Hussein Samatar, 1st Somali elected to Minnesota office dies

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Hussein Samatar, 1st Somali elected to Minnesota office, founder of African Development Center dies

 

This is a sad news. This pioneer who paved the way for many and gave so much to his community, died in Minneapolis.

 

 

May Allah grant him Jannah. Aamiin.

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Hussein Samatar, Somali-Minnesotan leader, dies at 45

Associated Press

POSTED: 08/26/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT | UPDATED: 55 MIN. AGO

 

MINNEAPOLIS -- Hussein Samatar, a Minneapolis school board member and the first Somali elected to public office in Minnesota, has died complications from leukemia. He was 45.

 

Samatar played a prominent role in the city's business and education communities. He was elected to the Minneapolis Board of Education in 2010, and he also founded the African Development Center, a nonprofit group that helps members of the African community start and sustain businesses.

 

Samatar, who died Sunday, first entered public office when Mayor R. T. Rybak appointed him to the Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees in 2006. Rybak remembered him as "an extraordinary leader" and real friend.

 

"I am heartsick about losing him, but I will look for solace in knowing how many people he helped," Rybak said in a statement.

 

During his tenure with the city school board, Samatar provided a strong voice for immigrant students and children of immigrant parents, said Stan Alleyne, a communications officer with Minneapolis Public Schools and a family spokesman. Samatar also co-chaired a referendum committee that won approval for the $60 million schools levy in 2008.

 

Samatar considered running for mayor this fall but dropped his plans when he was diagnosed in December with cancer of the blood and bone marrow. He died Sunday of complications from the disease, Alleyne said.

 

As a college student at Somalia's National University he planned to become an economist. But a civil war erupted four days after he graduated, and the bloodshed eventually claimed the lives of his sister, friends and classmates.

 

"It makes you who you are, if you go through that humbling experience," Samatar said in a 2010 interview with Minnesota Public Radio. "One day, you are on top of the world, and the other day, you are fleeing from shelling, killing and mayhem."

 

His colleagues at the African Development Center called him a courageous and dedicated public servant who will be missed by many.

 

"In all that he did, Hussein brought a level of energy, drive, and optimism that was the envy of many," the center said in a statement.

 

Samatar is survived by his wife Ubah and four children.

 

Funeral services were set for Monday at 1 p.m. at Burnsville Masjid.

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Hussein Samatar, a Somali-American political pioneer, dies

by Laura Yuen, Minnesota Public Radio

August 25, 2013

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minneapolis school board member Hussein Samatar, a civil-war refugee who went on to plant some of the first seeds of Somali-American politics, died Sunday of complications from leukemia. He was 45.

 

Samatar was the first Somali-American in Minnesota, and most likely the country, to be elected to public office when he won a seat on the school board in 2010. As a business leader, he founded the African Development Center in 2004, a nonprofit that helps African immigrants build wealth and start businesses.

 

The DFLer also aspired to run for mayor this fall, but a diagnosis last December of chronic lymphocytic leukemia -- a kind of cancer of the blood and bone marrow -- scuttled his campaign plans.

 

"The only race I need to win is my life," he told MPR News in March after announcing his illness.

 

Samatar's own path to success took a circuitous route. He completed his studies from Somalia's National University in 1991. But just four days after graduating, he had to shelve his dreams of being an economist because of a civil war that erupted in his homeland. The bloodshed eventually claimed the lives of his sister, friends and classmates.

 

"It makes you who you are, if you go through that humbling experience," Samatar said in an interview in 2010. "One day, you are on top of the world, and the other day, you are fleeing from shelling, killing and mayhem."

 

As part of the first wave of Somali refugees in Minnesota, he learned English with the help of a Minneapolis librarian. Eventually, he earned his Master's in business administration from the University of St. Thomas.

 

His colleagues at the African Development Center were among the throngs who offered condolences Sunday to Samatar's family. The nonprofit's communications and fund development director, Matt Holm, said Samatar brought a "high level of energy, drive and optimism to everything he did."

 

But one of his greatest legacies, Holm said, was Samatar's dedication to helping educate and train African immigrants throughout Minnesota on how to be economically prosperous. "That was his vision and what seemed to drive him throughout."

 

Samatar seemed to be doing well after a bone marrow transplant in May, Holm said. Friends of the family say Samatar was re-admitted to the hospital in early August due to a lung infection and was put into a medically induced coma.

