Transcript

[Sound element: singing, "Athan"] Dar Al-Hijrah in Cedar-Riverside is the oldest Somali masjid in Minnesota. Somali refugees prayed in masjids run by other Muslim communities, but soon created their own space near Riverside Plaza, the heart of the Somali community in Minneapolis. The masjid’s name translates to “Home of Migration”, reflecting both displacement and belonging. More than a house of worship, it links faith with civic education through the Islamic Civic Society of America. Leaders emphasize that Islam and democracy can work hand in hand, encouraging Somali Minnesotans to see themselves not just as refugees but as active American citizens. [Sound element: fire crackling] In 2014, a fire forced it to close temporarily. Services were held in nearby centers and churches until Dar Al-Hijrah reopened. Today, it remains a center of prayer, education, and civic life rooted in Cedar-Riverside. [Sound element: singing, "Athan"]