BY Hafsa Mursal
Mariam Abdi Hussein was elected as the first Somali-born member of the Norwegian parliament this week.
Mariam Abdi Hussein has made history being the first Somali to become a member of the Norwegian parliament. She has become the first Muslim woman to appear in the parliament wearing hijab after joining the council.
Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Khaire hailed Mariam’s election, calling her achievement historic.
“The new member of parliament and all Somalis living in Norway, I send congratulations on the historic success.” said Kheyre in a Tweet
Waxaan Hambalyo u diriyaa Maryan Cabdi Xuseen @Hawatako oo caawa noqotay xildhibaankii ugu horeeyay ee Soomaali ah ee kamid noqda baarlamaanka dalka Norway. pic.twitter.com/LdDnvrWAEH
— Hassan Ali Khaire (@HassanAKhaire) September 13, 2021
Prior to her career, Mariam was chairperson of the Somali Student Federation(SSF),and was one of its founding members, including former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre in 1993.
The Somali Student Federation has in the last 28 years produced different leaders who have impact on the society within Norway and across the world
Mariam Abdi Hussein said she had entered politics because of the circumstances of her community and the people of the country in general and that she believed she could do something about it if she now won a seat in parliament.
But she emphasized that the voters were not only Somalis but also the other people from different background. When she was asked about her hijab as a Muslim woman who might sometimes face challenges, MP Mariam said,
“There is currently no legal barrier to my hijab and my religion” as she pointed out that in Norway, everyone is valued for what they have.