 

Officials with Minneapolis Public Schools praised Samatar for providing a strong voice for students, particularly those from immigrant families. Samatar helped chair a referendum committee that secured a $60 million schools levy in 2008.

 

"Hussein was a passionate leader, a committed public servant, a dedicated collaborator and a valued friend," said superintendent Bernadeia Johnson.

 

Mayor R.T. Rybak, who appointed Samatar to the Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees in 2006, called Samatar an "extraordinary leader."

 

"I am heartsick about losing him, but I will look for solace in knowing how many people he helped," he said in a statement.

 

Samatar is survived by his wife, Ubah, and four children. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at the Burnsville Masjid, 1351 Riverwood Drive in Burnsville. All are welcome to attend.

[raula]

I heard of this last night. Ina lillaahi waina ileyhi rajicuun. May Allah grant him Janna & may his family have the strength to go on-InshaAllah Amin.

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Thousands of Somalis have benefitted from his projects.

 

 

http://www.adcminnesota.org/

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

 

Minneapolis (RBC News) One of the well-known and very important Somali American Leader passed away this Sunday evening surrounded by family and friends in Minneapolis.

 

Hussein Samatar in 2010 became the first Somali immigrant to be elected to public office in Minnesota.

Also Hussein Samatar was the Founder and Executive Director of the African Development Center (ADC), an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization that works within the African communities in Minnesota.

 

raxanreeb.com

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

"It makes you who you are, if you go through that humbling experience," ... "One day, you are on top of the world, and the other day, you are fleeing" - Hussein Samatar

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Samatar, 1st Somali Elected to Minn. Office, Dies

 

Hussein Samatar

Photo: Minneapolis Public Schools

 

Hussein Samatar, a Minneapolis school board member who became the first Somali elected to public office in Minnesota, has died at the age of 45 of complications from leukemia.

 

Samatar was elected to the Minneapolis Board of Education in 2010. He also founded the African Development Center, a nonprofit group that helps members of the African community start and sustain businesses.

 

He first entered public office when Mayor R. T. Rybak appointed him to the Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees in 2006. Rybak remembers him as "an extraordinary leader."

 

Samatar graduated from Somalia's National University in 1991, but four days later a civil war erupted that claimed the lives of his sister and friends.

 

Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at Burnsville Masjid.

 

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

 

http://kstp.com/article/stories/s3139894.shtml

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

[YoniZ]

Libaax-Sankataabte;974980 wrote:

"It makes you who you are, if you go through that humbling experience," ... "One day, you are on top of the world, and the other day, you are fleeing" - Hussein Samatar

Marxuumka summed up so well. Allaha u naxariisto, elehelkiisana samir iyo iimaan.

[Alpha Blondy]

Ina lillaahi waina ileyhi rajicuun. AUN. i was an avid follower of this guy. AUN.

[STOIC]

Inalilah Wainailahi rajicun.. May Allah grant the best comfort possible for his family at this time.One thing I remember about the brother was a very special debate he had with Professor Samatar on MPR. He carried himself with dignity and look out for his community!

[Libaax-Sankataabte]

Hussein Samatar, civil-war refugee and 1st Somali elected to Minn. public office, dies at 45

 

MINNEAPOLIS — Hussein Samatar, a Minneapolis school board member who became the first Somali elected to public office in Minnesota, has died at the age of 45 of complications from leukemia.

 

Samatar was elected to the Minneapolis Board of Education in 2010. He also founded the African Development Center, a nonprofit group that helps members of the African community start and sustain businesses.

 

He first entered public office when Mayor R. T. Rybak appointed him to the Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees in 2006. Rybak remembers him as "an extraordinary leader."

 

Samatar graduated from Somalia's National University in 1991, but four days later a civil war erupted that claimed the lives of his sister and friends.

 

Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at Burnsville Masjid.

 

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/47221ab267704f80b347d06ed133b6ec/MN--Obit-Hussein-Samatar

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Mayor of Minneapolis pays tribute

 

"I am completely heartsick to learn that Hussein Samatar has died. He was a true friend, a tremendous partner and remarkable inspiration. This is a crushing loss for Minneapolis, and I have to say, personally. The only balm I can think of is that he lifted so many other people who can carry on his work. My very best to his wonderful wife Uba and her family."

 

 

[Tallaabo]

Alle ha u naxariisto marxuumka, ehelkiisana samir iyo iimaan ha ka siiyo. Amiin.