Somalia, Turkey Agree to Expand Cooperation in Islamic Education and Waqf Development

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ANKARA: Somalia and Turkey have agreed to deepen cooperation in Islamic education, religious endowments and institutional capacity-building, with Ankara pledging continued support for the development of Somalia’s Zakat Fund and Waqf system following high-level talks in the Turkish capital.

The agreement emerged from discussions between Somalia’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, and the President of Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, at Diyanet headquarters in Ankara.

According to officials, the two sides agreed to expand collaboration in Islamic education, religious services, institutional development and public awareness programmes, while strengthening technical cooperation to support the establishment and management of Somalia’s Zakat Fund and Waqf institutions.

Prof. Arpaguş reaffirmed Diyanet’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s priority programmes in religious affairs, while Minister Robow welcomed the expanded partnership, saying it would help strengthen the country’s religious institutions and advance reforms within the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.

The talks also reinforced cooperation between the two institutions ahead of the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to provide a formal framework for collaboration in religious affairs, Islamic education, training and institutional development.

Recently, Somalia’s Council of Ministers approved a draft bill to ratify the agreement between Diyanet and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. The legislation is expected to be submitted to parliament for consideration before the MoU enters into force.

The latest agreement reflects the expanding relationship between Somalia and Turkey, which has broadened beyond humanitarian assistance and security cooperation to include education, institutional development, maritime affairs and economic investment.

For Somalia, strengthening the governance of religious institutions has become part of wider state-building efforts aimed at improving transparency in the management of zakat and waqf assets, enhancing the delivery of religious services and supporting moderate Islamic education. Officials say international partnerships will play an important role in building institutional capacity and sharing technical expertise.

The partnership with Diyanet is expected to provide Somalia with access to Turkey’s experience in administering religious institutions and charitable endowments, while helping develop sustainable mechanisms to support education, social welfare and community development.