Somalis mark their country's independence day with dance, food

Somalis mark their country's independence day with dance, food
By Dave Schwarz • dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com • July 2, 2008

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Community members gathered Tuesday in the Apollo High School auditorium for St. Cloud’s first celebration of Somali independence.


Somalia gained independence from Great Britain on June 26, 1960, and from Italy on July 1, 1960.

The celebration featured speeches by several local Somali elders, including Ismail Ali, Mohamoud Mohamed and Mohamed Yusuf. Music by Hibo Nura and UK Ali and local Somali youth groups also was performed.

The event featured dancers holding Somali and American flags and ended with a traditional Somali meal served in the Apollo High School cafeteria.

Speakers noted that Somalis in the area are lucky because they are able to celebrate both Somali and American independence days in the same week.