Letters to the Editor | December 18th, 2025
To the editor,
By now, we have all seen the reports of President Trump disparaging our Somali communities — specifically, those in Minnesota — by describing them in a way we won’t repeat in this letter. We believe our faith requires us to speak out when our friends and neighbors are cruelly attacked in such a manner.
Every major religious tradition calls us to walk in the ways of love and compassion. This is not always an easy path, but it is a sacred path of wholeness, health, communal wellbeing, and faithfulness. It requires firmly declaring the deep value of every human being, when some of our leaders are quick to guide us toward hate and fear. It requires us to welcome the stranger who may look or speak differently than we do.
And now, this path requires us to stand united with our Somali friends in Minnesota, in North Dakota, and across our country. We push back against the hurtful, hateful comments of our president — comments that cause real harm to our communities. We challenge our faith communities and our leaders to reject such bigotry.
At a time when attacks like this are becoming more and more common from this Administration, we must hold true to the teachings we believe in and ask ourselves “What path do I choose to follow?”
Sincerely,
Interfaith Alliance of North Dakota Board
Marty Toepke-Floyd, Jamestown
David Myers, Moorhead
Fowzia Adde, Fargo
Barry Nelson, Fargo
Gretchen Deeg, Bismarck
January 24th 2026
August 19th 2025
June 19th 2025
June 2nd 2025
May 15th 2025
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