Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with a group of Somali scholars on Friday to discuss the ongoing war against the Khwarij group al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency in the country since 2006.
The president praised the scholars for their role in supporting the government and the Somali people in their fight against the extremists, who he said were enemies of Islam and Somalia. He said the scholars were the inheritors of the noble religion of Somalia, which has a rich history of Islamic scholarship and culture.
He also urged the scholars to use their knowledge and voice to counter the extremist ideology of al-Shabaab, which he said was based on ignorance and violence. He said the government was committed to restoring peace and stability in the country, as well as providing basic services and development opportunities for the people.
The scholars, who represented various Islamic schools and Institutions, expressed their solidarity with the president and the government in their efforts to defeat al-Shabaab and rebuild the country. They offered their advice on how to strengthen the government institutions, promote national reconciliation, and foster social and economic development.
They also condemned the atrocities committed by al-Shabaab, which they said were contrary to the teachings of Islam and the values of the Somali people. They called on the Somali people to unite and cooperate with the government and the security forces in the war against terrorism.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Religion and Endowment Sheikh Mukhtar Roboow Ali and the officials of the Organization of Somali Scholars, a body that represents the religious scholars in the country.
