Monday November 24, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Monday officially opened the 3rd Somali Religious Leaders Conference in Mogadishu, where discussions will focus on the role of religious scholars in peacebuilding, development, and good governance.
In his opening address, President Mohamud emphasized that the government bears the responsibility of safeguarding the core pillars of Somali society including religion, culture, language, security, and the well-being of citizens.
“I commend the good work of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in establishing the Higher Institute of Sharia, from which the first batch of 197 students has graduated and the second batch is now studying,” President Mohamud said. “It is also a great achievement to lay the foundation stone for the Darul-Iftaa Majlis, which I hope will soon serve as a major gathering place for scholars. These accomplishments are a legacy for our people, achieved through diligence and professionalism.”
President Hassan Sheikh urged Somali scholars to unite and use their collective influence to guide the public toward unity, social cohesion, and national progress. He noted that a united scholarly community can contribute significantly to building a strong state, a just society, and a nation aligned with global standards.