Finland gets first Somali-born MP in latest shakeups

FINLAND - Somalis in the diaspora have continued shaping history across the world, with the latest one coming in Finland, where one of their own has been picked to Parliament, where he will serve for the next couple of years as he writes history and gives hope to those in despair.

Suldaan Said Ahmed will officially join the Finnish parliament in the coming weeks and would represent the interests of the Left Alliance in the Scandinavian country, which hosts a good number of Somali immigrants from the Horn of Africa nation.

In his interview with the Finnish Broadcasting Cooperation [YLE], Suldaan Said Ahmed said his appointment would pave way for such similar appointments in the country, which is ranked as one of the best homes for refugees and political victims in third world countries.

"I'm the first, but I'm certainly not the last," he emphasized
"Glass ceilings are made to be broken," Suldaan Said Ahmed [Left Alliance] told the Finnish Broadcasting Company [YLE] when interviewed about his impending appointment as a Finnish member of Parliament.

"I'm the first, but I'm certainly not the last," he added.

Until now Helsinki City Councilor, Suldaan Said Ahmed will become the first Finnish Member of Parliament of Somali descent. It will happen when he replaces Paavo Arhinmäki [from the same party] in the Finnish chamber.

Arhinmäki will leave the seat to become deputy mayor of Helsinki.

In principle, Arhinmäki was to be replaced by the Member of the European Parliament Silvia Modig, but she has preferred to stay in Brussels, so now the responsibility will fall to Said Ahmed.

Said Ahmed told YLE that working in the Finnish Parliament is a "great honor" for him and that he will focus his work on climate policy and promoting a more inclusive society.

Certainly, he won't be the first Somali to make History in the world. Ahmed Hussein, a Somali-Canadian is currently serving as MP in the Canadian government and serves as Minister for Family, Children, and Social Justice in the North American country.

Also, Ilhan Omar, who left Somalia for Kenya and later the US, is currently serving as a Congresswoman, representing Minnesota 5th District. She's serving in her second term and was a fierce critic of former President Donald Trump.

GAROWE ONLINE