St. Louis Park Mayor Defends Trip to Somalia

Nadia Mohamed, the historic first Somali-American mayor of a U.S. city, has stood up against criticism regarding her trip to Somalia during the recent Independence Day weekend and the country’s 250th anniversary. The backlash arose following a report from Alpha News that mentioned the mayor had been repeatedly attacked online.

During the trip, which coincided with a federal holiday, Mohamed spent time with her family, including her grandmother, whom she hadn’t seen in a decade. This was noted in comments related to Montana Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s visit to Somalia, as she attended the celebration alongside President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. A video shared on social media showcased a vibrant welcome for Mohamed, featuring both American and Somali flags.

In response to her detractors, Mohamed posted a video where she sarcastically apologized for what she termed her “bold move” to visit her family. “I mean, how inconsiderate of me to take a vacation to see my grandmother after ten years?” she said, expressing frustration over being criticized for her absence from the city.

She added: “I even met the then president of Switzerland—yet no one seemed interested in that.” Mohamed emphasized her wish that reporters would focus on her experiences rather than what she viewed as unwarranted criticisms. The mayor remains in Somalia, describing the trip as personal, self-funded, and not connected to her mayoral responsibilities.

Currently, the city administration stated that Councilwoman Yolanda Farris is managing city duties in Mohamed’s absence, though no specific return date has been provided for the mayor.

Concluding her video, she referred to the criticisms as “bullying.” As she read through comments, she acknowledged that such reactions often stem from negative sentiments towards Somalis, asserting, “Whenever you mention Somalis, the clicks and views go up.”