J. Hassan

Life is a journey from ALLAH to ALLAH. Always say the truth and ashame the devil.

[Esther Muthoni Passaris @EstherPassaris]

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

To Omar Abdulkadir Artan: they did not diminish your achievement; they diminished an opportunity for sport to do what it does best—bring people together.

Sport rises above politics. It is one of the last remaining spaces where merit, discipline, and excellence can transcend borders and differences.

The decision to deny you entry may have kept you out of a country, but it could never diminish your talent, your dignity, or the respect you have earned across Africa and the world.

The thousands who welcomed you home understood something important: greatness is not conferred by a visa. It is earned through character, hard work, and achievement.

They did not lose you. The decision-makers lost an opportunity to demonstrate the values of fairness, inclusion, and unity that inspire the world.

Your achievement remains unquestioned. Your story remains bigger than this moment.
#IStandWithOmar
#WorldCup
https://t.co/OYfY8Q4MA7

[Elham Ishmael ✍︎ @EIshmael_]

Absolutely brilliant. Hats off to UEFA this completely shatters the so-called Epstein class administration in Washington. Now this is what you call real morality and genuine respect for human dignity.

[UEFA @UEFA]

🏆 Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup!

We're pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg.

[Iran Embassy SA @IraninSA]

Each person with his own boss.

[Nahuel Lanzón @nahuelzn]

🇸🇴 Nunca vi algo así. En Somalia hoy se llenó un estadio para recibir como héroe nacional a Omar Artan, el árbitro al que Estados Unidos le negó la entrada al Mundial. Increíble.

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

Cumar Artan ma gaarin #FIFAWorldCup oo keliya. Wuxuu taariikh dhigay isagoo noqday garsoorihii kubadda cagta ugu horreeyay ee Soomaaliyeed ee halkaas gaara, isla markaana ka mid ah garsoorayaasha ugu wanaagsan #Afrika. Guushaas cidina kama qaadi karto, wax kasta ha dhacaane.
Cumar, aad baan uga xumahay waxa dhacay. Waxaad gaartay heerka ugu sarreeya ee xirfaddaada, waxaadna dhiirrigelisay jiil dalka jooga adigoo halkaas gaaray. In lagaa hor istaagay fursaddii aad u qalantay ma beddelayso taas.
Tani ma noqon doonto halka ay ku dhammaato sheekadaadu. Dunidu way ku garab taagan tahay, waxayna kuu rajaynaysaa samir, adkaysi, iyo in aad mar kale garsoorto kulamo waaweyn oo caalami ah.
Waan ku garab taaganahay, Cumar.
#Somalia

[Halima Gutale De/So @HalimaAIGutale]

Sometimes history unfolds differently than intended.

Whatever the original intention may have been, the outcome became something entirely different. Within hours, Omar Artan became a global topic. Radio stations, television broadcasts, newspapers, and social media around the world picked up his story. His name reached living rooms across continents and became known to people who otherwise might never have heard of him.

And this moment revealed something else as well. Not a spectator, not a fan, and not even a player, but a FIFA appointed referee travelling in an official capacity in connection with the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States was unable to continue in that role. A referee recognised among Africa’s finest.

And perhaps this made something finally clear: sport is political. At least from the moment borders, visa decisions, state power, and international relations determine who gets to participate and who does not.

If this continues, what comes next? Will we see political statements again, as we have in previous tournaments? Will national teams take visible positions? Will stadiums become spaces of political expression?

And while this debate unfolded, Canada sent a different message. Not distance, but recognition. Not only words, but political action. A proposal was introduced in the Canadian Parliament to recognise July as Somali Heritage Month.

That is more than symbolism. It is a sign that Somali Canadians are seen and that their contributions to society, politics, culture, and public life are recognised.

Regardless of how the vote ends and whether the proposal secures the parliamentary majority required to pass, the message has already been received. Somalis at home and across the diaspora have noticed this moment and understood the gesture. Political recognition often begins long before the final vote.

Thank you, Canada.

[RT @RT_com]

'Africa's best referee' gets hero's welcome at Somali airport — after US denied him entry to 2026 World Cup

A Somali tycoon promised him $100,000 to make up for lost earnings, while the US Somali diaspora says it plans to raise $1 million in his support

[J. Hassan @Cfatah3]

@Dave_Eby Mr Dave thanks for your support. Somali will never forget your courageous and perservering on difficult times. We'll pay back.

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

Omar Artan didn’t just make the #FIFAWorldCup, he made history as the first Somali referee to get there, and as #Africa’s best. That milestone stands no matter what. So sorry to see this, Omar. You reached the summit of your profession and inspired a generation back home just by getting there, and being kept off the pitch you earned doesn’t change that. This won’t be the end of your story on the world stage. The world stands with you as one family, wishing you resilience now and many more major finals to come. Solidarity. #Somalia

[Deeqa 🇸🇴 @Deee_luul]

Somali Talent at the FIFA World Cup!

🇸🇴 Omar Artan | Referee

🇸🇴🇶🇦 Akram Afif | Forward

🇸🇴🇹🇳 Anis Ben Slimane | Midfielder

🇸🇴🇸🇪 Taha Ali | Winger

🇸🇴🇸🇦 Mukhtar Ali | Midfielder

Good luck to all of them, and let's hope FIFA stands by its officials and ensures Omar Artan gets the opportunity he has earned.

[🇸🇦Abdulsalam Saleh @abdulslam2017]

🚨 Somali referee Omar Artan, named Africa’s best referee of 2025 and selected to officiate at the World Cup, has been barred from entering the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection “determined that he was inadmissible due to security concerns.”

Consider this scenario: a Somali soccer referee poses a “security threat” to the United States. This isn’t just bureaucracy. This is blatant racism. If this had happened at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the barred referee had been American or European, all hell would have broken loose. The Western media would have gone into a frenzy. Doha would have been accused of every shortcoming under the sun.

But because the perpetrator is Washington and the victim is African, the matter is being swept under the rug. And this leaves only one impression: the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. will be the worst World Cup in history.

Do you agree with me?

[OgadenSoldier ⛩ @OgadenSoldier]

Laftagareen secures Round One

48 days left for Hassan Gurguurte ⏳

[J. Hassan @Cfatah3]

@TommiPedruzzi Send

[Typical African @Joe__Bassey]

Bombshell: Ghana’s President Mahama destroys US President in brutal takedown over Africa’s abuse.

[Somaliweyn! @kingofSomaliaa]

Interesting 🧐!

[Somaliweyn! @kingofSomaliaa]

What a smart young girl 👏🏽👏🏽. She communicates significantly more effectively than certain leaders globally!

[Elham Ishmael ✍︎ @EIshmael_]

#SomaliExcellence proud of my people 👏. Let’s show #MAGARATs and #Trump that we rise above their racist attacks.