COMMUNITY | CULTURE | OPPORTUNITY | VOICES
THANK YOU FOR STANDING FOR US
Inside 5
Real Come Back. Thank You Trump and Habibi J.D.
6
The First Farah Who Received PhD on Global Public Health
7
A New Dawn for America. Moving Forward
8
A NIGHT OF INSPIRATION: Inspire Change Clinic Celebrates the 1st Anniversary of Care & Community
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Shaak & Sheeko: Warmth of Somalia
10
Celebrating Runta News’ 30th Anniversary in Seattle & USA
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Qiimaha Qaadka ugu Fadhiyo Bulshada
14
Person of the Year
Oregon Is My Home. Somalia Is Part of Who I Am Calling Oregon “home” is both complicated & comforting.
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Oregon Is My Home. Somalia Is Part of Who I Am Calling Oregon “home” is both complicated & comforting.
Portland area about his We have built our lives here. family’s experience of the We are proud Oregonians. Yet that pride exists alongside flood and my family’s experience of Somalia’s civil the steady experience of war. The places, hearing my birthplace and circumstances and eras were fellow Somali Americans different. But we recognized disparaged. Nobody chooses something in each other’s where they are born. But if I stories: the loss of a home, the could choose my birthplace determination to rebuild and today, I would still choose the responsibility to carry a Somalia. That may surprise people who family forward. I have felt similar connections know the country primarily in conversations with Haitians, through headlines about war Palestinians, Rwandans, and instability. My memories also hold joy: family, hospitality, people from Myanmar and Americans displaced by By Ismail Warsame laughter and a community in which people looked after one Hurricane Katrina. Each story deserves to be understood on another. s a Somali-born, naturalized American citizen, I often hear its own terms. Each also offers Somalis could be wonderfully people like me discussed as a political issue rather than as a blunt. If you were slacking, neighbors. Our identities become subjects of media someone told you. If you were chance to recognize another commentary, public suspicion and arguments about who person’s hopes and persistently grumpy, it might belongs. Behind those debates are families who have worked become your nickname. Adults humanity. hard to build a home. who saw children misbehaving That is what I ask of my fellow Anyone whose family has crossed an international border to Oregonians: get to know the felt responsible for correcting start over knows something about that work: learning a people behind the labels. them, and parents usually language, navigating unfamiliar laws, finding employment and reinforced the lesson at home. Judge us by our actions, our rebuilding a sense of belonging. contributions and how we Almost three decades ago, my family arrived in Portland, Maine, We called adults “uncle” or treat our neighbors. Leave “aunt,” whether we were with a few suitcases and plenty of hope. We faced a new room for the histories and related or not. Addressing an country, a new culture and weather unlike anything we had aspirations we bring with us. elder by a first name was known. Over time, we learned English, earned academic considered disrespectful. Even Somalia is where my story credentials and entered the American workforce. This country today, I sometimes pause over began. Oregon is where my became our home. Sixteen years ago, I moved to Oregon as a how to address someone older wife and I raised our children recent university graduate to work at Oregon State University. I and built our lives. Both spent a dozen years advising students and helping the university than me. belong to the story of who I Those habits reveal how meet the government requirements for hosting international am. Calling Oregon home is deeply our upbringing stays students and scholars. with us. Cultural values do not comforting because of the life My work also involved responsibilities that reached beyond we have made here. It campus. I served on the university’s infectious disease response disappear when we cross a becomes complicated when team, helping develop screening protocols related to Ebola, Zika border. An airplane ride does belonging seems to require and MERS. I worked with local, state and federal law enforcement not erase the person who explaining, again and again, boards it. Carrying those to help keep students safe while advocating for respectful why our origins do not experiences has helped me treatment and due process. diminish our commitment to connect with people in Oregon has been good to my family. My wife, pregnant with our this place. Oregon. It has taught me to first child, joined me a month after I arrived. Both of our children Ismail Warsame, M.Ed., PMP is adapt, persevere and were born here. Today, they are teenagers, and both have the Founding Director of become state champions, our son in freestyle wrestling and our recognize something familiar daughter on beam at the state gymnastics meet. Both have also in lives that may initially seem Global Insights Collective. He is also an activist, avid very different from mine. represented Oregon beyond its borders, our son at national When I learned about Vanport, advocate, and a regular wrestling tournaments and our daughter at a regional contributor to Runta News. He that connection became gymnastics’ championship. lives with his lovely family in especially clear. Oregon State, Northwest of I remember speaking with a Website: https://globalinsightscollective.com/ the United States of America. Black Oregonian from the
