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Interfaith leaders condemn Trump’s attacks on St. Paul kindergarteners in hijabs
By Becky Z. Dernbach at Sahan Journal
· July 8, 2026
· 4 min read
Interfaith leaders denounced President Donald Trump’s social media attacks on a group of St. Paul kindergarten graduates wearing hijabs in a Wednesday news conference.
“Our children deserve to grow up knowing they are fully part of this state and this country, not to be told they do not belong...
Key takeaway ” “Children should be our red line,” said Malika Dahir, executive director of Reviving Sisterhood.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The backlash against President Trump's social media posts targeting St. Paul kindergarteners in hijabs has significant implications for the Twin Cities community, where Somali immigrants have settled in large numbers. The fact that interfaith leaders from Christian, Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, and Muslim traditions are speaking out together against these attacks underscores the strong social fabric of Minneapolis and St. Paul, where community relationships and mutual respect are highly valued. As the home to a sizable Somali population, the Twin Cities area has a vested interest in promoting inclusivity and protecting its youngest residents from discriminatory rhetoric. The swift condemnation from Gov. Tim Walz and local faith leaders demonstrates the state's commitment to upholding the values of diversity and equality that are fundamental to Minnesota's identity. This incident may also galvanize further community engagement and solidarity among local residents, faith groups, and civic leaders.
About this story
Original reporting by Sahan Journal . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Sahan Journal . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Sahan Journal ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Interfaith leaders denounced President Donald Trump’s social media attacks on a group of St. Paul kindergarten graduates wearing hijabs in a Wednesday news conference.
“Our children deserve to grow up knowing they are fully part of this state and this country, not to be told they do not belong...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Sahan Journal and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Becky Z. Dernbach at Sahan Journal. To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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