Rep. Omar Returns to Public Life at 900-Store Somali Mall in Minneapolis

Rep. Ilhan Omar was seen dining at the Karmel Mall of Somalia in Minneapolis on Friday.

The visit marked her first public appearance since federal agents raided her Washington, D.C., residence on Oct. 12. She spent a portion of the day inside the four-story building, which its owner claims is the largest Somali mall in the world.

The mall operates differently from typical American shopping centers. It houses 900 vendors in a layout that resembles a storage facility rather than a traditional retail space. Shop owners lift metal garage doors to signal their stores are open, and strict schedules for opening and closing times do not appear to be enforced.

Omar ate lunch in the mall's dining area, a space decorated with Somali, Palestinian, and American flags at equal height. The ceiling above the food vendors is painted light blue with a white star, a design similar to the Somali flag. She was accompanied by State Attorney General Keith Ellison, and both were surrounded by security guards during the meal.

The dining area features Somali cafes serving traditional dishes such as sambusas, a flaky fried pastry, and bijaye, a fried cornmeal item. While many patrons ate with their hands, Omar and her companions used forks. The mall also contains shops selling prepaid SIM cards for international calls, money transfer services for East Africa, and travel agencies focused on the Middle East and East Africa.

Basim Sabri, the Gaza-born owner of the mall, granted media access to the building. He stated that the mall serves as an incubator for businesses, allowing entrepreneurs to start small before expanding. Sabri noted that the surrounding area is often called the Islamic Peace Village. He also mentioned that the mall is not exclusively for Somalis, though outsiders with cameras are closely watched by security and patrons.

Sabri has a history with local politics and law. He was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison in 2005 for bribing a Minneapolis public official. He previously banned Mayor Jacob Frey from the mall in February 2024 after the mayor vetoed a ceasefire resolution. Sabri described Somali residents as intelligent and hard-working business individuals who are prospering in the community.