Somali National News Agency
So
Ar
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
    Local NewsShow More
    Somalia Calls for Global Action on Displacement at UNGA High-Level Roundtable
    September 23, 2025
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Discusses Bilateral Ties with his Bahraini Counterpart at UNGA 80th Session
    September 23, 2025
    President Hassan meets Head of Political Affairs at the U.S. State Department
    September 23, 2025
    Somalia, World Bank Conclude Workshop on Airport Development
    September 23, 2025
    Somali Ambassador to Algiers Holds Strategic Talks with Algerian Deputy Foreign Minister
    September 23, 2025
  • World News
    World NewsShow More
    Five people dead as rescue boat overturns in Pakistan floods
    September 7, 2025
    Landslide kills more than 1,000 in Sudan’s Darfur region, armed group says
    September 2, 2025
    Search for survivors still on after 800 killed in an earthquake in Afghanistan
    September 2, 2025
    An earthquake devastates eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 600 and destroying villages
    September 1, 2025
    Hamas accepts an Arab ceasefire proposal on Gaza as Palestinian death toll passes 62,000
    August 19, 2025
  • Articles
    ArticlesShow More
    The Collapse of the Al-Shabaab Militants’ Defenses and Offenses sends Four Clear Messages
    September 15, 2025
    Somalia’s March Toward Fair Elections Gains Momentum with New Political Party Registrations
    September 7, 2025
    The 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin marks a new era of cooperation and a powerful stride toward a more just and equitable multipolar world.
    September 1, 2025
    Somalia’s Oil and Gas Potential: A New Frontier for Global Energy
    August 29, 2025
    Somalia’s Political Leaders Forge a Path to Democracy
    August 25, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Somalia Unveils the Blueprint for a Modern and Sustainable Mogadishu
    December 21, 2024
    Djibouti Launches $57.4 Million Youth Entrepreneurship Project to Combat Climate Change
    November 25, 2024
    FM meets Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia
    October 28, 2024
    President Hassan Sheikh Inaugurates New LPG Storage Center in Mogadishu
    May 12, 2024
    Collaboration of ICT transformation for digital Infrastructure
    October 24, 2023
  • Sports
    SportsShow More
    Somalia’s Dekadaha FC faces Sudan’s Alzamala Sports Club in Nairobi
    September 20, 2025
    Mogadishu Stadium to Host Star-Studded Match Featuring Somali Legends and International Football Icons
    May 27, 2025
    Arsenal held at Brighton while Man City bounce-back continues
    January 5, 2025
    Galmudug wins the Inter-State Football Tournament
    January 29, 2024
    Somalia set for two int’l friendlies ahead of WC qualifier clashes against Algeria and Uganda
    October 10, 2023
  • Tenders
    TendersShow More
Reading: Somalia Joins the World in Observing International Mother Language Day
Share
Font ResizerAa
Somali National News AgencySomali National News Agency
  • SOMALI
  • ARABIC
Search
  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
Follow US
©2023 || All rights reserved SONNA
Somali National News Agency > Blog > Articles > Somalia Joins the World in Observing International Mother Language Day
Articles

Somalia Joins the World in Observing International Mother Language Day

By Khadarow
Last updated: February 21, 2023
9 Min Read
Share

The World today celebrates the annual observance of the 21st of February as International Mother Language day, a significant event that marks the importance of the Mother Language.

 

This global day is a special occasion that aims to raise awareness about the importance of languages, cultures, and the overall development of language-related skills and activities. World Mother Language Day was first proclaimed by UNESCO on November 17, 1999, and later in 2008, the International Year of Languages was declared, following a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly for the years 2002 to 2007, in recognition of the need to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism.

 

The importance of the 21st of February lies in its global significance to encourage nations to promote more than six thousand languages, preserve social cohesion, foster language rights, and strengthen international cooperation towards linguistic diversity and cultural vitality. Somali people are part of the global community that marks the celebration of the 21st of February, which highlights the importance of languages and their role in shaping our lives, communities, and interactions with the world. Language is a crucial aspect of human development and plays a pivotal role in fostering social integration and cohesion, preserving heritage and culture, and facilitating economic growth and global cooperation.

 

On October 21, 1972, the Somali language was officially written for the first time, and a standard orthography was established, which led to the creation of dictionaries, books, and guidelines on how to write the Somali language. This milestone provided the foundation for the development of language-related skills and activities in Somalia.

 

Similarly, on January 21, 1973, the Somali government launched a newspaper, which was written in Somali, and introduced an educational curriculum that promoted the development of language-related skills, historical and cultural heritage, and scientific knowledge.

 

Somali is a beautiful language that is spoken by millions of people in Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and other parts of the world. It is a language with a rich culture and history, and it is the official language of Somalia. However, the use of the Somali language has been declining in recent years due to the influence of other languages and the lack of promotion of the language. This is why local communities in Somali regions need to play an active role in promoting the use of the Somali language.

