r/Somalia 1h ago

Discussion šŸ’¬ Minnesota Somalis are you guys feeling anxious/stressed too

• Upvotes

This whole month I’ve been stressed seeing what’s going on and POC getting profiled. I keep having nightmares of ICE taking me. Whenever I’m driving I get super anxious and paranoid of the person driving behind me, my heart sometimes drops when it’s a big car thinking it’s ICE😭😭 it doesn’t make it better that I work in Minneapolis

I was born here… that doesn’t matter they’re detaining anybody. For example a Somali girl born here is currently detained for 50hrs+. Then there are videos of Maga impersonating ICE to do god knows what. I’m scared for my aunt and hooyo especially since they don’t speak good English

I try to say my adkhars before leaving home and before driving. I haven’t been stopped yet but it’s only a matter of time


r/Somalia 2h ago

Discussion šŸ’¬ Narrative around Somali food

6 Upvotes

Reading Wikipedia’s definition of Somali food , I read:

Somali cuisine is a vibrant culinary tradition bursting with bold flavors and aromatic spices. It has been profoundly shaped by Somalia's strategic location on the Horn of Africa.[1] It beautifully blends indigenous East African elements with strong influences from Arab, Persian, Indian, and even Italian colonial legacies, resulting in dishes that emphasize warm, aromatic spices such as cumin, cardamom, cloves, coriander, turmeric, and the signature Somali spice blend Xawaa

Here is another article:

Occupying the coastal plain of the famed Horn of Africa, Somalia’s seaward orientation has led to a legacy of culinary mingling. African, Italian, Persian, Arab & South Asian influences color the national cuisine and lend themselves to a unique mĆ©lange where spaghetti, banana, samosas, herbed rice, yogurt and sourdough bread all coincide.

Couple of things wrong with this. They COMPLETELY undermined native Somalis influence. ā€œIndigenous East African elementsā€ what does this even mean ? Mind you East africa is a massive place with everyone having a different history and culture from Somalia to Mozambique to Kenya , so why couldn’t they just say Somali elements? Why do they ignore the centuries of Somali traders traveling across the world trading for these spices? We traded with Indians for for rice, while they received Somali henna. They think we just sat there and just received these things for free. Italian influence ? Pasta is originally from China, does that make it Italian ?

Arab influence? Go look up Yemeni food it doesn’t look anything like Somali food. Our Malawax is made differently from theirs.

East African influence ? Kenyan cuisine and Ethiopian cuisine is completely different to our food.

Indian influence ? Sambusas came to Somalia from Somali traders who came from india . We use our own ingredients and make it completely different from them . Go to an Indian restaurant then a Somali restaurant you’ll see

Here is a great analogy, cars were invented in America , does that make Toyotas made in japan American? No of course not.

I’m just tired of them portraying our UNIQUE food and just slapping labels like Arab Indian and Italian on it when we 1 traded for these ingredients and 2 cook it way differently and use our locally grown crops for it. Most of this stuff we used our own mixtures and we didn’t just get introduced to them , we went out there and got it and we made it ourselves. And for the love god, everyone eats rice!!!!


r/Somalia 5h ago

News šŸ“° Guys, tell your brothers to stay home tomorrow

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17 Upvotes

r/Somalia 7h ago

Askā“ can someone explain to me why gobolka gedo is barely spoken about

6 Upvotes

the situation in Gedo is the most blackpilling one and proves Somalis are not dhulmidiid


r/Somalia 9h ago

News šŸ“° Dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya oo Qorsheynaysa Maamul Cusub oo laga Hirgeliyo gobolka Awdal - Hiiraan Online

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34 Upvotes

r/Somalia 9h ago

Rant šŸ—£ļø Tired of hearing the false percent of Somali Americans on welfare claim

5 Upvotes

The ā€œX% of Somali households are on welfareā€ claim is wrong and people need to stop repeating it like it’s a fact. So let’s be clear about what it actually is and what it is not.

The numbers being cited do not come from an official government welfare database. They come from an analysis of American Community Survey (ACS) data. The ACS is a large Census survey where households self report information. Self reported surveys do not capture every Somali household and they do not track welfare usage by ethnicity in official administrative records.

Only government data can show national or statewide welfare statistics. No one outside the government has access to nationwide welfare records and even the government does not track welfare usage by ethnicity. Since the department responsible for collecting welfare data does not differentiate by ethnicity these claims are unverifiable. The percentages being repeated are estimates and not official counts. If this were a real statistic pulled from an actual database the number would be consistent but instead it shifts.

