MOGADISHU – In an effort to promote religious unity and consistency, the Somali government is undertaking a significant initiative to standardize the call to prayer (aadaanka) and sermons (qudbadaha) across the nation. The plan, which will be implemented in phases, aims to ensure a uniform religious experience for all citizens, starting with the Benaadir region.
The Director General of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ibrahim Adan Ibrahim, officially announced the plan, highlighting the ministry’s focus on unifying religious practices. The first stage involves registering all mosques and synchronizing the times for the call to prayer within the Benaadir region before the program is rolled out nationwide.
The initiative goes beyond just the call to prayer. The Ministry is also working on standardizing sermon content and enhancing the expertise of muezzins and imams. This effort is designed to ensure that the messages delivered from the minbar are consistent, clear, and beneficial to the community.
This move marks a new chapter for the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, as it is the first time the department has taken such a public role in a major religious conference. The government’s commitment to this project underscores its dedication to fostering religious cohesion and providing a unified framework for Islamic worship throughout Somalia.