Call Me American is Abdi Nor Iftin's memoir about fleeing war-torn Somalia. While living under Islamic extremism, he escaped through American movies and music, using them as a tool to learn English. Befriending reporters to learn the language, Abdi ended up filing stories for NPR in secret and dreaming of a life in the U.S. Eventually, through a stroke of incredible luck, he gained entrance to America through the Diversity Visa Lottery. He is now a proud and legal resident of Maine, on the path to citizenship.
Abdi Nor Iftin lives in Portland, Maine, where he works as an interpreter for Somalis who have immigrated to the state. Abdi was accepted to the University of Southern Maine, where he will be studying political science.
Resources
- Somali Refugee Abdi Nor Iftin on NPR: 'I Am Here To Make America Great'
- Abdi Nor Iftin on This American Life
- Timeline: Somalia, 1991-2008
- FAQs about refugees and immigrants in Maine
- Abdi Nor Iftin's work for Public Radio International
Events
- Reading, Q&A and book signing on Thursday, June 21 at Gray Public Library with Letterpress Books
- Literary Lunch: Abdi Nor Iftin talks about Call Me American with Mayor Ethan Strimling at the Portland Public Library, Wednesday, June 27
- A readingat Print: A Bookstore in Portland, Wednesday, June 27
- World Refugee Day is June 20