Minneapolis Mall Visit: Omar Returns to Public Life After D.C. Raid

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., appeared in public on Friday for the first time since the October 12 raid on her Washington, D.C. home. She spent much of the day inside Karmel Mall of Somalia in Minneapolis. The visit marked her return to community engagement following the federal search.

The four-story building houses approximately 900 vendors and serves as a hub for the local Somali population. It differs from standard American shopping centers. Vendors operate behind metal garage doors, and posted hours are loosely observed. The space resembles a storage facility more than a traditional retail environment.

Omar had lunch in the mall's dining area. She was joined by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and members of the Somali community. The two officials had just cast early votes at a nearby polling station. Somali, Palestinian, and American flags flew at the same height in the dining room. Patrons greeted Omar, chatted briefly, and posed for photos while security guards remained close.

The food vendors served traditional dishes such as sambusas, bijaye, and goat meat with basmati rice. Many diners ate with their hands, although Omar and her companions used forks. Other shops in the building offer prepaid SIM cards, money transfer services to East Africa, travel arrangements, and barber services. English serves as the second language of the venue.

Basim Sabri, the mall's owner, allowed Fox News Digital to film the visit. He described the complex as an incubator for local businesses. Sabri stated that many entrepreneurs start in the mall before moving to larger spaces. He also noted that Karmel is the largest mall in the city of Minneapolis, despite the presence of the Mall of America in nearby Bloomington.

Sabri has a personal history with the political figures visiting the space. He is a friend of Omar and knew her late father. In February 2024, he banned Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey from the premises after the mayor vetoed a resolution calling for an Israel-Gaza ceasefire. Outsiders, particularly those with cameras, often draw scrutiny from guards and patrons, though Sabri instructed his staff to stand down for the news crew.

Sabri has a criminal record from 2005. He was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for bribing a Minneapolis public official. He spoke openly about his time in the Leavenworth, Kansas, federal prison. His son attends Institut Le Rosey, a Swiss boarding school with an annual cost of approximately $184,000.

Sabri presented the mall as proof of Somali integration and prosperity in the area. He acknowledged that every society has criminals but emphasized the intelligence and work ethic of the local population. He invited visitors to see people building businesses and pursuing the American dream within the complex.