A St. Paul, Minnesota, Islamic center has ignited a firestorm of controversy after submitting a letter of “heartfelt support” for a man convicted of the first-degree rape of a 12-year-old girl. In a plea for leniency directed at Judge Michael E. Burns ahead of sentencing, the Al-Ihsan Islamic Center described Qalinle Ibrahim Dirie, 42, as a man whose actions have “consistently reflected family and community.” The letter, which portrayed the conviction as a “deep shock,” was one of several testimonials submitted on behalf of Dirie, painting a picture of a dedicated family man in stark contrast to the brutal nature of his crime.
The conviction stems from an incident last June when, according to news reports, Dirie approached the young victim while she was playing in her backyard. After confirming her mother was not home, he returned minutes later, forced the girl into his vehicle, struck her on the head, and sexually assaulted her. The child managed to escape the car and flee back to her home. A month later, law enforcement arrested Dirie after the victim’s own family orchestrated a sting operation to lure him back to their residence, leading to his capture.
In their letter to the court, the Al-Ihsan Islamic Center urged the judge to consider Dirie’s life story, noting he was a Somali immigrant who grew up in Kenyan refugee camps and had “faced the challenge of starting over in a new culture.” The letter praised his “love for his family and kids” and his efforts to send money back to relatives in Somalia. This sentiment was mirrored in letters from Dirie’s family, who characterized him as a “hard working” and “deeply good man” who “enriches the lives of others around him.” The center concluded its plea by stating Dirie’s contributions “may not make headlines, but to us, he has made a positive difference.”
Despite the severity of the jury’s verdict, the outpouring of support appears to have influenced the outcome. Judge Burns handed down the least amount of prison time recommended under Minnesota’s sentencing guidelines for the crime. This sentence means Dirie, who immigrated to the U.S. in 2006, could potentially be released from prison as early as 2033, at which point he would remain on probation for the remainder of his term.
