Baidoa, Somalia – In a historic milestone for cultural preservation, Somalia’s National Academy for Maay Culture and Science convened its inaugural gathering on Sunday in Baidoa under the leadership of Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen. The event brought together prominent leaders from across Somalia and the diaspora, underscoring the national significance of the initiative.
The academy, established to safeguard and promote the Maay language and heritage, appointed renowned Somali-American scholar Prof. Maxamed Xaaji Mukhtaar as its first chair, with Prof. Cabdi Kusow named vice-chair. Both figures are respected academics with decades of work dedicated to Somali linguistics and cultural studies.
In their declaration, the academy’s founders pledged to preserve the Maay language, promote academic research, and ensure cultural continuity for future generations. They further urged the Federal Government of Somalia to formally recognize the academy as a national institution, provide state funding, and integrate Maay into both the constitution and the national budget.
“This is not only about safeguarding a language, but about affirming identity, unity, and diversity within Somalia,” President Laftagareen said during his opening remarks, emphasizing that recognition of Maay strengthens Somalia’s multicultural fabric.
The call for official backing reflects a long-standing demand from Maay-speaking communities, particularly in the southern regions, for greater linguistic and cultural inclusion within national institutions. Advocates argue that integrating Maay alongside Standard Somali will promote inclusivity, educational access, and social cohesion.
With this launch, the academy has positioned itself as a central platform for cultural dialogue, academic scholarship, and policy advocacy, marking a significant step toward recognizing the linguistic diversity of Somalia.