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WWW.RUNTANEWS.COM We have built our lives here. We are proud Oregonians. Yet that pride exists alongside the steady experience of hearing my birthplace and fellow Somali Americans disparaged. Nobody chooses where they are born. But if I could choose my birthplace today, I would still choose Somalia. That may surprise people who know the country primarily through headlines about war and instability. My memories also hold joy: family, hospitality, laughter and a community in which people looked after one another. Somalis could be wonderfully blunt. If you were slacking, someone told you. If you were persistently grumpy, it might become your nickname. Adults who saw children misbehaving felt responsible for correcting them, and parents usually reinforced the lesson at home. We called adults “uncle” or “aunt,” whether we were related or not. Addressing an elder by a first name was considered disrespectful. Even today, I sometimes pause over how to address someone older than me. Those habits reveal how deeply our upbringing stays with us. Cultural values do not disappear when we cross a border. An airplane ride does not erase the person who boards it. Carrying those experiences has helped me connect with people in Oregon. It has taught me to adapt, persevere and recognize something familiar in lives that may initially seem very different from mine. When I learned about Vanport, that connection became especially clear. I remember speaking with a Black Oregonian from the
Portland area about his family’s experience of the flood and my family’s experience of Somalia’s civil war. The places, circumstances and eras were different. But we recognized something in each other’s stories: the loss of a home, the determination to rebuild and the responsibility to carry a family forward. I have felt similar connections in conversations with Haitians, Palestinians, Rwandans, people from Myanmar and Americans displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Each story deserves to be understood on its own terms. Each also offers a chance to recognize another person’s hopes and humanity. That is what I ask of my fellow Oregonians: get to know the people behind the labels. Judge us by our actions, our contributions and how we treat our neighbors. Leave room for the histories and aspirations we bring with us. Somalia is where my story began. Oregon is where my wife and I raised our children and built our lives. Both belong to the story of who I am. Calling Oregon home is comforting because of the life we have made here. It becomes complicated when belonging seems to require explaining, again and again, why our origins do not diminish our commitment to this place. Ismail Warsame, M.Ed., PMP is the Founding Director of Global Insights Collective. He is also an activist, avid advocate, and a regular contributor to Runta News. He lives with his lovely family in Oregon State, Northwest of the United States of America.
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Diversity in Contracting
HAMDI MOHAMED IS PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSIONER Diversity in Contracting Program works to level the playing field for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses who are impacted by disparities that have been institutionalized in Port practices and policies. Diversity in Contracting is committed to achieving the following goals by the end of 2029:
Increase the amount of spend on WMBE contracts to 16% Increase the number of WMBE firms doing business with the Port to 500 Learn about Diversity in Contracting Diversity in Contracting Diversity in Contracting | Port of Seattle
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Real Come Back. Thank You Trump and Habibi J.D.
In Columbus, Ohio, State Reps. Ismail Mohamed and Munira Abdullahi, the first Somali Americans ever to serve in that state's legislature, both won new terms by wide margins. Representation is not the finish line. These leaders now must deliver on housing, on healthcare, and on protecting the people who sent them there.
The photo: from top left Abdi Daisane a newcomer, to Munira Abdullahi, Ismail Mohamed, and Zaynab Mohamed who retained their seats in both Minnesota and Ohio. By Amanda Richer for Runta News-Seattle, Washington Voters across this country did something many of us had been afraid to hope for, and for Somali Americans, Tuesday night belonged to them. In St. Cloud, Minnesota, Abdi Daisane made history as the area's first Somali American state lawmaker. A small business owner who came here more than 15 years ago, he lost this same race in 2024. This time he came back and flipped a Republican seat. In the Twin Cities, State Reps. Mohamud Noor of Minneapolis and Samakab Hussein of St. Paul return to the Capitol, both unopposed. Somali-born State Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, who came here at age nine, was re-elected in south Minneapolis with nearly 88 percent of the vote.
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The First Farah Who Received PhD on Global Public Health Hambalyo and many congratulations to Dr.
The photo: Farah with his daughter, and his colleague, Katherine, appears in the back
“
Saturday on June 13, dozens of Somali community members, friends, families, and colleagues celebrated with Farah Bille Mohamed who achieved his
long-time dream of becoming a doctor on global public health. Among those who attended the celebration at Farah’s house in Auburn, Washington was
Katherine who prepared this Op-ed and shared it on her Facebook page soon after the party was over. She
gave us permission to republish. She starts her Op-ed with the Somali word (Hambalyo) which means Congratulations.
