Past event · The inaugural summit
Celebrating Unique Minds, Amplifying Voices
A historic gathering rooted in community, culture, and collective advocacy.
In 2024, Maangaar Voices hosted its inaugural Maangaar Summit, bringing together more than 200 parents, autistic individuals, siblings, educators, service providers, advocates, and community leaders for a powerful celebration of neurodiversity, disability inclusion, and community connection.
Created to center the experiences of East African families navigating autism and other developmental disabilities, the summit offered a culturally affirming space for storytelling, education, resource sharing, and meaningful dialogue.
The day
Throughout the event, attendees participated in engaging panel discussions, heard moving personal testimonies, connected with dozens of vendors and resource providers, and explored the challenges and opportunities facing families within our communities.
“Parents, professionals, and advocates uniting to address autism in the Somali community, locally and globally, creating a platform for collaboration and support.”
Speakers
Keynote speakers set the tone for the day, and five presentations covered poetry, art, schools, higher education and medical supplies.
Hosted by Abdikareem HurrehMaster of Ceremonies · Autism Policy Advocate and father
The day opened with a Qur’an recitation and reminder by Hassan Arab Mohamed, Imaam at South Metro Islamic Center, Rosemount.
Panels
Four panels brought fathers, siblings, mothers and providers to the stage to speak from experience.
Moderated by Hamza Mohamed
Moderated by Fatima Molas
One of the summit’s memorable conversations centered on the experiences of siblings of children with disabilities, creating space for their often-overlooked perspectives on love, responsibility, identity, and family life.
Moderated by Zeinab Mohamed
Moderated by Anisa Hagi-Mohamed
Watch
Press play to watch here, in Somali and English.
Maangaar 2024 Summit – Part I
Somali + English
Maangaar 2024 Summit – Part II
Somali + English
Unheard But Not Unseen: Sibling Stories from the 2024 Maangaar Summit
English
Maangaar in poetry
Somali poems celebrating Maangaar, the unique mind. Choose Soomaali or English to read each one.
Traditional gabay
A stanza from one of the first traditional Somali gabay (poem) about autism, and the first to use the word Maangaar, by the talented Abwaan Mohamed Eid. He first recited it at the first annual Maangaar Conference in 2023, and shared it again at the 2024 Maangaar Summit.
Maangaar Waxaan ahay
Maskaxdiyo xiskiisuba
Ay mug wayn yihiinoo
Miyirkiisu taam yahay
I am Maangaar:
my mind and my senses
are vast in their capacity,
and my awareness is whole.
Poem
Maangaar waxaan ahay
Aan midh Laga iloobinoo
Eebe uu ka taxadaray
Maangaar Waxaan ahay
Sida eebe ii sugay
Ay dad badan ilaawaan
Maangaar Waxaan ahay
Maalinkii timaadaba ay
Macno wayn la leedahay
I am Maangaar,
not one to be forgotten,
made with care by God.
I am Maangaar,
just as God ordained me,
though many people forget.
I am Maangaar,
and every day that comes
carries a great meaning.
Poem
Maskaxda ma li’iyoo
Maangaar baan ahay
Ruux mug waynoo
Maanku u dhan yahay
Mililicada araga iyo
Maqalka dhagaha
Muuqaal kiisa wacan
Mawlaa ii dhameeyay
I do not lack a mind;
I am Maangaar,
a soul of great capacity
whose mind is whole.
The brightness of sight,
the hearing of the ears,
a fine and gracious form:
the Lord made them complete for me.
Poem
Mowlihii Abuuree,
Maanka gaarka ah ku maneystee,
Marti la jecelyahay,
Maamuusan ka yeelaa,
Mahad gaar ah leh,
Hooyadood Maandeeq baa
Maqsuud ku ahoo,
Madaar ka ilaalisoo,
Maanso macaan
Maaweelo iyo
Macallinimo ugu filan
The Lord who created him
and graced him with a unique mind
made him a beloved guest,
one held in honor,
worthy of special praise.
Maandeeq, their mother,
holds him as her heart’s desire,
shields him from hardship,
and gives him sweet verse,
comfort,
and all the teaching he needs.
Poem
Maangaar waxaan ahay
Garaadkiisu Joogoo
Ku galaday ilaahay
Garashiyo Aqoonoo
Gobanimo u dheer tahay
Maangaar waxaan ahay
Galabtii timaadaba
Hooyo aan xilkeed gabin
Garabkiisa joogtoo
Galin aanan ciishoon
Maangaar waxaan ahay
Cidna aan u gafinoo
Gardarada aqoonoo
Godab aanan galinoo
Dadnimadu U gaar tahay
I am Maangaar:
my understanding is whole,
by the grace of God,
with insight and knowledge,
and dignity in full measure.
I am Maangaar:
every afternoon that comes,
a mother who never fails her duty
stands at my side,
all day, and never tires.
I am Maangaar:
I wrong no one,
I know nothing of malice,
I do no harm,
and my humanity is uniquely my own.
English translations sit beside the Somali originals, which remain the poets’ own words.
Legacy
More than a conference, the inaugural Maangaar Summit was a declaration that our families deserve to be seen, heard, and supported. It demonstrated the power of bringing community knowledge, lived experiences, and professional expertise together to challenge stigma, strengthen connections, and advocate for more equitable systems.
The 2024 Maangaar Summit laid the foundation for what has become a growing community movement: one that celebrates every unique mind, uplifts every voice, and reminds families that they do not have to navigate their journeys alone.
What began as a gathering continues to inspire our commitment to building inclusive communities where individuals with disabilities and their families can thrive.