 

There are several ways in which local communities in Somali regions can participate in promoting the use of the Somali language. The first and most important way is to speak Somali at home and in public. Parents can encourage their children to speak Somali by using it as the primary language at home. This will help children to learn and appreciate the language from a young age. Moreover, local communities can organize events and gatherings where the Somali language is spoken and celebrated. These events can include cultural festivals, poetry readings, and storytelling sessions.

 

Another way to promote the use of the Somali language is through education. Local communities can work with schools to ensure that the Somali language is taught and promoted in the curriculum. This can be done by incorporating the Somali language into lessons and hiring Somali-speaking teachers to teach the language. In addition, local communities can create language programs that teach Somali to non-Somali speakers. This will not only help to promote the language but will also help to build bridges between different communities.

 

Furthermore, the use of social media can be a powerful tool in promoting the Somali language. Local communities can create social media accounts that promote the use of the Somali language. They can share news and information in Somali, create videos in Somali, and encourage people to speak the language. This will not only help to reach a wider audience but will also create a sense of community among Somali speakers.

 

Finally, local communities need to celebrate the Somali language and its culture. This can be done by creating cultural centers that promote Somali culture, organizing festivals and events, and creating art and literature in Somali. This will not only help to preserve the language and culture but will also help to create a sense of pride and identity among Somali speakers.

 

It is important to note that the Al-Shabaab insurgency has harmed the education system in Somalia, particularly in the areas that they have controlled. The group has prohibited or discouraged secular education and imposed its strict interpretation of Islamic law on the population. This has led to a decline in the number of schools and the quality of education in those areas.

 

Fortunately, the Somali government, has been able to liberate most of the regions that were previously under the control of Al-Shabaab. This has created an opportunity for the government to rebuild and improve the education system in those areas. As you mentioned, the government is already building schools in liberated areas, which is a positive step forward.

 

It is important to note that the Somali language is a vital part of the country’s cultural heritage and identity. Therefore, special focus must be placed on promoting the Somali language in the education system. This can be done by ensuring that Somali is taught as a subject in schools and that Somali-speaking teachers are hired to teach the language. This will not only help to promote the use of the Somali language but will also help to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.

 

In conclusion, the Somali language is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage and identity, and local communities and the government must work together to promote and preserve it. Despite the challenges posed by groups such as Al-Shabaab, the Somali government is making progress in liberating regions from their control and rebuilding the education system. The promotion of the Somali language must be prioritized in this process, as it is a key part of the country’s cultural identity and a vital component of its future development.

 

In conclusion, the Somali language is a beautiful and important language that needs to be promoted and celebrated. Local communities in Somali regions can play an active role in promoting the use of the Somali language by speaking Somali at home and in public, incorporating the language into education, using social media to promote the language, and celebrating Somali culture. By working together, local communities can ensure that the Somali language and culture are preserved for future generations

 

It is also crucial for the Somali government to prioritize the promotion and preservation of the Somali language by incorporating it into the education system and hiring Somali-speaking teachers. Despite the challenges posed by groups like Al-Shabaab, the Somali government is making progress in liberating regions and rebuilding the education system. The promotion of the Somali language must be prioritized in this process, as it is a key part of the country’s cultural identity and a vital component of its future development. By working together, local communities and the government can ensure that the Somali language and culture continue to thrive for generations to come.

 

By: Abdiqani

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

MORE NEWS

Ode to Yan’an: How a Song Inspired Chinese Youth During Wartime

ArticlesCulture
August 19, 2025

Kenya’s small farmers find respite in avocados amid changing climate

NAIROBI(SONNA) As crop diseases and pests rise in Kenya amid a rapidly changing climate that…

March 11, 2023

Somalia Calls for Global Action on Displacement at UNGA High-Level Roundtable

New York, (SONNA) — The Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the Federal Government…

September 23, 2025

Nimcaan Hilaac appointed to lead Waberi National Band

Mogadishu (SONNA)-Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Mohamed…

March 3, 2020

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

2025 one-person, one-vote elections will herald a new era of democracy in Somalia

2025 one-person, one-vote elections will herald a new era of democracy in Somalia “Nothing else in the world - not…

Articles
December 4, 2024

Assessing the Progress of President Hassan’s Pledge to Eliminate Extremism

Prior to his presidential election on May 12th, 2022, Dr. Hasan Sheikh Mahamud approached the Parliament for endorsement and made…

Articles
February 5, 2023

Somalia needs support for all to enjoy security

SONNA - A decade and half since African troops first landed in Mogadishu to break Al-Shabab’s stranglehold over Somalia, the…

Articles
February 4, 2023

Somalia’s Security Progress. Rising Above the Global Peace Index Bottom

For the first time in history, Somalia is not at the bottom of the Global Peace Index. This is a…

Articles
February 17, 2025

Somali National News Agency established in 1964. It is one of the main pillars of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

  • Home
  • Local News
  • World News
  • Articles
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Tenders
  • SNTV
  • RADIO MOGADISHU
  • DALKA JOURNAL
  • TOURISM DEPARTMENT

Follow US: 

  • MoICT
  • VILLA SOMALIA
  • OPM SOMALIA

All rights reserved SONNA

©2023

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?