RNA – The Minnesota Muslim community will be hosting a day-long seminar for law enforcement personnel titled “Muslims, Somalis, and Law Enforcement in Minnesota: Building Effective Relationships.” This seminar will emphasize community engagement and the enhancement of mutual understanding between law enforcement and the Muslim community in Minnesota, Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
The seminar is open to all law enforcement officers, crime prevention specialists, administrative and support staff in government and law enforcement departments, investigators, community outreach personnel, and any related positions.
The Seminar which will run from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in St. Paul is a joint initiative of Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), EngageMN, Islamic Center of Minnesota, Islamic Civic Society of America, Islamic Resource Group, Jaafari Islamic Center, Masjid An-Nur, Minnesota Dawah Institute, Northwest Islamic Community Center, Sisters Need a Place, Somali Action Alliance and Somali Resources & Associates.
According to CAIR-MN Countering Islamophobia Coordinator Amber Michel, “This seminar has been prepared to meet the unique needs of the law enforcement community in our state and will feature officers and community experts as presenters throughout the day.” The program will also feature a panel of Muslim police officers and a networking lunch with the Minnesota Muslim community leaders.
The training will present factual and thorough information about Islam, Muslims and the Somali community; present specific strategies for building effective relationships with the Muslim and Somali communities; provide participants with techniques for practical application of these strategies in the law enforcement setting; and facilitate positive classroom discussion that enhances understanding.
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