In response to the Sunday’s article “Jockeying for power” (Dec. 14), I am extremely disappointed in the negative slant and inaccurate information in the article.

The article implies there is a rift in the Somali community. This is not true. The Somali community is no different from any other community with diverse ideas and opinions. And like any other community, organizations are formed to support that diversity and to serve different purposes. As a nonprofit organization, Somali Community Service of Maine has a mission to support the social needs of the Somalis. We are not a political action group, and we have no religion affiliations. We are one of many organizations that voice the concerns of the Somali community.

We welcome any individuals interested in helping the Somali community; our work to date with Clark University and the city of Lewiston reflects our commitment to promote a positive agenda with practical and obtainable results, which will have a positive impact on the Somali community in particular and in general communities at large.

Abdirizak Mahboub,

executive director,

Somali Community Services

of Maine Inc., Lewiston