This is probably the saddest post I have written and it has been a difficult couple of years for our community in Minnesota. As we all heard by now, our beloved Somali education advocate Abdirahman Adem passed away last weekend. I have been crying ever since I heard. I just can’t even imagine Minneapolis schools without Abdirahman.
I first met Abdirahman in one of their monthly meetings for Somali families in Minneapolis school district they would hold at Confederation Somali Community of Minnesota office inside Brian Coyle Center. This was years ago and Abdirahman from that day on has been in our corner. He would help every Somali autism parent regardless of which school district their child went to – as far away as Duluth or as close as St. Paul school district. He was always eager and helpful with all things education. Abdirahman was behind so many education workshops by MDE (Minn Dept of Education) Mpls school district, St. Paul school district and many more to support and educate Somali autism families.
Abdirahman was so knowledgeable about Somalis & our culture, yet so humble and always found a way to make every parent feel welcomed, respected and validated.
In his funeral, I saw parents that he helped years ago to parents he just helped couple of weeks ago. That shows how much he valued Somali parents and their needs. He always took our side over school administrators and teachers. I remember he would always say parents are our customers and we aim to please them. They are right and know their children best. He would say that to everyone – school board members to superintendents to the school principals to whoever.
My heart aches and my head hurts because without Abdirahman – nothing in Minneapolis school district will be the same. He loved education and cared for our families and their children. He was a member of every autism committee we asked, went to every autism meeting with me that I asked and defended all Somali autism families with no hesitation and no reservation against anyone.
Abdirahman has never said no to me for anything relating to autism even if he could not do it, he would get someone else to do whatever I was asking. I am heartbroken and saddened by his passing. I can’t think of anyone like Abdirahman in our community now who will defend and stand by Somali autism families. There really just isn’t anyone else with the same understanding, caring and compassionate yet so approachable. I am grateful and lucky to have known Abdirahman and will always remember and appreciate his support for Somali autism children and parents in Minnesota. He was a confidant and an adviser to me for so many years, I remember when I was invited to the White House in 2011 – Abdirahman and Hussein Samatar (who also passed away last year) were the first people I called to tell them my surreal experience.
I miss both of them more than words can ever express and I truly feel empty without their consistent advice and support. They kept me grounded yet appreciated. They would always tell me if I were right or wrong about any issue in a way that made perfect sense.
I pray for Abdirahman’s family and friends and I pray he rests in peace. (Ilaahay ha u naxariisto Abdirahman, anagana samir iyo iimaan ha inaga siiyo – AAMIIN).
Idil