Though the Somalis are dispersed throughout the globe, the week of June 26th through July 1 st represents time for unity, hope, pride and reconciliation. As has been the case in the state of Minnesota, leaders have already shown signs of lending a hand to Somalis towards that.   Somali leaders must also do exactly that and begin to seriously establish meaningful governance for their people.

Special recognition must be accorded to those countries that have hosted millions of Somali refugees who have been displaced by the long and protracted regional conflicts and civil wars, whose origins date back to the 1970s, starting with the Ethio-Somali war of 1977, and the ensuing insurgent wars of the 1980s against the late dictator's regime. The aftermath of all regional conflicts and wars created today's twin evils of dislocation and confusion, from which Somalis are still reeling.

However, a glimpse of hope seems to be emerging. We believe that Somalis are a nation of resilient people in many ways. They are also a cultural nation with a largely pastoral economy that is resilient and can withstand both natural and cultural calamities. They have so far survived many wars waged by outsiders and insiders alike (dating back to the 15 th Century wars of the Crusade), tsunamis and many years of statelessness and anarchy with little help from outside. Thanks to their spirituality (“Caqiida”) and strong culture hankered on one unifying language, simply called, “Af-Somali”, Somalis are on their way out of a protracted quagmire and one can already smell the breeze (“saxansaxo”) of peace and milk (“nabad iyo Caano”).

Recently, the State of Minnesota and the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have all officially recognized the week of June 26 th to July 1 st as “Somali week.” This is a much needed and well-deserved reprieve for the hard-working Somalis who decided to settle in the great state of the “ten thousand lakes.”   Minnesota, the state that had given America the likes of Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale, is a liberal state with a tradition of unbounded tolerance. Somalis to date make the backbone of the service sector of the state's booming economy.  

As the new Mecca of the Somali Diaspora, many activities run parallel annually during this week. The fledgling North American Somali Doctors Association (NASDA), attended by over 50 Somali doctors, was held in the vicinity of the “Mall of America.”   Moreover, Somali National Soccer tornaments, featuring teams from Europe and North America also took place, which in turn gave a heart worming foot-traffic to the bustling “Somali Mall” in Minneapolis. Also, the Somali Media Network Association held its annual award ceremony in Minneapolis, where WardheerNews, among other websites, received the award for originality and content.

In particular, Somalis all over should congratulate the great Senator from Minnesota, Mr. Norman Coleman, who had pledged to bring the Somalia issue to the front burner of the U.S. Senate. Additionally, the mayors of Minneapolis and Saint Paul deserve our special salutation. We encourage Somali residents in Minnesota to remember their friends, when in need, and start a grassroots campaign for fund-raising and eventually mobilize Somali voters for Senator Coleman and the two mayors who supported their cause.

On behalf of the thousands of Somalis who are residents of the state and the twin cities, plus the hundreds of thousands of Somalis whose relatives are Minnesotans, often depending on them for their livelihood, and on behalf of our loyal readers, WardheerNews tips off its hat for you, i.e., the leaders of Minnesota, and says we cherish your friendship to the Somalis in your midst. We also urge the Somali community to stand by you.

Although at an early stage, the synergy emerging between Somalis in Minnesota and the political leaders of the state and the twin cities is a positive symbolism, and constitutes the genesis of the potential strength of Somalis in the Diaspora gathering momentum. “Let the bell toll” for those Somalis who have settled in states like California (San Diego), Virginia, Ohio (Columbus), Toronto (Ontario), and other places to use their voting power towards making a difference here and at home.

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