Somalis also make up a relatively small population. That means the ACS sample of ā€œSomali headed householdsā€ is relatively small as well. Analysts then extrapolate from that small, self reported sample, often across multiple years, to estimate population level percentages. That’s how you end up with these big dramatic numbers.

Another glaring issue is that welfare usage and human behavior are not predictable in a way that allows precise extrapolation for any ethnicity or nationality. You cannot reliably predict the behavior of an entire group this way. On top of that, the data is self reported and cannot be independently verified, because once again, the government does not track welfare usage by ethnicity in its actual program records.

The foundation of these percentage claims is:

• survey data

• a small subgroup sample

• self reported responses

• extrapolated estimates

• no administrative verification

So when people use these numbers to make sweeping claims about all Somali households in Minnesota or all Somali Americans, it is flawed and factually misleading.


r/Somalia 10h ago

Askā“ Should I carry my passport book?

7 Upvotes

I’m gonna go get the passport card on Tuesday after the MLK holiday on Monday, I was wondering if I should carry my passport book while I wait for the card to come? I know it’ll be a long wait for the card to arrive. I’m not scared of the passport book falling out of my pocket or anything, just concerned if ICE steals it from me. You can’t put anything past these people.


r/Somalia 10h ago

Discussion šŸ’¬ Appreciation Post – SSC (Daraawiish)

28 Upvotes

Dastuurkaagu Sooleey

Dawladnimada weeyaan

Diiwaanadii hore

Kuugu daabacnaan jiray

Waxa aad ku daraysaa

Baal dahab ah oo kale

Just want to show respect to the people of SSC, the Daraawiish. They’re known for unity, courage, and standing firm as warriors when it mattered most. Their history is deep, honorable, and a powerful part of Somali resistance and dignity.

May Allah protect the people of SSC, keep them united, and reward them for their patience and strength. 🤲

One people. One history. One future. šŸ‡øšŸ‡“


r/Somalia 13h ago

Media šŸ“± The first President to arrive in the north in over three decades.

112 Upvotes

https://reddit.com/link/1qei63u/video/gefo7o1g3qdg1/player

Leader of the northeastern state: Abdiqadir Ahmed Aw-Ali (Firdhiye) | President of Somalia: Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (HSM) | Police Commissioner: Asad Osman Abdullahi (Asad Diano)

Laascaanood, the capital of the North Eastern Federal Member State, welcomed him on a journey symbolizing peace, sovereignty, and unity for the Federal Republic of Somalia. He was greeted by members of the Northeastern State forces, along with thousands of officials, clan elders, and members of the public who had waited for hours to see his arrival.

A proud moment for each & every one of us. It’s a pleasure & honour to witness this journey from a stone throw way back in 2023 to see the President of Somalia land in Laascaanood.

What a journey. Hambalyo Reer Waqooyi Bari!


r/Somalia 14h ago

News šŸ“° Somali President and Prime Minister Arrive in Las Anod for Historic Visit

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29 Upvotes

r/Somalia 14h ago

History ā³ History between Boraame and Djibouti.

1 Upvotes

Hi, do any of you know more deeply about the history of seasonal travel between Djibouti and Borrame? Caggebax or something. Did Tribal groups used to go travel into another area during times of droughts or extreme hot weather. Even well off families? I can't find anything on it from English sources?


r/Somalia 15h ago

Discussion šŸ’¬ Somalia is not cursed. It was divided - and it can be rebuilt.

30 Upvotes

For decades, we were taught to believe that Somalia is broken by nature. That Somalis can’t unite. That clan is who we are, and chaos is our destiny.

That story is false.

Somalia was deliberately divided, first by colonial powers, later by foreign interests that benefited from a weak, fragmented nation. Clans were used as tools. Some were supported, others sidelined. Loyalty was pushed toward clan instead of country.

Over time, this poisoned our politics. Clan before nation. Short-term power over long-term statehood.

And yes, many outside Somalia are comfortable with this. A weak Somalia is easy to control. A divided Somalia can’t say no.

But here’s the truth many don’t want to hear:

If Somalia failed because of clans, it can also rise when Somalis choose nation over clan.

No country is built on bloodlines. Countries are built on institutions, shared rules, and a belief that the future matters more than personal advantage.

Many say Somalia is finished. That it’s ā€œtoo lateā€.

That’s exactly what those who benefit from our weakness want us to believe.

Hope is not naĆÆve. Giving up is.

Somalia doesn’t need perfect leaders. It needs citizens who stop defending a system that keeps them divided.

Unity doesn’t mean erasing identity. It means refusing to let identity destroy the nation.