By Katherine Louise
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Farah Bille Mohamed, who earned a doctorate in Global Health Leadership and Practice today. Farah and I met as MPH students at UW’s Global Health department. There we discussed the problems in global health, where Farah’s experience as a refugee and aid worker helped others understand the complexities and the industry of global health, setting him apart from other students. Farah also completed an MSW (‼), and worked FT, during our MPH. At graduation, he won our department’s exceptional student award. It was because of his hard work, and how he applied his extensive experience, but his analysis was spot on as well, and he always offered to share with us fellow students and bring us up to speed! In 2020, he brought me into his newly formed global health consultancy, Bille Consulting, LLC. We managed translation and transcreation for universities and agencies in Seattle, and helped ensure local research projects unfolded ethically across immigrant communities. Consultants on the side, we both worked full time jobs, he at King County Public Heath and I at the state. When he said he needed to scale back the consulting work to pursue his PhD, I was thrilled for him. Not only was Farah was perfectly poised for this program, already being a global health leader, he has also now proven he had what all rigorous programs need: drive, vision AND discipline. Farah, we will always celebrate your extensive experience and how far you’ve come, but at this juncture we celebrate your ability to translate academic scholarship into real world impact and connect with communities on a deeper level – which we deeply need. Farah, congratulations on completing one of the world’s most rigorous PhD programs at a top school. It has no doubt refined your skills and expanded your network. Since you already had the heart, and the drive, your programs will be better and your impact deeper. Now more than ever, you are ready for the world stage. Please make your way there swiftly!! Please Follow us on
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A New Dawn for America. Moving Forward “Hope” is the thing with feathers, Emily Dickenson said almost a century and half ago to compare hope to a resilient, wordless bird that perches in the human soul. Donald Trump would not be able to drag down the nation as he did to his own “republican” party. He is the real “RINO” Republican in Name Only. America has been in a tumultuous situation in the past, and each time it has emerged from it victoriously. The election of Abdul El Sayed is proof of that. He is the first ever Muslim US Senator elected who will soon join the Congress with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
By Mohamud Yussuf, Chief Editor of Runta News
who trump administration mocked her appearance and
On Tuesday November 3rd marked a historical shift of the American Political Landscape.
immigration status. Of course,
The American people rejected prejudice based on ethnicity, faith, and gender. They have
Abdul has better chances as he
loudly said, “we all belong to America”.
was born in great state of Michigan. Despite his strange
The Republican party led by Donald Trump finally fallen from grace. Instead of improving the lives of the Americans, they chose to enrich themselves at the cost of low income and working class. They caused economic hardships mainly because of unnecessary war they waged on Iran, and tariffs on allies including our friendly neighbor, Canada.
sounding name, he can run for president in 2028 as Obama did during his first term in the Senate in 2008. Never lose hope on this Great Nation.
The Democratic Party, which was in disarray and leaderless, now found itself in control of both
chambers with supper majority. Trump promised to rule with veto power, but that may quicken the
process of his impeachment which is now off the table for Democratic leaders.
The night of the elections when it was clear the
direction of the results, the Chief Editor of Runta News, Mohamud Yussuf, posted on his Facebook page
“America is back. Good sleep tonight”. It is a matter of time when the American people reclaim their power
to lead the country to the right and prosperous path.
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A NIGHT OF INSPIRATION:
Inspire Change Clinic Celebrates the 1st Anniversary of Care & Community Recently, Inspire Change Clinic’s first-anniversary celebration brought together stories of compassion, sacrifice and achievement. The occasion recognized Munira’s work connecting culturally responsive healthcare with education and community support—a vision that gives young people opportunities to learn and see what they might become. LOVE INTO PURPOSE Their paths are different, but their examples matter. For Somali students, seeing women from their community build, serve and lead can make a dream feel possible. Runta shares these stories to encourage young people to pursue their education, seek guidance and use what they learn to help others. KEEP LEARNING. BUILD A LEGACY. Help someone else rise. Keep learning. Build a legacy. Help someone else rise. Dr. Jamila shared how wanting to understand her mother’s illness inspired her to become a doctor. Her account of her mother receiving kidney dialysis and her brother donating a kidney revealed the family love behind her journey. LEADERSHIP IN ACTION Senator Zaynab Mohamed’s work on driver’s license access and renters’ protections offers another example of Somali American women turning a commitment to others into action. Inspire Change Clinic’s primary care is for your whole family, from newborns to seniors. Visit us in person, by phone, or by video. We accept most insurance and offer Somali and Spanish interpreters, with same-week visits available. For more information, please visit Inspire Change Clinic.Org
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From the left Dr. Munira Maalimisaq, Amina Amir, and Dr. Jamila By Amina Amir-Minneapolis, MN Amina Amir is a writer, poet, and compassionate community advocate is a regular contributor to Runta News. She is based in Minnesota and closely follows the activities and progress of the Somali community in her state.
