By Goth Mohamed Goth
HARGEISA – The Ictisaam Scholars Council of Somaliland has issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it describes as unwarranted interference by certain religious figures in the political affairs of the nation.
The council specifically rebuked attempts by other clerics, both local and international, to mediate or discuss Somaliland’s status, labeling such efforts as a source of division. The statement singled out prominent cleric Ali Wajiis, accusing him of making statements aimed at “creating discord and doubt among the Ictisaam scholars and the people of Somaliland.”
The council firmly stated that its position on Somaliland’s national cause is independent and not influenced by any external parties. “The Ictisaam scholars of Somaliland are not followers of anyone in the position they take on this issue,” the statement read. “They are scholars fully capable of speaking on these affairs, grounded in both knowledge and understanding.”
In a definitive theological and political stance, the council sought to clarify the nature of Somaliland’s quest for international recognition. It declared the matter a purely political issue, not a subject for religious debate.
“The cause of Somaliland is not a religious issue open for debate; rather, it is a political cause,” the statement asserted. “Therefore, there is no reason to create conferences and pulpits in Mosques for discussions concerning it, other than to trade on the public’s sentiment.”
The statement concluded with a blanket condemnation of any opposition to Somaliland’s nationhood, reinforcing the council’s unwavering support for the territory’s three-decade-long pursuit of sovereignty. The move is seen as an effort to consolidate domestic religious support and shut down internal debates that could be perceived as challenging the foundational political goals of the state.
