By Ikram Jama

Four Somali women received one of the highest honors the city of Ottawa bestows on its citizens – The Key to the city of Ottawa . The event was hosted by the Mayor of Ottawa – Bob Chiarelli at a luncheon in City Hall on Wednesday February 23 rd , 2005. The four women, Saida Nuh, Sahra Habbane, Shuun Omar and Shukri D'Jama are community workers and activists who made immense contributions to the settlement and development of not only the Somali Community in Ottawa but also to other refugees and immigrants. Their work is a symbol of the struggles and perseverance of the Somali community in Ottawa . Since their arrival in the late 1980's, the Somali Canadian community in Ottawa has faced many challenges and struggles that often seemed insurmountable. Today, we see a community that is vibrant and determined to not only survive but thrive in Ottawa . Fifteen years later, we still have many challenges ahead, and struggles yet to be won.

Fadlan halkaan ka dhageyso warbixin uu xafladaas ka soo diryaariyey Wariyey Cabulqaadir Guleed oo Hiiraan Online uga soo warama Magaaladan Ottawa.

Shukri D'Jama is the founder and Director of the Ottawa Somali Women's Organization who actively works with families, single mothers, youth and elders in the community. Ms. D'Jama has assisted in the school system to provide support and interpretation to students and their parents. She has been an active volunteer for more than 10 years, with such organizations as Better Futures Better Beginnings, South East Ottawa, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, Somaliland Newcomers, Canadian African Women's Organization and the Horn of African Women's Association.

Sahra Habbane is a dedicated Project Manager/Multicultural Outreach Worker with the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health and Resource Centre. She has played an important outreach role to many different minority groups in the west-end of the city by identifying their needs and developing programs. Ms. Habbane was instrumental in the development of a women's group and has contributed to local research that has been done on immigrant women in Ottawa. She has assisted in identifying the needs of immigrant fathers, which has lead to the creation of the Somali Fathers of Ottawa Association.

Saadia Nuh is a Multicultural Liaison Officer with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, providing assistance to students, parents and teachers in several Ottawa schools. For the past nine years, Ms. Nuh has repeatedly received glowing references from principals, teachers and parents for her invaluable contribution. In 1997, she co-founded the Somali Centre for Youth, Women and Community Development and served two consecutive four-year terms as Vice-President. Ms. Nuh also participated in the creation of SOM-CAN, an international research and development organization that aspires to keep Somalia alive in the minds of the international community.

Shoon Omar works as a Community Developer, Multicultural Front-line Worker at the Lowertown Community Resource Centre and volunteers on a regular basis with various community groups. She is one of the original members of the Community Police Action Committee (COMPAC) and an important contributor to the building of a strong relationship between the Somali community and the Ottawa Police. She is also an invaluable member of the Mayor's Task Force - Somali Youth Initiative.

While the Somali community in Ottawa has built a tradition of collaboration and pulling together in times of need, we now need to reach out to other communities who are part of our larger community. The challenges we face are not often unique to us and we have to reject to be ghettoized in any way. There is nothing called “the Somali problem”. The challenges we face and the problems we encounter in Ottawa have nothing to do with our Somaliness. We have economic and social problems that affect many non-Somalis in our city. We must create strong partnerships with new and old communities and organize with others to fight poverty, racism and all injustices. It is not only in our best interest but also our responsibility as citizens of this city to make sure that our politicians and institutions are accountable to us – the people. We have to strive to build a city that serves its entire population equally.

Conguratulations to Sahra Habane, Sadia Nuh, Shoon Omar and Shukri D'Jama .

Ikram Jama
Ottawa , Canada
E-mail: ikramjama@yahoo.com