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“They have neglected the Somali, and to a certain extent the Yemeni communities, and it’s high time they did something.
“I found children unofficially excluded from lessons, sitting alone in the corridor because teachers have effectively given up trying to communicate.”
His claims were denied by a Liverpool council spokesman who said: “What we said to the Somali community was that if land becomes available within the Granby area we would donate it for educational purposes.
“But the land never became available and we never promised anything.”
The blame game may go on, but locals feel progress can be made only if council and the community representatives come together and address the serious problems of alienation and frustration.
Youth worker Ali Warsame said: “This community is already behind other minorities. The gap will continue to grow.”
Local man Casey, 18, said: “The community doesn’t get anything jobs wise. That’s why there is high unemployment.”
Liverpool might call itself the “World in One City” but if it continues to neglect one of the biggest and oldest communities it might lose the colour, vibrancy and culture it brings.
The danger is the emergence of more gang culture.
There is a feeling the older generation within the Somali community must help and encourage younger members. The younger generation must step up and do more for their community, rather than expecting the community to do something for them.
Five men accused
FIVE men were charged in connection with the murder of Ahmed Mohamed Ibrahim.
Khadar Mohammed, 22, and Essa Mohammed Ismail, 21, of Ritson Street, Toxteth, both appeared at Liverpool magistrates’ court on March 14 charged with the teenager’s murder.
They were remanded in custody for a preliminary hearing at Liverpool crown court on March 28.
Ahmed Kayse Ahmed, 29, of London; Ali Mohammed, 19, of Ritson Street, Toxteth and Ibrahim Ahmed, 22, of Beaconsfield Street, Toxteth, were also charged with murder and appeared in court on Saturday, March 15.
Saeed Hassan Essa, 21, of Northbrook Road, Toxteth, was charged with violent disorder.
The ECHO revealed how teenager Ahmed fled his native Somalia to come to the city nine months ago.
His devastated family said he was recently reunited with mother Asiya who left war-torn Mogadishu two years earlier.
Ahmed remained behind in the capital before escaping the east African country.
He arrived in Liverpool last summer to join his family of four sisters and eight brothers.
Source:
Liverpool Echo
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