I've noticed some differences between the Somalis in North America (Canda & USA) and Europe and the way we live our lives. I will be discussing the ways of life (religion, culture, employment, politics, fashion) and there are some unique things you'll find. I will also separate the UK from Europe as their quite distinct too.
Starting off with religion:
In North America, Somalis are your basic sunni muslim.
There are fewer salafis here when compared to the UK with the most concentration in Minnesota, but generally are in hiding and aren't as controversial and flamboyant as their UK counterparts. Many Somalis here will eat any meat that isn't pork, and aren't as strict on that as their UK counterparts. In general, Somalis are more religious than the average muslims in North America atleast and seem to be even more religious when we live together in large numbers eg. (Toronto, Minnesota). But we're not as religious as the UK folks.
The major difference from Europe is that here in North America especially in Canada we have a large portion of liberal progressive muslim's. Many of these liberal progressive muslims have this stance because of the way society here allows better integration of people here in to larger society especially when compared to Europe.
This has led to muslims who're more politically involved but it has also led to the attempt to fit, morph and distort Islam and its values to fit into western ideals. It's starting to gain ground in the UK, with the likes of Tariq Ramadhan and others but mainly in the paki/arab communities.
In Europe, Somalis and muslim immigrants seem to be more isolated and excluded from the larger society. They're in their ethnic ghetto's, where unemployment is high. This can be seen especially in parts of Sweden and voluntarily segregated London. This may be the reason why many have taken stronger views on the deen. The Somali's in UK seem to be more cultured and religious, they also have less identity crisis and are more confident in their beliefs. You're allowed to express yourself there more, us American/Canadians can't get away with that without being put on a FBI watchlist.
In Politics:
In N. America, the Somalis are more politically involved and aware then our UK and European counterparts. My theory is that it has to do with the fact that we're encouraged by societies here to participate and become part of the fabric of the country.
North America was built by immigrants, and it can feel natural to say you're American/Canadian then to say you're Swedish or Danish where immigrants there aren't integrated. North America is also more used to accepting immigrants and are better at integrating them than Europe. From the very beginning in Europe, the Somali/Muslim is made to feel alien, many of them living in whole regions where they only live. Some of them who've lived their for a decade, can't even speak the language of the country and many are unemployed. The economic model of Europe is an economic disaster but thats for another paragraph.
In employment:
American Somalis in terms of employment and entrepreneurship have the highest rates in the diaspora.
From the side of my family who live in the states, they seem to have an abundance of jobs. Some of whom have 2 or 3 jobs, heck even my 15 year old cousin is working and a 17 year old cousin has a full driving license and working part time already. It's hard to find a job that young in Canada, and the requirements are too many.
With the goold old american capitalism, the adeer who just landed yesterday will be able to receive a driver's license and a job within a month without a lick of english.
The doctor from the kacaan era will be able to take a medical exam and if he passes will be allowed to practice daktarnimo . I have other relatives who started business there as well.
The UK is a lot better than socialist Europe in employment. Many Somalis are working as I hear, but there's still a lot of unemployment among the youth. The houses though are the size of shoe boxes.
The real pain lies with the European Somalis, there are very limited low skilled jobs with only a few in elderly care and menial services , otherwise they have to receive gov't benefits. The gov't benefits are almost as good as the low skilled pay which discourages them from carrying out those menial jobs. Many of them are even able to use some of those benefits to buy land back home and invest.
European Somalis are unique because they also consists of newer influx of Somalis from the 2000's as well. So they're more fobby, and still have strong connection to Somalia. Most of the Euro Somalis from before the 2000's left for the UK .
In Criminality:
Canadian Somalis take the cake,
. We can't even say it's a Toronto problem, it's happening in Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa but to a lesser degree.
The reason why we have the most, Somalis were put in gov't housing with druggies ,gangs and losers. The schools in those areas aren't goo as well and many parents didn't push their kids academically. The dropout rate is high and many became like the environment they were raised in. The gov't housing in Minnesota isn't half as bad as the one's in Toronto, and the one's in Seattle are quite nice because you choose what neighborhood to live in instead of being forced into one.
In Fashion:
The UK and Europe are better dressed than US & Canada.
The girls and guys in the UK can look very classy and elegant when they're not trying to look like roadmen.
There's something about the North American style, its a " idgaf , just tryna be comfortable" look.
More looser, baggier clothing here, we despise tight pants and shirts on men , it's viewed as homosexual or too cadaan.
