Few Ohio State students are aware of the incredible amount of diversity the citizens of Columbus create.

For instance, more than 18,000 Somalis live in Columbus. Columbus has the nation’s second largest Somali population, behind only Minneapolis, and the Somalis’ growth marks the largest immigration population growth in the city.

Because the Somali population continues to increase, it is necessary to become more aware of its experiences in Columbus. A few campus organizations have collaborated to aid in this learning process.

The College of Education, the Center for African Studies and OSU’s Association for Women in Development sponsored a panel discussion entitled “Experiences and Issues of Somali Women” in Columbus yesterday.

Before an audience of about 75, five panelists of varying ages shared stories about their many transitions from life in Somalia to Columbus. Merry Merryfield, professor of social studies and global education, facilitated the event.

“When you see a good thing, you want to share it with other people,” said panelist Maryan Warsame when asked why Columbus attracts such a large number of Somalians. She said Columbus offers many great social services, jobs for unskilled laborers, affordable housing and relative peace when compared to many larger cities.

Warsame said the feeling of security in Columbus offers its citizens is extremely important to Somalians, many of whom have been traumatized by war in their homeland.

She was nine months pregnant when she came to the United States in 1994 with only $100.

“I came to save my life and my baby’s life,” she said.

Eight years later, Warsame is the director of the Somali Women’s Association, helping other mothers who have moved to Columbus to save their families’ lives.

Khadar Bashir-Ali, English as a Second Language Coordinator for Columbus Public Schools, has received two master’s degrees from OSU and said she constantly deals with negotiating her identity.

“I’m a teacher, black woman, Somalian, American and Muslim,” Bashir-Ali said. She chooses not to dress in traditional Muslim clothing because in the past most students viewed her with feelings of resentment.

“Please do not judge me or make assumptions about me,” Bashir-Ali said. “Please try to dispel the stereotypes that we live with.”

Bashir-Ali said many people see her as a victim. But Somali women brought their families here for the opportunity to give them better lives.

Warsame said Somali women are the survivors of the family. “We are not victims, we are survivors,” she said.

Since Sept. 11, Somalians in Columbus have been continuously discriminated against. Warsame said it is crucial that people realize all Muslims are not terrorists.

“We came from Somalia because of war, we don’t want more war,” she said.

Leyla Isse, a Somali immigrant and high school student in Columbus Public Schools, said she experienced the increased discrimination from her classmates.

“In school they would ask where I was from, and it doesn’t help to explain because most students don’t even know where Somalia is,” Isse said.

Somalian customs were discussed because citizens in Columbus need to be educated about the many distinct cultural differences.

Ebonie Hafford, a senior in social work, said she decided to attend the event because the Somali population is growing so rapidly in Columbus.

“I wanted to learn about things that I should be more aware of and sensitive to,” she said.

For example, Isse said a Somali woman will not shake a man’s hand unless he is her spouse, Somalian women cover their entire body except their hands and face, and Somalians always look down when speaking to respected individuals.

Citizens of Columbus need to be more accepting of people for who they are and what they believe, Isse said.

“Even if it’s different from your view, it doesn’t mean that he or she is a bad person,” she said.