# Somalis abroad in public life | Calankii

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/diaspora-figures/
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

# Somalis abroad in public life

All 49 pages in Somalis abroad in public life, from A to Z.

Last checked **2026-11-12**

- [Abdirahim 'Husu' Hussein (Cabdiraxiim Xuseen)Abdirahim Husu Hussein (born 1978): Somali-born Finnish radio host and Helsinki politician.](https://calankii.com/en/people/abdirahim-hussein/)
- [Abdirizak Bihi (Cabdirisaaq Bixi)Abdirizak Bihi: Minneapolis Somali community organiser, director of the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center.](https://calankii.com/en/people/abdirizak-bihi/)
- [Abdulcadir Gabeire Farah (Cabdulqaadir Gabeyre Faarax)Abdulcadir Gabeire Farah (1955-2015): Somali-Polish activist, president of the Foundation for Somalia, killed in Mogadishu.](https://calankii.com/en/people/abdulcadir-gabeire-farah/)
- [Abdusalam Abubakar (Cabdisalaan Abuubakar)Abdusalam Abubakar: Somali-born Irish winner of the 2007 Young Scientist of the Year with a cryptography project.](https://calankii.com/en/people/abdusalam-abubakar/)
- [Afdhere Jama (Afdheere Jaamac)Afdhere Jama (born 1980): Somali-born American writer and filmmaker, editor of Huriyah magazine, author of Being Queer and Somali.](https://calankii.com/en/people/afdhere-jama/)
- [Ahmed HussenAhmed Hussen (born 1976): Mogadishu-born refugee who became Canada's first Somali-Canadian MP and Cabinet minister.](https://calankii.com/en/people/ahmed-hussen/)
- [Almaas Elman (Almaas Cilmaan)Almaas Elman (d. 2019): Somali-Canadian aid worker and diplomat from the Elman family, killed in Mogadishu.](https://calankii.com/en/people/almaas-elman/)
- [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/amal-aden/)
- [Amun Abdullahi (Amuun Cabdullaahi)Amun Abdullahi (1974–2024): Somali-Swedish radio journalist, founder of a girls' school in Mogadishu, killed near Afgooye.](https://calankii.com/en/people/amun-abdullahi/)
- [Asha Jama (Caasha Jaamac)Asha Jama (born 1960): former Mogadishu TV anchor who leads the Alberta Somali Community Center in Calgary.](https://calankii.com/en/people/asha-jama/)
- [Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Ayaan Xirsi Cali)Ayaan Hirsi Ali (born 1969): Somali-born Dutch-American writer and former Dutch MP, a critic of Islam.](https://calankii.com/en/people/ayaan-hirsi-ali/)
- [Bilan OsmanBilan Osman (born 1992): Swedish-Somali journalist, columnist and anti-racism educator.](https://calankii.com/en/people/bilan-osman/)
- [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/farah-abdullahi-abdi/)
- [Fathia Absie (Fadxiya Cabsiye)Fathia Absie: Somali-American filmmaker of Broken Dreams and The Lobby, graphic novelist and co-founder of Eat With Muslims.](https://calankii.com/en/people/fathia-absie/)
- [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/fatima-siad/)
- [Halima Aden (Xaliimo Aadan)Halima Aden, born 1997 in Kakuma: hijab-wearing model, UNICEF ambassador and BBC 100 Women honoree.](https://calankii.com/en/people/halima-aden/)
- [Hanan Ibrahim (Xanaan Ibraahim)Hanan Ibrahim: London community activist, founder of the Somali Family Support Group, constitution drafter in 2011, MBE 2010.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hanan-ibrahim/)
- [Hassan Abdillahi (Karate)Hassan Abdillahi (Karate): founder of Toronto's Ogaal Radio, the largest Somali community radio station in Canada.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hassan-abdillahi-karate/)
- [Hodan Nalayeh (Hodan Naaleeye)Hodan Nalayeh (1976–2019): Somali-Canadian journalist and founder of Integration TV, known for positive Somali stories.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hodan-nalayeh/)
- [Hussein SamatarHussein Samatar (1964-2013): Kismayo-raised banker, founder of the African Development Center, Minneapolis School Board member.](https://calankii.com/en/people/hussein-samatar/)
- [Ilhan OmarIlhan Omar (born 1982): Mogadishu-born former refugee, first Somali American in the US Congress, since 2019.](https://calankii.com/en/people/ilhan-omar/)
- [Iman (Iimaan Maxamed Cabdulmajiid)Iman, born 1955 in Mogadishu: supermodel, actress, founder of Iman Cosmetics (1994) and CARE Global Advocate.](https://calankii.com/en/people/iman/)
- [Isra HirsiIsra Hirsi (b.2003): Somali-American co-founder of the US Youth Climate Strike.](https://calankii.com/en/people/isra-hirsi/)
