Hope & Fear in Minnesota's Heartland: Growing optimism with every conversation

ST. CLOUD — Fadumo Hassan and Abdi Daisane, now married for three years, are like many young families.

They're new parents. They’re looking to buy their first house. They’re moving along in their careers — she as a labor and delivery nurse at St. Cloud Hospital and he as the owner and operator of a day care.

Fadumo and Abdi also represent part of a growing Somali community that has settled in St. Cloud, changing the city’s landscape over the past decade. Now a majority of Somali-Minnesotans have lived in the state for at least 10 years. Many were born in the U.S.

But St. Cloud has developed a pervasive reputation for its less-than-welcoming reception of immigrants and refugees from East Africa —  fueling an emotionally laden conflict that’s caused some to leave, while others say the hate has "poisoned" the city they once called home.   

The city has been labeled the “worst place in Minnesota to be Somali” and the “epicenter of Islamophobia."

Yet many residents, including Abdi, say that’s not the full story. 

Part 1 preview:Hope & Fear in Minnesota’s Heartland: Searching for refuge in St. Cloud

“In St. Cloud there are so many things that are positive that are happening,” he said. “I wouldn’t settle here if that kind of hate existed. I wouldn’t settle here and have a son here. I wouldn’t build a business.”

Many people — from longtime white residents to new Somali refugees — echo that sentiment and express profound hope that St. Cloud can work through the conflict that’s plagued the city for the past decade.

Churches, schools and community groups have hosted workshops, panels and Q&A events, providing space for residents to listen, ask questions and learn about people who are Muslim. 

More:Here's how to get involved, learn more

Religious leaders have taken a vocal role advocating for refugees and supporting the Muslim community.  

Others have spoken up about the economic benefits of refugees, as immigrants help fill St. Cloud's workforce shortage and take over jobs left by the area's aging population. 

Read more about these and other efforts in Part II of "Hope & Fear in Minnesota's Heartland: Growing optimism with every conversation."