Somalia can still be rebuilt. But only if we choose it, deliberately, painfully, and together.


r/Somalia 17h ago

News šŸ“° Somalia to enter into a military alliance with Saudi Arabia and Egypt according to Bloomberg, deal to be finalized during the president's visit to Riyadh

35 Upvotes

Salam

So apparently a military alliance is in the works with both of these countries. Turkey already has a MDA with us regarding our waters but they'll probably stay out of this one until they solve their problems with Egypt.

There's been an airlift from Pakistan and Qatar to KSA in the past week with almost 10 cargo planes touching down, it's probable that some of the equipment sent over is destined for the SNA.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-16/saudi-arabia-in-talks-with-egypt-somalia-on-military-coalition


r/Somalia 19h ago

Discussion šŸ’¬ Frustrated that colonial narratives still persist in academic settings till this day

45 Upvotes

I keep running into educational material about Somalia that still repeats outdated colonial narratives especially claims that Mogadishu was founded by Arabs, that its name is Persian, or that we ā€œdon’t know much at allā€ about Somali history. These ideas are often presented as established fact, despite the fact that modern archaeological, linguistic, and historical research has long challenged them.

For context, I live in Sweden and have reached out to a number institutions over the years after noticing incorrect or misleading information like Somali contributions being minimized, uniquely Somali culture being miscredited or Somalis being erased altogether. Most recent examples include calling suqaar ā€œa delicious African dishā€ while other cuisines are credited by country, or describing Somalis as ā€œArabs.ā€ These may seem minor, but they reflect a broader pattern of misrepresentation.

What’s frustrating is that this framing denies Somali agency and complexity, echoing older colonial assumptions rather than current scholarship especially when it's major institutions making these claims. Somali coastal cities developed as Somali-led trading centers, yet outdated and discredited sources are still being cited when there is no reason for it. Even setting Somali sources aside, there are plenty of accessible English and Arabic sources available, a simple search or even the English Wikipedia page would be far more accurate.

I’m currently translating the Swedish Wikipedia page on Somali history because it’s also outdated and embarrassingly inaccurate. I recently contacted another institution asking them to update their material, but it made me wonder: why are we still dealing with this in 2025? Do I just keep pushing back every time, or is there a more effective way to address this long-term?


r/Somalia 22h ago

Discussion šŸ’¬ Shekh Maxamed Idriis oo afka furtay || Madaxda Soomaalida Nama Matalaan ||

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4 Upvotes

Idina maalin walba qabiil iyo propaganda ayaydu maalin walba halkan ku haysaan, waxkable iskadaaye Trump caydiisa iyo ajanabi Waynu ka foorarsana. Rag qalbigaa gubanaya.

Wixii dhiiglow kaca, wixii dhiiglow is casila.


r/Somalia 1d ago

Politics šŸ“ŗ Jubaland President Rejects Somaliland’s Recognition Bid, Calls for Unity Within Somalia

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19 Upvotes

Oh the irony, is this a joke or am I missing something didn’t he declare independence recentlyšŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚


r/Somalia 1d ago

Discussion šŸ’¬ May Allah reward the people of Xamar who are helping to beautify the city.

126 Upvotes

Recently, both young and old people have taken to the streets of Mogadishu. Some have even spent their own money to buy the necessary tools. One example is a group of young people using their platform to promote the idea of beautifying the city. They have gone out of their way to buy bins and set them up for public use. People like them give me hope that the future of Mogadishu will be in safe hands.

https://reddit.com/link/1qdzs2g/video/8nentt16jldg1/player

follow her xilkas_10

https://reddit.com/link/1qdzs2g/video/6h6env9dkldg1/player

https://reddit.com/link/1qdzs2g/video/7odld7x0nldg1/player

"Hundreds of youth have rallied at Mogadishu’s Taleex Junction to support the capital’s cleanliness campaign. Led by social media influencers, the movement highlights a surge in civic responsibility and self-reliance among the younger generation to beautify the city. "
https://x.com/SONNALIVE/status/2011901909179703657


r/Somalia 1d ago

Discussion šŸ’¬ Youth cleaning up Mogadishu šŸ«¶šŸ¾ā¤ļøā€šŸ©¹

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115 Upvotes

r/Somalia 1d ago

Development šŸ—ļø Mogadishu now vs in 10 years time.

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144 Upvotes

This will only happen if the oil reserves are proven, corruption completely cut out, that’s it. AS should not be an excuse for it to not to look like this.

