The University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs has selected their list of 2025-2026 policy fellows. Among them is the executive director of a mosque who wrote a “community support letter” for a man convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl.
In May, Qalinle Ibrahim Dirie was found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct after being charged with raping a 12-year-old girl. The 42-year-old Somali immigrant was later sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Prior to sentencing, several letters were submitted to the court on Dirie’s behalf. One of the letters was from Ahmed Anshur, the executive director of the Al-Ihsan Islamic Center in St. Paul. The letter was titled “Community Support Letter for Qalinle Dirie” and dated July 11.
The letter expressed “strong and heartfelt support” for Dirie, spoke highly of his character, and said he was an “active volunteer” at the mosque. The letter said “the situation” Dirie is facing “comes as a deep shock to all of us” and “it does not reflect the man we know.”
Signed only by Anshur, the letter said “We respectfully ask that this letter be considered as a sincere reflection of who Qalinle Dirie truly is. His contributions may not make headlines, but to us, he has made a positive difference.”
Now, the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs has selected Anshur as one of the institution’s 2025-26 Policy Fellows.
According to the school’s website, the policy fellow program “aims to prepare a new generation of people to assume the responsibilities of leadership and to encourage their effective involvement in public affairs and civic life.”
The program, which runs for nine months, selects fellows from both the private and public sectors. Selected individuals participate in leadership training, interact with public officials, and embark on a multi-day trip to Washington, D.C.
“Rooted in Minnesota’s civic tradition, the Policy Fellows program embraces the values of bipartisanship, inclusivity, and the pursuit of common-good solutions to public challenges,” says the university. “Fellows are driven leaders who demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and a commitment to problem-solving in their work and communities.”
The program’s biography of Anshur states that he was born in Somalia and came to the United States in 2003. He is a two-time graduate of Metropolitan State University, has a master’s degree in Islamic finance from a Malaysian school, and works as an accountant.
Alpha News contacted the University of Minnesota for this story but did not hear back.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
