Hibah Ansari, Author at Sahan Journal

A crowd came to the airport to welcome Sunisa Lee home. There’ll be a parade. But her success is particularly important to Minnesota’s Asian American women.

by Hibah Ansari August 5, 2021August 5, 2021

The Olympic champion’s accomplishments represent a community that knows how to ‘survive, support, and succeed’

Minneapolis City Council votes to put rent control charter amendments on the ballot

by Hibah Ansari August 4, 2021August 4, 2021

Sunisa Lee’s family couldn’t join her in Tokyo. So they celebrated with family and friends in Oakdale instead.

by Hibah Ansari July 29, 2021July 29, 2021

Sunisa Lee’s friends and family watched her become the first Hmong American ever to compete and win a gold medal. For many, it was the best morning of their lives.

by Hibah Ansari July 29, 2021July 30, 2021

‘It’s an extremely progressive city—if you’re white’: Minneapolis elections hinge on how to fix inequality in housing, policing.

by Hibah Ansari and JD Duggan July 26, 2021July 28, 2021

DACA is under fire—again—after a federal court ruling. Here’s what Dreamers in Minnesota need to know about their immigration status.

by Hibah Ansari July 22, 2021July 22, 2021

Business & Economy

Now entering the mainstream market: Hilal Ibrahim’s sustainably-made luxury hijabs for Nordstrom

by Hibah Ansari July 8, 2021July 8, 2021

Business & Economy

Immigrants and refugees are key to the Minneapolis economy. Here’s the data to prove it.

by Hibah Ansari June 23, 2021June 23, 2021

Arts

‘Our stories, our challenges and the wisdom in our community’: Book fair will highlight diversity of Somali voices.

by Hibah Ansari June 16, 2021June 16, 2021

In Ward 5, DFL caucuses become a referendum on defunding Minneapolis police

by Hibah Ansari June 15, 2021June 15, 2021

With its virtual caucus already under way, Minneapolis DFL faces charges that the process is so discriminatory it must be scrapped.

by Hibah Ansari June 3, 2021June 4, 2021

Criminal Justice

Promoting a reform agenda at the Department of Corrections? Safia Khan is trying to make it happen.

by Hibah Ansari June 2, 2021June 2, 2021

Real estate frenzy in Minnesota poses extra barriers to Muslim homebuyers: Finding no-interest mortgages and down-payment assistance programs.

by Hibah Ansari May 31, 2021May 31, 2021

Biden administration has extended Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Myanmar and Haiti. Now a decision looms on the status of Somali nationals.

by Hibah Ansari May 27, 2021May 28, 2021

Killed By Police

‘We’re evidence that the healing is happening’: How five people in Minneapolis experienced the cataclysm of George Floyd’s killing—and what they did next.

by Hibah Ansari, Andrew Hazzard, Becky Z. Dernbach and Joey Peters May 25, 2021May 25, 2021

Arts

‘Blackness Is…’ festival this weekend features work from 13 artists. ‘Magic happens when we live in our truth.’

by Hibah Ansari May 20, 2021May 20, 2021

Arts

Said Shaiye says immigrant artists are expected to ‘perform trauma.’ He refuses to do that in his debut book, ‘Are You Borg Now?’

by Hibah Ansari May 10, 2021May 7, 2021

President Biden’s flip-flop on refugees creates confusion for Minnesota families. We asked an immigration expert what happened to Biden’s campaign promises—and what’s next.

by Hibah Ansari April 29, 2021April 29, 2021

Killed By Police

After guilty verdict in George Floyd’s murder, families of Isak Aden and Dolal Idd ask, ‘What about us?’

by Hibah Ansari and Becky Z. Dernbach April 26, 2021April 26, 2021

Faith

Ramadan is a month devoted to prayer, charity, and reflection. This year, Muslims in Minnesota have found another way to practice—protesting.

by Hibah Ansari April 21, 2021April 21, 2021

The killing of George Floyd

For George Floyd, justice. For Minneapolis, a long-delayed reckoning with racism and police violence

by Becky Z. Dernbach, Joey Peters, Hibah Ansari and Andrew Hazzard April 20, 2021April 21, 2021

