Schools and learning
National Library of Somalia (Maktabadda Qaranka Soomaaliyeed)
The National Library of Somalia in Mogadishu was set up in 1975 and held about 7,000 books by 1983. It closed during the civil war in the 1990s. A rebuilding project began in 2013, and since then shipments of books have come from the United States, Qatar and Egypt, with Qatar Charity signing a support agreement in February 2024.
In short
The National Library of Somalia is the country's national library, in Mogadishu (Wikipedia). It opened to the public in 1975. It closed in the 1990s during the civil war, and a rebuilding project has run since 2013 (same source).
When it started
The library was established in 1975 and was open to the general public (Wikipedia). By 1983 it held about 7,000 books, with little historical or cultural archive material (same source).
Closure in the 1990s
The library closed during the civil war of the 1990s (Wikipedia). In August 2016, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the library had "fallen into ruin" about 25 years earlier (infoDOCKET, reporting Goobjoog News, 20 August 2016).
The rebuilding project from 2013
- June 2013: the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies, a Mogadishu think tank, organised a shipment of 22,000 books from the United States to restock the library (Wikipedia).
- December 2013: the federal authorities launched a project to rebuild the library. Zainab Hassan was named director. The plan was a $1 million, government-funded library complex, to be built within six months (Wikipedia). A further 60,000 books were expected from Arab League states (Wikipedia).
- August 2016: at the close of the three-day Mogadishu Book Fair, the president said the library grounds had been fenced with iron sheets for renovation. "Soon it will be completed," he said (infoDOCKET, 20 August 2016).
Book donations since 2021
- 20 June 2021: Qatar National Library gave more than 4,000 books across many fields. Qatar's ambassador and the library's director, Dr Mohamed Ahmed Sheil, signed the handover (The Peninsula, 20 June 2021; Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- Egypt: the Bibliotheca Alexandrina announced a first batch of Arabic publications for the national library and the Mogadishu University library, as part of a joint Egyptian and Arab campaign (Egypt Independent).
- 4 February 2024: Qatar Charity and the library signed an agreement to supply scientific, literary and cultural books and textbooks, train library staff and help rehabilitate the library (SONNA). Dr Mohamed Ahmed Sheil signed for the library. Nura Mustafa Mukhtar, state minister of education, attended (same source).
Who runs it
The library falls under the federal Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education, whose ministers attended the 2021 and 2024 handovers (SONNA). Dr Mohamed Ahmed Sheil has been named as director since at least 2021 (The Peninsula).
Other libraries
Somaliland has its own National Library of Somaliland in Hargeisa and public libraries in Berbera, Gabiley and Sheikh (Wikipedia, National Library of Somaliland). For universities, see Universities in Somalia.
Sources
- National Library of Somalia, Wikipedia
- infoDOCKET, Somalia to reopen national library soon, 20 August 2016
- The Peninsula, QNL donates more than 4,000 books, 20 June 2021
- Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2021
- SONNA, Qatar Charity signs deal, February 2024
- Egypt Independent, Bibliotheca Alexandrina books for Somalia
Sources
- Wikipedia · en.wikipedia.org
- infoDOCKET, reporting Goobjoog News, 20 August 2016 · infodocket.com
- The Peninsula, 20 June 2021 · thepeninsulaqatar.com
- Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs · mofa.gov.qa
- Egypt Independent · egyptindependent.com
- SONNA · sonna.so
- Wikipedia, National Library of Somaliland · en.wikipedia.org
Toosoo!
Calankii is made by Toosoo, which works for one united, prosperous Somalia.
Can you help with National Library of Somalia (Maktabadda Qaranka Soomaaliyeed)? Tell us what you can give.
I want to help with this
Where this matters
Same era
- Australia18,401 people of Somali ancestry and 8,101 born in Somalia lived in Australia at the 2021 Census, more than half in Victoria. History, work, issues.
- Birmingham (Somali diaspora)About 17,000 to 21,600 Somalis live in Birmingham (Census 2021), mostly in Nechells, Newtown, Small Heath and Alum Rock. History, work, health and ties home.
- Bristol (Somali diaspora)9,167 people in Bristol identified as Somali or Somalilander in Census 2021, the city's largest minority group. Where they live, work, housing, leaders and ties home.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada2,845 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, plus 890 in Brooks. How they came, who serves them and what they face.
- Denmark (Somali diaspora)21,885 people of Somali origin lived in Denmark in 2026, half born there. Numbers, history, work, permit reviews, and ties home.
- DjiboutiAbout 13,900 refugees from Somalia live in Djibouti (Aug 2026): numbers since 1990, Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl, the 2017 refugee law, Arta 2000 and 2025 returns.
Keep reading
- Somalia exam results: how to check Grade 8 and Grade 12 results (natiijada imtixaanka)How to check Somali Grade 8 and Grade 12 exam results: official links for the federal exam board, Puntland and Somaliland, dates and latest pass rates.
- Scholarships for Somali students: study abroad and at home (deeq waxbarasho)Scholarships open to Somali students: Türkiye Bursları, Stipendium Hungaricum, Chevening, IsDB, Mastercard Foundation and home funds. Official links and tips.
- Learn English for free: free courses for Somali speakers (baro Ingiriisi bilaash)Free ways for Somali speakers to learn English: BBC and VOA Learning English, British Council, USA Learns, free tests, and the exams scholarships ask for.
- Universities in Somalia: the national university, private universities and how to chooseUniversities in Somalia: the Somali National University story, the rise of private universities, how quality is checked, and how to choose where to study.
- Public libraries in Somaliland: Hargeisa, Berbera, Gabiley and SheikhSomaliland's public libraries: the national library in Hargeisa (2017), Berbera (2018), Gabiley (2021) and Sheikh (2023): when each opened and what it offers.