Suriyaan Hussein, a 21 year-old Somali-American, was born in Ohio and raised in Southern California. He grew up immersed in the vibrant East African community in City Heights, and enjoys playing basketball, video games, and working out. He is passionate about his religion and his community, and engages with his community through his role as a UWEAST (United Women of East Africa) liason. This interview covers his experience of growing up in America, Ramadan, UWEAST, and how COVID-19 has impacted his life and the East African community in San Diego. We met through UWEAST (through Faiza), and the interview was conducted via Zoom as I was back in New Zealand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am an exchange student from New Zealand studying at UCSD, majoring in History and Chemistry. I am extremely passionate about community engagement, intersectionality, and social justice, especially in relation to queer and/or migrant communities.
