JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Somalia’s Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, has signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with his Saudi counterpart, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh. The signing ceremony in Jeddah marks the beginning of a formal partnership aimed at advancing Islamic administration and fostering closer religious ties between the two nations.
The comprehensive memorandum of understanding covers a three-year period from 2026 to 2028. Under the accord, Mogadishu and Riyadh will coordinate 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 their operational efficiency.
A central pillar of the agreement is the rigorous training and capacity building of Somali religious leaders. The deal outlines specific programs for Imams and Khatibs, offering advanced courses aimed at combating extremist ideologies and promoting moderate Islamic teachings. By equipping religious guidance counselors with these skills, the initiative seeks to protect communities from radicalization and ensure mosques remain centers of peace and social cohesion.
Furthermore, the partnership includes provisions for developing the Waqf (endowments) sector, ensuring religious assets are managed effectively for public benefit. The pact also enables Somali religious scholars to participate in 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.