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Shaak & Sheeko: Warmth of Somalia
Shaah & Sheeko (Tea & Talk) has been popular theme among the Somali people when they had important things to discuss before it found a physical location or a home for the first time in Seattle area. Ahlaam with the help of her father, Abdiaziz Nur Malaay established this location so the community can have a place where they can gather and speak in their own language without prejudice. The Cafe provides cultural foods such as chai, samosas, gyro, Somali biryani and more. Shaah & Sheeko Cafe which is perfect space for meetings is located Renton, Washington. More details or what is on the menu, please visit https://share.google/WAKWtbNs3sYKG6Kv1 or simply Google Shaah & Sheeko Cafe From left Fathia Samira, Ahlaam, and Mulki +1 206-920-0220
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Celebrating Runta News’ 30th Anniversary in Seattle & USA
By Mohamud Yussuf, Chief Editor of Runta News
Arriving in Seattle on Snowy Night
As they say, “Time flies fast’”, we are celebrating this month, November, the 30th Anniversary since we arrived in Seattle on November 21, 1996. It was beautiful evening, and the ground was covered with fresh and pristine early snow which was an unusual and a surprise welcome. Soon after we arrived at our new resident, we did not stay indoors. The boys and I went out to walk on the snow, picked some with our bare hands to check how soft and cold it was, and finally put in our mouths to taste or probably quench our thirst.
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Born as a Refugee
Runta News was born in Nairobi1994, just a year before our current Managing Editor, Mulki Mohamed Yussuf, was also born. Life in Nairobi with Runta was very good. The experience I accumulated during my work at the only major daily newspaper in Somalia, Xiddigta Oktoobar, in mid-80’s has become handy when it was needed most as I refugee in Kenya.
Getting Attentions
I suddenly found myself surrounded by media legends who worked at major news agencies such as BBC, Reuters, AP, and AFP who saw us as a trusted news source and collaborated with us. It
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was not good time for the region. Rwanda Genocide was happening, and I witnessed all those major news outlets gathering at BBC’s main office in Nairobi. It was sad to see another civil war was brewing in another African country after suffering a similar situation in my own country just three years before in 1991. We also got the attention of the American Embassy and its Library of Congress, European Union Office for Somalia, Egypt and Saudi Arabia Embassies, and the largest Somali Diaspora who live in Kenya. It was unforgettable beautiful time. Please Follow us on
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OUR MOTTO
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We have always resisted intimidation and biasness toward certain groups even though it was
the height of the civil war and every Somali was scarred by it. It wasn’t that we tried hard to be
fair, but it was in our DNA. We won the trust of all our people except some haters who can never be convinced no matter how hard you try to please them.
We were so happy to see in Seattle some of our admirers who knew us in Nairobi reciting from
the heart our poetically sounding motto “Dhis Kartidaada. Dhis Aqoontaada. Dhis Niyaddaada. Akhri Runta. Runta waa Tan Kaliya ee ku Qancisa” which in English translates to “Build Your
Ability. Build Your Knowledge. Build Your Moral. Read Runta. Runta (the Truth) is the only One that Satisfies you.
Keeping the Community Together We have always built and kept community together wherever we were. We advocate for our people with courage and integrity. We have always fought fiercely against
injustices and stood by those whose voices
sunk. Today, we can proudly walk among all without feeling fear, guilt, or shame because of past misconducts.
We All Belong
We are proudly sharing this celebration
with all who support us whether they are family or community members, or/and agencies that entrusted us with their
brands by financially sponsoring us or
advertising in our media outlet. After 30 years of service, today Runta is popular
news outlet in Seattle area and beyond.
Our coverage goes beyond Somalis, and we call ourselves “The NW
Somali/African/Muslim Community
Media”. We focus on issues that matter to all those communities such as housing,
jobs, education, skills, and other social and economics topics so they can be good partners with the main-stream society.
Becoming Mayor & President Somalis in Seattle are visible in everywhere: workplaces, schools, universities, businesses, and even in politics. For example, Mohamed Egal, a Somali American is the current Mayor of City of SeaTac in which the airport we landed 30 years ago is located. Also, Hamdi Mohamed, another Somali American, has served as the president of Port of Seattle Commissioners who manage the SeaTac International Airport. 30 years is small amount of time compared to how our community quickly adopted to the American mainstream culture. Their achievement is monumental, and their contribution is exponential. The Evergreen State is lucky to have them, and we are happy to belong to one of the topmost 5 beautiful cities in the World, Seattle, Washington.
