Somali Talaban President continues tour of U.S. in Ohio

Columbus, Ohio (AP) — Adjusting to life in the United States is a work in progress for the country's second-largest population of Somali immigrants, who welcomed Somalia's president for a two-day visit beginning Tuesday. President Sheik Sherif Sheik Ahmed met Ohio lawmakers including Gov. Ted Strickland and visited with Somali community members in the afternoon. He attended a large community forum in the evening. Ahmed said in brief remarks at the afternoon reception that Somalis are peace-loving but their country is threatened by "the ideology of international terrorists." Ahmed was elected by Somalia's parliament in January, but his government has little control. A group called al-Shabab, which the U.S. says has ties to al-Qaida, has taken over most of Somalia and boosted its numbers with foreign fighters. "Extremist ideas are contrary to the teachings of the Islamic religion and the culture of the Somali people," Ahmed said through an interpreter, "and we as a Somali people cannot allow for these extreme ideologies to take over our country." He said the United States and Somalis living in the U.S. can help his country by delivering humanitarian aid to it and reconstructing it. Columbus abounds with success stories of Somalis opening businesses, achieving in school and going to college. More than 220 Somalis now attend Ohio State University, including 26 who have declared themselves premed majors, and more than 150 are taking classes at Columbus State Community College. But community leaders say hurdles remain, including a language barrier that's difficult to overcome and concerns that some teens are getting caught up in crime and gangs. ..more..http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/07/somali-president-continues-tour-of-us-in-ohio/?refid=0