Somali Clerics Call for Mass Protest in Mogadishu Over ‘Israeli Interference’

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The Council of Somali Islamic Scholars has issued a strong call for a mass demonstration in Mogadishu, citing what it describes as external interference in Somalia’s religion and territorial sovereignty following recent developments involving Israel.

In a joint statement, senior clerics said the planned protest is meant to push back against what they termed an open and deliberate assault on the country’s faith, independence and unity.

Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Salad said Somalia is facing an injustice aimed at fragmenting the nation, urging the public to turn out in large numbers to defend the country’s sovereignty.

Sheikh Mahmoud Sheikh Abdullahi Bari also stressed the need to openly oppose what he described as religious and national interference by Israel in Somali affairs.

Other clerics, including Sheikh Yusuf Ali Eynt and Sheikh Ali Wajiis, echoed the call, saying it is the duty of every believer to stand in support of the faith and defend it against what they described as unjust aggression.

The demonstration, expected to draw clerics and members of the public from across Mogadishu, is intended to project Somali unity to the world and underline the country’s resolve to protect its land, religion and national identity, while rejecting any actions seen as undermining its existence.

The call for protests comes as Israel’s foreign minister made a visit to Somaliland on Tuesday, a move that has further inflamed tensions following Israel’s recent decision to recognize the region. Somali religious leaders and political figures have described the visit as a provocation and a deepening of what they see as foreign involvement in Somalia’s internal affairs.