Somali prime minister inspires hope during historic visit to Minnesota, urges fight against Al-Shabab

Hamza Abdi Barre's visit marks the first time a sitting prime minister from Somalia has visited Minnesota, home to the largest Somali population in the U.S.

September 25, 2023 — 2:33am

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Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre during his hour-long address to a crowd of about 1600 in a ballroom at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington late

Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune

Gallery: Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre during his hour-long address to a crowd of about 1600 in a ballroom at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington late Sunday night. Prime Minister Barre stopped in Bloomington, Minn. to address the Somali diaspora in remarks at the DoubleTree Hotel. It’s the first time a sitting prime minister from Somalia has visited the state, home of the largest Somali community outside of that country.

Jeff Wheeler has been a staff photographer for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 1987. He's covered a broad range of assignments ranging from the Twins and Vikings playoff runs to Far North canoe adventures in the subarctic.

jeff.wheeler@startribune.com 612-673-4638

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