Destroyed by fire and looted, a dental clinic reopens to care for underserved patients in south Minneapolis.

by Hibah Ansari April 19, 2021April 16, 2021

The killing of George Floyd

Inside the jury room at the Chauvin trial: Evidence, confusing legal terminology, and a lot of latitude to interpret it.

by Hibah Ansari April 18, 2021April 17, 2021

Killed By Police

‘Another Black life lost’: Trauma and frustration grow after death of Daunte Wright, but police reforms remain stalled in Minnesota legislature

by Hibah Ansari April 12, 2021April 12, 2021

Criminal Justice

Long-ago criminal cases have caused a wave of deportations for Minnesotans from Southeast Asia. A proposed law would give some immigrants a chance at redemption.

by Hibah Ansari April 6, 2021April 8, 2021

Business & Economy

Taxpayers, essential workers, homeowners: A portrait of Minnesota’s immigrant population

by Hibah Ansari March 30, 2021March 30, 2021

Criminal justice system

The process of selecting a U.S. attorney is supposed to stay secret. But why?

by Hibah Ansari March 26, 2021March 29, 2021

Killed By Police

A quiet storm: Unraveling the kind heart, troubled mind, and sudden death of Dolal Idd.

by Hibah Ansari March 22, 2021March 22, 2021

The killing of George Floyd

Who gets to decide if Derek Chauvin is guilty of murder? And who belongs on a jury of his peers? A community conversation with Sahan Journal.

by Hibah Ansari March 16, 2021March 16, 2021

Criminal Justice

Surya Saxena said to be finalist for Minnesota’s next U.S. attorney.

by Hibah Ansari and Michael Tortorello March 10, 2021March 15, 2021

Criminal Justice

Andy Luger on short list for Minnesota’s next U.S. attorney, sources say.

by Hibah Ansari March 4, 2021March 5, 2021

COVID-19 has made a mess of workers’ lives. At a global labor forum in Minnesota, janitors talked about how to clean it up.

by Hibah Ansari March 4, 2021March 8, 2021

As a teenager, Zaynab Abdi got a visa to move to the United States. Her younger sister Sabreen didn’t. The Trump ‘Muslim ban’ has kept them apart for seven years.

by Hibah Ansari March 1, 2021February 28, 2021

Biden administration cancels Trump’s last-minute changes to U.S. citizenship test

by Hibah Ansari February 23, 2021February 23, 2021

Amran Farah is likely the first Somali American to make partner at a high-power Minnesota law firm. Now she’s helping to pick the next U.S. Attorney.

by Hibah Ansari February 18, 2021February 18, 2021

DFL virtual caucus debate raises a thorny issue: How best to include immigrant communities.

by Hibah Ansari February 17, 2021February 17, 2021

MPD Charter Lead Image

After long process of collecting public input, community coalition will gather petition signatures to replace Minneapolis Police Department

by Hibah Ansari February 12, 2021February 12, 2021

Leaving the Twin Cities rat race, and looking forward to the zoo in Uganda. Somali American says he’s packing up and planning a cheaper, more relaxed life in East Africa.

by Hibah Ansari February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

A glimmer of hope for some Minnesota immigrant families: Biden dramatically raises cap on refugee admissions.

by Hibah Ansari February 4, 2021February 4, 2021

Liberians in Minnesota have until December to start pursuing permanent U.S. citizenship. Some can’t believe the opportunity is real.

by Hibah Ansari January 29, 2021January 30, 2021

In D.C., a mob tried to overturn multiracial democracy. In St. Paul, the most diverse Minnesota legislature ever is just getting started.

by Becky Z. Dernbach and Hibah Ansari January 21, 2021January 25, 2021

The border wall, DACA, the ‘Muslim ban’ and more: Biden starts to undo the Trump legacy on immigration

by Hibah Ansari January 20, 2021January 20, 2021

MSP Airport workers win $15-an-hour wage after four-year organizing fight

by Hibah Ansari January 13, 2021January 13, 2021

Vilified by Trump, Ilhan Omar turns the tables by filing new articles of impeachment after Trump supporters seize U.S. Capitol.

