- Abdirahim 'Husu' Hussein (Cabdiraxiim Xuseen)Abdirahim Husu Hussein (born 1978): Somali-born Finnish radio host and Helsinki politician.
- Abdirizak Bihi (Cabdirisaaq Bixi)Abdirizak Bihi: Minneapolis Somali community organiser, director of the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center.
- Abdulcadir Gabeire Farah (Cabdulqaadir Gabeyre Faarax)Abdulcadir Gabeire Farah (1955-2015): Somali-Polish activist, president of the Foundation for Somalia, killed in Mogadishu.
- Abdusalam Abubakar (Cabdisalaan Abuubakar)Abdusalam Abubakar: Somali-born Irish winner of the 2007 Young Scientist of the Year with a cryptography project.
- Afdhere Jama (Afdheere Jaamac)Afdhere Jama (born 1980): Somali-born American writer and filmmaker, editor of Huriyah magazine, author of Being Queer and Somali.
- Ahmed HussenAhmed Hussen (born 1976): Mogadishu-born refugee who became Canada's first Somali-Canadian MP and Cabinet minister.
- Almaas Elman (Almaas Cilmaan)Almaas Elman (d. 2019): Somali-Canadian aid worker and diplomat from the Elman family, killed in Mogadishu.
- Amal Aden (Amaal Aadan)Amal Aden (born 1983): Somali-Norwegian writer and activist on integration and women's rights, Zola and Gina Krog prize winner.
- Amun Abdullahi (Amuun Cabdullaahi)Amun Abdullahi (1974–2024): Somali-Swedish radio journalist, founder of a girls' school in Mogadishu, killed near Afgooye.
- Asha Jama (Caasha Jaamac)Asha Jama (born 1960): former Mogadishu TV anchor who leads the Alberta Somali Community Center in Calgary.
- Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Ayaan Xirsi Cali)Ayaan Hirsi Ali (born 1969): Somali-born Dutch-American writer and former Dutch MP, a critic of Islam.
- Bilan OsmanBilan Osman (born 1992): Swedish-Somali journalist, columnist and anti-racism educator.
- Farah Abdullahi Abdi (Faraax Cabdullaahi Cabdi)Farah Abdullahi Abdi: Somali refugee writer, Malta Today columnist, author of Never Arrive, now with Transgender Europe in Berlin.
- Fathia Absie (Fadxiya Cabsiye)Fathia Absie: Somali-American filmmaker of Broken Dreams and The Lobby, graphic novelist and co-founder of Eat With Muslims.
- Fatima Siad (Faadumo Siyaad)Fatima Siad (born 1986): Mogadishu-born model, America's Next Top Model Cycle 10, runway work for Armani, Hermès and Ralph Lauren.
- Halima Aden (Xaliimo Aadan)Halima Aden, born 1997 in Kakuma: hijab-wearing model, UNICEF ambassador and BBC 100 Women honoree.
- Hanan Ibrahim (Xanaan Ibraahim)Hanan Ibrahim: London community activist, founder of the Somali Family Support Group, constitution drafter in 2011, MBE 2010.
- Hassan Abdillahi (Karate)Hassan Abdillahi (Karate): founder of Toronto's Ogaal Radio, the largest Somali community radio station in Canada.
- Hodan Nalayeh (Hodan Naaleeye)Hodan Nalayeh (1976–2019): Somali-Canadian journalist and founder of Integration TV, known for positive Somali stories.
- Hussein SamatarHussein Samatar (1964-2013): Kismayo-raised banker, founder of the African Development Center, Minneapolis School Board member.
- Ilhan OmarIlhan Omar (born 1982): Mogadishu-born former refugee, first Somali American in the US Congress, since 2019.
- Iman (Iimaan Maxamed Cabdulmajiid)Iman, born 1955 in Mogadishu: supermodel, actress, founder of Iman Cosmetics (1994) and CARE Global Advocate.
- Isra HirsiIsra Hirsi (b.2003): Somali-American co-founder of the US Youth Climate Strike.
- Jamal Osman (Jamaal Cismaan)Jamal Osman: Somali-born Minneapolis council member for Ward 6, vice president since 2026.