What're some differences you've noticed with Somalis around the world?
Let's discuss
Starting off with religion:
In North America, Somalis are your basic sunni muslim.
There are fewer salafis here when compared to the UK with the most concentration in Minnesota, but generally are in hiding and aren't as controversial and flamboyant as their UK counterparts. Many Somalis here will eat any meat that isn't pork, and aren't as strict on that as their UK counterparts. In general, Somalis are more religious than the average muslims in North America atleast and seem to be even more religious when we live together in large numbers eg. (Toronto, Minnesota). But we're not as religious as the UK folks.
The major difference from Europe is that here in North America especially in Canada we have a large portion of liberal progressive muslim's. Many of these liberal progressive muslims have this stance because of the way society here allows better integration of people here in to larger society especially when compared to Europe.
This has led to muslims who're more politically involved but it has also led to the attempt to fit, morph and distort Islam and its values to fit into western ideals. It's starting to gain ground in the UK, with the likes of Tariq Ramadhan and others but mainly in the paki/arab communities.
In Europe, Somalis and muslim immigrants seem to be more isolated and excluded from the larger society. They're in their ethnic ghetto's, where unemployment is high. This can be seen especially in parts of Sweden and voluntarily segregated London. This may be the reason why many have taken stronger views on the deen. The Somali's in UK seem to be more cultured and religious, they also have less identity crisis and are more confident in their beliefs. You're allowed to express yourself there more, us American/Canadians can't get away with that without being put on a FBI watchlist.
In Politics:
In N. America, the Somalis are more politically involved and aware then our UK and European counterparts. My theory is that it has to do with the fact that we're encouraged by societies here to participate and become part of the fabric of the country.
North America was built by immigrants, and it can feel natural to say you're American/Canadian then to say you're Swedish or Danish where immigrants there aren't integrated. North America is also more used to accepting immigrants and are better at integrating them than Europe. From the very beginning in Europe, the Somali/Muslim is made to feel alien, many of them living in whole regions where they only live. Some of them who've lived their for a decade, can't even speak the language of the country and many are unemployed. The economic model of Europe is an economic disaster but thats for another paragraph.
In employment:
American Somalis in terms of employment and entrepreneurship have the highest rates in the diaspora.
From the side of my family who live in the states, they seem to have an abundance of jobs. Some of whom have 2 or 3 jobs, heck even my 15 year old cousin is working and a 17 year old cousin has a full driving license and working part time already. It's hard to find a job that young in Canada, and the requirements are too many.
With the goold old american capitalism, the adeer who just landed yesterday will be able to receive a driver's license and a job within a month without a lick of english.
The doctor from the kacaan era will be able to take a medical exam and if he passes will be allowed to practice daktarnimo . I have other relatives who started business there as well.
The UK is a lot better than socialist Europe in employment. Many Somalis are working as I hear, but there's still a lot of unemployment among the youth. The houses though are the size of shoe boxes.
The real pain lies with the European Somalis, there are very limited low skilled jobs with only a few in elderly care and menial services , otherwise they have to receive gov't benefits. The gov't benefits are almost as good as the low skilled pay which discourages them from carrying out those menial jobs. Many of them are even able to use some of those benefits to buy land back home and invest.
European Somalis are unique because they also consists of newer influx of Somalis from the 2000's as well. So they're more fobby, and still have strong connection to Somalia. Most of the Euro Somalis from before the 2000's left for the UK .
In Criminality:
Canadian Somalis take the cake,
. We can't even say it's a Toronto problem, it's happening in Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa but to a lesser degree.The reason why we have the most, Somalis were put in gov't housing with druggies ,gangs and losers. The schools in those areas aren't goo as well and many parents didn't push their kids academically. The dropout rate is high and many became like the environment they were raised in. The gov't housing in Minnesota isn't half as bad as the one's in Toronto, and the one's in Seattle are quite nice because you choose what neighborhood to live in instead of being forced into one.
In Fashion:
The UK and Europe are better dressed than US & Canada.
The girls and guys in the UK can look very classy and elegant when they're not trying to look like roadmen.
There's something about the North American style, its a " idgaf , just tryna be comfortable" look.
More looser, baggier clothing here, we despise tight pants and shirts on men , it's viewed as homosexual or too cadaan.
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What're some differences you've noticed with Somalis around the world?
Let's discuss
Even the recent twitter fights between blacks and Somalis was all based in the UK. 