by Hibah Ansari January 7, 2021January 7, 2021

‘I can’t believe this is happening to our country’: Minnesota immigrants watch with alarm as Trump insurrectionists attack U.S. Capitol.

by Hibah Ansari and Joey Peters January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

Trump administration stymies immigrants with longer, more expensive citizenship test.

by Hibah Ansari December 22, 2020February 23, 2021

Hamse Warfa has lived the immigrant experience. Now in charge of Minnesota’s employment and training programs, he’s intent on building bridges for those left behind.

by Hibah Ansari December 7, 2020December 7, 2020

Culture & Community

In a year of pain, recalling the excitement of past Hmong New Year festivals. And preparing for better times ahead.

by Hibah Ansari November 27, 2020November 27, 2020

What you need to know about Muslim prayer apps and data privacy

by Hibah Ansari November 24, 2020November 24, 2020

In just four years, Trump destroyed refugee admissions to Minnesota. Can a Biden administration open the doors again?

by Hibah Ansari November 16, 2020November 18, 2020

‘People with disabilities aren’t told they can be leaders’: Disability rights advocate and parks board leader wins city council seat in Maplewood

by Hibah Ansari November 9, 2020November 8, 2020

Abdullahi Abdulle becomes the first Somali elected to New Brighton City Council

by Hibah Ansari November 4, 2020November 8, 2020

Amir Malik knocked on a lot of doors and emphasized bread-and-butter issues in an increasingly purple Blaine district. It wasn’t enough.

by Hibah Ansari November 3, 2020November 4, 2020

We asked immigrant voters in Minnesota what they hope happens on Election Day—and what outcome they fear most.

by Joey Peters, Hibah Ansari and Becky Z. Dernbach November 3, 2020November 3, 2020

‘Power is the number of voters you have’: Minnesota’s growing Muslim population expands political reach through organizing, activism—and winning.

by Hibah Ansari October 29, 2020October 29, 2020

Arts

‘L-O-S-E-R’: Filmmaker Sujata Day looks into the life of a not-so-successful spelling bee champion.

by Hibah Ansari October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

Remembering Minnesotans lost to COVID-19

A ‘mother figure’ not only for Hmong children, but students from all of Brooklyn Park’s immigrant communities

by Hibah Ansari October 16, 2020October 16, 2020

Trailing in the state’s polls, Trump returns to Minnesota for a campaign stop filled with racist taunts and anti-immigrant agenda.

by Hibah Ansari October 1, 2020October 3, 2020

Digital Disinformation

How did an August primary election in Minneapolis turn into a national right-wing disinformation campaign against absentee ballots?

by Becky Z. Dernbach, Hibah Ansari and Joey Peters September 28, 2020September 29, 2020

Arts

For women used to a life of work and obligations, a chance to find their inner ‘Happy Girl’

by Hibah Ansari September 28, 2020September 27, 2020

Family of bullied Muslim teen sues Minnesota school district, two years after his suicide.

by Hibah Ansari September 16, 2020September 16, 2020

The cost of worshiping at one Minnesota mosque? A firebombing, a Confederate flag, an assault, and a blogger who films Muslim children.

by Hibah Ansari September 14, 2020September 14, 2020

Arts

It takes a big, colorful mural to capture all the pride in St. Paul’s West Side

by Hibah Ansari and Jaida Grey Eagle September 12, 2020September 12, 2020

News

George Floyd, Jacob Blake and the latest outburst of anger in Minneapolis: Looking for the connection.

by Hibah Ansari August 27, 2020August 29, 2020

The Minnesota GOP has a problem winning voters of color and new Americans. Could Republican Party chair Jennifer Carnahan offer a solution?

