Dar Al-Hijrah is the oldest Somali masjid in Minnesota. Founded in 1988 in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, the masjid is a center for the Somali community.
—–Editor: Britt Aamodt Producer: Faaya AdemEditorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood
Transcript
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Dar Al-Hijrah in Cedar-Riverside is the oldest Somali masjid in Minnesota. Somali refugees prayed in masjids run by other Muslim communities, but soon created their own space near Riverside Plaza, the heart of the Somali community in Minneapolis.
The masjid’s name translates to “Home of Migration”, reflecting both displacement and belonging. More than a house of worship, it links faith with civic education through the Islamic Civic Society of America. Leaders emphasize that Islam and democracy can work hand in hand, encouraging Somali Minnesotans to see themselves not just as refugees but as active American citizens.
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In 2014, a fire forced it to close temporarily. Services were held in nearby centers and churches until Dar Al-Hijrah reopened. Today, it remains a center of prayer, education, and civic life rooted in Cedar-Riverside.
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