JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – The Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, has formally executed a bilateral cooperation agreement with his Saudi counterpart, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh. The signing ceremony, held in the coastal city of Jeddah, marks the beginning of a formalized partnership aimed at advancing the administration of Islamic affairs and fostering closer religious ties between the two nations.
This comprehensive memorandum of understanding is set to span a three-year period, covering the timeframe from 2026 to 2028. Under the terms of the accord, Mogadishu and Riyadh will coordinate their efforts to streamline religious administration. The agreement establishes a framework for mutual support, allowing both ministries to share expertise and resources to accelerate the development of religious institutions and enhance the efficiency of their operations.
A central pillar of the agreement is the rigorous training and capacity building of Somali religious leaders. The deal outlines specific programs designed for Imams and Khatibs, offering them advanced courses aimed at combating extremist ideologies and promoting moderate Islamic teachings. By equipping religious guidance counselors with these skills, the initiative seeks to insulate communities from radicalization and ensure that mosques remain centers of peace and social cohesion.
Furthermore, the partnership includes robust provisions for the development of the Waqf (endowments) sector, ensuring that religious assets are managed effectively to benefit the public. The pact also opens doors for Somali religious scholars to participate in high-level knowledge exchange forums and international Islamic conferences hosted by the Kingdom. It further facilitates greater Somali representation in global Quranic memorization competitions, integrating Somalia’s religious community more deeply into the broader Islamic world.
