Somalia, Türkiye Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Islamic Affairs and Religious Institutions

Ankara, (SONNA) – The Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, on Monday met with the President of Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, in Ankara to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in Islamic education, religious endowments, and faith-based institutions.

The meeting, held at Diyanet headquarters, focused on strengthening institutional ties, including Türkiye’s support for the establishment and development of Somalia’s Zakat Fund and Waqf system. The two sides also explored joint initiatives aimed at enhancing religious services and public awareness programmes.

Minister Robow expressed appreciation to the Government of Türkiye and Diyanet for their continued support to Somalia, noting that closer cooperation would contribute significantly to strengthening the country’s religious institutions and advancing the Ministry’s strategic priorities.

For his part, Prof. Arpaguş reaffirmed Diyanet’s commitment to expanding its partnership with Somalia and pledged continued support for the priority programmes of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.

The visit follows the Somali Council of Ministers’ approval on 30 July of a draft bill to ratify a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Diyanet and Somalia’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. The agreement is intended to establish a formal framework for cooperation in religious affairs, Islamic education, and institutional capacity-building.