- Jawahir Ahmed (Jawaahir Axmed)Jawahir Ahmed (b.1991): Somali-American model, Miss Africa Utah 2013.
- Kadra Yusuf (Kadra Yuusuf)Kadra Yusuf (born 1980): Norwegian-Somali activist whose 2000 undercover documentary exposed support for FGM.
- Leila Abukar (Leyla Abuukar)Leila Abukar: Somali-Australian community advocate in Brisbane, Centenary Medal 2001.
- Magid Magid (Majiid Majiid)Magid Magid (born 1989): Lord Mayor of Sheffield 2018 to 2019 and Green MEP 2019 to 2020, born in Burao.
- Mahmood Hussein Mattan (Maxamuud Xuseen Mataan)Mahmood Hussein Mattan (1923-1952): Somali seaman wrongly hanged in Cardiff; conviction quashed in 1998.
- Marian Abdi Hussein (Maryan Cabdi Xuseen)Marian Abdi Hussein (b.1986): Somali-born Norwegian MP for Oslo and Socialist Left deputy leader.
- Mona WalterMona Walter (born 1973): Mogadishu-born Swedish commentator and critic of Islam.
- Munira KhalifMunira Khalif (b.1996): sixth US Youth Observer to the UN, co-founder of Lighting the Way.
- Nasra Agil (Nasra Caqiil)Nasra Agil: Somali-Canadian civil engineer who worked in Toronto and Dubai and returned to Somalia in 2012.
- Nimco Ahmed (Nimco Axmed)Nimco Ahmed (born 1972): Somali-American political organiser and policy aide in Minneapolis.
- Nimco AliNimco Ali: Somali-born British campaigner against female genital cutting, co-founder of The Five Foundation, OBE.
- Rageh Omaar (Raage Cumar)Rageh Omaar (born 1967): Mogadishu-born British journalist, BBC Iraq correspondent, Al Jazeera presenter and ITV News International Affairs Editor.
- Rawdah Mohamed (Rawdah Maxamed)Rawdah Mohamed: Somali-Norwegian model, #Handsoffmyhijab founder, Vogue Scandinavia editor.
- Sabrina Dhowre Elba (Saabiriin Dhoore)Sabrina Dhowre Elba (b.1989): Somali-Canadian model and UN IFAD goodwill ambassador.
- Safia OtokoréSafia Otokoré (b.1969): Djibouti-born French Socialist politician, Burgundy regional vice-president.
- Sagal Abdi-Wali (Sagal Cabdi-Wali)Sagal Abdi-Wali (b.1984): first British Somali woman MP, Holborn and St Pancras, 2026.
- Samira Hashi (Samiira Xaashi)Samira Hashi (born 1991): Somali-British model and campaigner against female genital mutilation.
- Shadya Yasin (Shaadiya Yaasiin)Shadya Yasin: Toronto teacher, spoken word poet and youth organiser, Toronto Star People to Watch 2013.
- Suldaan Said Ahmed (Suldaan Saciid Axmed)Suldaan Said Ahmed (b.1993): first Somali-born Finnish MP, Finland's Horn of Africa peace envoy.
- Sumaya DalmarSumaya Dalmar (d. 2015): Somali-Canadian transgender activist and model in Toronto.
- Ugbad Abdi (Ugbaad Cabdi)Ugbad Abdi: Kismayo-born model, first to walk for Fendi and Lanvin in a hijab (2019).
- Waris Dirie (Waris Diiriye)Waris Dirie, born 1965: model, author of Desert Flower, UN special ambassador against FGM and founder of the Desert Flower Foundation.
- Yasmin Warsame (Yaasmiin Warsame)Yasmin Warsame (born 1976): Mogadishu-born Canadian model on Vogue covers, Canada's Next Top Model judge and actor.
- Zahra Abdulla (Sahra Cabdulla)Zahra Abdulla (b.1966): Somali-born Helsinki city councillor, 1997 to 2017.
- Zaynab Mohamed (Saynab Maxamed)Zaynab Mohamed (b.1997): Somali-born Minnesota state senator, youngest woman in the legislature.
Somalis abroad in public life
All 49 pages in Somalis abroad in public life, from A to Z.
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