Abdi Nor Iftin: "Call Me American"

Join author Abdi Nor Iftin who will talk about his memoir, "Call Me American," an incredible true story of a boy living in war-torn Somalia who escapes to America--first by way of the movies; years later, through a miraculous green card. Refreshments, Q&A, and book signing. Free and open to the public. A Vermont Arts 2018 Event, a program of the Vermont Arts Council.

About the Book:

Abdi Nor Iftin first fell in love with America from afar. As a child, he learned English by listening to American pop artists like Michael Jackson and watching films starring action heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger. When U.S. marines landed in Mogadishu to take on the warlords, Abdi cheered the arrival of these real Americans, who seemed as heroic as those of the movies.

Sporting American clothes and dance moves, he became known around Mogadishu as Abdi American, but when the radical Islamist group al-Shabaab rose to power in 2006, it suddenly became dangerous to celebrate Western culture. Desperate to make a living, Abdi used his language skills to post secret dispatches to NPR and the Internet, which found an audience of worldwide listeners. But as life in Somalia grew more dangerous, Abdi was left with no choice but to flee to Kenya as a refugee.

In an amazing stroke of luck, Abdi won entrance to the U.S. in the annual visa lottery, though his route to America--filled with twists and turns and a harrowing sequence of events that nearly stranded him in Nairobi--did not come easily. Parts of his story were first heard on the BBC World Service and This American Life. Now a proud resident of Maine, on the path to citizenship, Abdi Nor Iftin's dramatic, deeply stirring memoir is truly a story for our time: a vivid reminder of why western democracies still beckon to those looking to make a better life.

"Absolutely remarkable and always as compelling as a novel… An essential immigrant story, one that is enlightening and immediate."

—Booklist (Starred Review)



"[A] wrenching yet hopeful autobiography… Iftin’s extraordinary saga is not just a journey of self-advancement but a quest to break free from ethnic and sectarian hatreds."

—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)



"A searing memoir…that impressively remains upbeat, highly inspiring, and always educational."

—Kirkus (Starred Review)

About the Author:

Abdi Nor Iftin is a naturally gifted speaker. His stories have been featured on various radio and television stations; most recently on CNN. Abdi's story was one of 60 Peabody finalists in 2015. Abdi's stories are personal narratives on his life growing up in a country shredded by a civil war and finished off by Islamists with the sheer luck to win a green card to immigrate to the United States in 2014. Abdi has contributed to Refugees International, American Public Media and the BBC. As a former refugee, a recent immigrant to the US and a Muslim, Abdi has received requests to speak at TEDx events, Universities and colleges in Maine. His new book "Call me American,” was released in June 2018. He toured across the country for his book talk. The book is a finalist for New England Bookseller's Association book awards. Abdi also has a film representation about his life already in place.

Abdi on This American Life: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/560/abdi-and-the-golden-ticket