Minnesota Somali Religious Leaders Welcome New Unity Government in Somalia

بسم الله الرّحمن الرّحيم
In the Name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Allah says in the Qur’an, “And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not disunited, and remember the favor of Allah on you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts so by His favor you became brothers.” (Qur'an, Chapter 3: Verse 103)

In a hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The similitude of the believer in regards to the other believer is like a building; each block strengthens the other (block).” Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Somali imams and religious leaders in Minnesota fully support the process of peace, reconciliation, and unity that lead to the election of President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Minnesota enjoys the largest number of Somalis in the nation and we add our voice to strengthen the peace process. Cognizant of the significance of this historic moment for stability, we propose the following:

1. The government and people of Somalia – inside the country and outside – must work together for peace and unity.
2. The new government and the Resistance forces must resolve the differences through peaceful negotiations, and work together for the benefit of the people.
3. The Somalis as Muslim people must desist from extending the civil war, and forgive one another.
4. The new government must work for justice and equality to achieve peace.
5. The government must apply Islamic Law as the basis of the constitution.
6. Somalis must rely on themselves in determining the future of the country to avoid foreign interference.
7. Somali scholars and intellectuals must realize the special responsibility placed upon their shoulders in determining the future of the nation.
8. The government must act quickly to provide relief the suffering of the displaced people inside and outside the country.
9. The Somali religious leaders in Minnesota are willing to play a constructive role in mediating the conflicting groups in the country, if needed.

The following Imams and Scholars agreed on the statement of support:

1. Sheikh Abdirahman Sharif
2. Sheikh Abdirahman Sh. Omar Ahmed
3. Sheikh Ahmed Muhumed Burale
4. Sheikh Ahmed Ibrahim “Taajir”
5. Sheikh Hassan Ali Mohamud “Jaamici”
6. Sheikh Sa’ad Muse Rooble
7. Sheikh Omar Faqi
8. Sheikh Abdirahman Omar “Haaguf”
9. Sheikh Abdirahman Sheikh Ismail “Abu Turaab”
10. Sheikh Mohamed Mursal
11. Sheikh Hassan Buuhane
12. Sheikh Jamal Mohamed Weli
13. Sheikh Abdirizaq Abshir Farah “Sancaani”
14. Sheikh Bashir Wagad
15. Sheikh Mustafa Mohamed Ibrahim
16. Sheikh Hassan Sheikh Mohamed
17. Sheikh Abdulahi Warsame
18. Sheikh Mohamud Dhayow
19. Dr. Abdirahman Dirie Mohamed
20. Sharif Mohamud Sharif Ali
21. Sharif Abdisalam Adam
22. Sheikh Ahmed Dayib Mursal
23. Sheikh Mohamed Hanafi Mohamud
24. Sheikh Mohamed Rashid Abdirahman
25. Sheikh Sabriye Moallim Muse
26. Sheikh Hassan Abdinur
27. Sheikh Awil Abdi Aden
28. Sharif Sidow Abdi-Sharif
29. Sheikh Abdirahman Ali
30. Sheikh Shafi Husen Adan
31. Sheikh Ahmed Shiil
32. Sheikh Mohamed Ali Nur “Gacamay”
33. Sheikh Abdirashid Mohamed Turre “Ijaabo”
34. Sheikh Garad Kahin
35. Sheikh Abdirahman Qaadh

For more information, please contact:

1. Abdisalam Adam (612) 227-3933
2. Sheikh Sa’ad Muse Roble (612) 702-1683