Mohamud Yussuf is the Founder & Chief Editor of Runta News Media. He has lived with his family in Seattle since November 1996. He refused many calls to abandon his growing community in Washington State and move to Minnesota where so many well-educated Somalis live. Seattle hosts the second largest Somali community in the United States of America.
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Qiimaha Qaadka ugu Fadhiyo Bulshada
Runta News-Seattle, Washington. Muuqaalka waa farshaxankii Amiin Caamir
Dadkeena waxa lagu tiriyaa dadka ugu maskaxda iyo indhaha furan ee caqligoodu sida aadka ah u shaqeeyo, haddana mararka qaar waxa ku adkaada xisaabta sahalka ah sida labo labo kale ku dar (2+2) inta ay tahay ama iney gartaan qiimaha uu qaadku ugu fadhiyo waqti ahaan iyo dhaqaale ahaan. Qofka Soomaaliga ah marka uu qaadka iibsanayo uma muuqato dhaqaalaha maalintii ama toddobaadkii ama bishii qayilaadda uga baxeysa. Sidoo kale waqtiga faraha badan ee fadhigiisu ka gooyo cimrigooda oo haddii wax faa’iido ah ay ku bixin lahaayeen horumar weyn ay nolosha ka gaari lahaayeen. Labadan nin is ag fadhida midna wuxuu la yaabban yahay sida wax ugu dhigmi la’ yihiin, midka kalena wuxuu ka shakisan yahay in la jeeb siibto iyagoon dareensaneen halka ay lacagta uga baxdo. Maskaxda markaad ku daaliso marqaan, garashadii ayaa ka lunta, waxana +1 206-920-0220
kugu adkeeneysa inaad si macquul ah u xisaabtanto ama aad wax u fahamto. Qiimaha kale ee qaadka bulshada ugu fadhiyo waxa kaloo ka mida caafimaadka sida (ilkaha iyo caloosha) oo shaqadooda gaba qofka oo weli dhallinyaro ah, qoyska oo bur-bur ku yimaada caruurtana waalidka ku kala lumaan, iyo qofka oo shaqadiisa ku waaya. Waxaasi oo dhan waxa keena xisaabtan la’aan. Qaadka waddamo badan oo dadkooda daryeela waa ka mamnuuc. Meelaha imika sida aadka looga cuno waxa ugu badan deegaanada Soomaalida deggan tahay ee Bariga Afrika iyo Yemen. Maanta bal u fiirso sida Soomaalida iyo Yementu kheyrkooda uga dambeeyaan iyo indho xumada ka muuqata. Waxa la joogaa xilligii qaadka khudaar lagu beddeli lahaa.
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King County Metro Has Expanded Its Bus Service
Fathia Samira Abdi, a top member of Management team of King County Metro appears on the ad published in Runta in August 2026.
Starting August 29, King County Metro has expanded and updated bus service. Seven new bus routes and thousands of additional bus trips have already come to communities across King County. What does this mean for you? More opportunities to connect to the places you need to go and easier commutes to the 1 and 2 Lines on Link light rail. Riders will also see more morning and late-night trips, along with increased weekend service. To better connect people to more destinations across the region, some bus routes have been discontinued or replaced as part of these service improvements. See if your local bus route is changing in the charts below. Additional weekday trips will be added to Route 8, 72, 75 and 77 as part of the Seattle Transit Measure approved by voters in 2020—and two new Metro Flex pilot services will launch in Auburn and Federal Way. These new service areas will provide riders with new connections to Link and Sounder stations on weekdays. Find this news in Somali @ https://runtanews.com/king-county-metro
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Racfaan Qaadasho
Haddii Lagaa Xiro App-ka Shaqada, Waxad Xaq u Leedahay Inaad ka Qaadato Racfaan. Fadlan la xiriir Xafiiska Seattle ee Shaqooyinka (Office of Labor Standards) oo Kaa Difaaci Kara Xaqdarrooyinka Goobaha Shaqada https://seattle.gov/ laborstandards +1 206-920-0220
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Thank you fellows. We all belong.
Each year since 2015 Runta has recognized people who have highly contributed to the wellbeing of our community.
We are proud of their success and achievements. We appreciate their leadership, encouragement, friendship, and support.
2016
PERSON OF THE YEAR
2018
PERSON OF THE YEAR
2022
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2025
PERSON OF THE YEAR
2021
PERSON OF THE YEAR
2023
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