Abdi Nor Iftin

Abdi Nor Iftin (born June 20, 1985) is a Somali-American author and activist known for his memoir, Call Me American and his advocacy for refugees and immigrants.

Iftin lives in Maine and is studying political science at Boston College.

Abdi Nor Iftin was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, to a fairly well-off family.

However, his family lost their home and money following the onset of the Somali Civil War.

Although they initially tried to flee to Baidoa in 1991, they returned to Mogadishu and lived with a neighbor.

As a child, he and his brother traveled daily to a local hospital to retrieve clean water.

Despite the challenges, Iftin developed a passion for education and English language, often watching American movies and listening to BBC broadcasts and American pop music to improve his language skills.

His love for American pop culture earned him the name 'Abdi American' among his peers.

At age 15, he began offering English lessons.

He graduated from his madrasa in 1998, and got a job at a small movie theater.

In 2007, Iftin met journalist Paul Salopek while he was visiting Mogadishu.

The two kept in touch, and Iftin began operating as a guerilla journalist by 2009.

Later, an American radio program asked him to produce an audio diary on his life in Mogadishu, which Iftin accepted.

Iftin fled Somalia after facing persecution from both Al-Shabaab militants and Somali government forces. Through his journalism work he had met an American family who fundraised enough money for Iftin to take a flight out of the country.

In March 2011, Iftin entered Kenya.

There, he became a registered refugee and lived with his brother in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

In July 2014, Iftin received a U.S. visa through the visa lottery program.

Iftin settled in Portland, Maine in 2014, living with the American family who helped finance his escape.

He faced numerous challenges as a refugee, including cultural adjustment, discrimination, and uncertainty about his immigration status.

He was honored by the Peabody Awards in 2016.

In 2021, he was awarded the Freedom to Write Award by PEN America in recognition of his courage and commitment to free expression.

Iftin is unsure of his actual birthdate.

While immigrating to the U.S., he needed a birthdate, and chose June 20 because it is World Refugee Day.

Iftin was diagnosed with PTSD after his arrival in the United States.

As of 2023, Iftin is finishing his bachelor’s degree in political science at Boston College.

He plays soccer every Saturday.

The book was published in 2018, and received critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of his life in Somalia and Iftin's journey to America.

In addition to his writing, Iftin is actively involved in advocacy work for refugees and immigrants.

He has appeared on various media outlets, including NPR, BBC, and CNN, to share his story and advocate for refugee rights.

He also travels across the United States, speaking at schools, universities, and community events to raise awareness about refugee issues and promote empathy and understanding.

Abdi Nor Iftin's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors.

He was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in January 2020.

Iftin wrote his memoir, Call Me American, in part to raise awareness about the plight of refugees.

As of 2020, Iftin's brother, Hassan, lives in Toronto, Canada; his mother and sister still live in Somalia.