Somali-American businessman hopes to preserve homeland's culture in museum

Somali artifacts
Osman Ali displays two artifacts from Somalia, including a container that holds water for washing and drinking and a wooden slate used to teach writing, at his Minneapolis, Minn. restaurant, The Bright Moon Cafe, Friday, March 15, 2013. The historical items are two of more than 700 he wants to display at the Somali Artifact and Culture Museum, which he hopes to open in the Twin Cities.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

A Minneapolis restaurant owner wants to create what might be the only museum of Somali artifacts and culture.

Osman Ali says he has more than 700 artifacts in storage that he wants to house in a museum. He and other organizers are holding a two-day benefit beginning Friday at Lincoln International High School.

Ali says he was driven to collect artifacts because all the museums in Somalia were destroyed during the long civil war.

"Right now there's not any museum in anywhere except some collections in some small rooms in some regions of Somalia. But we don't have any kind of a building that says that's a museum," Ali said.

He says the museum will serve as a resource for younger generations of Somalis to learn about their heritage.

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.