Ahmed Hussen, who went to Canada as a teenage refugee, in October was elected as the country’s first Somali-born member of parliament.
Since he arrived in Canada, fleeing a civil war ravaged the Horn of Africa nation in 1993, he has had to juggle odd jobs to realise his dream: a university education. His ambition to complete his studies and a love of social work led him to a career in politics.
Since his election victory, Hussen, 39, has become a celebrity whose fame extends beyond his York South-Weston riding. The first Canadian of Somali descent to be elected to the House of Commons has been getting Facebook messages from Africa and requests from international media.
Born and raised in Somalia, the lawyer and community activist called his victory “a symbolic and real manifestation of the openness of the Liberal Party to new Canadians.”
Hussen is one of 20 visible-minority MPs elected in the Great Toronto Area Monday night, and a record number elected across Canada
The father of two says it was humbling to be given a vote of confidence and that the result confirmed his belief that “there’s a hunger out there for real change.”