- [Jamal Osman (Jamaal Cismaan)Jamal Osman: Somali-born Minneapolis council member for Ward 6, vice president since 2026.](https://calankii.com/en/people/jamal-osman/)
- [Jawahir Ahmed (Jawaahir Axmed)Jawahir Ahmed (b.1991): Somali-American model, Miss Africa Utah 2013.](https://calankii.com/en/people/jawahir-ahmed/)
- [Kadra Yusuf (Kadra Yuusuf)Kadra Yusuf (born 1980): Norwegian-Somali activist whose 2000 undercover documentary exposed support for FGM.](https://calankii.com/en/people/kadra-yusuf/)
- [Leila Abukar (Leyla Abuukar)Leila Abukar: Somali-Australian community advocate in Brisbane, Centenary Medal 2001.](https://calankii.com/en/people/leila-abukar/)
- [Magid Magid (Majiid Majiid)Magid Magid (born 1989): Lord Mayor of Sheffield 2018 to 2019 and Green MEP 2019 to 2020, born in Burao.](https://calankii.com/en/people/magid-magid/)
- [Mahmood Hussein Mattan (Maxamuud Xuseen Mataan)Mahmood Hussein Mattan (1923-1952): Somali seaman wrongly hanged in Cardiff; conviction quashed in 1998.](https://calankii.com/en/people/mahmood-hussein-mattan/)
- [Marian Abdi Hussein (Maryan Cabdi Xuseen)Marian Abdi Hussein (b.1986): Somali-born Norwegian MP for Oslo and Socialist Left deputy leader.](https://calankii.com/en/people/marian-abdi-hussein/)
- [Mona WalterMona Walter (born 1973): Mogadishu-born Swedish commentator and critic of Islam.](https://calankii.com/en/people/mona-walter/)
- [Munira KhalifMunira Khalif (b.1996): sixth US Youth Observer to the UN, co-founder of Lighting the Way.](https://calankii.com/en/people/munira-khalif/)
- [Nasra Agil (Nasra Caqiil)Nasra Agil: Somali-Canadian civil engineer who worked in Toronto and Dubai and returned to Somalia in 2012.](https://calankii.com/en/people/nasra-agil/)
- [Nimco Ahmed (Nimco Axmed)Nimco Ahmed (born 1972): Somali-American political organiser and policy aide in Minneapolis.](https://calankii.com/en/people/nimco-ahmed/)
- [Nimco AliNimco Ali: Somali-born British campaigner against female genital cutting, co-founder of The Five Foundation, OBE.](https://calankii.com/en/people/nimco-ali/)
- [Rageh Omaar (Raage Cumar)Rageh Omaar (born 1967): Mogadishu-born British journalist, BBC Iraq correspondent, Al Jazeera presenter and ITV News International Affairs Editor.](https://calankii.com/en/people/rageh-omaar/)
- [Rawdah Mohamed (Rawdah Maxamed)Rawdah Mohamed: Somali-Norwegian model, #Handsoffmyhijab founder, Vogue Scandinavia editor.](https://calankii.com/en/people/rawdah-mohamed/)
- [Sabrina Dhowre Elba (Saabiriin Dhoore)Sabrina Dhowre Elba (b.1989): Somali-Canadian model and UN IFAD goodwill ambassador.](https://calankii.com/en/people/sabrina-dhowre/)
- [Safia OtokoréSafia Otokoré (b.1969): Djibouti-born French Socialist politician, Burgundy regional vice-president.](https://calankii.com/en/people/safia-otokore/)
- [Sagal Abdi-Wali (Sagal Cabdi-Wali)Sagal Abdi-Wali (b.1984): first British Somali woman MP, Holborn and St Pancras, 2026.](https://calankii.com/en/people/sagal-abdi-wali/)
- [Samira Hashi (Samiira Xaashi)Samira Hashi (born 1991): Somali-British model and campaigner against female genital mutilation.](https://calankii.com/en/people/samira-hashi/)
- [Shadya Yasin (Shaadiya Yaasiin)Shadya Yasin: Toronto teacher, spoken word poet and youth organiser, Toronto Star People to Watch 2013.](https://calankii.com/en/people/shadya-yasin/)
- [Suldaan Said Ahmed (Suldaan Saciid Axmed)Suldaan Said Ahmed (b.1993): first Somali-born Finnish MP, Finland's Horn of Africa peace envoy.](https://calankii.com/en/people/suldaan-said-ahmed/)
- [Sumaya DalmarSumaya Dalmar (d. 2015): Somali-Canadian transgender activist and model in Toronto.](https://calankii.com/en/people/sumaya-dalmar/)
- [Ugbad Abdi (Ugbaad Cabdi)Ugbad Abdi: Kismayo-born model, first to walk for Fendi and Lanvin in a hijab (2019).](https://calankii.com/en/people/ugbad-abdi/)
- [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.](https://calankii.com/en/people/waris-dirie/)
- [Yasmin Warsame (Yaasmiin Warsame)Yasmin Warsame (born 1976): Mogadishu-born Canadian model on Vogue covers, Canada's Next Top Model judge and actor.](https://calankii.com/en/people/yasmin-warsame/)
- [Zahra Abdulla (Sahra Cabdulla)Zahra Abdulla (b.1966): Somali-born Helsinki city councillor, 1997 to 2017.](https://calankii.com/en/people/zahra-abdulla/)
- [Zaynab Mohamed (Saynab Maxamed)Zaynab Mohamed (b.1997): Somali-born Minnesota state senator, youngest woman in the legislature.](https://calankii.com/en/people/zaynab-mohamed/)

Last checked 2026-11-12

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