MOGADISHU, SOMALIA – In a historic move, more than 300 Islamic clerics from Somalia and the diaspora have issued a fatwa condemning religious extremism in all forms and calling on the public to support the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to combat groups such as Al-Shabaab. The fatwa was issued on Thursday in Mogadishu after four days of intense discussions and deliberation on the topic of religious extremism.
During the closing ceremony, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Bare praised the efforts of the clerics and thanked them for their dedication to the country. He also promised to fully implement the fatwa and urged the Somali population to heed the call of the clerics in order to bring about peace, prosperity, and development in the country.
“I welcome this conference and the outcome of the declaration. It was carefully thought through and addresses the many challenges our people face today,” said Prime Minister Bare. “It is important for the clerics to clarify the truth and for the Somali population to heed their call.”
The fatwa is being seen as a major step forward in the fight against religious extremism in Somalia and the wider region and is expected to have a significant impact on the ongoing efforts to combat terrorist groups.
