives of five young Somali women in Minneapolis. The victims, Sabiriin Ali, Sahra Gesaade, Salma Abdikadir, Sagal Hersi, and Siham Adam, were close friends in their college years and had gathered to celebrate a friend’s upcoming wedding. Their lives were tragically cut short on Friday night when a driver, believed to be impaired, ran a red light and collided with their vehicle at the intersection of Lake Street and 2nd Avenue.
The news of this horrific accident has left the global Somali community in deep sorrow and shock. Khalid Omar, director of Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, expressed the collective grief felt by the community, stating, “You have mothers who, 15 minutes before this accident took place, were talking to their daughters. And now this morning they had to wake up and be here without their daughters. There’s a lot of grievance, a lot of people are grieving, looking for hope, and everybody’s coming back to their faith traditions.”
The young women, described as pillars of their community, were shining stars of hope for the future. Sabiriin Ali, a recent graduate of Edina High School who had plans to attend the University of Minnesota in the fall, was also a caretaker at Dar Al Farooq. Sahra Gesaade, a 20-year-old student at the University of Minnesota Rochester, was known for her commitment to her faith and academics. Salma Abdikadir was a second-year student at Normandale Community College and a teacher at the mosque. Sagal Hersi was a student at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, and Siham Adam was studying at the University of Minnesota.
The devastating loss of these promising young lives has sparked an outpouring of support and unity within the Somali community worldwide. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. Yusra Yusuf, Sahra Gesaade’s resident advisor at the University of Minnesota Rochester, reflected on the profound impact Sahra had on her life, stating, “Now, I feel like she taught me one last lesson—to never forget that life is short.”
In response to this heartbreaking tragedy, Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center has initiated a LaunchGood campaign to raise funds in support of the grieving families. The mosque aims to provide financial assistance to alleviate the burden faced by the affected families during this difficult time.
Authorities have apprehended the male suspect, who fled the scene on foot, and he is currently undergoing evaluation at Hennepin County Medical Center. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara condemned the suspect’s reckless actions and confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the crash.
The global Somali community stands in solidarity with the families and friends of the victims, offering their prayers and support during this unimaginably difficult period. Plans are underway to hold a funeral for the young women, where community members will come together to mourn their untimely loss and celebrate their vibrant lives.
As the somber reality of their deaths sinks in, the Somali community continues to draw strength from their faith and find solace in each other. These young lives will forever be remembered as beacons of hope, reminding us all of the preciousness of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have with our loved ones.
