Minneapolis celebrates first Somali-American Day

The city of Minneapolis celebrates Somali-American Day for the first time Tuesday, highlighting the achievements of the Somali-American community.

The City Council ppicked the day because it's also Somalia's Independence Day.

Somali-American Day gives Somalis the opportunity to share their culture and traditions with the rest of the community, said Mahmoud Noor of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota.

"A celebration that shows how the city values the diversity and how the community is willing to share. That reflects our multicultural society," he said.

Because many Somalis are Muslim and are celebrating Ramadan, some Somali-American Day events took place earlier, he said.

Abdi Warsame, the first Somali-American city councilmember in Minneapolis, said the day highlights the unique contributions from the Somali-American community in the city.

"It makes the Somali-American community that lives in Minneapolis feel that Minneapolis is their home. While they've lived in Minneapolis for the last 20 years, some of them did not feel that they were fully integrated," he said.