Somalis abroad in public life
Jamal Osman (Jamaal Cismaan)
Jamal Osman is a Somali-born American politician who has represented Ward 6 on the Minneapolis City Council since a special election in August 2020, and has been the council's vice president since January 2026. He grew up in refugee camps in Kenya and came to the United States at 14.
Jamal OsmanJamaal Cismaan
- Known as one of
- Somalis abroad in public life
- Era
- Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 1 sources
Who is he?
Jamal Osman is an American politician in Minnesota's Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party who has served on the Minneapolis City Council for Ward 6 since 2020 (Wikipedia, Jamal Osman (politician)). Ward 6 includes Cedar-Riverside, Elliot Park, Stevens Square, much of Phillips and part of Seward (same source). He was born in Somalia, grew up in refugee camps in Kenya, and arrived in the United States at 14, living in public housing (same source). See Somalis in Minneapolis–St Paul.
Before office
He worked as a resident advocate for CommonBond Communities, an affordable housing non-profit, and as a community organiser on housing, education and social services in the East African community (Wikipedia).
City Council
He won a special election on 11 August 2020, succeeding Abdi Warsame, and was re-elected in 2021, 2023 (48.3% after ranked-choice counting) and 2025 (58.7% in the first round) (Wikipedia). In January 2026 the council elected him vice president, and he chairs the Business, Housing and Zoning committee (same source). Wikipedia notes that questions were raised in 2020 over a Maplewood address he had used (same source).
In short
A former refugee who now helps lead the Minneapolis City Council.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Jamal Osman (politician) · en.wikipedia.org
Jamal OsmanJamaal Cismaan
- Known as one of
- Somalis abroad in public life
- Era
- Rebuilding without a state, 1991 to 2012; Who holds power, 2012 to now
- Sources
- 1 sources
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Same era
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