Former Iftin Group Artist Sheikh Abdullahi Zulfa Received with Warm Welcome in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU — The Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, and the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdifatah Qasim Mahmoud, today welcomed Sheikh Abdullahi Zulfa at Aden Adde International Airport following his return to Somalia after more than 30 years away from the country.

The reception was also attended by the Acting Director General of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Nasir; National Theatre Manager, Abwaan Guure; Deputy National Theatre Manager, Abwaan Maki Haji Banaadir; and other officials.

Sheikh Abdullahi Zulfa was formerly a prominent Somali artist and a member of the Iftin Group under the Ministry of Education. He is remembered for his contributions to Somali arts and public awareness.

Ministers Fiqi and Qasim welcomed his return to his homeland and praised his valuable contribution to Somalia’s artistic and social history.

Sheikh Abdullahi Zulfa spent many years in Saudi Arabia, where he served as a Muezzin at a mosque. During his time there, he stopped performing music and withdrew from artistic activities to devote himself to religious service.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has previously convened high-level meetings with Somali poets and literary figures, examining the crucial role of Somali arts and literature in enhancing public awareness, advancing state-building initiatives, and restoring a cohesive national identity.

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has been actively working to preserve Somalia’s cultural heritage, including the rehabilitation of the Radio Mogadishu Archive and the launch of a national workshop on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme.

Somali poets and artists have long played a vital role in preserving the country’s cultural heritage, even amid decades of conflict and instability, maintaining the tradition of oral poetry and storytelling.

A Homecoming After Decades Abroad

Sheikh Abdullahi Zulfa’s return to Somalia marks the end of a long period of self-imposed exile. His journey from being a celebrated artist to a religious figure in Saudi Arabia reflects a personal transformation that resonates with many Somalis who have experienced similar changes in their own lives.

The presence of two federal ministers at the airport to welcome him underscores the significance of his return and the respect he commands in Somali society. His contributions to Somali arts, particularly through the Iftin Group, remain an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.

The Somali National Theatre has undergone multiple phases of reopening and renovation, with President Mohamed Farmaajo reopening it in 2020 and subsequent efforts to revive cultural activities.

The National Theatre screened its first movie in 30 years in 2021, marking a significant moment in the country’s cultural revival.

Critical Note

While the warm reception for Sheikh Abdullahi Zulfa reflects Somalia’s enduring appreciation for its cultural figures, his return also highlights the challenges facing Somali artists and intellectuals who have spent decades in exile. Many have been unable or unwilling to return due to political instability, insecurity, and lack of institutional support for the arts.

The government’s gesture of welcome is a positive step toward rebuilding cultural ties with the diaspora, but it must be accompanied by sustained investment in cultural institutions and the protection of artistic freedom. Without such measures, the return of individual figures will remain symbolic rather than the beginning of a broader cultural revival.