This past week @halimasalat saved a life. In my experience, real heroes often go unsung. They do not seek acknowledgement, and their work goes unnoticed and uncelebrated. Just this once, I wanted to make sure that did not happen. /1 (Thread)
@halimasalat Recently, Amina (pseudonym), a young Somali-American woman, was lured to Kenya from the US on claims of a vacation with extended family. Upon arrival, however, she learned that this was a pretense. She would be kept in Kenya to be cured of the poison of her western life. /2
@halimasalat Some context: such re-education camps, based on a practice called Dhaqan Celis, are pervasive among Somali communities. Young men and women from western countries are routinely forced or tricked into gay conversion and religious re-education camps abroad. /3
@halimasalat Once there, they are cut off from the world. In the worst cases, they are chained, tortured, forced to undergo exorcisms, beaten and indoctrinated - all with the consent and approval of their families. Most who escape tend to stay silent for fear of retribution. /4
@halimasalat We’ve had experience with this practice before. A young man we rescued from an identical situation was brave enough to speak up (). The subsequent news coverage (bbc.com/news/world-us-…)
led to multiple camp closures. However, far too many still exist. /5
led to multiple camp closures. However, far too many still exist. /5
@halimasalat Amina reached out to @exmsvoices informing the founder Halima that she was about to be transported to a camp. Halima sprung into action. A plan was hatched to rescue Amina in the dead of night while the family was asleep. /6
@halimasalat @ExMSVoices However, authorities could not be trusted in Kenya, so someone needed to be the transport. Halima rushed to find options, and reached out to us for assistance. She was able to find two brave women on the ground to drive a getaway car. At approximately 4 am, Amina was rescued. /7
@halimasalat @ExMSVoices We knew Amina's family would begin searching for her the minute they found she was gone. We searched and found temporary housing, and kept Amina there for the night while liaising with the US embassy, who provided tips for Amina's safety the next morning. /8
@halimasalat @ExMSVoices On the first flight possible, Halima arranged for Amina's departure out of Kenya. The Somali women on the ground helping us agreed to drive Amina to the airport from the embassy, which turned out to be a nightmare of its own. /9
@halimasalat @ExMSVoices On the drive to the airport, they were hit and driven off the road by a truck. Although we cannot know,we suspect this was intentional and someone was watching the embassy. Despite injuries, the driver had the presence of mind to immediately put Amina in a taxi to the airport./10
@halimasalat @ExMSVoices Fortunately, Amina was only mildly injured and made it to the airport just in time for her flight, but her driver is still recovering from her injuries. /11
@halimasalat @ExMSVoices Amina is now back in the US, making arrangements for her future life / safety. Although we contributed a small part in making Amina's return possible, an enormous amount of work, sleepless nights, stress, and personal sacrifice was made by Halima and the women on the ground. /12
@halimasalat @ExMSVoices Please join me in thanking @halimasalat, her brave volunteers in Kenya and Amina for their quick-thinking and courage. We at @exmuslimsorg have covered the costs of the emergency rescue and medical bills, but wish to do more for @exmsvoices to help their future work. /13
@halimasalat @ExMSVoices @ExmuslimsOrg Therefore, Ex-Muslims of North America is running a fundraiser of $5,000 USD to help get Halima’s group off the ground. We will also provide a matching grant of $5,000 for this drive. This means any donation you make will have *double* the impact. /14
@halimasalat @ExMSVoices @ExmuslimsOrg You can donate here gofundme.com/f/5tujy-let039… Please share with your family and friends. /15 (Fin)
