Minneapolis, Minnesota(SONNA)-The First Deputy Speaker of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Hon. Sadiyo Yasin Haji Samatar, participated in the annual Somali Hero Awards ceremony held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.
The event, which serves as a platform to recognize and encourage Somalis who have made meaningful contributions to their communities, was attended by more than 600 participants, including officials from the Federal Government of Somalia, intellectuals, artists, and members of the Somali diaspora from different parts of the world.
Senior officials of the Federal Government of Somalia present at the event included the First Deputy Speaker of the House of the People, Hon. Sadiyo Yasin Haji Samatar, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, H.E, Daud Aweis Jama, along with other government representatives. During the ceremony, various awards were presented to individuals who distinguished themselves through their service and positive impact on the development of Somali society.
The Executive Director of Somali Hero Awards, Mr. Hassan Isak, who delivered the opening remarks, expressed his appreciation to all those who played a role in organizing the awards, noting that the initiative had been planned for a long time.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Volunteers of Somalia and President of the Somali Hero Awards, Mr. Ali Gaashan, explained the purpose of the awards, stating that they were established to motivate and honor individuals who contribute to the progress and well-being of the Somali community. He emphasized that the organizers plan to hold the awards annually.
Hassan Isak, executive director of Somali Hero Awards appreciated the level of participation of the event, describing it as beyond their expectation.
Addressing the audience, First Deputy Speaker Hon. Sadiyo Yasin Haji Samatar briefed participants on the current situation in Somalia and the achievements made in state-building. She called on the Somali diaspora to actively participate in the country’s development and to promote unity and social cohesion.
“You are capable people, and the eyes of the world are upon you. Move away from clan divisions, work for unity, resolve differences among yourselves, and understand your shared interests. We sincerely thank you for the warm welcome you have shown us,” said Hon. Sadiyo.
Among those honored with the Somali Hero Awards was national hero Cilmi Haji Farah (Cilmi Hagar), who was martyred in the fight against extremist groups. Other award recipients included:
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Dr. Abdirahman Awale Habeeb
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Sheikh Noor Haadi
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Asli Abade
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Drs. Amino
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Mus’ab Warfa
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Abdisalan Shaciye
In addition, several prominent Somali artists were honored with Hero Awards, including Salad Derbi, Dalmar Yare, Nicman Hilaac, and Ahmed Haadi.
The ceremony, attended by more than 600 people, comes at a time when the Somali community in Minnesota continues to play a significant role in supporting community development, cultural preservation, and Somalia’s ongoing state-building efforts.
