ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A Minnesota Islamic organization said an educational seminar on Somalia scheduled in St. Paul Thursday won't provide accurate and unbiased information.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has sent e-mails to law enforcement agencies throughout the state warning seminar attendees "will receive inaccurate and biased information about both Muslims and Somalis," the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press reported.
Chapter President A. Lori Saroya said Monday CAIR was not invited to be part of the "Understanding the People of Somalia" seminar organized by the Center for Somalia History Studies.
The center was founded this year by Bob Fletcher, a St. Paul police watch commander.
"I would hope that people would wait to see the training before they pass judgment on it," he said. "Ninety percent of the training will be viewed as really not controversial."
The seminar brochure said topics covered will include the "Islamic extremist organization" al-Shabaab, clans and sub clans, Black Hawk Down, youth gangs, transition to America and Somali culture.
