Somalia: Somali Prime Minister Urges Women Religious Scholars to Help Strengthen Society

What the report says

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre used the closing ceremony of the second annual summit of the Somali Women Religious Scholars Network in Mogadishu to urge women religious scholars to take a larger role in supporting state institutions, social awareness and resistance to extremist ideas. According to the report from Shabelle Media Network, he said women are central to Somali society and to rebuilding communities, education and family life.

Barre also linked his remarks to Somalia’s longer period of state collapse, saying that the breakdown of public institutions had weakened cultural and religious foundations and left communities exposed to hardship and violent interpretations of religion. He warned against doctrines that justify violence and the killing of innocents, in comments that referred to militant groups such as Al-Shabaab.

The summit focused on community capacity and public awareness, with an emphasis on expanding the contribution of Somali women religious scholars to social development and state-building. Barre said his government would help develop women religious scholars as leaders, and he praised Somali mothers and women for their role in supporting the country during difficult periods. The gathering underscores how religious and civic leaders in Somalia continue to view women as important partners in efforts to strengthen governance and social resilience.