User:Nieema

NieeMA Thasing

NieeMA Thasing is the first Female in the state of South Dakota to be Muslim and serve on the City Council. She in fact might just be the only African American Muslim female to serve in this role in the United States.

In 2018 NieeMA was asked to run again to fill a vacant seat in ward one. She ran unopposed and at this writing, is again a city council person.

Here is NieeMA's history prior to 2018:

In 2007 Nieema was asked to sit on the city council:

NieeMA is one of two Ward 1 representatives on the City Council in Elkton South Dakota.

When asked NieeMA says this:

I have two children and 5 Grand babies. I also have a son with my new husband.

I am into health. I remember reading what was said about Allah/God putting things on earth to cure all things. Well, I am now spending a good amount of time looking into that. Honey and Black seed are the cures for everything but death is what has been said. I love to read about things related to health and might one day become an ND. (Naturopath)

I also remember reading about us as women needing to learn how to hunt, fish, and ride a horse and camel. I can do all of that and love it!!! Living in a peaceful and fresh environment is what I need and Allah/God has provided that for me.

I grow up in St. Paul Minnesota and up until 2002 I was living mostly in the Twin Cities.

In 2002 I moved from St. Paul Minnesota to the Nederlands to be with my new husband Jan Sallim Thasing a Dutch revert of 6 years. I am still a fully cover African American sister.

Yes, I am the nieema with no last name from St. Paul. Yes, I am the one that drove school bus.

I returned to St. Paul Minnesota on July 3rd 2005 to attend to my dying father. He died on July 7th.

On or about Aug. 2005 we the three of us, move to South Dakota.

On May 1st 2006 we bought a home in Elkton South Dakota. Elkton has about 695 residents.

I/we love it here in SD. We live not that far from the original series "Little House on the Prairie"

In July I was approached by the Mayor of Elkton asking me if I wanted to be on the City Council as a Ward 1 Representative. After having conversation with my husband Sallim and prayer, I told the Mayor yes.

The Mayor took his time in putting me on the City Council so the community could get a chance to meet me and know me fully. I work with two of the six City Council persons in the school (Fall of this school year I started teaching at the local school K-12 as a substitute.) Our son is friends with the children of another Council member, so it was not hard to get to know people and they to know me.

On January 3rd of 2007 I was appointed to the City Council by the Mayor and voted in as well by the full council, as a show of confidence.

January 7th, as a volunteer assignment, I met some members of my ward for the first time. I was welcomed in their homes like and old friend. I was told about the history of Elkton and about the things that concerned them. I listened and told them that they had an open door to me.

I let them know that that is the way of Islam, we look out for our neighbors, it is our duty!!!

The town of Elkton has welcomed our entire family with open arms. This is a town that feels if you believe in God, then things are ok.

So far I have had a lot of people ask me "Why South Dakota?"

South Dakota is the place we planned to retire to in around 2015 or so if Allah/God willed it. My husband came to the US to visit me and we went to see the people that introduced us. They live in a small town here in South Dakota. While visiting we fell in love with the clean air and the open spaces of South Dakota. It reminds me of the wonderful life I had in the Nederlands. The other question asked, Why Elkton why a small town?

When we were living in the Nederlands, we were in a village about 3 miles from the German boarder. I shopped in Germany more then the Nederlands. My husband went to Jummah (prayer service) in Germany.

Our village was voted the cleanest place in the Nederlands and West Germany. Coming to Elkton had that same easy going friendly, open tolerant feeling and fresh air.

There are several Hetterite colonies around us and those women are covered too. So, I guess long skirts and a Hijab ( head covering) was not new to many folks here in Elkton.

If I had a say in things, Elkton would be on the map as on of the best places to live.