by Hibah Ansari August 26, 2020September 21, 2020

Faith

2020 Toyota Highlander. Customized gold necklaces. Free trip to Mecca: Minnesota’s best Qur’an memorizers get top prizes at contest.

by Hibah Ansari August 24, 2020August 30, 2020

‘I opened a business. I’m hiring. I’m paying taxes’: Minnesota immigrants say Trump’s Mankato campaign comments don’t match what they’re seeing in their community.

by Hibah Ansari August 18, 2020August 18, 2020

‘You’re not a guest here, and you deserve better’: Jamal Osman’s message to immigrant communities helps capture Minneapolis Ward 6 City Council seat.

by Hibah Ansari August 14, 2020August 16, 2020

Housing advocate Jamal Osman defeats ten candidates in Minneapolis Ward 6 race.

by Hibah Ansari August 14, 2020August 14, 2020

Arts

Filmmaker Naomi Ko thinks ‘representation’ in Hollywood needs to mean more than movies about ‘rich East Asians’

by Hibah Ansari August 13, 2020August 15, 2020

An attack on an imam fractured his shoulder and terrified the Muslim community in Bloomington.

by Hibah Ansari August 7, 2020August 7, 2020

Criminal Justice

‘Mexicans don’t want to call the police,’ alleged burglars say. The result in one Minnesota suburb? Twenty apartment break-ins targeting immigrants.

by Hibah Ansari August 6, 2020August 6, 2020

A Muslim woman told anyone who would listen about her run-in with white supremacists in Minnesota. One of them? Allegedly ‘Umbrella Man.’

by Hibah Ansari July 29, 2020July 29, 2020

In their own words: Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District voters have opinions about the race between Ilhan Omar and Antone Melton-Meaux

by Hibah Ansari July 27, 2020July 29, 2020

Arts

Hmong women sold their embroidery in refugee camps for $1 apiece. The culture they documented is beyond value.

by Hibah Ansari July 20, 2020August 3, 2020

They come to Minnesota seeking safety from terrorist groups and gang violence. New Trump asylum rule calls those threats ‘frivolous.’

by Hibah Ansari July 16, 2020July 17, 2020

Media

KSTP-TV reporter asks Muslim woman: What’s the difference between a hijab and white supremacist gang regalia?

by Hibah Ansari July 10, 2020July 13, 2020

Minnesota health officials offer ‘no-barriers’ COVID-19 testing across state for immigrants, uninsured

by Hibah Ansari July 8, 2020July 8, 2020

Culture & Community

COVID-19 cancels J4, the Hmong International Freedom Festival, for 40,000 attendees

by Hibah Ansari July 2, 2020July 3, 2020

Killed By Police

Family of Isak Aden, who was killed by police in Eagan a year ago, files civil rights suit; protesters want case reopened

by Hibah Ansari July 2, 2020July 2, 2020

Minnesota Muslims grieve their canceled Hajj plans as COVID-19 shuts down travel to Saudi Arabia.

by Hibah Ansari June 26, 2020June 26, 2020

New visa restrictions less likely to save U.S. jobs than further Trump’s anti-immigration agenda, experts say

by Hibah Ansari June 24, 2020June 24, 2020

News

As Holy Land grocery attempts to mend relationship with community, former employees speak out

by Hibah Ansari June 19, 2020July 2, 2020

Minnesota hires new assistant commissioner for immigrant and refugee affairs

by Hibah Ansari June 15, 2020June 15, 2020

Culture & Community

Bush Foundation announces four immigrants from Minnesota as new 2020 fellows

by Hibah Ansari June 9, 2020June 12, 2020

As Minnesota immigrants watched the killing of George Floyd and unrest that followed, an unsettling reminder of traumas suffered back home

by Hibah Ansari June 8, 2020June 12, 2020

Culture & Community

Holy Land CEO relative has been fired from law firm for racist social media post

by Hibah Ansari June 5, 2020June 5, 2020

News

Holy Land grocery faces boycotts after past racist social media posts by CEO’s daughter resurface

by Hibah Ansari June 4, 2020June 12, 2020