MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Thousands of Somalis in Minnesota are expected to show support for the new prime minister of their homeland.

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali was formally approved as Somalia’s new prime minister last month. He is currently on sabbatical from his job as an associate professor of economics at Niagara University in New York.

Those who support Ali’s leadership will gather at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Event organizers say they want to show their trust in Ali, and endorse good governance and rule of law.

Ali is expected to speak to the crowd by conference call. The Harvard-educated Somali-American told the AP last week that fighting corruption and defeating al-Shabab militants will be his top priorities.

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States.

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