Brief description of their services, menu and few pictures to share with the community.
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Author: Abdirashid D
Abdirashid is the founder of Voices of Somalia, and dedicated cybersecurity specialist. His passion for service and community empowerment led him to establish this platform. Driven by a genuine concern for the well-being and advancement of those he serves. Abdirashid resides in Northern Virginia with his family, where he continues to blend his professional skills with his dedication to fostering positive change in his community.
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Annual Somali Week – Minneapolis
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Annual Somali Week is a vibrant and enriching event hosted by Somali Week at 1420 S Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454. According to the event website somaliweek.org, the organization focuses on uplifting and enriching the lives of Somali American youth through education, mentoring, employment opportunities, and the arts. They aim to guide them towards higher education, civic engagement, and a strong commitment to community service. This remarkable event attracts around 40,000 participants and over 100 community groups each year.
The event is proudly sponsored by notable organizations, including Amazon, the City of Minneapolis, Metro Transit, UCare, and others.
This week-long celebration features a variety of events. This year, highlights included a Town Hall Meeting, the Somali Independence Day Festival, and the SomaliFest Concert. As an observer for the second year, I had the pleasure of attending the Somali Independence Day Festival with my family. Sponsors and vendors had stalls to share their services with the community, and there was a lively atmosphere with food trucks, ice cream vendors, and even camel riding activities.
The event this year also featured distinguished guests such as the former Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Ali Khaire, and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. It was a fantastic experience that I highly recommend to everyone, especially those who do not live in Minnesota like me.
If you plan to attend next year, consider the following tips:
- Plan ahead, as traffic in and out of the venue can be hectic.
- If you prefer to avoid large crowds, arrive early before the rush time of 4 PM to find ample parking around the venue.
- Support local vendors by bringing cash.
Mark your calendars and don’t miss out on this incredible celebration of Somali culture and community!
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Somali Diaspora Conference – Doha
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The Somali Diaspora Conference recently took place in Doha, Qatar, from July 22 to July 24. The event was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Somalia, H.E. Mr. Hamza Abdi Barre, and attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Amb. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed, along with Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi. The theme of the conference was Harnessing the Power of the Somali Diaspora for a Better and Prosperous Somalia.
Building Stronger Connections
H.E. Amb. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed emphasized the conference’s goal: to tap into the diaspora’s expertise to strengthen connections between Somalis at home and abroad. He encouraged attendees to explore investment and collaboration opportunities, underlining the diaspora’s essential role in Somalia’s growth.
Balancing Diaspora and Local Talent
While the contributions of the diaspora are invaluable, it’s important to also nurture talent within Somalia. Ensuring opportunities for locals is key to avoiding tension between the diaspora and residents. By creating an inclusive environment where both local and diaspora talents can flourish, Somalia can achieve sustainable growth and unity.
Policy and Implementation
The Diaspora Affairs Department, led by Ibrahim Gure, should establish effective policies and procedures to achieve the conference’s goals. Clear, actionable plans are necessary to integrate the diaspora’s contributions into Somalia’s development. The department should also communicate key takeaways from the conference to the community, ensuring transparency and widespread understanding.
Setting SMART Goals
For this initiative to succeed, it’s crucial to set SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. These goals will provide a clear roadmap and benchmarks to measure progress, ensuring that the efforts of both the diaspora and local communities are aligned and effective.
Bringing Conferences to Somalia
To further benefit Somalia, future conferences should be held within the country. This would not only boost local businesses and the community economically but also showcase the safety and security of Somalia, encouraging more investment and engagement from the diaspora.
A Positive Step Forward
The Somali Diaspora Conference in Doha marks a significant step toward leveraging the collective power of the Somali diaspora for the nation’s betterment. We welcome this initiative and commend the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for organizing such an important event. By continuing to foster collaboration and inclusivity, Somalia is on a promising path to a prosperous future.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the Somali Diaspora Conference and other initiatives aimed at improving conditions for Somalis globally.
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