Nov 18(Jowhar)-On 15 November, Hotel Jazira in Mogadishu hosted a special event for 5 Media Group, specifically for 5 Magazine, which celebrated its fourth anniversary. The first publication was released in November 2021, at a time when election fever was high. Since then, the Magazine has never missed an issue, a testament to its commitment to serving its loyal audience and delivering stories that matter most.
At the 4th anniversary celebration event, representatives from the office of the president and from the office of the prime minister, ministers from the Federal Government of Somalia, Members of both houses of the parliament, directors general of government institutions, clerics, musicians, party leaders and presidential candidates, and members from all walks of the community graced the event.
The CEO of 5 Media Group, which 5 Magazine is part of, Mr. Fuad Haji Abdiweli, in his keynote address, glanced back at how uneasy the journey has been and how resilient the management and the staff have been to keep the Magazine going.
“We started this journey in 2021. At the time, almost everyone discouraged us by telling us how difficult it was to do the work. However, we decided to be resilient, and we kept going, and here we are now. In those 4 years, we produced 48 issues with each of them having between 3,000 to 4,000 pieces. It wasn’t easy, but we were determined and we will keep going,” he said.
The Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Mustafa Duhulow, said that 5 Magazine has created an important platform for Somalia to communicate with foreigners, noting that the magazine is published in English, an international language.
“I congratulate Fuad and 5 Magazine. I believe they have contributed greatly to Somalia. Whether you are on a flight, in transit, or at any airport, you will see 5 Magazine wherever you go. I am pleased that they have created a space not only for Somalis but also for foreigners to follow what is happening in Somalia,” said the Director General.
The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Information, Abdirahman Sheikh Yussuf, praised the CEO of 5 Media Group, Fuad Haji Abdiweli, for his role and said he would be officially recognized.
“I commend Fuad for fulfilling the media’s role in promoting reading and information. Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Information, I can say that the Government of Somalia will honour him for the contribution he has made,” he said.
The Spokesperson of the Office of the President added: “5 Magazine has introduced creativity that has taken our country’s stories to the world, since it is published in a language understood internationally. I commend Fuad and his team.”
Former minister and current leader of the Xaqsoor Party, Abdi Ainte, shared reflections from his 12 years of experience working in media, acknowledging the challenges and resilience the profession demands.
“I worked in the media for 12 years, and I truly love this field. I know the hard work and perseverance it requires. I wholeheartedly congratulate Fuad for his dedication to this work, and I hope that in ten years we will gather again to celebrate,” said Abdi Ainte.
SoDMA Commissioner Mohamud Maalim Abdulle also praised 5 Magazine for its independence, noting that he has come across stories about the Agency’s work published in the magazine without their prior knowledge.
“I am very pleased to attend the anniversary celebration of 5 Magazine tonight. I thank Fuad for featuring stories about my agency in the magazine, even those I had not been aware of,” said Mohamud Maalim Abdulle, Commissioner of SoDMA.
Renowned Somali artist Dayax Dalnurshe, who was among the attendees, said he first encountered 5 Magazine in Kenya and initially thought it belonged to foreigners, only later realising it was a Somali-owned publication.
“When I first came across 5 Magazine, I assumed it was owned by foreigners. I commend Fuad Haji for bringing forth such a successful creative idea. It is amazing,” he said.
Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Macalin Fiqi, who closed the ceremony, praised the 5 Magazine team and their Director General, Fuad Hajji Abdiweli, for the unique role they have played in the media — a role that had not been acknowledged in the past four years. He encouraged them to further double the work they are doing for their nation, despite having no financial support from anyone and relying solely on their own efforts.