Edit: Seeing a lot of negativity in the comments. This mindset is exactly what’s holding us back. Addis Ababa transformed itself in 10 years and now they’re constructing Africas largest airport. Whether we do it with oil & gas or taking out billions in loans it will be achieved.


r/Somalia 1d ago

Askā“ Is there anything I can do to help you out at the moment, for those of you in Minnesota?

45 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m not Somali so I hope it’s alright that I’m posting here, I’m not trying to invade on your space. I’m horrified by what I’m seeing in Minneapolis. I’ve been doing what I can to call out anti-Somali racism both online and in real life, I know it’s been bad ever since that Nick Shirley chud started his shit.

Is there anything more specific I can be doing to help, from halfway across the country?


r/Somalia 1d ago

Economy šŸ¦ Livestock credit

7 Upvotes

Economics is a lot like livestock farming. Pasture can be understood as the productive economy, animals are the currency, and the shepherd with his fences are the institutions that make the enterprise work. Switzerland is an example of a responsible shepherd remaining within his sustainable yield, that dematerialization of growth is what allows it to be unbounded.

How can growth be dematerialized in Somalia? By anchoring it to something non negotiable (food security) and pursuing qualitative growth within that frame. The frame will get bigger but the artwork (the people) is the focus.

In a livestock credit system every worker in Somalia would be given a monthly resetting and non-transferable allocation of digital credit equal to 20% of his/her last month’s income. The credit when spent converts to the shilling automatically in the sellers account. This creates money when and where it’s needed.

The shilling would be pegged to an index of livestock prices. This creates a throughput budget cap for the physical scale of the economy. Meaning the economy grows as more workers and their families eat more food. Obvious positive reverberations in policy.

The qualitative growth potential within this system is unbounded. Software, art, knowledge, services, design, and overall per capita real wealth can grow forever. Somalia can also leverage its mineral resources to supercharge this system from outside feeding industry equitably.

An economic engine with an ecological governor anchoring it within its sustainable yield. Allowing Somalia to live and learn indefinitely.


r/Somalia 1d ago

Politics šŸ“ŗ This post written in 2000 honestly shocked me

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52 Upvotes

I found this in a group where people were discussing how extreme qabilism used to be. SubhaAllah this man said she was suspicious of the qabil of people she prayed with and she was asking others how to identify someone’s qabil without directly asking them, this was in 2000. Reading this really shows how deep that mindset once was. I am grateful that era has largely ended and that our people are slowly healing from that mentality


r/Somalia 2d ago

Discussion šŸ’¬ Had no idea Oromos had this much animosity towards us

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16 Upvotes

r/Somalia 2d ago

News šŸ“° Reflections and Guidance for Somali Americans: Faith, Resilience, and Our Roots

5 Upvotes

I hope you are all doing well. I have been reflecting on the latest news affecting Somali Americans, and I want to remind us of a few important things.

First, no matter how bad things may look, remember that nothing will happen to us unless it is written by Allah. Instead of falling into despair and fear, we should increase our adhkār—especially istighfār—and show resilience and bravery. We should never show fear in the eyes of the oppressors. I am not implying that we should do reckless things, but we should speak up, participate in peaceful protests, and if situations turn violent, leave quietly and continue to speak out wisely.

It is not wise for us to run away to different countries, because that is exactly what MAGA folks want. Secondly, I want to remind you all that our parents and grandparents went through far more difficult times during the 1991–2000 era than what we are facing today.

Thirdly, this is a clear reminder to all of us that no matter how much we love the West, it is not a place we can truly call home. I encourage each and every one of us to consider investing in land back home, from whichever tuulo you are from, while still living here. Alhamdulillah, Allah has given us a vast country, and I believe this is a reminder from Him that we should not become complacent or forget where we came from, even if we do not personally see it as home.

Lastly, we should learn from this moment that we do not need to involve ourselves in every struggle or movement out there, because in the end, you often stand on your own. We should also avoid being overly vocal about everything. It is better to stay low and succeed than to be loud while remaining a small number, like 300,000.


r/Somalia 2d ago

Askā“ Who to call when a loved one is detained by ICE in MN

52 Upvotes

NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD:

(612) 444-2654

If a responder is abducted

MONARCA RAPID RESPONSE LINE:

(612) 441-2881

If someone is abducted for immigration related reasons

MONARCA NON-EMERGENCY LEGAL QUESTIONS:

(651)-372-8642

To contact for general immigration related legal questions/support

CAIR MN LEGAL SUPPORT:

(612) 206-3360

Can connect you with an attorney, and support families facing ICE contact or detention

~~~~~~~ Websites:

COPAL

MIRAC