The Voice Of Somaliland: Safia A. Ismael, a Somali activist in the US , accorded warm welcome to honorable Ikram Haji Daud.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Safia A. Ismael, a Somali activist in the US , accorded warm welcome to honorable Ikram Haji Daud.

Dallas, Texas, 20 March 2006--Honorable Ikran Haji Daud Warsame, the first elected woman MP in Somaliland, who is currently visiting the United States, was given a warm welcome last week by Safia Ismael, an active and a prominent woman in Dallas, Texas.

Safia, who is also member of the Organizing Committee of an upcoming conference on the Horn of Africa to be hosted by University of Texas at Arlington, has hosted a dinner in the honor of Ikran and gave her a tour of the landmarks of the city. Safia also entertained Ikran at her house.
Speaking to Awdalnews Network, Safia described Ikran as a wonderful personality and an intelligent politician who had a great enthusiasm to change Somaliland's political landscape, particularly on women issues.

On the Horn of African Conference, Safia said that a panel of experts would address various issues of paramount importance to the countries in the region. The topics to be discussed include health, globalization, agriculture and rural development, infrastructure and water development, women and social issues, education and technology as well as environment and sustainable development.

Arriving in Washington DC on Monday, March 6, 2006, Honorable Ikran attended a three-day International Women’s Convention hosted by International Republican Institute (IRI) to discuss democracy, gender and governance issues.
The IRI, at the initiative of the Somaliland Policy and Reconstruction Institute (SOPRI), had invited honorable Ikran to the convention.

Earlier, Honorable Ikran was invited to the White House on 8th March along with 51 other women who were leaders in their own countries, making her the first Somaliland politician to have ever been invited to the White House since Somaliland restored its sovereignty 15 years ago. U.S. President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush have welcomed these female leaders to the White House to celebrate women’s month and international women’s day. Hon. Ikran had interacted with the attendees and briefed them on Somaliland's cause.

Honorable Ikran is expected to talk to the Somaliland Community in Minnesota on Sunday, 19th March 2006 at a luncheon to be hosted in her honor.

Awdalnews Network, Staff Reporter.

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