Minnesota Proclaims Somali Week

The week of June 26 through July 2 2005 marks the commemoration of Somali National Week. This time around, Somalis in Minnesota are not celebrating alone as the state of Minnesota and Minneapolis and St. Paul cities proclaimed it as Somali Community of Minnesota Week.

This week's proclamation is a milestone for Somali community in Minnesota who thank the state, and Minneapolis and St. Paul cities governments for recognizing the significance of this week for Somali people all.

Somali community also thanks all Minnesotans for accepting them with open hands

Brief Somalia history:

Somali populated horn of Africa was divided into five sections by European empires after the Second World War. June 26, 1960 the British Somaliland in the north became gained its independence, followed by the Italian Somaliland in south within five days. The two joined hands and claimed their independence on July 1st, 1960. Djibouti got its independence after seventeen years from France on June 27, 977 and became and sovereign country. The other two sections, about one third of Somali land was annexed by Kenya and Ethiopia. Somalia and Ethiopia fought many wars over disputed Somali populated region under Ethiopian control. Kenya was criticized many times by international human rights groups for not developing their Somali region. Large Somali populated cities in Kenya do not have adequate running water and are underdeveloped.

Somalis around the world celebrate June 26 through July 1 for their hard earned independence.


Credits:
Minnesota State and Tim Pawlenty - Governor of Minnesota
City of Minneapolis and R. T. Rayback - Mayor of Minneapolis
City of St. Pail and Randy c. Kelly - Mayor of St. Paul
Mohamud N. Wardhere - Office of US Senator Norm Colman

PDF Files: Proclamation Certificates
State of Minnesota
City of Minneapolis
City of St. Paul