The life period of youth and young adulthood is a time of forming identities and making allegiances. In the absence of adequate, consistent support, negative influences abound. Religious and spiritual leaders are potential sources of support for young people. Increasingly, empirical reports document the influence, most of it positive, of religion on both physical and emotional well-being. This interview with a Somali religious leader illustrates the importance of understanding and addressing the unique needs and challenges of young Somalis in Minnesota and beyond.
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